Breaking the Stigma Around Men's Mental Illness, Therapy and Asking for Help

From Rock Bottom to 75 Pounds Lost

Sometimes the greatest transformations don't begin with a workout plan or a new diet. They begin with surviving your darkest day. In this episode, I'm joined by Kyle Fry, who shares an incredibly honest conversation about living through chronic pain, surviving suicidal thoughts, rebuilding his life after multiple back surgeries, and ultimately losing more than 75 pounds by changing far more than his body. Together, we explore how mindset, personal responsibility, supportive relationships, and daily action helped Kyle move from simply surviving to creating a life he genuinely enjoys living. In this episode, we discuss: • Kyle's battle with chronic pain and multiple back surgeries • The day he nearly lost his life to suicide • How one unexpected moment changed everything • The mental and emotional side of long-term weight gain • Why rock bottom became the turning point in his journey • Losing more than 75 pounds through sustainable lifestyle changes • Food addiction, habits, and rebuilding a healthier relationship with yourself • The importance of surrounding yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed • Why small, consistent goals often lead to the biggest transformations • Making peace with your past without allowing it to define your future This conversation goes far beyond weight loss. It's about resilience, choosing hope during incredibly difficult seasons of life, and recognizing that lasting change begins long before you see it reflected on the scale. Whether you're navigating your own health journey, struggling with your mental health, or simply looking for encouragement to take the next step, I believe you'll find something meaningful in Kyle's story. Connect with Kyle Fry TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@kilofree86 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kilofree86 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kyle.fry.9210 Mental Health Resources If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, please know that help is available. United States & Canada 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day. https://988lifeline.org If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. You are not alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and support is available.

How to Adapt When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan | With Bill Streetman | From The Your Level Fitness Podcast

Life rarely unfolds exactly the way we expect. In this episode of The Your Level Fitness Podcast, I'm joined by Bill Streetman for a conversation about identity, resilience, adapting to change, and learning to move forward when life takes an unexpected turn. While many people know Bill through his remarkable weight loss journey, this conversation goes much deeper. We explore how major life events can reshape our identity, why flexibility often matters more than having the perfect plan, and how trusting yourself becomes one of the most important skills you can develop. Bill shares the story of having a non-cancerous tumor removed from his carotid artery, the unexpected complications that followed, and how losing his voice forced him to redefine not only how he communicated with others, but how he viewed himself. Rather than allowing that challenge to become the end of his story, he found a new way to continue speaking, teaching, and encouraging others. Throughout our conversation, we discuss what it means to adapt when life changes, why proper planning and flexibility go hand in hand, and how our body, mind, and spirit all influence our ability to navigate difficult seasons. In this episode, we discuss: • Why identity is constantly evolving throughout life • The importance of adapting instead of resisting change • What Bill learned after losing his voice • Why flexibility often matters more than having the perfect plan • How body, mind, and spirit work together • Building confidence by trusting yourself to overcome challenges • Why your "why" should be personal instead of borrowed from someone else • Learning to adjust without giving up on your goals • The difference between planning and expecting everything to go perfectly • Why you're capable of more than you think If you've ever felt like life forced you to change direction, I hope this conversation reminds you that your circumstances don't have to define your future. Sometimes the greatest growth comes from learning to adapt while continuing to move toward the life you want to build. Connect with Bill Streetman on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bill.streetman Purchase Bill's book: https://a.co/d/ivdughV Thank you for listening to The Your Level Fitness Podcast. If this conversation encouraged you, please consider following the podcast and sharing this episode with someone who may need the reminder that it's never too late to adapt, grow, and keep moving forward.

Breaking the Stigma Around Men's Mental Illness, Therapy and Asking for Help

Some conversations have the power to remind us that we are never as alone as we think we are. In this episode of The Men's Mental Health Series, I sit down with Daron for an honest conversation about the thoughts many men carry in silence, the stigma surrounding diagnosed mental illness, and why seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Daron shares his personal experience with a suicide attempt during the pandemic, the journey that led him to therapy, and how learning to open up has changed his life. Together, we discuss why so many men suppress their emotions, the importance of finding a therapist who is the right fit, the misconceptions surrounding mental health diagnoses and medication, and how recovery looks different for everyone. Our hope is that this conversation encourages someone listening to take the first step toward getting the support they deserve. In this episode, we discuss: Daron's personal journey through depression and a suicide attempt Why men often struggle to talk about what they're experiencing The value of therapy and finding the right therapist Breaking the stigma surrounding diagnosed mental illness Understanding medication as one possible treatment tool Why healing is a process and looks different for every person Creating more open conversations around men's mental health Connect with Daron: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@menstalkshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daronseals1234/ If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or is experiencing a mental health crisis, please know that help is available. In the United States and Canada, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside the U.S. or Canada, please contact your local emergency services or crisis support line. You do not have to face this alone. Thank you for listening to The Men's Mental Health Series. If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. Honest conversations help break stigma, encourage healing, and remind us that asking for help is one of the strongest things we can do.

Wellness, Men's Mental Health and Finding Common Ground With Kevyn J | From The Your Level Fitness Podcast

on The Your Level Fitness Podcast, I'm joined once again by Kevyn J for a conversation that goes far beyond weight loss. We discuss Kevyn's nearly 10-year wellness journey, including his experience using a GLP-1 medication as one tool to improve his health, the importance of strength training, working alongside your healthcare team, and what it really means to pursue long-term wellness instead of chasing quick fixes. From there, the conversation naturally expands into men's mental health, emotional awareness, community, lifelong learning, artificial intelligence, social media, and why genuine human connection may be one of the most important parts of living a healthy life. Some of the topics we explore include: • Viewing GLP-1 medications as one tool within a broader wellness strategy. • Building strength, protecting muscle, and improving long-term quality of life. • The importance of finding healthcare professionals who truly partner with you. • Why men need safe spaces to talk openly about mental and emotional health. • Creating authentic community instead of relying solely on social media. • Lifelong learning, adapting to change, and embracing new technology without losing human creativity. • Finding common ground with others through fitness, music, conversation, and shared experiences. This episode is a reminder that wellness isn't just about changing your body. It's about building a life that allows you to stay active, stay curious, develop meaningful relationships, and continue growing into the person you want to become. A huge thank you to Kevyn for joining me again and for continuing to advocate for wellness, inclusion, and authentic connection. Follow Kevyn and continue the conversation: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevyn_j/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kevyn_j/ If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to follow Kevyn on social media and stay connected with the positive work he's doing in the wellness and advocacy communities.

A Father's Day Message for the Men Who Are Hurting

Father's Day can be a complicated day. For some men, it's a day of celebration. For others, it's a day filled with grief, regret, distance, loneliness, unanswered questions, or relationships they wish looked different than they do today. In this special Father's Day episode of The Men's Mental Health Series, Daryl Perry shares a heartfelt message for fathers, father figures, stepfathers, adoptive fathers, and the men who have stepped into a guiding role in someone else's life. Drawing from the recent loss of his own father to ALS, Daryl reflects on the lessons his dad taught him about love, forgiveness, vulnerability, and the importance of having conversations before it's too late. He also explores the emotional weight many men carry, the burden of unresolved relationships, and why healing often begins with forgiving yourself. In this episode, we discuss: • Why Father's Day can be difficult for many men • The emotional realities of fatherhood and father figures • Lessons learned from losing a parent • Why vulnerability is a sign of strength, not weakness • The damage caused by resentment, bitterness, and keeping score • How relationships can begin to heal through ownership and conversation • The importance of therapy, connection, and emotional support • Why your presence matters more than you realize This episode is a reminder that many men are carrying far more than they show the world. If you're struggling today, please know that you are not alone. There are people who care about you, people whose lives have been impacted by you, and people who are glad you're still here. The Men's Mental Health Series exists to encourage honest conversations around mental health, emotional well-being, vulnerability, and the realities men face every day. Because healing starts with a conversation. If you are in immediate danger or considering harming yourself, please seek help right now: United States & Canada: Call or text 988 United Kingdom & Ireland: Call Samaritans at 116 123 Australia: Call Lifeline at 13 11 14 Emergency Services: Call your local emergency number immediately if you are in crisis. You matter. Your story matters. And help is available. Happy Father's Day.