It was one of those days where you just expect to grab a coffee and go, but life had other plans. I walked into my favorite coffee shop, craving a caffeine fix, only to find myself face-to-face with none other than John Wick—yes, the John Wick. You know, the man, the myth, the Baba Yaga, standing there in line, casually ordering a cappuccino like he hadn’t just been in a fight with 50 bad guys and a random pack of dogs (I’m assuming, because that’s just a Tuesday for him).
“Hey, you’re John Wick!” I blurted out, because apparently, subtlety escapes me in the presence of legendary assassins.
He turned slowly, his trademark stoic expression softening just a bit. “And you’re Bruce Schutter,” he said, pointing at my hoodie. I looked down and realized I was wearing my Mental Health Warrior Program sweatshirt. “You created that self-help program for mental health, right?” I nodded, slightly taken aback that John Wick knew about my program. It turns out even world-class assassins need a little mental wellness support. Who knew?
“Yeah,” I said. “I created it after 20 years of battling Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety, and PTSD from my time as an EMT with the local rescue squad. The program’s all about taking a self-help approach to managing your mental health and becoming a Mental Health Warrior.”
John’s eyes lit up—well, as much as John Wick’s eyes can light up. “Self-help,” he mused. “That’s powerful. You know, I’ve had my fair share of… let’s call them bad days. It’s your warrior self-help approach that’s gotten me through all of my challenges. As no one’s coming to fix things for you, but if you take action—well, that’s where the real power is!”
Intrigued, I asked John for more details. I mean, who wouldn’t want to know how John Wick, of all people, uses the warrior self-help approach to manage his emotions and conquer challenges? Over our coffees (black, of course, for John), he gave me three killer examples of how he’s used a self-help mindset to triumph over some pretty tough situations.
1. Staying Calm Under Fire (Literally and Figuratively)
John started with one of his more “average” days, as he put it. “Let’s just say I was in a situation where I had a lot of people trying to take me down,” he began, with a slight smirk. “It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Panic doesn’t help when you’re outnumbered.”
“How did you handle it?” I asked, half expecting some epic martial arts secret. “I focused on what I could control,” John said simply. “I couldn’t control the number of attackers, but I could control my breathing, my focus, and my mindset. I slowed down, took a breath, and reminded myself that panicking wasn’t going to save me. Staying calm under pressure—that’s a self-help strategy in itself.”
How We Can Use It:
We may not be dodging bullets (hopefully), but life can throw us challenges that feel overwhelming. In those moments, instead of spiraling into anxiety or panic, we can take a page out of John’s book and focus on what we can control: our mindset. By slowing down and staying calm, we give ourselves the chance to think clearly and act effectively. Panic? That's for amateurs.
2. Using Emotional Pain as Fuel for Action
John’s next example hit a bit closer to home—literally, for him. “When I lost my dog,” he said, his voice quiet but intense, “I was devastated. That loss? It could’ve broken me. I could’ve shut down. But instead, I turned that emotional pain into fuel.”
He explained how he didn’t let grief overwhelm him to the point of paralysis. Instead, he channeled it into action—admittedly, his action involved, well, cleaning house in the criminal underworld. “But” he added with a sly smile, “the warrior principle holds true. When life hits you hard emotionally, you can either let it keep you down, or you can use that pain to push forward.”
How We Can Use It:
We all experience loss, heartbreak, or moments of deep emotional pain. John’s approach is a reminder that we don’t have to let those emotions bury us. Instead, we can harness that energy, turning grief or anger into motivation to take positive steps—whether that’s pursuing a new goal, standing up for ourselves, or helping others.
3. Setting Boundaries and Knowing When to Walk Away
Believe it or not, John Wick is big on boundaries. “There was a time,” John began, “when I realized I had to make a choice. I couldn’t keep living in the world that was killing me, figuratively and literally. I had to set a boundary—had to walk away.”
He was, of course, referring to his initial attempt to leave his assassin’s life behind (we all know how that worked out). But his point was clear: sometimes, the most powerful self-help move is knowing when to step back and protect your mental and emotional health by setting boundaries. “It’s not easy,” John said. “Walking away can feel like quitting, but sometimes it’s the strongest move you can make.”
How We Can Use It:
We all face situations—whether it’s toxic relationships, overwhelming work demands, or unhealthy habits—where we need to set boundaries. John’s advice here applies to everyone: if something is damaging your mental health, it’s okay to step away. Boundaries aren’t about weakness; they’re about self-preservation and strength.
The Power of Self-Help: From John Wick to Mental Health Warriors
As our conversation wrapped up, John leaned back in his chair, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You know,” he said, “I’m going to tell every good guy I meet about your Mental Health Warrior Program. The beauty of a self-help approach is that the results are only limited by the energy you put into it. You take action, you see change. It’s that simple but so powerful!”
I grinned. “That’s the whole point. It’s not about waiting for someone else to fix your problems. It’s about taking control, like you do every day, and being your own warrior.”
John nodded. “We’re all capable of it. You don’t have to be an assassin to be a warrior.”
As John Wick left the coffee shop, heading back to whatever mission awaited him (probably involving a ridiculous number of henchmen), I couldn’t help but feel inspired. If someone like John could manage his emotions and navigate life’s challenges with a self-help approach, then anyone could.
So, if you’re reading this, take a page out of John Wick’s book (figuratively, of course—he’d probably come after you if you actually tore a page out). Become a Mental Health Warrior and the only limit to your success is the energy and effort you’re willing to put into it. You’ve got the power—now it’s time to use it!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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