Mental Fitness: Breaking Free from the Stigma w/ Sam Stephens

I would love to hear from you! Sam and Nate explore the critical importance of mental health awareness, the stigmas that prevent people from seeking help, and the journey toward emotional intelligence and healing from trauma. They discuss practical ways to support mental fitness through meditation, journaling, exercise, and connecting with safe people who can hold space for vulnerability.• Mental health support should be viewed as an ongoing practice like physical fitness, not just something sought in crisis• Growing up in Australia during the 90s, Sam faced significant stigma around seeking mental health help• Journaling works best as an unfiltered "word vomit" rather than trying to write something perfect• Warning signs of domestic violence include withdrawal, evasive behavior, and feeling controlled or monitored• Emotional intelligence techniques include counting backward, pressing your tongue against your teeth, and physically taking steps back• Sam courageously shares his experience of childhood molestation and growing up with parents who had depression• Both hosts agree that vulnerability and authenticity create deeper connections with others• Sam's meditation practice of nearly nine years has been essential to his mental health journeyIt's okay that you're not okay. There's always someone there who can help – you're not alone.Support the showhttps://mindforcepodcast.buzzsprout.com