Using comedy to address men’s mental health, promoting therapy, balancing work and self-care, and managing ADHD challenges through healthy habits.
What inspired you to use comedy as a mental health booster, and how has this unique approach resonated with your audience, especially men?
I’ve always had a love for comedy, and this has been something that I have used personally to help me with feelings of depression and anxiety and this unique approach was received well by most of my audience. However, I don’t think men have gravitated fully to my comedy yet. And that’s a major motivator for me to talk about certain topics that affect men.
What advice do you have for men who may feel hesitant or embarrassed to seek therapy or discuss their mental health concerns openly?
I always like to say that taking care of yourself and seeking help is one of the bravest things that you can do. It’s very difficult as an adult to be dependent on anybody else for anything. And this is where a lot of the shame and embarrassment comes from. Whatever you can do to make it easier for you to reach out to others is key – whether it’s talking to a friend first or asking somebody who has gone to therapy for their thoughts and perspective. I’m a big believer in pursuing help.
How do you balance work and taking care of yourself?
It’s always a work in progress to find a system for me that works when it comes to balancing work and taking care of myself. For me, I have a very unique lifestyle as a public figure and a mental health professional, in addition to being a comedian, actor, and writer. So, it’s very easy for me to be overwhelmed. What helps me is taking note of the things that drain me and the things that bring me energy, while specifically looking for my comparative advantage. I pay a lot of attention to the areas where I struggle and look for ways to get help in those areas. This allows me to be my best which makes it easier to show up for everyone else.
As someone living with ADHD, how do you stay motivated and resilient when faced with challenges, and what keeps you going?
I understand that challenges are a big part of life and that there are going to be things that I don’t want to do that have to be done regardless. So, I look for ways to get help in those areas. I prepare when things are good for the rough moments in the future. I do this by making sure that I do the hard things every single day in my life. I make sure to workout and eat healthy even when I don’t feel like it. I also make an intentional effort to stay away from things that aren’t healthy for me. Keeping things simple helps me navigate through life with a lot more ease.
What initiatives or projects are you currently involved in that aim to promote mental health awareness and support for men?
My comedy is my primary way of promoting mental health awareness and providing support for men. Humor is a great way for us as men to talk about the things that we struggle with without feeling so much shame. I also am always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver content and reach audiences that would love to learn more about mental health awareness.
