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Most of us know about Theo Fleury's NHL career. Some of us know about his addiction problems during that time and some of us know about what led to that. What about after all that? What is he doing now? The answer is: inspiring. Check it out. 

Susana is a successful business owner based in Winnipeg but it wasn't always like that. She has battled through postpartum depression, the loss of her husband to cancer and raising a child born with a physical disability. She now advocates for those who deal with disabilities. An incredibly inspiring episode!

This one is unique within the catalogue because we delve into the mystic a bit. Drew created some drug/addiction issues for himself when he moved into the big city from a small town to attend University. It took him 10 years to get it together but when he did, he did it big. He's now a healer trained in the arts of the revered Modern Mystery School. This is a must listen.

This dude has seen suicide and suicide attempts up close. One incident some years back made him decide to do something about it. Since then he has been a leading voice for Suicide Awareness and then he took it another step further creating an annual fund raising drive to get the word out. Kris Goodman is the man!

Veterinarian Peter Symons has dealt with 3 brain hemorrhages. He was fine after the first 2 but after the 3rd he began showing signs of depression/anxiety. After being diagnosed & treated he began to seek out physical causes for his condition. With help from his friend Dr. Clyde Jumeaux they created a theory then wrote the book "Brain Fuel Depletion."

Here's how you can tell when somebody truly wants to help others. Empathy and action. Jeremy is filled with empathy for others and is doing something to help, creating an organization called #HardHatsMB to aide others struggling with their mental health. As a longtime construction professional he has seen the effects mental health difficulties can have on many that work in the dangerous situations presented daily on construction sites and the sometimes toxic old school attitudes that can pervade them. He'll also tell us the tragic reason he's become so committed to this project.

I don't know where to begin with this one except to say it is the most extreme episode of this podcast to date. I don't like to put warnings on episodes because chances are if you're here you've been through something pretty difficult yourself. This one however, takes it to a whole other level. Huge kudos to my guest Jacklena Bentley for sharing her incredible journey.

How can you know a guy for 15 years and not know he was struggling with mental wellness issues? I suppose Kris could be asking the very same question of me. The thing is, some of us were and still are very leery of talking about it. The social stigma remains but it is getting better slowly as more and more of us come forward. Kris has been dealing with depression and anxiety issues from when he was just 7 years old to right now. This is his story.

Two minute snapshot of the show.

Everyone who's dealt with mental wellness issues stemming from childhood abuse knows they can take years to overcome, and plenty of hard work. So how about doing that, earning 3 University degrees, holding down 4 jobs and fighting in court for custody of a sibling just after your mother took her own life. THEN starting an organization that helps families? Meet Angela Taylor!

Tom Kelly is a #MentalHealth #peersupport expert from Ottawa who's been doing it for 25 years. He's had his own rough road from the time he was in kindergarten until he finally got a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder with psychosis at age 40. He's experienced so much loss in his life yet he's still there helping others. A man to look up to.

I'm not kidding when I say this episode may just change the way you view #mentalhealth. Robyn Priest is one the most interesting, open, caring and colourful people I've ever met. She tells us all about peer support and why its so important. 

Tracy had an incredibly difficult childhood with a verbally and physically abusive mother and stepfather. Plenty of moving, separation from family and in her teens, a brutal sexual assault. Despite this she is a very high functioning, extremely intelligent and giving person who's constantly discovering new ways to deal with anxiety and depression. 

32 year old Jenn's father committed suicide when she was just 5. A traumatic event like this leaves marks and young Jenn became fascinated with death and suicide from then on. This led to cutting in her teens and a dozen suicide attempts. Today she still works on herself, she also mentors others and is studying to become a pastor. A fantastic story!

Shadoe discusses the story behind the "Blue Monday" scam, who created the ridiculous mathematical formula that makes the 3rd Monday of Jan the "Saddest day of the year" PLUS is "Bell Let's Talk" more about marketing or #mentalhealth #mentalwellness?

Shadoe talks about being adopted at an early age and the feelings of disconnection adoption may bring. He also discusses the guilt of looking for his natural parents while his adopted parents were still alive and the ramifications of adoption on #mentalhealth.

Big Daddy Tazz. Respected comedian and for the last 20 years a tireless advocate for mental health. Tazz continues to spread the word onstage, in schools and on the street. I loved our conversation and you will too!

Yup, it's finally time for my episode. The reasons this podcast exists are explained in this episode. I hope you'll find it illuminating. Adoption, alcoholic father, bullying, serious weight issues, deep dark depression cycles, anxiety, it's all there. Thanks to Kev Young for helping me through it!

Study after study tells us there is a massive link between addiction and mental health issues. Gruff had an alcohol addiction that he was able to conceal for many years. He drank any time he had the chance and it ruined many things in his life until one day when he finally came clean. Since then he's been an advocate for mental wellness but it's been a helluva tough road to get where he is now. Check it out!