Jake Prusha: 100 Murphs in 100 Days & Breaking the Silence on Mental Health
In this episode I sit down with Jake Prusha — Coast Guard vet, mental health advocate, and someone who’s been through the it. Jake opens up about his battles with depression and anxiety, the reality of military life, and what it’s like trying to find your footing once you’re out.We talk about how fitness became his way of coping, why vulnerability matters, and why leadership in the mental health space isn’t about pretending you’ve got it all together — it’s about being real.We get into his 100 Murphs in 100 days challenge, the toll it took, what he learned about accountability and community, and how sharing his story online actually hit him harder than the workouts themselves.This conversation isn’t just about fitness or mental health — it’s about ego, authenticity, and cutting out the habits that hold you back, looking after yourself and others.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jake Prusha and His Journey02:55 Joining the Coast Guard: Motivations and Experiences05:48 Facing Mental Health Challenges in the Military08:42 The 100 Murphs Challenge: Raising Awareness for Mental Health11:58 The Importance of Vulnerability and Seeking Help14:57 Understanding Trauma: Big vs. Little17:50 Catalysts for Seeking Help: Personal Stories and Perspectives20:52 The Role of Leadership in Mental Health Awareness22:57 Practical Steps for Checking In on Others26:04 Conclusion: The Ongoing Journey of Mental Health Awareness31:32 Understanding Suicidal Ideations34:27 Coping Mechanisms for Mental Health37:32 The Importance of Hard Workouts40:36 Recognizing Patterns in Mental Health43:17 The Five Pillars of Life46:43 Sharing the Weight of Life49:35 Breaking the Cycle of Negative Thoughts52:35 Resetting Your Baseline55:34 Establishing Non-Negotiables58:34 The Murph Challenge: A Personal Journey01:04:08 The Power of Community Support01:10:49 Navigating Post-Challenge Emotions01:16:34 Authenticity in the Age of Social Media01:22:21 Reflections on the Murph Challenge01:28:32 Taking Risks and Intentions Behind Actions01:30:40 Authenticity Over Metrics01:32:52 The Importance of Taking the First Step01:35:17 Finding Your Why01:37:27 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life01:41:12 Rebuilding Self-Discipline01:44:19 Confronting Self-Hatred01:48:01 The Cost of Service01:51:24 What to Add or Take Away01:53:17 You're Not AloneKeywordsmental health, suicide prevention, Coast Guard, veterans, resilience, vulnerability, support systems, physical fitness, Murph challenge, mental health awareness, accountability, community support, mental health, social media authenticity, personal growth, life transitions, self-perception, ego, motivation, fitness challenges
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