E002 - “Why Not You” - Todd Simmons on Mental Health, Leadership & Authentic Public Speaking

Podcast Title: Tha Motiv8tors Table Podcast Host: Dr. JayR McIntyre (Tha Hood Motiv8tor) Episode Title: E002 - “Why Not You?” - Todd Simmons on Mental Health, Leadership & Authentic Public Speaking Summary: JayR sits down with retired US Air Force veteran and Courageous Leadership Alliance founder Todd Simmons for an unfiltered conversation on mental health, authenticity, and the long road from a small South Carolina town to keynote stages around the country. Todd unpacks how a chaotic childhood, an undiagnosed learning disability, and a 25 year Air Force career shaped a man who used to throw up before public speaking and now turns down more invitations than he accepts. The conversation moves through Todd’s early life in Hardyville, the African elder who saw a writer and speaker in him at 10 years old, and the moment he chose to go off script in front of a Missouri auditorium to talk about suicide and depression while still in uniform. He shares why he refuses to call anything a failure, how feedback from a lost contract turned into a business partnership, and why visibility and self awareness are the two muscles he trains hardest. For motivators in the room, this one is a masterclass in why your story matters, why your voice matters, and why the obstacles you have faced don’t disqualify you. As Todd puts it, why not you? Main Topics: • How childhood challenges shaped Todd’s resilience • Overcoming fear to find your voice in public speaking • Why authenticity connects deeper than scripted perfection • The role of mental health in leadership and success • Building real connections and community • Using feedback to fuel growth • The mindset of “Why not you?” as a catalyst for change Intriguing Quotes: “I don’t use the word failure anymore. Everything that doesn’t happen is a lesson.” “Once you fall in love with yourself and all parts of it, you’re okay with the exterior opinions.” “Everyone is watching. Not everyone is engaging.” “I don’t build tables. I build environments and cultures and empires.” “Why not you?” Key Moments: [00:01:30] - Welcome to Todd Simmons, retired Air Force vet and founder of Courageous Leadership Alliance [00:03:36] - Growing up in Hardyville South Carolina as the youngest of four to a single mother [00:04:16] - The undiagnosed learning disability behind failing fourth and ninth grade [00:09:42] - The African elder who tells a 10 year old Todd he will be a skilled writer and speaker [00:13:13] - Reframing failure as feedback and turning a lost contract into a partnership [00:26:27] - Speaking origin story, throwing up in the bathroom before a 500 person ceremony [00:30:00] - Going off script in Missouri to speak about suicide and depression in uniform [00:49:43] - The Why Not You mindset that flipped everything for Todd at 24 Notable Guests/Resources: Todd Simmons, retired US Air Force veteran (25 years, retired 2019), founder of Courageous Leadership Alliance Inc, public speaker, and author of “Why Not Me - Born to Fail, Destined to Succeed”. Based in Rockville, Maryland, originally from Hardyville, South Carolina. Find him at courageouslead.com, on LinkedIn at Todd Simmons, and on Instagram at YoT Simmons. Suzanne Hamri, award-winning filmmaker producing “Unfiltered, the Blueprint”, a nationwide documentary series of unfiltered conversations with men. Todd serves as the nationwide moderator. First filming kicks off at the He Thrives conference. He Thrives, men’s conference on 19 February 2026 at the Tower Club in Tyson, Virginia. 100 men, full day programme focused on health, mental health, and wealth. Co-hosted by Todd Simmons and D Mosley (She Leads is the women’s counterpart). Star (Southern Teens Acting Responsibly), youth organisation founded by Ms. Primus that exposes kids to slave sites, culture, and Black history. Sponsors mentioned: Los Angeles Tribune, Riverside, ProImmune, EZ Pills, iFocus Pills. Special Announcements:🌐 Official Website: https://www.thahoodmotiv8tor.com/🎧 Watch & Listen on All Platforms🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gmg75s...🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@THAHOODMOTIV8TOR📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_motiv8tor_table_podcast/ From the Block to the Board — Every Story Has Power.MOTIV8TORS MOUNT UP. IT'S TIME TO SHAKE THA ROOM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.