High achievers often wait for permission before they act. In this Mental Matters conversation, Asekho Toto explores how self-validation, perspective, and daily habits can break cycles of anxiety and depression. Our guest shares his story growing up as the only Black kid in largely white spaces, losing his father to suicide at birth, failing exams, and still pushing through nursing school—then building a coaching practice that integrates mindset training, exercise, and macro-nutrition to improve mental health. We dig into faith vs. external approval, why relapse is part of recovery, and how the gut–brain link changes mood more than most people realize. If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.High achievers often wait for permission before they act. In this Mental Matters conversation, Asekho Toto explores how self-validation, perspective, and daily habits can break cycles of anxiety and depression. Our guest shares his story growing up as the only Black kid in largely white spaces, losing his father to suicide at birth, failing exams, and still pushing through nursing school—then building a coaching practice that integrates mindset training, exercise, and macro-nutrition to improve mental health. We dig into faith vs. external approval, why relapse is part of recovery, and how the gut–brain link changes mood more than most people realize. If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.