Episode 149 - Mario Spano - Speak Your Mind: Mario Spano From Trauma to Truth and the Power of Men’s Mental Health

This episode: Speak Your Mind: Mario Spano From Trauma to Truth and the Power of Men’s Mental Health.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Purpose of the Interview (0:07)

• Host Drew Deraney welcomes Guest Mario Spano and thanks him for joining the podcast.
• Drew explains the purpose of the interview, emphasizing the importance of guests being good human beings and contributing to the community.
• He mentions that Mario stands out from his competitors due to his unique approach and contributions.
• Drew introduces the concept of life's non-linear nature and the three types of men: those who are blind to adversity, those who see it as a barrier, and those who see it as an opportunity.

Mario's Defining Moment (3:05)

• Drew asks Mario about the defining moment that transformed him from his past self to his current self.
• Mario reflects on his childhood and the dissonance he felt, including family trauma and substance abuse.
• He shares his decision to move out of his father's house at 18 and his intense focus on achieving success through hard work and education.
• Mario discusses the impact of his first child's birth, which was traumatic and led to a deep realization of his disconnection from his true self.

Impact of Son’s Traumatic Childbirth (8:19)

• Mario describes the traumatic birth experience of his son Oliver, including a 36-hour labor and a C-section.
• He explains how the traumatic birth led to his first experience with depression and a realization of his disconnection from his heart and soul.
• Mario reflects on his previous life of overachieving and living for others, and how the birth of his child forced him to confront his true self.
• Drew and Mario discuss the concept of "gifts wrapped in sandpaper" and how difficult experiences can lead to personal growth.

Personal and Professional Changes (14:46)

• Mario talks about the end of his marriage and the challenges of co-parenting from a distance.
• He shares his journey of self-discovery, including yoga, meditation, and spiritual exploration.
• Mario explains his transition from a corporate job to pursuing his passion for starting businesses and solving problems.
• He discusses the creation of his nonprofit, Speak Your Mind, which focuses on mental health awareness for men.

Growth of Speak Your Mind (16:12)

• Mario provides an update on the growth of Speak Your Mind, including its social media presen...

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Meet Mario Spano
• (00:02:50) - Mario Spano on the Defining Moment That Led to His
• (00:09:14) - The Pain Of The Birth Of My First Child
• (00:12:54) - How My Marriage Stopped Falling Apart
• (00:15:54) - How I Learned to Love My Life
• (00:20:38) - Mario Spano on How To Get To 10
• (00:25:21) - "Self-Care Is Essential For Men"
• (00:29:34) - What Advice Would You Give to 7-Year-Old Mario?
• (00:30:29) - Listen to Your Own Advice