In this powerful episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, we sit down with American Ninja Warrior champion Jackson Erdos for one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had.

Jackson shares his journey from elite youth athlete to world-class competitor—while quietly battling depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal ideation as a teenager. He opens up about checking himself into residential treatment, losing close friends to suicide, and learning that success without identity and support can still feel empty.

At just 18 years old, Jackson speaks with rare wisdom about:

• Why your identity is not your performance
• How mental toughness isn’t about being emotionless
• The danger of tying self-worth to success
• What rehab, therapy, and community truly changed for him
• Why “climbing the mountain” takes years—not 30 seconds
• How coaching kids and serving others saved his life
• Navigating fame, pressure, and expectations as a young man
• Bridging mental health conversations in sports and youth culture

Jackson also talks about his “You Matter / 988” initiative, donating proceeds to suicide prevention, and why showing vulnerability—especially as an athlete—is not weakness, but leadership.

This episode is for:

• Athletes and coaches
• Parents of teens
• Young men struggling silently
• Anyone who feels like they should be “doing better” but isn’t

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to ask for help—this conversation is proof that healing is possible and that you don’t have to climb alone.

📍 If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

In this deeply honest episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, hosts Sky Bridges and Ryan Heapy sit down with Minh Nguyen, a longtime friend, father, and entrepreneur, to share a raw conversation about shame, success, financial collapse, and choosing to stay alive.

Minh opens up about his childhood growing up in a cult-like church, the pressure to perform and succeed, and how those early experiences shaped his identity as a man. He shares the staggering rise and fall of his career in the mortgage industry—including losing over $1.1 million—and the emotional toll that followed.

At his lowest point, Minh found himself battling suicidal thoughts, overwhelmed by shame and the belief that he had failed his family. What followed was a turning point that changed how he defines success, fatherhood, and self-worth.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How shame quietly fuels depression in men
• What happens when external success collapses
• Navigating suicidal thoughts and asking for help
• Escaping high-control belief systems
• The pressure of social media and comparison
• Breaking generational cycles as a parent
• Redefining success, masculinity, and legacy
• Learning self-compassion after failure

This conversation is for men who feel like they’re carrying everything alone, who’ve tied their worth to performance, or who are silently struggling behind the appearance of “having it together.”

If you’re in a hard season, you’re not broken—and you’re not alone.

Because here, it’s ok to not be ok.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:02 Growing Up in a High-Control Church

02:06 Rise and Pressure in the Mortgage Industry

04:05 Success, Shame, and Identity

05:05 Financial Collapse and Emotional Fallout

06:43 Suicidal Thoughts and the Turning Point

08:34 Rebuilding Life and Finding Purpose

16:18 Stability, Healing, and Future Goals

18:39 Breaking Cycles Through Fatherhood

19:25 Parenting in a Social Media World

20:05 Social Media, Comparison, and Pressure

21:32 Leadership, Resilience, and Teams

23:29 Perfectionism and Authenticity

5:16 Life Reflections and Growth

26:41 Self-Love and Men’s Mental Health

31:01 Legacy, Healing, and What’s Next

34:04 Final Thoughts

In this thought-provoking episode of Hey Man; It’s Ok, Sky Bridges and licensed marriage and family therapist Ryan Heapy sit down with Zander Keig—a veteran, licensed social worker, author, and bridge-builder—to explore how men can protect their mental health in an increasingly polarized and divided world.

Zander shares insights from his life growing up in a Mexican Catholic family in Los Angeles, his time working with veterans at the VA, and his work with organizations like Braver Angels and the Prohuman Foundation (http://www.prohumanfoundation.org/) . Together, the conversation digs into depolarization, empathy, identity, and why learning to see the human behind opposing beliefs is essential for personal wellbeing and societal healing.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why polarization is destroying families, relationships, and mental health
• How men can engage in difficult conversations without losing themselves
• The difference between activism and bridge building
• Why social media amplifies division—and what happens when you step away
• How identity, belief systems, and lived experience shape conflict
• What it really means to be “pro-human”
• Why time, place, and language matter in hard conversations
• How prioritizing your own wellbeing makes you a better ally and leader

Zander also talks about his book The Third Space: A Non-Conformist Guide to the Universe, his podcasts The Third Space and The Umbrella Hour, and leaves listeners with a powerful call to action: invest in your own mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing—because change starts with you.

This episode is for men who:

• Feel exhausted by political and cultural conflict
• Want to stay connected without losing their values
• Are navigating family tension, identity, or burnout
• Believe empathy is strength—not weakness

Because it’s ok to not be ok —and it’s okay to choose humanity over division.