After decades on the front line, retired police officer Jay Prothero found himself fighting a different kind of battle—the one inside his own mind. In this raw and powerful conversation, Jay opens up about the toll that years of trauma, high pressure, and suppressed emotion took on his mental health.
He shares how anxiety, depression, and PTSD slowly crept in, and how alcohol became his escape from the pain he didn’t know how to face. But Jay’s story goes far deeper than his time in uniform. It’s also about the heartbreak of watching his own child spiral into ice addiction, and the painful, messy road toward family healing.
Together, Ash and Jay unpack what it truly means to break the silence, to face yourself with honesty, and to rebuild a life grounded in authenticity, courage, and hope.
Episode chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Jay Prothero's Journey
04:14 The Power of Ice Baths and Breathwork
08:49 Hiding Behind a Smile: Jay's Struggles with Mental Health
17:35 The Impact of a Police Career on Mental Health
26:22 The Journey to Recovery: Jay's Path to Healing
35:13 Parenting Through Addiction: Jay's Experience with His Son
43:30 Living Authentically: Jay's Non-Negotiables for Happiness
You can connect with Jay through:
Instagram @freezeyourself_au @breathe_with_jay
Follow and connect with Ash on:
Instagram @ashbutterss
Join Ash on retreat in Bali in 2026! All the details can be found at https://www.ashbutterss.com/bali-retreat-2026.
Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!