Beyond the Hustle

Tag: anxiety

  • Men’s Mental Health Matters—Let’s Talk About It

    June is Men’s Mental Health Month, and this message has been sitting on my heart all month. I’ve put off writing it—maybe because it’s deeply personal, maybe because it’s hard to find the words. But I didn’t want the month to end without sharing.

    This isn’t expert advice. This is just a daughter and a cousin speaking from experience.

    I lost two incredible men in my life to suicide—my father and my cousin. Two lives gone far too soon, both in silence.

    These losses cracked me open. But they also opened my eyes.

    The Silent Struggle

    Men are often raised with the belief that showing emotion is weakness—that strength means silence and vulnerability is shameful. This quiet conditioning is dangerous.

    According to the CDC, men die by suicide nearly four times more often than women. And yet, so many of them suffer in silence—carrying stress, pain, trauma, and pressure with nowhere to put it.

    As women, we’re often the emotional anchors in our families and communities. But are we truly seeing the men in our lives? Are we creating safe, judgment-free spaces for them to speak, cry, or just be human?

    What We Can Do

    We can’t fix everything—but we can start by being more aware, more compassionate, and more willing to hold space.

    Here are a few simple, powerful ways to support the men around us:

    • Ask twice. If a man says he’s “fine,” gently ask again.
    • Model emotional expression. Share openly—it gives others permission to do the same.
    • Resist the urge to fix. Sometimes, presence matters more than solutions.
    • Encourage therapy and self-care as ongoing support, not just crisis tools.
    • Speak life into them. Affirm their worth, even when they don’t show they need it.
    • Support healthy male friendships and encourage connection through nature, fitness, or community.

    Where Wellness Meets Mental Health

    Mental health doesn’t stand alone—it’s woven into every part of our well-being. What we eat, how we sleep, how our bodies recover and regulate hormones… it all matters. Especially for men, who are often expected to just “push through.”

    That’s why I take a whole-person approach to wellness. Because men need support for their minds and their bodies.

    One of the tools I’ve seen make a real difference—especially for men—is bioactive precision peptides. These naturally occurring protein messengers help the body heal, regulate, and restore itself at a cellular level.

    Here’s how they can support men’s mental and physical wellness:

    • Hormone balance: Peptides can support healthy testosterone levels, which impacts mood, energy, and drive.
    • Brain clarity: Improved focus, less brain fog, and better emotional resilience.
    • Physical recovery: Faster muscle and joint recovery from workouts—or stress.
    • Deeper sleep: Vital for mental health and nervous system regulation.
    • Longevity: Peptides support cellular repair, immunity, and overall vitality.

    This isn’t about hacks. It’s about giving men the nourishment their bodies and minds need to truly thrive.

    If this speaks to you—or someone you love—I’m offering 10% off peptides this month as a small way to support the men in your life. Sometimes, just introducing them to tools that help them feel better is the spark that changes everything.

    I invite you to explore my Wellness page or shop directly here. As a thank-you for prioritizing your health, I’ll personally send you 10% back on your purchase (before tax). Have questions or want a personalized recommendation? I’m just a message away.

    Resources to Share (and Explore Together)

    Sometimes a book, a podcast, or a shared story can be the bridge to connection or healing. Here are a few worth exploring:

    📚 Books

    • The Mask of Masculinity – Lewis Howes
    • Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity – Justin Baldoni
    • I Don’t Want to Talk About It – Terrence Real
    • Breaking the Male Code – Dr. Robert Garfield

    🎧 Podcasts

    • The Man Enough Podcast – Honest conversations about masculinity and vulnerability.
    • The Mindful Man Project – Tools and stories for men’s mental wellness.
    • Real Men Feel – Exploring emotional and spiritual wellness for men.
    • On Purpose with Jay Shetty – Purpose-driven insight for all, with episodes centered on men’s issues.

    🧠 Organizations & Support

    My Hope

    I will never stop loving the men I lost. But I will start speaking up more in their honor.

    If you’re a woman reading this, I hope you’ll join me—not just in raising awareness, but in changing how we show up. Let’s ask better questions. Let’s hold space. Let’s help build softer places for the men in our lives to land.

    They deserve to be seen. To be heard. To heal.

    And together—we can help them get there.

    With gratitude,

    Denise xo

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  • Soft Moments, Strong Heart: My Mental Health Story

    As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to share something personal I’ve been learning to navigate—social anxiety.

    You might be surprised to hear that from me. I show up, I work hard, I’m driven, I create, I share—and I’m often seen as an extrovert. But behind the highlight reels and daily hustle, there are moments when anxiety creeps in—quietly and powerfully.

    ❗My anxiety has kept me from joining group runs I genuinely wanted to attend.
    ❗It’s made me cancel meetings I’d already prepped for.
    ❗It’s convinced me to skip the gym on days I knew I needed movement.
    ❗It’s even stopped me from nourishing and hydrating my body when I needed it most.

    Social anxiety doesn’t always look like panic—it can look like silence, avoidance, or simply staying small. And if you’ve ever felt that tug-of-war between wanting to show up and feeling frozen by anxiety, you are so not alone.

    The Myth of “All or Nothing”

    One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this: life doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
    ♥️ We can go hard and be soft.
    ♥️ We can chase goals and take breaks.
    ♥️ We can lead boldly and still need support.

    I haven’t perfected the balance (who has?), but I’m committed to striving for it daily.

    What’s Helped Me: From “Just Deal With It” to Calm

    For years, I just “dealt with it.” I tried gummies, mild meds, and self-talk that didn’t quite stick. Some days were okay. Some were really hard.

    Then I found Calm—a simple, all-natural powder that dissolves on your tongue and gently takes the edge off, without making me feel foggy or tired. It works with your body, not against it.

    It’s like a warm hug in the middle of chaos. I take it before meetings, workouts, or whenever I need a reset—but my favorite time is in the evening. It’s been a game-changer.

    If you’re navigating stress or social anxiety, I encourage you to explore what works for you. And if you’re curious about Calm—or just want to chat about the real, unfiltered stuff—I’m here.

    Mamas, I See You

    My kids are grown now, but I still remember the pressure that came with summer break—keeping everyone busy, managing the chaos, and trying to hold it all together.

    If the thought of it already has you feeling stretched thin, you’re not alone.

    And if you’re looking for a natural way to stay grounded and ease into the whirlwind of summer, Calm might be exactly what you need.

    A study released this month by Columbia University found that 75% of mothers in the U.S. experience some form of mental or physical health challenge. That stat? It’s real—and it’s a reminder that we need tools and support, not just grit.

    A Few Resources for Social Anxiety

    Because I believe in offering support beyond the scroll, here are a few resources I trust:

    • Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA): adaa.org – Tools, support groups, and therapist directories.
    • Mindfulness Apps: Insight Timer, Headspace, and Calm (the app, not the supplement!) all offer free meditations for anxiety.
    • Books:
      • The Anxiety Toolkit by Dr. Alice Boyes
      • How to Be Yourself by Ellen Hendriksen

    You Are Not Alone

    Mental health isn’t a moment—it’s a movement. Whether you’re feeling on top of the world or struggling to leave the house, your experience is valid.

    Give yourself grace. Ask for help. Explore what balance looks like for you.

    🎁 A Special Gift for My Blog Readers 🎁

    If Calm sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, I’ve got something just for you.

    As a thank-you for being part of this community, when you order Calm through me, I’ll gift you 7 days of Focused—absolutely FREE.

    Why? Because I believe in balance. When we feel calm and clear, we can show up as our best selves—in life, work, and everything in between.

    👉 Click here to place your order. Once it comes through, I’ll personally send Focused your way—no strings, just support, and I’ll cover postage!

    And don’t forget to visit my Wellness page to learn more about the power of bioactive precision peptides and why everyone’s buzzing about them.

    Let’s keep this conversation going—even after May. Because our mental health matters every month. 💚

    Make Moves, Live Boldly!

    Denise xo

    psst…want a great summer recipe? drop the comment “summer salad” and I’ll send it your way!