You are NOT Limited by Your Mental Health Challenges: John Wick & Warrior Principle 5
- Bruce Schutter
- Sep 2
- 5 min read
It was a sunny afternoon, and I found myself downtown, strolling through the park, trying to clear my head. Life’s challenges had been hitting me like a freight train, but after 20+ years of battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorder and PTSD, I’ve learned how to bend with the blows instead of breaking.
That’s when I saw him — John Wick. Yes, the John Wick, looking unusually peaceful for a man who’s spent a lifetime facing impossible odds. He was sitting on a park bench, sipping coffee, with his dog lounging beside him.
I couldn’t resist. “John Wick? Is that you?”
He looked up and, without missing a beat, gave me that signature nod. “Bruce, right? The guy who created the Mental Health Warrior Program?”
Before I could reply, he continued, “I’ve been reading your book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior. Some of your principles really stuck with me.”
“Which one?” I asked, curious.
John leaned forward, his intense gaze locked on mine. “The one about not letting challenges define us. I’ve faced my share of battles — both mental and physical—and it can feel like you’re losing control of your life. But then I read Mental Health Warrior Principle 5: ‘You are not defined or limited by your life’s challenges.’ That one hit home!”
The Warrior Path
I smiled. “I get it, John. After 20 years of battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD, I reached a point where I felt like I had no control. My challenges were running the show — leaving me to feel so powerless, that I tried to end my life. But in that darkness, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to triumphing over any challenge.”
Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge!
John nodded, his demeanor as intense as ever. “Exactly. When life’s challenges come at you, it’s easy to think they’re calling the shots. But you’re saying we’ve got the power, right?”
“Exactly,” I replied. “That’s what Mental Health Warrior Principle 5 is all about. It reminds us we are not defined or limited by our challenges — and it empowers us in three major ways.”
1 – Warriors Have Tools to Manage Emotions
“First, we become Warriors, armed with tools to manage our emotions. That gives us the ability to take our lives in any direction we choose.”
John leaned back, clearly intrigued. “Tell me more.”
“Well, think about it. Life’s challenges — whether they’re mental health struggles or just the daily grind — tend to overwhelm us emotionally. But when you’re a Mental Health Warrior, you’ve got tools that help you manage those emotions. You don’t just react — you RESPOND.
That’s the key difference. And once you can manage your emotions, you’ve got control over the direction of your life. You get to make the decisions.”
John's Takeaway:
John nodded slowly. “I get it. Like when I’m cornered by twenty enemies in a hallway. My first instinct is to let fear and rage take over — but if I do, I lose control. That’s when I remind myself of Mindset Rule 2: Respond Not React.
Instead of lashing out in blind anger, I pause — just long enough to breathe and reset. That pause gives me clarity. It helps me respond with precision instead of reacting in chaos. In my line of work, that difference means everything: stay alive, stay in control, finish the mission.”
Warriors don’t hope they’ll stay calm; when challenges arise, they use their tools to manage emotions and triumph!
2 – We See through the Lies Challenges Tell Us
And second, you start to see that mental health challenges lie to us. They tell us we’re not strong enough, that we can’t move forward, that we’re stuck. But when you’ve got a Warrior mindset and tools to handle your emotions, you can see through those lies.”
John laughed — a rare sight. “You know, life challenges are a bit like hitmen. They’ll try to sneak up on you, make you feel powerless. But once you know their tricks, you can outsmart them.”
“Exactly!” I said, matching his enthusiasm. “Mental health challenges will try to tell you that you’re powerless, that there’s no way out. But once you’ve embraced your Warrior mindset, you realize that’s all just noise. You can triumph over those challenges every day. You’ve got the power within you.”
John’s dog let out a soft bark, as if in agreement, and we both chuckled.
John's Takeaway:
John leaned back and said, “Challenges whisper lies the same way fear does. They tell you you’re weak, that you’re finished, that you’ve got no chance. But a Warrior learns not to believe the first thing his mind — or his enemies — throw at him.
When I stop and test those lies, I almost always find they fall apart. Fear becomes focus. Weakness turns into strategy. The key is having the mindset and the tools ready. Without them, the lies take over. With them, you stay in control.”
3 – From Surviving to THRIVING
“And the third thing,” I continued, “is that life is meant to be lived. Even with challenges, as Mental Health Warriors, we’ve actually got a leg up. We’ve learned to embrace the power of emotions.
Most people go through life avoiding their emotions — but we’ve learned to accept them. And that gives us an edge. We can take our lives in any direction we choose, change course when needed, and keep seeking out new challenges — because we’re Warriors.”
I leaned forward, my voice firm. “That’s the beauty of the Mental Health Warrior Program. It’s not about fighting against yourself — it’s about empowering yourself. Warriors don’t just survive life — they live it, fully!”
John's Takeaway:
John leaned back, thoughtful. “You know, most of my life has been about survival. One mission after another, one fight after another. I thought that was living — but it wasn’t. It was enduring. What you’re saying here… it’s different.”
He glanced at his dog and gave a rare half-smile. “When I follow this principle — not letting challenges limit me — I see that life isn’t just about getting through the next battle. It’s about creating moments that matter.”
Then he looked back at me, eyes steady. “Challenges will always be there — but they don’t own me. I’m a Mental Health Warrior. And that makes all the difference.”
Wrap Up
John’s expression softened. “I’ve got some friends who need to hear this.”
“Pass it on,” I said with a grin. “The more Mental Health Warriors out there, the better. We all have the power within us to triumph over life’s challenges. We’re not powerless — we’re powerful!”
John stood, his dog falling into step beside him. He extended a hand, his trademark intensity softened by gratitude. “Bruce, thank you. I’m going to share your book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior, with my friends.
People need to know they have the power to take control of their lives — not let challenges define or limit them.”
So, the next time your mental health challenges whisper that you’re limited, remember this truth: Warriors don’t fall for that lie. Warriors act. Warriors rise. Warriors take their lives in the direction they choose.
Because Mental Health Warriors are never limited. We are powerful. We triumph!
Bruce Schutter
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