066: The Biggest Problem Facing Men Today: Their Mental Health (with Chase Chewning)

While the phrase “mental health” has never been more popular, the sad truth is that men’s mental health is at an all-time low.  We shy away from tough conversations with loved ones, we don’t have a group of other men to vent with, and sometimes we have no clarity over our emotions.  But there is nothing more important as a man than your mental health. Chase Chewning, today’s guest, is the perfect example of this.  Before he started taking his mental health seriously, from the outside looking in, he had it all: Good looks, a great woman, a successful career, peak physical fitness, and the list goes on. Despite this, he felt empty inside because he completely ignored and suppressed his emotions, which took a toll on his mental health.  Today, Chase has a super power: Being vulnerable with other men and helping other men open up to him. Nothing—not his fitness, not his relationship, not his career, or anything else—has filled Chase with more fulfillment, happiness, and healthiness than focusing on his mental health.  Men’s mental health issues are one of the biggest problems facing the world today. And Chase understands, perhaps better than anyone else, the secret to improving your mental health as a man.  In this episode, Chase and I discuss: The negative consequences of suppressing your emotions (and how it can tear everything you cherish in life apart)  How to get comfortable with being vulnerable (and why your vulnerability helps other men open up)  Why having emotional clarity can unlock a deeper sense of fulfillment in life  The cold, hard truth about life after leaving the military (and why poor mental health results in 22 veterans a day committing suicide)   And more.  Do you have the courage to be vulnerable and take the steps needed to not only improve your mental health, but the mental health of men around the world?  If you do, listen to the episode now.  Show highlights include:  How leaving your mental health unchecked causes physiological manifestations that could result in severe panic attacks that look like a seizure (and how to improve your mental health before it reaches this point) (7:43)  How to spot the physical signs that you need to work on your mental health (10:34)  Why being vulnerable instead of suppressing your emotions actually helps you become at ease with them (even if it’s hard to open up) (11:36)  The “Doing the Opposite” secret for improving every aspect of your mental health instead of sending it down a vicious cycle of decline (20:57)  How sharing meaningful things with other men—even if they’re negative or unexpected—makes you feel better (24:46)  Why “video journaling” to yourself unlocks an unprecedented amount of clarity when it comes to your emotions and mental health (32:41)  How to use every stressor in your life, both big and small, to create unshakable trust in yourself (and why this makes being vulnerable as a man easy) (40:25)  Why prioritizing hanging out with and opening up to other men is one of the most effective ways to fortify your mental health (47:45)  How “getting away” from your spouse can cause pent-up resentment (and the trick for bonding with the boys without feeding resentment for your partner) (51:15)  The insidious way your mind jumps to the worst-case scenario even though it almost never happens (1:00:13)  The “soft” type of masculinity most guys shy away from (even though it creates stronger connections with the most important people in your life) (1:05:35)  How to increase the levels of fulfillment, joy, and love in your marriage by practicing “choreplay” (1:08:07)  Resources mentioned in this episode:  1. Ever Forward Radio: Want to take the next step towards improving men’s mental health? Listen to Chase’s podcast, Ever Forward Radio, wherever you listen to podcasts.  2. A day in the life of Chase Chewning: See first-hand what Chase does during his day to fortify his mental health, become more fulfilled in life, and unlock a deeper sense of happiness by following him on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/chase_chewning/  Related Episodes:  Turning Tragedy Into Triumph | Chase Chewning | Better Man Podcast Ep. 020 Other important links:  Want to improve your sexual wellness, get stronger erections, and last longer in bed? Then join the FREE 7-Day Sexual Wellness Challenge here: https://shrtlnk.co/uA27H  Want to unlock more flexibility and strength, reduce your risk of injury, and feel your absolute best over the next 7 days? Then join the FREE 7-Day Beginner’s Yoga for Men Challenge here: https://ManFlowYoga.com/7dc.  Tired of doing a form of yoga that causes more injuries than it helps prevent? The cold, hard truth is men need yoga specifically designed for them. Well, here's some good news: You can start your 7-day free trial to Man Flow Yoga by visiting https://ManFlowYoga.com/join.