Jacintha Field on Helping Kids Regulate Big Feelings After Trauma

Part 1: Michael’s Bump in the Road: FAP, Surgery, Anxiety, and the Fight to Keep Going

At 18 years old, Michael Caprio was handed a diagnosis that changed everything: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, a rare genetic condition tied to colorectal cancer risk. In this powerful Part 1 conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles talk with Michael about fear, surgery, anxiety, family history, and what it really takes to keep going when life smacks you sideways. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “Sometimes the bump in the road becomes the bridge that gets you back to yourself.” — Inspired by Michael Caprio TRIGGER NOTICE + 988 CRISIS REMINDER This episode includes discussion of serious illness, surgery, medical trauma, anxiety, depression, and moments of feeling like life was no longer worth living. Please listen with care. If you or someone you love is in crisis or thinking about self-harm, call or text 988 in the United States to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not a burden. You are not alone. Help is available right now. EPISODE DESCRIPTION At 18, Michael Caprio should have been worrying about senior year, friends, and what came next after high school. Instead, he was facing a rare genetic diagnosis called Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, or FAP, a condition that causes precancerous polyps to grow in the large intestine and dramatically raises colorectal cancer risk. What followed was fear, bloodwork, colonoscopies, life-changing surgery, an ostomy, and the emotional punch of realizing his body would never be the same. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Michael joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk honestly about what it felt like to be diagnosed so young, how his family history shaped his understanding of FAP, and why Googling symptoms can send your brain straight into a horror movie. He opens up about having his large intestine removed, living with an ostomy during recovery, and struggling with the mental health side of healing. This episode gets real about medical trauma, anxiety, identity, and the moments when Michael felt like a burden to the people who loved him most. But it also shows the power of support, honesty, perspective, and choosing to stay in the fight one painful day at a time. Keywords: Michael Caprio, FAP, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, colorectal cancer awareness, rare disease, medical trauma, anxiety, ostomy recovery, colectomy, J pouch surgery, mental health, chronic illness, hereditary cancer, surgery recovery, emotional wellness MEET OUR GUEST — MICHAEL CAPRIO Michael Caprio is an Author, advocate, and rare disease warrior who was diagnosed with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis at just 18 years old. He is the Author of A Bump in the Road: My Medical Journey over Potholes, Detours and the Bridge to Gratitude, a memoir about surviving serious illness, navigating medical trauma, and finding gratitude after life-changing surgery. Website: https://www.mikecaprioauthor.com/ [https://www.mikecaprioauthor.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikecaprio_author/ [https://www.instagram.com/mikecaprio_author/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Bump-in-the-Road/100076302759044/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Bump-in-the-Road/100076302759044/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-caprio/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-caprio/] KEY TAKEAWAYS * A rare diagnosis can change your body, your future, and your mental health all at once. * Medical trauma is not just physical; it can shake your identity, independence, and sense of safety. * Support systems matter, especially when your brain tells you that you are a burden. * Friends may show you who they really are during hard seasons, and that truth can hurt. * Gratitude does not erase pain, but it can help you rebuild after it. * Healing takes honesty, patience, and the courage to keep showing up. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * If you are facing a scary diagnosis, write down your questions before appointments so fear does not steal your voice in the room. * Build a support circle that includes medical professionals, loved ones, and people who understand your condition. * When your thoughts get dark, tell someone. You do not have to carry the heavy stuff alone. IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 – Welcome to Part 1 G-Rex opens the episode and lets listeners know this is the first half of Michael’s two-part story. * 00:01:33 – Michael introduces his book Michael shares the title of his memoir, A Bump in the Road, and explains how his medical journey became the foundation of his writing. * 00:01:48 – Understanding FAP Michael explains Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, a rare genetic condition that causes precancerous polyps to grow in the large intestine. * 00:03:00 – Family history and “the club” Michael talks about his mom, aunt, and grandmother living with FAP, and how he slowly began to understand the family connection. * 00:05:19 – The diagnosis conversation Michael remembers being told he had FAP and how the seriousness of the diagnosis slowly started to sink in. * 00:06:39 – The danger of Googling symptoms After searching online, Michael found terrifying stories that made his fear and anger spike. * 00:08:30 – Being 18 and trying to process everything G-Rex and Michael talk about the emotional weight of facing a life-changing diagnosis while still figuring out who you are. * 00:10:05 – Surgery, colectomy, ostomy, and J pouch recovery Michael explains the surgery to remove his large intestine, the temporary ostomy, and the J pouch procedure that helped him regain quality of life. * 00:13:43 – The emotional toll of recovery Michael shares how difficult recovery became, including bathroom challenges, pain, frustration, and regret over how he treated people trying to help him. * 00:14:56 – Friends, support, and painful distance Michael reflects on friends who disappeared and others who showed up in ways he never expected. * 00:18:11 – A perspective shift after illness Michael describes how losing everyday freedoms made him more grateful for small things like coffee, exercise, and time with friends. * 00:22:29 – Rock bottom and the fight to keep going Michael opens up about feeling like a burden and the painful family conversation that helped snap him out of a dangerous mental spiral. * 00:26:10 – Closing reminder G-Rex and Dirty Skittles close with a reminder that it is okay to be not okay, as long as you are talking to someone. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MichaelCaprio #FAPAwareness #FamilialAdenomatousPolyposis #ColorectalCancerAwareness #RareDiseaseAwareness #MedicalTrauma #AnxietyRecovery #OstomyAwareness #ChronicIllnessSupport #SurgeryRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #HereditaryCancer #HealingJourney #Jpouch #BumpInTheRoad *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 2: Michelle Petties on Body Trust, Emotional Healing, and Life After Diet Culture

In Part 2, Michelle Petties returns with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk about body trust, self-care, fear-based eating, and what it really means to live after diet culture. This conversation is honest, practical, and full of reminders that healing does not require perfection — it requires support, awareness, and the courage to keep getting back up. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “Once you learn how to trust your body, your voice, and your choices, you do not have to crawl back into the old story.” — Inspired by Michelle Petties EPISODE DESCRIPTION In Part 2 of this two-part episode, Michelle Petties takes the conversation deeper into body trust, emotional healing, self-care, and life after diet culture. G-Rex opens up about her type 2 diabetes diagnosis, the fear that came with it, and the changes she made to support her health. Dirty Skittles shares something many people silently carry: the fear of gaining weight back and losing the version of yourself you worked so hard to become. Michelle meets that fear with compassion, lived experience, and no-nonsense wisdom. She explains why transformation is not about white-knuckling your way through cravings. It is about belief, writing, visualization, affirmations, community, and learning to listen when your body says, “This does not work for me anymore.” The conversation also delves into grocery-store triggers, food packaging, advertising, social pressure, and why self-care is not selfish. Michelle reminds us that people are not failing because they are weak. They are often trying to heal in a world that keeps pushing them back toward old habits. She also shares powerful lessons about falling down, getting back up, and learning to trust yourself the way a child trusts that walking is possible. It is not about never messing up again. It is about knowing you can recover, reset, and keep choosing the life and body you want to live in. Keywords: Michelle Petties, body trust, emotional healing, diet culture recovery, food addiction recovery, emotional eating, self-care, food freedom, weight regain anxiety, body image healing, mindful eating, self-compassion, mental health recovery, trauma healing, personal transformation MEET OUR GUEST — MICHELLE PETTIES Michelle Petties is a TEDx speaker, author, Food Story coach, and experiential eating expert whose work helps people answer the question, “What are you really hungry for?” Through speaking, coaching, writing, and her online community, Michelle supports people in moving away from shame-based dieting and toward sustainable, compassionate transformation. Website: https://LeavingLarge.com [https://LeavingLarge.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Website: https://MichellePetties.com [https://MichellePetties.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambrandnewnow/ [https://www.instagram.com/iambrandnewnow/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Iambrandnewnow [https://www.facebook.com/Iambrandnewnow] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow [https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow] X: https://x.com/iambrandnewnow [https://x.com/iambrandnewnow] Email: michelle@michellepetties.com Media/Booking Email: iambrandnewnow@gmail.com KEY TAKEAWAYS * Self-care is not selfish. Ignoring your own health can cost you and the people who love you. * Fear of gaining weight back is real, but it does not have to control your choices. * Writing, affirmations, visualization, and community can help reinforce a new identity. * Grocery stores, packaging, and advertising are designed to trigger impulse decisions. * Falling down does not make you a failure. It means you are learning a new way to live. * Body trust grows when we stop confusing emotion, desire, and actual hunger. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * When fear shows up, write this down: “What am I afraid will happen, and what support do I need right now?” * Practice Michelle’s pause before eating: “Is this hunger, or is this the desire to eat?” * Pick one self-care habit this week — water, sleep, writing, or rest — and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment. REFERENCES MENTIONED Leaving Large – The Stories of a Food Addict by Michelle Petties https://LeavingLarge.com [https://LeavingLarge.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Michelle Petties’ Food Story work https://MichellePetties.com [https://MichellePetties.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Michelle Petties YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow [https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow] IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 — Welcome to Part 2 G-Rex introduces Part 2 of Michelle Petties’ conversation and brings listeners back to the show's mental health mission. * 00:00:40 — G-Rex Shares Her Type 2 Diabetes Wake-Up Call G-Rex talks about being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, taking Metformin, working with a nutritionist, and changing her relationship with food. * 00:04:09 — Michelle Explains Why We Are Pushed Into the Trap Michelle talks about food marketing, diet advice, and why people are not given enough tools to fight daily messaging around food. * 00:06:36 — Grocery Stores, Packaging, and Food Triggers The group discusses how even “healthy” areas in stores are surrounded by temptation, labels, and emotional triggers. * 00:10:16 — Self-Care Is Not Selfish Michelle reframes self-care as necessary and explains why neglecting ourselves affects the people who depend on us. * 00:12:02 — Dirty Skittles Shares Her Fear of Gaining Weight Back Dirty Skittles opens up about holding on tightly to her new version of herself and worrying that old patterns could return. * 00:12:16 — Visualization, Affirmations, and Writing Michelle explains how invisible work can rewire the brain and help create long-term transformation. * 00:14:23 — The Caterpillar and the Child Learning to Walk Michelle shares powerful metaphors for transformation, belief, and getting back up after setbacks. * 00:21:27 — Hunger vs. Desire to Eat Michelle explains the difference between real hunger and eating out of emotion, pleasure, or conditioning. * 00:28:50 — Advice to Her Younger Self Michelle says she would tell her younger self to listen to her grandmother, especially around rest, water, food, and wisdom. * 00:30:22 — The Hardest Lesson Michelle shares that staying focused, choosing one thing, and remaining present are ongoing lessons in her life. * 00:31:53 — Anxiety Theme Song and Favorite Words Michelle talks about control, overwhelm, her favorite word “perfect,” and why she cannot stand the phrase “it is what it is.” * 00:34:16 — How to Find Michelle Michelle shares where listeners can connect with her, buy her book, and join her community. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MichellePetties #BodyTrust #DietCultureRecovery #FoodFreedom #EmotionalHealing #FoodAddictionRecovery #MindfulEating #SelfCareMatters #EmotionalEatingRecovery #BodyImageHealing #WeightLossMindset #MentalHealthRecovery #SelfCompassion #LeavingLarge #WomenAndWellness *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 1: Michelle Petties on Rewiring Your Brain for Food Freedom and Emotional Healing

Michelle Petties joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles for Part 1 of a powerful two-part conversation about food addiction, emotional eating, and the stories we carry around hunger. Michelle gets real about why “food noise” may actually be emotion noise — and why healing starts when we stop blaming ourselves and start getting curious. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “It’s not food noise. It’s emotion noise — and once you understand the story behind it, you can start taking your power back.” — Inspired by Michelle Petties EPISODE DESCRIPTION In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Michelle Petties brings truth, compassion, and a whole lot of “damn, I needed to hear that” energy to the conversation. Michelle is a TEDx speaker, Food Story coach, and author of Leaving Large – The Stories of a Food Addict. After gaining and losing more than 700 pounds over four decades, she learned that food addiction was never just about food. G-Rex and Dirty Skittles talk with Michelle about emotional eating, shame, diet culture, and the sneaky ways food becomes tied to sadness, boredom, stress, celebration, and comfort. Michelle explains why what many people call “food noise” may actually be emotion noise — thoughts, feelings, and old beliefs begging for attention. She also breaks down her “Brand New” framework and how belief, writing, rest, nourishment, alignment, and community can help people rewire their brains and change their relationship with food. This is not another conversation about willpower, restriction, or beating yourself up for eating the thing. This is about pausing, listening, and learning what you are really hungry for. Michelle’s message is hopeful as hell: you are not broken, and you are not weak. You may just be carrying stories that need to be unpacked, rewritten, and released with compassion. Keywords: Michelle Petties, food addiction, emotional eating, food freedom, diet culture recovery, body image healing, food story, emotional wellness, mindful eating, trauma healing, self-compassion, obesity recovery, mental health healing, brain rewiring, shame recovery MEET OUR GUEST — MICHELLE PETTIES Michelle Petties is a TEDx speaker, author, Food Story coach, and the award-winning, Amazon best-selling author of Leaving Large – The Stories of a Food Addict. After gaining and losing more than 700 pounds over four decades, Michelle created her Food Story method to help people uncover the beliefs, memories, and emotional patterns driving their relationship with food. Website: https://LeavingLarge.com [https://LeavingLarge.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Website: https://MichellePetties.com [https://MichellePetties.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambrandnewnow/ [https://www.instagram.com/iambrandnewnow/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Iambrandnewnow [https://www.facebook.com/Iambrandnewnow] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow [https://www.youtube.com/@iambrandnewnow] X: https://x.com/iambrandnewnow [https://x.com/iambrandnewnow] Email: michelle@michellepetties.com Media/Booking Email: iambrandnewnow@gmail.com KEY TAKEAWAYS * Food noise may actually be emotion noise, asking for your attention. * Emotional eating is not a personal failure. It is often tied to old stories, old wounds, and learned survival tools. * Shame keeps people stuck, but awareness creates space for change. * Food companies and diet culture can keep us blaming ourselves instead of understanding the system around us. * Michelle’s “Brand New” framework helps people rethink food, hunger, belief, and healing. * Writing, rest, hydration, and community can become powerful tools for food freedom. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * Before eating, pause and ask yourself: “Am I hungry, or am I feeling something else?” * Start an emotion log. Write down what you feel before and after eating without judging yourself. * Pick one old food story you have carried for years and rewrite it with compassion instead of shame. REFERENCES MENTIONED Leaving Large – The Stories of a Food Addict by Michelle Petties https://LeavingLarge.com [https://LeavingLarge.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Michelle Petties’ Food Story work https://MichellePetties.com [https://MichellePetties.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Brand New Now 52-Week Program https://go.michellepetties.com/brand-new-now-program [https://go.michellepetties.com/brand-new-now-program] IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 — Welcome to Part 1 G-Rex and Dirty Skittles introduce Michelle Petties and open the door to a two-part conversation about food, mental health, shame, and healing. * 00:03:25 — Dirty Skittles Opens Up About Food Noise Dirty Skittles shares her experience with weight loss, GLP-1 medication, and the frustration of food noise returning. * 00:04:22 — Michelle Reframes Food Noise as Emotion Noise Michelle explains why cravings and overeating often come from emotion, memory, and belief rather than physical hunger. * 00:08:38 — How Culture Teaches Emotional Eating The group talks about how movies, shows, and social conditioning normalize turning to food when life gets heavy. * 00:13:13 — Michelle’s Story and Leaving Large Michelle shares how writing her book helped her understand that food addiction was never just about the food. * 00:17:29 — Gaining and Losing Over 700 Pounds Michelle talks about four decades of yo-yo dieting and what finally helped her stop fearing weight regain. * 00:18:53 — The “Brand New” Framework Michelle introduces the principles behind becoming brand new, including belief, reinvention, alignment, nourishment, writing, and celebration. * 00:22:31 — Drink, Sleep, and Write Michelle explains why water, sleep, and prescriptive writing can support emotional regulation and lasting change. * 00:26:05 — Question Everything You Eat Michelle shares the questions she asks before eating and how that pause helps her stay connected to her body and her choices. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MichellePetties #FoodAddictionRecovery #EmotionalEating #FoodFreedom #DietCultureRecovery #BodyImageHealing #FoodStory #EmotionalWellness #MindfulEating #TraumaHealing #SelfCompassion #ObesityRecovery #MentalHealthHealing #LeavingLarge #BrainRewiring *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brandon Siler on Brain Health, Suicide Prevention, and Breaking the Stigma for Men

TRIGGER NOTICE + 988 CRISIS REMINDER This episode includes conversations about suicide loss, suicide attempts, depression, addiction, trauma, and mental health treatment. Please take care of yourself while listening. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 in the U.S. or Canada for immediate crisis support. You are wanted. You are needed. And you do not have to carry this alone. For Men’s Mental Health Month, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with former NFL linebacker Brandon Siler for a raw, powerful conversation about brain health, suicide prevention, life after football, and the pressure men often feel to stay silent. Brandon’s story is a reminder that asking for help is not weakness. It is strength, survival, and sometimes the first real step toward healing. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “Don’t let that soda shake up on you. Fizz that thing out before it explodes.” — Brandon Siler EPISODE DESCRIPTION For Men’s Mental Health Month, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles welcome Brandon Siler, a former NFL linebacker, national champion, entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and straight-up wall breaker. Brandon’s story starts in Pine Hills, Orlando, where sports helped keep him focused, driven, and out of trouble. That path led him to the University of Florida, a national championship, and six seasons in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs. But this conversation is not just about football. It is about what happens after the cheering stops. Brandon opens up about the devastating death of his teammate Javon Belcher by suicide, his own mental health struggles after leaving the NFL, and the hard truth that even the toughest people need help. He talks about the macho pressure placed on men and athletes, the stigma around therapy and treatment, and why real strength means raising your hand and saying, “I need help.” Through Legacy Pro Sports, Pure Recovery California, Love4Vets, and Siler Brain Clinics, Brandon now helps former athletes, veterans, and high performers access disability benefits, mental health care, brain mapping, neuro-feedback, and treatment built around their lived experiences. His mission is simple but massive: knock down the walls that keep people from healing. This episode is raw, hopeful, funny, and deeply human. It is a reminder that men’s mental health matters every damn day, not just during awareness months. Keywords: Brandon Siler, men’s mental health, suicide prevention, brain health, NFL mental health, athlete mental health, veterans mental health, neurofeedback, brain mapping, trauma recovery, addiction recovery, mental health stigma, therapy for men, depression support, crisis support MEET OUR GUEST — BRANDON SILER Brandon Siler is a former NFL linebacker turned serial entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and founder of multiple mission-driven companies. Raised in Pine Hills in Orlando, he earned a scholarship to the University of Florida, became SEC Freshman of the Year, helped lead the Gators to a national championship, and went on to play six seasons in the NFL. After the death of a teammate by suicide and his own difficult transition out of football, Brandon shifted his focus to helping athletes, veterans, and high performers access the care, benefits, and brain health tools they need to heal and thrive. Business Websites Legacy Pro Sports: https://www.legacyprosports.com [https://www.legacyprosports.com/] Pure Recovery California: https://purerecoveryca.com [https://purerecoveryca.com/] Siler Brain Clinics: https://www.silerbrainclinics.com [https://www.silerbrainclinics.com/] Siler Clinics: https://www.silerclinics.com [https://www.silerclinics.com/] Love4Vets: https://love4vets.com [https://love4vets.com/] Personal Social Media Instagram — Brandon Siler: https://www.instagram.com/brandonsiler40 [https://www.instagram.com/brandonsiler40] LinkedIn — Brandon Siler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsiler40 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsiler40] Facebook — Brandon Siler: https://www.facebook.com/brandonsiler40 [https://www.facebook.com/brandonsiler40] X — Brandon Siler: https://x.com/BrandonSiler21 [https://x.com/BrandonSiler21] Business Social Media Instagram — Legacy Pro Sports: https://www.instagram.com/legacyprosports [https://www.instagram.com/legacyprosports] KEY TAKEAWAYS * Asking for help is not weakness. It is one of the strongest things a man can do. * Brain health matters, especially for athletes, veterans, and high performers carrying invisible injuries. * Suicide prevention starts with honest conversations before the pressure explodes. * Therapy, treatment, and support work better when people feel seen, understood, and safe. * Brandon’s work is about knocking down walls so former players and veterans can access the benefits and care they deserve. * Healing does not mean you never struggle again. It means you learn how to stop carrying it alone. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * Check in on the strong friend, the funny friend, and the extroverted friend. They may be carrying more than they show. * Say the thing out loud before it becomes too heavy. Talk to a therapist, trusted friend, doctor, coach, or crisis line. * Reframe mental health care as brain optimization. You are not broken. You are learning how to care for the most important part of you. REFERENCES MENTIONED 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] Legacy Pro Sports: https://www.legacyprosports.com [https://www.legacyprosports.com/] Pure Recovery California: https://purerecoveryca.com [https://purerecoveryca.com/] Siler Brain Clinics: https://www.silerbrainclinics.com [https://www.silerbrainclinics.com/] Love4Vets: https://love4vets.com [https://love4vets.com/] University of Florida Football: https://floridagators.com/sports/football [https://floridagators.com/sports/football] NFL Player Benefits: https://www.nfl.com/playerhealthandsafety/resources/frequently-asked-questions/player-benefits [https://www.nfl.com/playerhealthandsafety/resources/frequently-asked-questions/player-benefits] IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:37 — Welcome to the Episode G-Rex and Dirty Skittles welcome Brandon Siler and set the stage for a real conversation about mental health, football, healing, and the things men are often told to keep buried. * 00:01:35 — Brandon’s Journey from Pine Hills to the NFL Brandon shares how growing up in Pine Hills shaped him, how sports kept him focused, and how football eventually chose him. * 00:03:30 — Life After Football and a Teammate’s Death by Suicide Brandon opens up about the tragic loss of teammate Javon Belcher and how that experience pushed him to rethink his purpose after the NFL. * 00:06:10 — Brandon’s Own Mental Health Struggles He talks honestly about being in a dark place after leaving football and how hard it can be for NFL players and men to admit they need help. * 00:07:44 — Why Athlete-Specific Treatment Matters Brandon explains how one teammate’s struggle with alcohol, drugs, and mental health led him to discover treatment built for athletes who needed to feel understood. * 00:08:13 — Brain Mapping, Neurofeedback, and Healing the Root Cause The conversation turns to brain health, neurofeedback, biofeedback, red light therapy, and tools that help people see and work with what is happening in their brains. * 00:12:48 — Breaking the Stigma for Men G-Rex speaks directly about suicide prevention, asking for help, and why there is no shame in reaching out when you are struggling. * 00:14:24 — Brandon on Strength, Masculinity, and Speaking Up Brandon shares why men need to reject the “macho” stigma and understand that asking for help is a strength, not a failure. * 00:17:06 — Love4Vets and Supporting Veterans Brandon discusses his work with veterans, disability claims, mental health support, and why he felt called to help when he saw veterans facing similar struggles to athletes. * 00:22:58 — Chasing the Best Version of Yourself Brandon shares the powerful image he carried as a kid: looking in the mirror and chasing the best possible version of himself. * 00:30:02 — Suicide Attempts, Therapy, and Brain Optimization Brandon and G-Rex talk openly about suicide attempts, therapy, mistakes, healing, and why mental health care can be viewed as optimizing your brain. * 00:33:37 — Advice to His Younger Self Brandon reflects on faith, purpose, and what he wishes he had understood sooner when he was struggling. * 00:35:22 — The Hardest Lesson Brandon Had to Learn He shares the pain of realizing you cannot force someone to want better for themselves, even when you love them deeply. * 00:37:24 — Anxiety, Favorite Words, and Brandon’s Humor The episode lightens up with Brandon’s anxiety sound, his favorite word, his least favorite word, and a hilarious explanation of why exclamation points matter. * 00:41:43 — Final Message for Men’s Mental Health Month Brandon closes with a reminder to reach out, talk to someone, and let the pressure out before it explodes. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MensMentalHealth #MensMentalHealthMonth #SuicidePrevention #BrainHealth #BrandonSiler #NFLMentalHealth #AthleteMentalHealth #VeteransMentalHealth #TherapyWorks #BreakTheStigma #MentalHealthRecovery #AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #Neurofeedback #BrainMapping #YouAreNotAlone *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason Lange on Men’s Mental Health, Vulnerability, and Why Every Man Needs a Men’s Group

Jason Lange joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles for a real, honest conversation about men’s mental health, vulnerability, emotional isolation, and the healing that happens when men finally have a safe place to tell the truth. From growing up disconnected from his body and emotions to becoming a men’s embodiment coach, Jason shares why men’s groups can be life-changing for relationships, parenting, self-worth, and community. AWARDS & DOWNLOADS LINE Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. FEEDBACK LINK LINE We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a [https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a] MENTAL HEALTH QUOTE “The greatest gift a man can give the world is to take responsibility for his pain instead of passing it on.” — Inspired by Jason Lange EPISODE DESCRIPTION Men are often taught to push through, suck it up, and keep moving as if nothing hurts. The problem is, all that unspoken pain has to go somewhere. In this episode, Jason Lange joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk about men’s mental health, vulnerability, emotional embodiment, and why men need spaces where they can stop performing and start telling the truth. Jason opens up about growing up in a home where physical closeness, emotional language, and open conversations about feelings were missing. As a teenager and young adult, that disconnection showed up as anxiety, shame, numbness, and difficulty building intimacy. His healing began when he found men’s groups and somatic therapy, where he learned how to reconnect with his body, name his emotions, and be witnessed by other men without judgment. This conversation hits some deeply human stuff: male isolation, sensitivity in boys, healthy masculinity, fatherhood, asking for help, and the pressure men carry to always appear strong. Jason breaks down why emotions often begin in the body, why “I’m fine” is not a full emotional vocabulary, and why vulnerability does not make a man weak. It makes him more honest, more grounded, and more capable of showing up for the people he loves. Whether you are a man trying to reconnect with yourself, a partner trying to better understand the men in your life, or a parent raising emotionally healthy boys, this episode is a reminder that healing starts when we stop hiding from what hurts. Keywords: men’s mental health, men’s groups, vulnerability, emotional healing, male isolation, embodiment work, somatic therapy, fatherhood, emotional wellness, healthy masculinity, shadow work, men’s coaching, emotional intelligence, mental health podcast, personal growth MEET OUR GUEST — JASON LANGE Jason Lange is a men’s embodiment coach, group facilitator, and certified No More Mr. Nice Guy coach who helps men stop going through the motions and start showing up fully in life and love. As the founder of Evolutionary Men and host of the Evolutionary Men podcast, Jason supports men in clarifying their purpose, deepening intimacy, doing shadow work, and building real accountability through men’s groups and embodied practice. Website: https://evolutionary.men [https://evolutionary.men] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolutionarymen/ [https://www.instagram.com/evolutionarymen/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evolutionarymenswork [https://www.facebook.com/evolutionarymenswork] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@evolutionarymen [https://www.youtube.com/@evolutionarymen] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@evolutionarymen [https://www.tiktok.com/@evolutionarymen] KEY TAKEAWAYS * Men’s mental health struggles are often tied to emotional isolation, shame, and not having the language to talk about pain. * Men’s groups provide a safe space for men to be honest, vulnerable, challenged, and supported. * Emotions are not just thoughts in your head; they often begin as sensations in your body. * Sensitivity in boys is not a weakness. With the right support, it can become emotional intelligence, courage, and strength. * Vulnerability does not mean falling apart. It can look grounded, steady, accountable, and powerful. * Asking for help is one of the strongest things a man can learn to do. ACTIONABLE ITEMS * Take one minute each day to check in with your body and ask: “What am I feeling, and where do I feel it?” * Find one trusted person, therapist, coach, or group where you can practice telling the truth without pretending you are fine. * When anger, stress, or anxiety shows up, pause before reacting and name the feeling out loud. * For parents, help kids build emotional language by naming what they might be feeling without shaming them for feeling it. REFERENCES MENTIONED Evolutionary Men: https://evolutionary.men [https://evolutionary.men] No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover: https://www.drglover.com/no-more-mr-nice-guy.html [https://www.drglover.com/no-more-mr-nice-guy.html] John Wineland: https://www.johnwineland.com [https://www.johnwineland.com] Tripp Lanier: https://www.thenewmanpodcast.com [https://www.thenewmanpodcast.com] Ken Wilber / Integral Theory: https://integrallife.com [https://integrallife.com] 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org] Global Crisis Resources: https://findahelpline.com [https://findahelpline.com] IMPORTANT CHAPTERS * 00:00:56 – Jason joins the show and introduces his mission: every man should be in a men’s group. He explains how emotional pain, isolation, and a lack of language around feelings contribute to the men’s mental health crisis. * 00:02:29 – Jason shares how he learned to communicate later in life after growing up in a home where touch, emotional closeness, and conversations about feelings were not part of daily life. * 00:04:45 – Jason talks about what pushed him to seek help in his 20s, including the pain of feeling disconnected, anxious, and ashamed of being a late bloomer. * 00:08:02 – The conversation turns to family healing as Jason explains how he changed his relationship with his mother and processed unresolved anger toward his father before his passing. * 00:11:29 – Jason breaks down how somatic work and men’s groups helped him reconnect with his body, understand emotions, and move beyond the limited vocabulary of “good, bad, and fine.” * 00:15:53 – G-Rex and Jason discuss raising emotionally aware boys and why teaching emotional language early can help young men grow into healthier adults. * 00:21:09 – Dirty Skittles asks how to help her son see sensitivity as a superpower instead of a weakness. Jason explains healthy masculinity, rites of passage, role modeling, and the importance of emotionally grounded men. * 00:29:28 – Jason talks about when boys and young men can begin benefiting from male mentorship, nature-based programs, emotional role models, and a healthy community. * 00:33:02 – Jason shares how men’s groups have shaped him as a father, husband, and community member by giving him a place to restore himself and return home more present. * 00:36:24 – Jason explains why taking responsibility for pain is one of the most powerful things men can do for themselves, their families, and the world around them. * 00:37:20 – Jason reflects on what he would tell his younger self: relax, trust the path, and get better at asking for help. * 00:38:36 – Jason shares one of his hardest lessons: the work never really ends, but healing becomes easier when we stop trying to “fix” ourselves and keep showing up. * 00:41:09 – Jason discusses his self-care practices, including men’s groups, nature, hiking, saunas, massages, solo movie dates, sleep, movement, and eating well. * 00:42:41 – Jason shares where listeners can find him and how men can connect with local or virtual men’s groups through Evolutionary Men. CLOSING CTA Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews [https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews] #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MensMentalHealth #MensMentalHealthAwareness #MensGroups #VulnerabilityIsStrength #HealthyMasculinity #EmotionalWellness #SomaticHealing #EmbodimentWork #MensWork #ShadowWork #FatherhoodJourney #EmotionalIntelligence #HealingJourney #AskForHelp #MentalHealthMatters *************************************************************************** If You Need Support, Reach Out If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference. * United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/] * Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca [https://988.ca/] * Worldwide: Find a Helpline [https://findahelpline.com/] * Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub [https://www.thehelphub.co/] Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles * Official Website: goesoninourheads.net [https://goesoninourheads.net/] * Facebook: @shltthatgoesoninourheads [https://www.facebook.com/shltthatgoesoninourheads] * Instagram: @grex_and_dirtyskittles [https://www.instagram.com/grex_and_dirtyskittles/] * LinkedIn: G-Rex and Dirty Skittles [https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-rex-and-dirty-skittles-1367a8299/] * Join Our Newsletter: (https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/ [https://grexanddirtyskittles.substack.com/]) * Merch Store: goesoninourheads.shop [https://www.goesoninourheads.shop/] Audio Editing by NJz Audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.