EP 26 - Fitness, Fatherhood & Fighting Mental Health Battles: An Honest Conversation

In this raw, honest, and deeply reflective episode of the Freedom Kickstarter podcast, I sit down with long-time online coach Jonathan Hamilton Potter founder of Reinvent Dadbod for a conversation that’s about so much more than business.Jonathan opens up about the real behind-the-scenes of running a coaching brand, including the mental health battles no one sees, the crash-and-burn of a failed business partnership, and what it’s really like to run a business while managing ADHD and depression.Expect stories that punch, practical insight, and perspective-shifting moments all from a man who’s spent nearly two decades in the trenches of coaching and content creation.Whether you’re a coach, creator, or just someone trying to figure out how to stay consistent through the chaos, this episode is for you.What We Discussed:How Jonathan went from near rock bottom to building Reinvent DadbodWhy “just doing the thing” might be the most powerful antidote to depression and procrastinationThe real cost of a bad business partnership (and what to do if you’re in one)How to operate a business when mental health isn’t on your sideWhat ADHD really looks like behind the scenes (not just TikTok stereotypes)The truth about motivation, self-worth, and getting stuff done when you feel like sh\*tWhy transparency beats perfection in online coachingThe power of doing less but better when you're overwhelmedJonathan on Mental Health & Business:“When you do what you’re putting off, the fog lifts. That’s always been the quickest way out of it for me.”“I don’t want to build a business that relies on me being perfect — because I’m not. And I won’t pretend to be.”About Jonathan:Jonathan Hamilton Potter is an online coach and founder of Reinvent Dadbod, a fitness coaching program specifically designed for dads who want to reclaim their energy, health, and identity. With over 17 years of experience in the fitness industry — and hard-earned wisdom from the battles of self-employment, parenthood, and personal setbacks — Jonathan is known for his no-fluff, deeply human approach to coaching.Find Jonathan online:Instagram: [@reinventdadbod](https://www.instagram.com/reinventdadbod)Website: [reinventdadbod.co.uk](https://www.reinventdadbod.co.uk/home)Final Five:1. Book recommendation:The Millionaire Fastlane* by MJ DeMarco — “Ignore the name. It’s not a get-rich book. It’s about what it really takes to build something that lasts.”2. Coffee order:Skinny flat white — or a cortado when he’s feeling fancy.3. Social media platform to delete:Facebook — “No one sees anything anymore. It’s basically useless.”4. Dinner party guests:* Mike Tyson* Gordon Ramsay* Marlon Brando5. One piece of advice for others:“Just do the thing. You won’t learn what works until you do something — even if it fails.”If you’re building a business while battling your own mind, this episode is a reminder you’re not alone — and there’s always a way forward.