You Are NOT Broken: John Wick, Mental Health Disorders and the Power of a Warrior Mindset
- Bruce Schutter
- 6d
- 5 min read
It happened on a random Tuesday. I was grabbing a diet soda at a quiet little café when I felt a presence — intense, laser-focused and lightly scented with gunpowder and emotional growth.
I turned, and there he was: John Wick — legendary assassin, devoted dog lover and fellow Mental Health Warrior.
Now, you’d think a conversation with John Wick would revolve around revenge, tactical gear, or maybe an underground network of secret hotel assassins. But not today.
Today, we talked about something far more powerful.
John leaned in, eyes sharp but unexpectedly soft. “People think that if you struggle with mental health disorders, you’re broken.”
He paused.
“But that’s a lie. And lies are what keep people stuck!”
My Warrior Story
He was right. As the creator of the Mental Health Warrior Program, I know all too well how damaging that belief can be.
For 20 years, I battled Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. I hit rock bottom and I tried to end my life. But in that darkest of times — I discovered something life-changing: Mental Health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with this knowledge, I built the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge! So you can take charge of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you really want!
John knew my story. In fact, he was one of the first to read my book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior.
But he didn’t just read it — he joined the mission. He took action. He used the mindset. He used the tools. And he started winning battles most people never even see.
So there we were — two Warriors, sipping diet sodas and dismantling the myth that we’re broken. And John, being John, didn’t just nod along.
He shared three powerful actions to break free from that limiting belief — and step boldly into YOUR strength.
Action 1: Take Back Control – One Choice at a Time
“First move?” he said. “Figure out what you can actually control. You can’t rewrite the past. You can’t erase a diagnosis. But you can control your next step — and that’s where real power lives.”
This is the heart of SELF-HELP that leads to SELF-EMPOWERMENT.
When we shift our focus to what we can control — our thoughts, routines and actions — we move from feeling powerless to building strength, one decision at a time. This is how we prove to ourselves that we are NOT broken!
John nodded. “When I start to spiral, I clean my weapons. Every piece. Every detail. It slows my mind, brings clarity, and grounds me.”
He smirked slightly. “And yeah… sometimes I alphabetize my ammo. Not because I have to — but because choosing order over chaos reminds me I’m still in charge.”
Our Turn:
You don’t need a tactical arsenal. Try these simple actions to take back control and ground yourself like a Warrior:
Make your bed. (Yes, Mom was right.)
Take a walk — get your blood and brain moving.
Eat like a Warrior — use the 3 Food Rules.
Pick a Mental Health Warrior Tool — and use it.
One simple choice at a time can change everything. That’s where strength is rebuilt — and where control begins.
Action 2: Reframe the Narrative
John Wick stared into the distance like he was narrating his own internal documentary.
“The story you tell yourself is everything,” he said. “If you keep telling yourself you’re broken, your brain believes it.
But when I reframed the story to: “I am a Mental Health Warrior learning to manage grief and anger,” the shame started to fall away. My identity shifted — from victim to fighter.
“When people hear ‘John Wick,’ they think of the boogeyman,” he continued. “But that’s not how I see it.”
He paused. “I see a man who refused to let grief destroy him. I used to think I was just angry. Now I know — I’m healing. One emotion at a time.”
Our Turn:
When I changed the way I spoke to myself, it made a huge difference.
Reframing the narrative isn’t just about the words you say — it’s about how you see yourself.
So now, this is how I talk to myself:
Instead of “I’m broken” — I say “I’m growing.”
Instead of “I failed again” — I say “I’m still in the fight.”
Instead of “I can’t” — I say “I haven’t yet — but I will.”
The Warrior mindset begins with the story you tell yourself. So make it a powerful one!
Action 3: Armor Up with Daily Tools
John Wick nodded and said, “Consistency beats intensity,” as he pulled a shiny coin from his pocket. It wasn’t from The Continental — it was his Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin.
“I carry this everywhere,” he said. “When things get rough, I hold it. It grounds me.”
That’s the secret sauce: Warrior Tools.
The Mental Health Warrior Program is packed with them — not gimmicks, not fluff. Real tools that help you manage emotions, shift your mindset and take action even when your brain says, Don’t bother.
“Every morning, I journal,” John continued. “I write down three things I can control, three I can’t and three things I’m grateful for.”
He smirked. “Then I move my body. Doesn’t have to be combat training — sometimes it’s just yoga with a YouTube guy named Kevin.”
Our Turn:
I had to build a new morning routine too — and here’s what surprised me most: the power that comes from armoring up in the morning, stays with me all day.
Here’s how I do it — and how you can too:
Start your day with one Warrior Tool — like I will "Bend Not Break".
Keep a grounding object in your pocket — like your own Challenge Coin.
Move your body — even if it’s just dancing to Eye of the Tiger in your kitchen.
Over time, these simple, consistent actions become your mental armor — helping you stay focused, calm and strong when life throws punches.
Because the truth is, you don’t need to be perfect — just prepared. And that’s exactly what Warrior Tools are for!
Wrap Up
John Wick looked at me, half-smiling in that “I’ve seen things” kind of way.
“You know, Bruce,” he said, “people think mental health strength means never breaking.
But real strength? It’s what happens after the fall. It’s becoming a Mental Health Warrior. It’s the rebuilding — and the daily triumph over challenges.”
I nodded and handed John a copy of my book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior.
“Pass this along to someone who feels broken,” I said. “Because they’re not. And this will show them — through my story and the tools inside to start them on their warrior journey.”
Because here’s the truth: We may face mental health challenges — but we are NOT broken. We’re battle-tested.
And every day we choose to show up… We Win!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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