Happiness is an Inside Job

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we talked with Jon Katz about his journey to better mental and physical health and how he learned that real healing comes after facing pain by looking within yourself. 

Jon tells his story and talks about how important it is to take full responsibility for our own lives and happiness. Now, he helps others overcome their struggles in the same way he did.

In late 2020, Jon Katz went through a horrendous breakup. This breakup, compounded with the weight of an unstable childhood, decades of poor decision-making, poor relationship choices, and poor habits, left him obese, anxious, depressed, and suicidal at the age of 34. 

Since then, Jon has turned his life around in every conceivable way and now coaches others on how to step back from the path of negativity, poor health, hopelessness, worthlessness, fear, and suicide. 

It is now his life's mission to help folks out of the pit of suicidality, anxiety, depression, repression, and denial and take back their lives. Let’s welcome in Jon!!

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• How Jon reached his lowest point in his mental health and then changed the trajectory of his life
• How the people we spend our time with can impact our habits
• Why we have to look inside if we want true happiness 
• How Jon realized that running away from his problems wouldn’t solve them
• The problem with getting lost in the narratives of others
• The power of trying and giving things your all
• How desperation can actually make you unstoppable
• How your mental health and physical health are intertwined
• The juxtaposition between art and pain
• How the creative process impacts mental health 

We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Jon! If you want to learn more from him, head over to his Instagram and you’ll find all of his links there. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

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Get in touch: amgits.reverse@gmail.com

Quotes: 

“The regretful man is the man that isn't leading a healthy life, that isn't really trying. If you aren't really trying, then you aren't really going to be okay.” -Jon 

“You have to remove things from your life if you want to grow.” -Jon 

“Sometimes you create these things, even if it is as therapy or to deal with the pain, and it helps and heals others, but it doesn't necessarily do that for the artist.” -Marc 

"When I’m creating something, I'm able to transpose my thoughts. It's like going on a trip. You have a suitcase and you have all this stuff in your suitcase and it's heavy and it's weighing you down. And you finally get to your room and you get a chance to unpack the suitcase and start to put things away. And I feel like that's what that creative process does from a mental health standpoint for me.” -Erik