John Wick and the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin: A Powerful Tool for Every Day
- Bruce Schutter
- Sep 20, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 4
The other day, I was exiting my car at the post office, mentally juggling my to-do list—mail a few bills, pick up stamps, and maybe grab a diet soda afterward. You know, the usual errands.
But as I stepped out, something unexpected happened. My Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin slipped from my hand, and before I could even react, it rolled across the parking lot, spinning and gleaming. I sighed, thinking it was gone for good, rolling into the abyss of hard-to-reach places.
But just as I was about to wave goodbye to the coin, a sleek black car pulled up beside it. The window rolled down, and out leaned none other than John Wick himself. He scooped up the coin with a casual ease that only a master assassin could manage.
He glanced at the coin in his hand, feeling its weight, and then looked up at me. “Mental Health Warrior?” he asked, reading the front. His eyebrows raised in curiosity.
“That’s right,” I said, walking over. “for 20 years I struggled with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. It left me feeling so powerless that I tried to end my life. But in that dark time, I realized something life-changing: Mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
With that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program, a new SELF-HELP Approach, designed to help everyone take charge of their emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life they really want!
The coin is an important part of the program, that is designed so that we can carry with us each day. A tangible reminder that we are warriors and can triumph over our mental health challenges.”
John’s face softened slightly, and he flipped the coin over, noticing the warrior wisdom engraved on the back. He gave a half-smile. “I’ve carried a lot of coins in my time, but this one’s got a different kind of power.” I couldn’t have put it better myself!
Portable Strength
John Wick—a man well acquainted with challenge coins from his many “adventures” (and by adventures, I mean chaotic, bullet-ridden quests for vengeance)—was clearly intrigued.
But this coin wasn’t like the ones from his world.
The Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin serves a different purpose. It’s not just a token—it’s a symbol of resilience. A tangible reminder that you carry your strength with you, no matter what you’re facing.
It’s the kind of thing you can grip when challenges arise—whether it’s an anxiety attack, a wave of depression, or just the stress of a long, relentless day. It doesn’t solve the problem, but it grounds you. It reminds you: You’re a Warrior. You’ve got this!
John handed the coin back to me—but not before he shared three ways he’d use it himself.
1. Staying Grounded in Chaos
John started with what he knows best: chaos.
“You’d be surprised how easy it is to lose focus when you’ve got, let’s say, a dozen people trying to take you out,” he said in his signature deadpan tone. “When the world’s falling apart around you, sometimes all you need is something to ground you.”
He turned the coin over in his fingers. “This? It’s heavy. It’s solid. In the middle of the madness, I could hold this, remind myself to stay centered... and breathe.”
Our Turn:
Most of us won’t be dodging bullets in a three-piece suit—but life still throws chaos our way.
Whether it’s a stressful day at work, an emotional spiral, or just the pressure of trying to hold it all together, having something tangible can help you stay grounded.
The Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin is just that. When your mind is spinning, hold it. Feel its weight. Let it remind you: Breathe. Reset. You’re in control!
2. A Reminder of Inner Strength
John flipped the coin over in his hand. “In my line of work, it’s easy to feel like everything’s stacked against you,” he said.
“But this coin? It’s a reminder that the strength you need is already inside you. You don’t have to wait for backup—or a miracle. You just need to remember the tools you’ve got.”
He tapped the coin lightly, as if to emphasize its weight. “When things get tough, I’d use this to remind myself: I’ve faced worse. You carry your power with you—just like this coin.”
Our Turn:
We all have days when we feel small against the weight of life—days when doubt creeps in and we forget our own resilience.
That’s where the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin comes in. Hold it in your hand. Feel its weight.
Let it remind you of everything you’ve already overcome. You’ve been through hard things before—and you’re still here!
The power is already within you. Sometimes all it takes is one small reminder to bring it back to the surface.
3. A Tool for Reflection and Decision-Making
John gave me one last example. “I’ve made a lot of decisions—some good, some... not so good,” he said with a rare note of vulnerability. “But when you’re standing at a crossroads, having something to reflect on helps.”
He held up the coin and spun it between his fingers. “I wouldn’t use it to make the decision for me—but to give myself a moment. A chance to pause, take a breath, and think clearly before making a move.”
He nodded slightly. “This coin would help me do that.”
Our Turn:
You don’t have to be an elite assassin to struggle with decision-making. When you're overwhelmed, anxious, or standing at a turning point, even small decisions can feel paralyzing.
The Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin can be your pause button. Hold it. Spin it. Breathe.
Let it be the thing that reminds you to slow down and think with intention—not fear. It’s not about flipping a coin to decide—it’s about reclaiming your focus in the moment.
Wrap Up
As we wrapped up our conversation, I couldn’t help but feel like the whole encounter was meant to be. John had offered some solid insights (pun absolutely intended), and I could tell he genuinely saw the value in the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin.
On a whim, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a spare. “You should have one of these,” I said, holding it out.
John looked at me, then at the coin, and smiled—an expression so rare it might’ve been worth an entire movie scene on its own. “Thanks,” he said, slipping it into his jacket pocket.
“I’ll carry it with me. And don’t worry… I won’t trade this one for lodging,” he added with a wink—an unmistakable nod to the infamous coins from his world.
And just like that, John Wick disappeared into the day, leaving me standing in the parking lot feeling strangely empowered—and honestly, kind of honored.
Next time you're struggling, grab your Warrior Coin, carry it with you, and tap into its power. Because you are a Mental health Warrior and can triumph over any challenge life throws your way!
Bruce Schutter
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