From Panic to Power: How Andy the “Anxious” Aardvark Uses the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin

I had just left the grocery store with nothing I actually needed (except maybe backup emergency nut butter) when I heard the rapid-fire patter of footsteps behind me.

“Bruce! Bruce! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Do you have two minutes? Or five? Maybe seven is too long? I don’t want to take too much of your time. Should I go? No — wait — I should tell you this. Yes. I’m staying.”

It was Andy the “Anxious” Aardvark. Eyes wide. Backpack crooked. Tail twitching.

Before he could explode from nervous momentum, I held up my hand.

“Andy. Deep breath.”

He did. (Okay, it took four tries.)

Then he pulled a shiny object from his pocket. “I’ve been using my Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin to turn panic into power.”

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The Warrior Solution

Andy may be the most anxious aardvark in the state of Pennsylvania, but make no mistake — he’s also a Mental Health Warrior. He knows my story. He’s lived parts of it himself.

I told him about my 20-year struggle with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD — and how it left me so powerless that I tried to end my life.

But in that dark time, 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 SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge.

You don’t wait. You take charge of your emotions. You move forward — one action at a time.

Andy has been using one of the program’s most powerful tools every day — the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin.

The coin is a tangible part of the program — something you can carry with you to help triumph over mental health challenges.

It’s not magic. It’s mindset.

That small coin in your pocket says, “I’m a Warrior — and I’ve got this.”

Andy grinned. “Let me tell you three ways I used the coin this week!” he blurted out, practically vibrating with excitement.

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Tool 1: From Panic to Presence

“Okay,” Andy said. “Let’s start with the grocery store — fitting, since you’re already here.”

Apparently, fluorescent lighting, decision fatigue and ominous background music are Andy’s personal anxiety apocalypse.

“But now,” he explained, “when I feel that chest-tightening, spiraling sense of doom in the cereal aisle, I reach into my pocket and grab the coin. I just hold it. Feel the edges. Focus on something real.

It pulls me out of my head and back into the moment — where I’m in charge.

Our Turn:

I’ve learned that my anxiety doesn’t usually show up quietly. It shows up loud — with racing thoughts, worst-case scenarios and a sudden urge to fix everything immediately.

Sometimes it’s during a tough conversation. Sometimes it’s while I’m on hold with insurance listening to the same music loop for the fifth time. Sometimes it’s just my brain trying to schedule an emotional meltdown at the worst possible moment.

That’s when I reach into my pocket for my Warrior Coin.

I feel the edges. The weight. The solidness of it.

And that simple act pulls me out of the mental chaos and back into the present — where I choose my next move instead of letting anxiety choose it for me.

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Tool 2: Respond Not React

Andy’s second example hit close to home.

“Last week,” he said, “I got an email with the subject line ‘Urgent.’ I immediately assumed I was getting fired… or someone was disappointed in me… or maybe I’d accidentally deleted the entire internet.”

Classic Andy.

“But this time, instead of reacting and firing off a panicked reply, I reached for my coin. Took a breath. Paused. Then I checked again.”

He shook his head. “Turned out… it was just a reminder to bring muffins to the staff meeting.

He tapped the coin. “Responding feels a lot better than reacting.”

Our Turn:

Mindset Rule 2: Respond Not React — is engraved on the back of my Warrior Coin for a reason.

There have been moments when I’ve gotten a text that hit the wrong nerve or an email that felt sharper than it probably was. In the past, I would’ve fired back quickly — defensive, emotional, certain I was right.

Now, I reach for my Warrior Coin. Hold it. Breathe. Give myself a few minutes.

That small pause keeps me in control — and turns reaction into intention.

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Tool 3: Courage Creates Connection

Andy leaned in for the third one. “This one’s kind of big,” he said. “I started using the coin to help me talk to people.”

When he feels overwhelmed, he’ll take the coin out during a conversation and show it to someone.

“I just say, ‘Hey, this helps me with anxiety. I’m working on being more open about it.’”

He smiled.

“And you know what? When I say it out loud, anxiety’s power over my day shrinks — and I can move forward.”

He shrugged. “It turns out I’m not the only one who gets nervous in the cereal aisle.”

Our Turn:

For a long time, I didn’t talk about my mental health. It felt safer to keep it to myself. Anxiety would whisper, “Don’t make it awkward.”

The first time I set the Warrior Coin on a table and said, “This helps me when my anxiety ramps up,” I expected silence.

Instead, I got a nod. Then a story.

Since then — in coffee shops, on Zoom calls, even at the DMV — I’ve seen the same thing happen. The coin opens the door. The conversation gets real.

It reminds me that strength doesn’t grow in isolation. It multiplies when it’s shared!

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Wrap Up

As Andy finished his story, I couldn’t help but feel proud — and a little inspired.

“You’ve come a long way,” I said.

“Still have my challenges,” he replied, “but today I’m in control.”

That’s the goal!

I reached into my bag and handed him a second Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin.

“One for work. One for home.”

Andy’s eyes went wide. “Double the coins. Double the grounding. This is amazing!”

So if anxiety keeps showing up at the worst moments — whispering worst-case scenarios and pushing you toward panic — it’s time to interrupt the spiral.

Grab your Warrior Coin. Put it into action, just like Andy. Then move forward as the Warrior you are.

Warriors don’t wait for anxiety to disappear. They take charge — and turn panic into power!

Bruce Schutter

Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!