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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jake Prusha and His Journey

02:55 Joining the Coast Guard: Motivations and Experiences

05:48 Facing Mental Health Challenges in the Military

08:42 The 100 Murphs Challenge: Raising Awareness for Mental Health

11:58 The Importance of Vulnerability and Seeking Help

14:57 Understanding Trauma: Big vs. Little

17:50 Catalysts for Seeking Help: Personal Stories and Perspectives

20:52 The Role of Leadership in Mental Health Awareness

22:57 Practical Steps for Checking In on Others

26:04 Conclusion: The Ongoing Journey of Mental Health Awareness

31:32 Understanding Suicidal Ideations

34:27 Coping Mechanisms for Mental Health

37:32 The Importance of Hard Workouts

40:36 Recognizing Patterns in Mental Health

43:17 The Five Pillars of Life

46:43 Sharing the Weight of Life

49:35 Breaking the Cycle of Negative Thoughts

52:35 Resetting Your Baseline

55:34 Establishing Non-Negotiables

58:34 The Murph Challenge: A Personal Journey

01:04:08 The Power of Community Support

01:10:49 Navigating Post-Challenge Emotions

01:16:34 Authenticity in the Age of Social Media

01:22:21 Reflections on the Murph Challenge

01:28:32 Taking Risks and Intentions Behind Actions

01:30:40 Authenticity Over Metrics

01:32:52 The Importance of Taking the First Step

01:35:17 Finding Your Why

01:37:27 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

01:41:12 Rebuilding Self-Discipline

01:44:19 Confronting Self-Hatred

01:48:01 The Cost of Service

01:51:24 What to Add or Take Away

01:53:17 You're Not Alone

Keywords

mental 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