In this episode of the Modern Day Overthinker podcast, host Collin Strajack interviews William Person, a former USA bobsledder of nine years who now advocates for those with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Will discusses his career traveling weekly to compete in countries like Austria and Canada, initially masking CTE symptoms like memory loss, confusion, and disorientation, which began around 2002-2005 after a crash. He rationalized these issues as lifestyle-related until teammates’ suicides, one confirmed with stage four CTE, prompted him to seek help.

Will found relief through hyperbaric oxygen therapy, inspired by Joe Namath, but its $27,000 cost and lack of insurance coverage led him to buy his own chamber. He now uses his TikTok channel, "One Man with a Chamber," to share coping strategies and advocates for a non-profit CTE wellness center for athletes, veterans, and others with brain injuries. He highlights the high G-forces (up to 84.5 Gs) in bobsledding and systemic issues in Team USA, including a "good old boy system" noted in a 2022 audit. Will warns of rising CTE-related incidents, particularly among veterans, urging accessible treatment to prevent further tragedies.

Will's GoFundMe
Will on TikTok

In this episode of the Modern Day Over Thinker podcast, host Collin welcomes Nick Jonsson, an author, keynote speaker, life and business coach, and triathlete based in Southeast Asia. Nick shares his gripping journey from corporate success to rock bottom, including burnout as a general manager in Indonesia, spiraling into alcohol addiction, isolation, and near-bankruptcy. He opens up about hitting his lowest point—planning his own funeral—and how vulnerability, sobriety (now 8 years strong), and triathlon training pulled him out of the ashes.

The conversation dives deep into practical strategies for overcoming executive loneliness, bad habits like overworking and poor sleep, and the importance of preventive mental health measures. Nick discusses his TEDx insights on sleep optimization—experimenting with routines, mouth taping for better breathing, and finding his "sweet spot" of 7.5 hours—plus tips for ditching screens, moving daily, and avoiding news overload during the pandemic. They explore building social connections, spirituality in recovery, and creating safe spaces to speak up about struggles.

Nick also reflects on his book Executive Loneliness, his upcoming work on holistic leadership, and how purpose-driven communities combat isolation. Whether you're battling burnout, seeking better sleep, or navigating recovery, this inspiring chat emphasizes resilience, open dialogue, and turning pain into purpose. Tune in for actionable advice and a reminder that it's never too late to rebuild.

Nick Jonnson's Website

In this compelling episode of the Modern Day Overthinker podcast, host Collin welcomes Carolyn Dreyer, a mental health advocate, blogger, and host of the Through the Darkness podcast. Carolyn shares her journey from being a "backseat supporter" to openly advocating for mental health awareness, driven by her lived experiences with depression, anxiety, and trauma. She discusses the pivotal moments that inspired her to start her blog and podcast, including the loss of a podcast host to suicide and her desire to heal for her son. Carolyn delves into her struggles with unhealed trauma, surviving a suicide attempt, and navigating abusive relationships, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and breaking generational cycles of unhealed parenting.

The episode explores practical strategies for managing mental health, such as setting boundaries, seeking therapy, and prioritizing self-care. Carolyn and Collin also touch on societal pressures, the challenges of finding effective therapy (like OCD-specific treatments), and the value of community resources. With humor and vulnerability, they discuss the balance between seeking help and maintaining independence, offering hope to listeners that recovery is possible with patience and persistence. This episode is a heartfelt call to action for anyone struggling to seek support early and embrace their mental health journey.

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