Strength to Help Yourself and Others: Rambo and the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin
- Bruce Schutter
- Sep 8
- 5 min read
Yesterday was one of those crisp downtown mornings when the coffee smelled stronger and the sidewalks buzzed with activity. As I strolled past shops, lost in thought, I spotted a familiar figure slouched on a bench. John Rambo.
Yes, the Rambo — muscles, headband, and a stare that could scare a storm into submission. Except today, he wasn’t looking his usual tough-as-nails self. His shoulders sagged, and a cloud of worry shadowed his rugged features.
Rambo, like me, has faced his own mental health struggles. Over time, we’ve become sounding boards for each other — sharing Warrior tips and strategies to stay strong.
But today was different. He looked deeply troubled.
“Rambo,” I said, sitting down beside him, “what’s going on?”
He sighed, staring down at his calloused hands. “It’s my friends,” he said in that gravelly voice. “They’re struggling — mentally, emotionally. And I want to help… but sometimes I don’t feel strong enough myself.”
Warrior Solutions
Rambo and I go way back. He knows my story — two decades locked in battle with Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. Battles that left me feeling so powerless, I tried to end my life.
But in my darkest moment, I discovered a truth that changed everything: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
That truth became the foundation of the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge — so you can take charge of your emotions, overcome challenges and build the life you really want!
And one of the key tools of the program is the Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin — a tangible reminder of your Warrior strength you can carry with you every day.
Not just a coin — it was a warrior lifeline!
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my Warrior Coin. One side gleamed with the Warrior emblem. The other carried the words: “I Am Stronger Than My Challenges” — one of the Warrior wisdoms that guides and strengthens us.
“This,” I said, holding it up, “is my daily companion. I carry it everywhere. It’s a reminder of my own strength — and a way to pass strength on to others.”
Rambo leaned forward. “How does it work?”
I smiled. “Let me show you three powerful ways to use it — Mental Health Warrior style.”
Tool 1: Your Strength Becomes Their Strength
“The first way this coin helps,” I began, “is by reminding me that I have to stay strong for myself — especially if I want to help others. When challenges try to take over the day — whether it’s anxiety creeping in or a wave of self-doubt — I hold the coin in my hand. Its weight reminds me I’ve faced tough times before… and I’ve triumphed!”
I paused, letting that sink in. “It’s a tangible reminder that I’m stronger than whatever I’m facing. And that strength? It sets the stage for me to support others too.”
Rambo’s Takeaway:
Rambo nodded slowly, rubbing his chin. “I could see that,” he said.
He paused, then let out a low chuckle. “You know, there was this one time deep in the jungle, pinned down with my unit. Morale was shot, and I didn’t think we’d make it through the night. If I’d had a coin like this back then, it would’ve steadied my mind and helped me focus on leading my men. Sometimes you just need one thing to anchor you when everything else is chaos.”
“And not just for you,” I added. “When you’re strong, you’re in a better place to support your friends.”
He looked thoughtful, eyes narrowing like he was replaying old battles in his mind. “Yeah,” he said. “I can’t help my friends if I’m not strong myself."
Tool 2: Reach Out Reminder
“The second way I use the coin,” I continued, “is by keeping one on my desk. Every time I see it, it’s a simple but powerful reminder to check in with my friends.”
I leaned forward. “A quick text, a call, even just a ‘thinking of you’ message — it doesn’t take much. In that moment, I’m passing along the message: you can triumph too. And here’s the key — when we reach out, we’re not just supporting others, we’re building our Warrior Tribe.
A strong tribe means no one fights their battles alone. It turns individual strength into collective power.”
Rambo’s Takeaway:
Rambo’s face lit up. “I like that,” he said. “Sometimes I get so caught up in my own battles that I forget to check in on my squad. But if I saw something like this every day, it’d remind me to connect with them — and let them know they’re not alone.”
He paused, eyes narrowing. “I remember once after a rough mission, one of my men went quiet, started pulling back. If I’d had a reminder like this on my desk back then, maybe I would’ve checked in sooner. Sometimes that one call or word can make the difference between a person standing strong or slipping away.”
“Exactly,” I said. “It’s not just about us; it’s about building a community of warriors who lift each other up.”
Tool 3: Pass Along Strength
“The third way this Warrior Coin helps,” I said, “is by being a symbol of support I can share. When I see someone struggling, I’ve been known to hand them my coin.”
I held it up. “It’s a way of saying, ‘I believe in you!’ That they have the strength to face what’s ahead. Back when I started my warrior journey, others shared their strength with me — and it made all the difference.
Passing the coin on is more than a gesture — it’s how we grow the Warrior Tribe, one person at a time.”
Rambo’s Takeaway:
Rambo’s eyes narrowed in that intense way that probably made entire armies rethink their life choices. “You’d just… give it to someone?”
“Absolutely,” I said. “Because sometimes the smallest gesture has the biggest impact. When they hold that coin, they’ll know someone believes in them.”
He nodded, jaw tight with resolve. “I like that. A lot. Reminds me of a time one of my men was ready to quit — too much weight on his shoulders. I handed him my knife and told him it was a piece of my strength until he found his own again. He made it through.
Now I can give my buddy a Warrior Coin — not just to remind him he’s not alone in the fight, but to ignite his own inner Warrior strength.”
Wrap Up: Every Day Warrior Power
We sat in silence for a moment, both of us reflecting on the power of such a simple yet profound tool. Finally, Rambo broke the silence. “This coin,” he said, “it’s more than just a reminder. It’s like carrying a piece of the warrior spirit with you.”
“Exactly,” I said. “And when you pass it on, you’re sharing that spirit with someone else.”
I reached into my pocket and handed him my Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin. “This one’s yours. Use it to stay strong. And when the time’s right, pass it on to someone who needs it.”
Rambo took the coin, his calloused fingers curling around it. “Thanks, Bruce,” he said. “I won’t let it end up at the bottom of my survival kit.”
“I’m holding you to that,” I replied with a grin.
We parted ways, both carrying the warrior spirit with us — me in my heart, and Rambo, literally, in his pocket.
So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed — or you know someone who is — grab a Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin. Carry it as proof of your strength. Share it as a spark of hope. And remember: no Warrior fights alone. Together, we triumph!
Bruce Schutter
Comments