On this episode ofManlihood, hostJosh Hatcher sits down withDr. Donald 'Skip' Mondragon, acombat veteran, champion wrestler, physician, and retired Army colonel, to discuss his courageous battle withdepression and mental health struggles.
Dr. Mondragon has spent over25 years in the U.S. Army, serving as aninternal medicine physician and medical officer. A lifelong competitor, he was acollegiate wrestler and continues to use the lessons he learned on the mat to inspire resilience and perseverance. But despite his toughness and success, he found himselffacing a mental health crisis that forced him to confront the stigma around seeking help.
Throughpowerful personal stories and wrestling metaphors, Dr. Mondragon shareswhat it really means to be strong, thedangers of the ‘tough guy’ mentality, and how men cantake charge of their mental health without feeling weak. If you're looking for apodcast for men that tacklesmental health, masculinity, and resilience, this episode is a must-listen.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Donald 'Skip' Mondragon
01:12 – Welcome to Manlihood
01:41 – Recap of Past Guests
02:20 – The Manlihood Community & Mission
03:16 – Introducing Today’s Guest: Dr. Mondragon
04:03 – His Background: Military, Medicine & Wrestling
04:35 – Struggling with Mental Health
05:12 – Why Seeking Help is Crucial
06:09 – Dr. Mondragon’s Personal Journey to Recovery
15:32 – Breaking the ‘Tough Guy’ Mentality22:02 – Realizing When You Need Help
25:42 – Practical Strategies for Mental Well-being
26:53 – Addressing Suicidal Thoughts & Warning Signs
27:32 – The Importance of Asking Men About Suicide
28:54 – The Stark Reality: Suicide Rates Among Men
31:06 – A Global Perspective on Male Suicide
31:42 – Personal Story of Loss & Lessons Learned
33:44 – The Recovery Process: Steps to Healing
40:36 – Wrestling Metaphors for Overcoming Life’s Challenges
43:15 – What True Masculinity Looks Like
46:45 – Dr. Mondragon’s Advice on Self-Care & Mental Strength
48:33 – How to Connect with Dr. Skip Mondragon
51:19 – Conclusion & Call to Action
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
✅Men’s mental health matters – Depression isn’t weakness.
✅The ‘tough guy’ mindset can be dangerous – Asking for help is strength.
✅Suicide rates among men are alarming – We must break the silence.
✅Practical strategies for resilience, self-care, and seeking support.
✅Wrestling metaphors that apply to life’s battles – Get back on the mat!
🎧Listen now and join the conversation!
💪Connect with Dr. Donald ‘Skip’ Mondragon:👉https://www.transformedtoughguys.com/
WRESTLING DEPRESSION IS NOT FOR WIMPS: Lessons Learned from an Amateur Wrestler’s Fight to Triumph Over Depressionhttps://amzn.to/4huC3wt
🔥Join the Manlihood Community:
🔗 Website:http://manlihood.co
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