Training Through Darkness: Depression, Injury, & How to Show Up w/Jordan - Episode 102 (30DEC2025)

In this episode of the Blue Chip Athletic Club Podcast, I sit down with Jordan to unpack what happens when your identity gets tied to performance, the military, and your body—then injury and life blow it all up. We walk through his journey from a not-so-athletic kid in Florida, to Navy aviation ordnanceman, to dealing with depression, suicidal thoughts, and a brutal back injury that left him unable to walk without help. We talk about how structure disappears when you leave the military, why numbing out never fixes the problem, and how community (shout out to Good Vibes Run Club) can be the bridge back to yourself. In This Episode You’ll Learn: Why losing structure after the military can wreck your routines and mental health How injury, weight gain, and a breakup pushed Jordan to the edge—and what pulled him back How depression can feel day-to-day, and why “just tough it out” doesn’t work How movement, therapy skills, and community helped him rebuild confidence Simple mindset shifts to keep training when life doesn’t look like Instagram Work with Blue Chip Athletic Club: Coaching & programs: https://bluechipathleticclub.com Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-chip-athletic-club/id1732357083 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6UYmFwk9cFR1ySLtwwbpEZ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bluechipathleticclub/podcasts Connect with Blaise & Blue Chip: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluechipathleticclub/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bluechipathleticclub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Blue-Chip-Athletic-Club-by-Blaise-Curtis-61550958014297/ Questions? Reach out: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/contact-us Connect with Jordan (Guest): Instagram: @deetz_life Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 – Post-workout intro and why this conversation matters 03:10 – Growing up in Florida, finding sports, and not understanding “work ethic” yet 08:45 – Wrestling success, ankle break, and the first big identity hit in high school 14:20 – Joining the Navy, A-school in Pensacola, homesickness, and the first signs of depression 22:30 – Deployment, suicidal thoughts, and becoming the “positive petty officer” anyway 31:00 – COVID lockdown, training like a machine, getting shredded without tracking a thing 36:40 – Falling in love, ignoring red flags, losing money, health, and identity over two years 43:30 – Hitting 220+ pounds, feeling stuck, and trying to “out-train” real life 47:30 – CrossFit comeback, big lifts, and the back injury that changed everything 55:10 – Cortisone injections, hospital trips, and what it’s like when pain controls your day 01:06:00 – Graduating as a PTA while being the patient yourself 01:16:40 – Finding new community, Good Vibes Run Club, and moving again without fear 01:26:15 – Choosing to keep showing up when quitting feels easier