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July 17, 2025 49 mins

If you want a real-life example of post-traumatic growth, Ben Fanelli’s story is it. Greg has been on a mission to crack the code on how people turn the worst moments into the best chapters, and Ben might just be the blueprint. We’re talking about a hockey player who went through trauma you wouldn’t wish on anyone, and somehow turned it into something bigger, better, and more meaningful than the “top of the mountain” he was chasing in the first place.


Ben is now a registered psychotherapist, podcast host, motivational speaker and founder of a mental health platform, all rooted in the idea that everyone has the ability to be the hero of their own story. He joins us to spill the (sometimes messy, always honest) truth about his comeback after a life-changing injury, why the support of family, friends, and even the odd free Tim Hortons coffee can change everything, and how he’s working to make mental health support more normal and less clinical.


We get into why elite athletes definitely do feel anxiety, why chasing perfection is a trap, and what actually happens when you let yourself lean on your people. There’s lots of laughs, a little philosophy, and a reminder that the people who look “unbreakable” are often just really good at asking for help. Ben’s journey proves you can build something even better after everything falls apart.


Every other Thursday, we talk to people who got UNBLOCKED. You'll hear stories about finding clarity, career paths, career pivots and living with intention. Our guests tell us how they realized something had to change, made bold moves, and built lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional. We’ll share some of our own stories too, because we’re right here, figuring it out like everyone else. 


Links & Resources

Heroic Minds

Heroic Minds Podcast

Ben Fanelli on LinkedIn

Ben Fanelli on Instagram

4,000 Weeks Book

Greg’s Mak(hani) & Cheese Recipe


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