From Shame to Strength: How Mindset Rule 15 Transformed John Rambo’s and My Mental Health Journey
- Bruce Schutter
- Sep 16
- 5 min read

It was a regular day — the kind where you don’t expect to run into a war hero, let alone the John Rambo, casually grocery shopping.
I did a double-take. Rambo with a shopping list? A survival knife, sure. A bow and arrow, absolutely. But eggs, bread, and milk? Not so much.
Yet today, he wasn’t here to fight a battle in town — he was here for something bigger: to talk about mental health.
“Bruce, I heard about your Mental Health Warrior Program,” he said, shifting the basket in his hand. “I’m trying to leave the battles behind… but the shame of my past still weighs heavy. I don’t want it to own me anymore. I need your help to triumph.”
The Warrior Solution
“Yeah, I know how hard it is to move past the past,” I said. “For me, it was 20 years of battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. It left me feeling so powerless that I even tried to end my life. But in that darkness, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.”
Armed with that truth, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge!
Rambo nodded. “I get it, man. I’ve been there too — letting shame eat me alive. But the more I’ve been working on it, the more I see it’s possible to move forward.”
“That’s right,” I said. “And a big part of moving forward was learning not to run from my past but to own it. From my book 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior, I lean on Mindset Rule 15: Build the New You on All of Your Story, Not Just the Good Stuff.”
That rule changed everything. You can’t just hide the tough stuff and only show the shiny parts of your life. It’s all part of who you are — and it’s the foundation for building the new you.
Rambo raised an eyebrow. “I like that. So how do you use it?”
“Funny you should ask,” I said with a grin. “Let me give you a three examples.”
Example 1: Embrace the Messy Parts of the Journey
For years, I thought I should only share the good stuff — the wins, the accomplishments, the polished version of me that looked like I had it all together. But hiding the messy parts — the Bipolar meltdowns, the panic attacks, the nights I drowned anxiety in alcohol — only shut people out. It kept me disconnected, stuck behind a mask of perfection.
When I finally started sharing the hard parts too — the mistakes, the dark nights, the real struggles—something surprising happened: people didn’t pull away. Instead, they leaned in. My honesty gave them permission to open up too and real connection began to grow.
Suddenly, conversations weren’t one-way broadcasts. They were two-way connections. That vulnerability built bridges I never thought possible — and gave me strength I didn’t know I had.
Rambo’s Takeaway:
Rambo nodded. “I get that. For years, I was just the guy who ‘gets the job done’ and keeps everything bottled up. But lately, I’ve started telling my story — the whole story. Even the parts where I’ve messed up.
And something’s changed. People don’t just see me as a weapon anymore. They see me. It’s uncomfortable, sure… but it’s also freeing. Feels like, for the first time, I’m not fighting alone — I’m fighting as a Warrior!”
Example 2: Build Strength From Struggles
Another way I use this rule is by realizing that today’s successes are only possible because of yesterday’s struggles. I used to beat myself up for every mistake — whether it was a relapse, losing control, or just feeling like a failure. But eventually, I realized: those moments are why I’m here today. Without the struggle, I wouldn’t have gained the lessons that helped me triumph.
It’s like building a house — you can’t just throw on the roof and call it success. You need the foundation, the walls, the support beams. And a lot of that structure comes from your struggles. Today, I lean on the Warrior tools I earned through those hard moments, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Rambo’s Takeaway:
Rambo thought for a moment. “That’s like when I tried to live a normal life after the war. Every time I stumbled, I thought I’d failed. But you’re right — those failures taught me what I needed to know. Now, when I get up and keep moving, I feel stronger because I know what it’s like to be down. It makes me appreciate the fight it takes to stay standing.”
Example 3: Win Today by Being Present
The third way I use this rule is by staying present — not stuck in the past. One of the biggest reasons depression used to creep in was because I spent too much time dwelling on old mistakes. I’d lose focus on what I could do today to improve my mental health.
Now, I remind myself: every day is a chance to be a Warrior. I get up, use my tools, and take the next step forward. If I catch myself slipping into old habits, that’s my wake-up call. I remind myself: I’m not defined by my past, but by how I show up today.
Rambo’s Takeaway:
Rambo smiled — a rare sight, but it was there. “Yeah, I’ve done that too. Spent too much time stuck in my head, replaying old battles. But like you said, the key is staying in the present.
When I focus on what I can control right now — whether it’s helping a neighbor or just taking care of myself — I stop living in the past and start living for today and for my future. It’s simple… but powerful!”
Wrap Up
As our conversation continued, we both realized something important: we weren’t stuck in the past anymore. The shame, the guilt, the mistakes — none of that had to control us. We were Mental Health Warriors, building new lives on our entire stories, not just the polished parts.
“Well, Rambo,” I said with a grin, “looks like you’re not attacking the town today, but you’re still winning battles. And here’s a copy of my book 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior to keep you moving forward.”
So if you’re struggling with the shame of the past, remember Mindset Rule 15: Build the New You on All of Your Story, Not Just the Good Stuff. That’s the Warrior way — own your story and rise stronger every single day!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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