Shows
Lifting with Bipolar23: Beyond the Symptoms: Autoimmune Diseases and the Mental Health ConnectionSummary
In this episode, Jonathan interviews Jessikah Kipf, a licensed therapist and PhD candidate in educational psychology, about the intersection of autoimmune diseases and mental health. Jessica shares her personal experience with autoimmune disease and discusses the impact of autoimmune diseases on mental health. She emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to managing autoimmune disease and highlights the role of mental health in supporting individuals with autoimmune diseases.
The episode concludes with a case study that illustrates the challenges faced by individuals with autoimmune diseases and the importance of finding the right medical support...2024-04-071h 17Lifting with Bipolar22: A Journey of Self-Belief and Mindset Transformation with Aridja KawlsSummary
In a compelling episode of the Lifting with Bipolar Podcast, host Jonathan Szarko engages with the inspirational Aridja Kawls. They delve into powerful themes such as self-belief, mindset for success, and overcoming challenges associated with bipolar disorder.
Aridja shares her transformative journey from battling self-doubt and limiting beliefs to embracing a life filled with dreams and achievements. She underscores the pivotal role of self-concept, the power of positive inner dialogue, and the profound impact of mindset on success.
Furthermore, Aridja opens up about her motivations behind starting a podcast, its role in...2024-02-2231 minLifting with Bipolar21: Echoes of Hope: Andrew & Jonathan's Path Through Mental HealthSummary
In this episode, Jonathan and Andrew have a free-flowing conversation about their experiences with bipolar disorder over the past few months. They discuss recent episodes, hospitalizations, medication management, and the importance of realistic expectations. They also talk about the support they receive from their workplaces and the benefits of boxing as an outlet for mental health. They end the conversation by discussing their goals for the future. In this conversation, Andrew and Jonathan discuss various aspects of personal growth, self-compassion, and balancing work and family life. They also touch on the importance of preserving family legacy...2024-01-2845 minLifting with Bipolar21: The Power of Tracking: Transforming Mental Health with DataSummary
In this episode, Jonathan interviews Mequell about her mental illness tracking journal and the motivation behind creating it. They discuss the origins of the journal and how Mequell’s personal experience with mental illness shaped her venture. They also highlight the benefits and value of using the journal for tracking and managing mental health. The conversation emphasizes the importance of connection and community in the mental health journey. They address misconceptions about tracking and emphasize the data-driven approach of the journal. Finally, they discuss ways to encourage others to start journaling and close with plans for fu...2024-01-1435 minLifting with Bipolar20 Part 2: From Court to Crisis: Tyrone Hanson's Journey Beyond BasketballSummary
Tyrone Hanson shares his journey from being dismissed from the basketball team to finding new opportunities at Jackson State and overseas. He reflects on the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned along the way. Tyrone offers advice to younger individuals pursuing their dreams and emphasizes the importance of staying focused and avoiding distractions. He also discusses his current plans and invites listeners to connect with him on Instagram.
Chapters
00:00 Coping with Dismissal from the Team
03:22 Finding a New Opportunity at Jackson State
08:11 Overcoming Challenges at Jackson...2023-12-2823 minLifting with Bipolar20 Part 1: From Court to Crisis: Tyrone Hanson's Journey Beyond BasketballSummary
In this episode, Jonathan Szarko interviews Tyrone Hanson, a former NCAA Division I college basketball player. They discuss Tyrone's background, his college basketball experience, and his decision to play at the University of Nevada. They also touch on Tyrone's freshman year and his dismissal from the team after a tragic incident at a Halloween party. The conversation highlights the role of coaches and the business aspect of college basketball.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:16 College Basketball Experience
08:26 Choosing to Play at the University of Nevada
15:26 Freshman Year...2023-12-2821 minLifting with Bipolar19: The Joyful Warrior: Bonnie Mosby on Blending Psychology, Sports, and Social WorkSummary
In this episode, Jonathan interviews Bonnie Mosby, CEO of The Imperfect Human and a master's of social work student. They discuss Bonnie's transition from nutrition to psychology, her passion for jujitsu and self-discovery, the relationship between social and mental health, and the importance of balancing career, personal life, and training. Bonnie also shares her experiences in social work and her future plans. Overall, the conversation highlights the significance of seeking joy, the impact of mental health challenges, and the role of community in supporting mental well-being.
Takeaways
Transitioning from one field to another...2023-12-1729 minLifting with Bipolar18: Unboxing Mental Health: A Journey to Comfortable SilenceWelcome to the Lifting with Bipolar podcast, where we explore the lives of individuals living with bipolar disorder and their journeys navigating the condition. In this episode, host Jonathan Szarko welcomes Missy Haze, the owner of Comfortable Silence, a brand that focuses on raising awareness about bipolar disorder and seeking to eliminate stigma surrounding the condition.
Missy's personal history with bipolar disorder led her to create Comfortable Silence, a brand that features designs from her journals growing up, including affirmations that have helped her along the way. Her goal is to encourage open conversations about bipolar disorder...2023-10-1236 minLifting with Bipolar17: Breaking the Stigma: One Voice at a TimeOn this episode, Jonathan Szarko welcomes Paris Scobie, a bipolar patient, author, and host of the Live Well Bipolar podcast. Paris shares her journey with bipolar disorder, discussing the motivation behind her podcast and book, Crooked Illness: Lessons from Inside and Outside Hospital Walls. Paris stresses the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues, encouraging individuals to openly discuss their experiences.
Jonathan and Paris bring up the common theme of pushing through mental health struggles until it becomes overwhelming. They emphasize the value of sharing one's story to normalize mental health issues, unlock doors of...2023-10-0433 min
Live Well Bipolar ™171: Handcuffed & Given a Second ChanceJonathan Szarko was diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder, spent 9 months in jail and was dead set on not becoming "another statistic in the criminal justice system."
Standing in handcuffs in front of a judge at 30 years old, Jonathan was given a choice. He could either spend 5 years in jail or 5 years on probation. After living through past struggles with drugs and alcohol, Jonathan made the commitment to get sober and prioritize one of his oldest passions: fitness.
Growing up with a grandfather who was a bodybuilder, Jonathan shares his history...2023-10-0230 minLifting with Bipolar16: Living with Bipolar Disorder: Staying Authentic and Building a FutureIn this episode of "Lifting with Bipolar," host Jonathan Szarko and guest Jas (the bipolar badass) delve into the complex journey of living with bipolar disorder.
They share personal experiences and strategies for staying true to oneself amidst bipolar fluctuations and building a future despite the challenges. Jas, who shares her bipolar journey on Instagram as the_bipolar_badass, emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between who she wants to be and who she can be during different phases of bipolar disorder. She stresses that despite the disorder's impact on her emotions and behavior, it does not define...2023-09-2728 minLifting with Bipolar15: Lift Your Mood: Managing Bipolar Disorder with Medication and ExerciseWelcome to another episode of Lifting with Bipolar!
Our guest for today is Polina, a psychiatric physician assistant who also has personal experience with bipolar disorder. Today, we are going to talk about managing bipolar disorder and how you can do it with acceptance, medication, exercise, and a supportive network.
Polina shares her personal story of struggling with accepting her diagnosis initially and how it affected her life. But she quickly realized the importance of seeking treatment from mental health professionals and sticking to medication plans. She highlights the difficulty that many patients face in...2023-08-2346 minLifting with Bipolar14: Finding Your Voice as a Mental Health Advocate: Megan's Journey to Inspire OthersIn this episode, Megan shares her mental health advocacy journey, explaining how she has leveraged her Instagram platform to raise awareness about mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, PTSD, and anxiety. She describes the therapeutic process of writing her forthcoming book, "Now, You Know," to both document her story and inspire others to come forward with their experiences. Her story showcases the significance of sharing experiences, promoting mental health conversations on social media, and inspiring others by working through one's struggles.
Show Notes:
Guest: Megan @thisismegan_r (Instagram)
Connect with Jonathan Szarko:
2023-08-1527 minLifting with Bipolar13: Sweating Out the Stigma: Hot Yoga and Bipolar Disorder with KristaIn this episode of "Lifting with Bipolar," host Jonathan Szarko interviews Krista, a fellow bipolar disorder advocate and host of her own podcast.
Krista shares her personal journey with bipolar one, detailing her experience with hospitalization, medication, and the importance of physical fitness in managing her condition. Krista discusses how hot yoga has been a game-changer for her in terms of managing her mood and symptoms. She attributes the added heat and spiritual element of the practice to its success as a mental health tool.
Additionally, Krista emphasizes the importance of hydration when engaging in...2023-07-1823 minLifting with Bipolar12: Guardian Chronicles: Navigating the Complexity of Mental Health Advocacy and GuardianshipWelcome to another episode of the Lifting with Bipolar podcast, where we aim to provide you with the resources and support you need to thrive in your mental health journey.
Today, we are joined by Christina Mitchell, a mental health advocate and guardian who has cared for her mother and aunt for over two decades. She runs the Guardian Chronicles, a platform that connects like-minded individuals and provides resources and support for those who are caring for loved ones with mental health disorders.
The Power of Technology in Creating Supportive Communities: Christina stressed the importance...2023-07-1028 minLifting with Bipolar11: Navigating the Highs and Lows of Bipolar Disorder: Nicole's JourneyWelcome back to "Lifting with Bipolar". I'm your host, Jonathan Szarko, and today's episode is going to be a special one. I'm joined by Nicole Fernandez, a 26-year-old English teacher who is going to be sharing her lived experience of bipolar disorder.
Nicole has recently been struggling with frequent manic episodes, which have caused her to withdraw from public view and lose a lot of friends. Despite these challenges, she remains committed to improving herself and managing her condition through the right medication and personal growth.
We dive into her story, discussing the ups and...2023-07-0442 minLifting with Bipolar10: Revolutionize Your Sleep Habits with Brett ScrantonWelcome to the Lifting with Bipolar podcast, where we explore the intersection between mental health and fitness.
I'm your host, Jonathan Szarko, a certified personal trainer who believes in the healing power of exercise for those who struggle with bipolar disorder.
Today, we have a special guest with us - Brett Scranton, a longevity coach who will talk to us about the importance of sleep for overall health and wellness. We all know that sleep is crucial for our mental and physical well-being, but do we really know why? Brett is here to shed light...2023-06-3034 minLifting with Bipolar9: Trauma-Informed Yoga for Mental Health: A Conversation with Vilma ArauzWelcome to "Lifting with Bipolar," where we explore the intersection of physical fitness and mental health.
Today's guest is Vilma Arauz, a certified yoga instructor, and social work student, specializing in trauma-informed yoga. Vilma shares her expertise on how trauma-informed yoga can benefit individuals managing bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions.
As someone who copes with PTSD and anxiety herself, Vilma understands the importance of self-regulation for resilience. She demonstrates tools such as orientation, grounding, centering, and breathing, which are essential for individuals struggling with mental health issues.
Vilma also discusses the...2023-06-2637 minLifting with Bipolar8: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health: Insights from Suicide Prevention Expert Steve HedrickWelcome to Lifting With Bipolar, a podcast that empowers individuals to take charge of their mental health and wellness.
Today, we are privileged to have Steve Hedrick as our guest, a mental health professional who is an expert in suicide prevention and works primarily with Native American and veteran populations.
Steve began the conversation by discussing the unique challenges that these populations face, including distrust of the government and mental health stigma. He debunked the pervasive misconception that people with mental health issues are often violent and instead highlighted how these individuals are often the...2023-06-2131 minLifting with Bipolar7: Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder: An Honest Conversation with SydneyIn this episode, Jonathan Szarko speaks with his guest Sydney, a 26-year-old healthcare worker living in Seattle, Washington, about her journey with bipolar disorder. Sydney was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two years ago and has since been navigating the ups and downs of living with this mental illness.
The conversation between Jonathan and Sydney is a raw and honest reflection on what it's like to live with bipolar disorder. Sydney talks about the challenges she's faced in the first year of her diagnosis, including hospitalizations and depressive episodes. She also shares her experience in learning about her...2023-06-1730 minLifting with Bipolar6: Overcoming Mental Health Hospitalizations with RAG: The Power of Routine, Awareness, and Gratitude in Mental HealthWelcome to the Lifting with Bipolar Podcast with your host, Jonathan Szarko.
In today's episode, we have a special guest, Andrew, who shares his journey of overcoming mental health hospitalization. Both Jonathan and Andrew share their experiences and insights on mental health, sobriety, growth, and positivity. Andrew shares his story of being diagnosed with bipolar one with psychotic tendencies, PTSD, and OCD. He also talks about being a certified high school counselor and living a sober life for more than 650 days.
Andrew's positive attitude towards life and growth is evident in his daily practice of...2023-06-1736 minLifting with Bipolar5: Becoming Harder to Kill: The Power of Earthing and Vitamin D for Optimal HealthWelcome to "Lifting with Bipolar"! In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Brett Scranton, an expert in longevity tactics, as our guest. Brett shares his knowledge and expertise on how to become "Harder to Kill" through simple lifestyle changes that promote optimal health and well-being.
One of the topics we discuss in detail is the practice of earthing and its potential benefits. Brett explains the concept of earthing and how it involves connecting with the earth's natural electrical charge. He also highlights the many potential health benefits of earthing, including reduced inflammation, improved circulation, and enhanced...2023-05-2831 minLifting with Bipolar4: Riding Through Mental Health Challenges: A Discussion on Supporting Mental Wellness in Motorcycle Communities and Native American Populations with Waylon MarvinWelcome to "Lifting with Bipolar," the podcast that explores how physical fitness and mental wellness intersect. In this episode, Jonathan Szarko invites special guest Waylon Marvin to share his personal experience of mental health challenges while being a member of a motorcycle club and shed light on issues related to mental health within the motorcycle community that need to be addressed more effectively.
Moving on to another important topic, Waylon touches upon the mental health challenges that Native Americans face today and explains the impact of particular cultural factors on their well-being. With the prevalence of depression...2023-05-2633 minLifting with Bipolar3: Overcoming Misdiagnosis and Moving Forward with Heather LangeShow Description: In this episode of Lifting with Bipolar, we dive deep into the personal journey of our guest, Heather Lange, as she shares her experience being diagnosed with the wrong mental illness. After years of struggling with her mental health, Heather was finally diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Heather opens up about the painful journey of being misdiagnosed and how it impacted her life. She shares how she found the strength to keep pushing forward and the importance of advocating for yourself in your mental health journey. Through her story, Heather...2023-05-2444 minLifting with Bipolar2: Unleashing the Power of Strongman Lifting with Jeremy ByrnesWelcome to another episode of Lifting with Bipolar, where we explore the intersection of mental health and physical fitness. Today, our host Jonathan Szarko is joined by strongman Jeremy Byrnes to discuss the world of strongman lifting. On the podcast, Jeremy shares his journey into strongman lifting, from his initial interest in powerlifting to his eventual transition to strongman. He highlights the unique challenges and demands of strongman lifting, including the importance of mental toughness and tenacity. Throughout the podcast, Jonathan and Jeremy delve into the ways in which strongman lifting and mental health intersect, discussing the benefits of...2023-05-041h 07
Lifting with Bipolar1: The Science behind Body Composition Testing and Choosing the Right Supplements for Your Exercise Routine: A Conversation with Colin KleinIn this episode of the Lifting With Bipolar podcast, host Jonathan Szarko sits down with health and wellness expert Colin Klein to discuss the importance and advantages of body composition testing. Klein explains how body composition testing can help individuals obtain a more accurate picture of their body fat percentage, muscle mass, and over 30 other metrics. The conversation then turns to the topic of supplements, with Klein shedding light on some of the most popular options on the market today. He discusses the benefits of protein supplements for muscle growth and recovery, as well as the role of creatine...2023-03-281h 18