The Wellness Wake-Up Call: How To Prioritize Mental Health in Your Career - with Mike Allen

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Ever felt like your job is slowly chipping away at your mental health?

You're not alone.

I recently sat down with Mike Allen, co-founder of Heare Brotherhood, to discuss his journey from corporate burnout to prioritizing mental wellness. His story is a wake-up call for all of us trying to balance success and sanity in our careers.

The Corporate Pressure Cooker

Mike's career seemed picture-perfect on paper. He climbed the corporate ladder, landing impressive roles at Johnson & Johnson and eventually becoming a key player at DoorDash during its explosive growth phase. But beneath the surface, the pressure was mounting.

"I was doing some of the coolest stuff and then some of the lamest... day after day," Mike shared. The volatility of a rapidly growing company, coupled with leadership changes and intense deadlines, began to take its toll on his mental well-being.

The Breaking Point

For Mike, the wake-up call came during a particularly challenging period at DoorDash. He was dealing with misalignments and miscommunications with his manager, struggling to define his role and demonstrate his value in a rapidly changing environment.

"There were misunderstandings of roles and where's the value in what I'm doing versus what the expectation of what I should have been doing," Mike explained. The situation was compounding, getting worse day by day.

The breaking point came during a performance review. Picture this: Mike, his OLD boss, and his NEW boss all in one room. Instead of a fresh start, it felt like a nightmare.

"I was literally having a stress response. I was in fight or flight mode," Mike recalled. He found himself unable to defend his work or articulate his value. "I attempted to say a couple of things a couple of times and it just fell flat. It was really the worst meeting of my career."

He left that meeting feeling defeated, his hopes for a career turnaround crushed. The stress was so intense that it was affecting his physical health and his relationships at home.

Mental Health Check: Are you experiencing physical symptoms of stress in work situations? Are you unable to articulate your value at work? It might be time to reassess your priorities.

The Power of Partnership

Here's where Mike's story takes an inspiring turn. Instead of spiraling further, he turned to his wife, Erin. Her response? A smile and these powerful words: "Mike, this is great because it's going to push you to figure out what you really want to do."

This moment of support transformed Mike's perspective. Together, they spent the weekend reimagining their life priorities, asking themselves:

• Where do we want to live?

• What memories do we want to create?

• How can we align our careers with our family values?

Action Step: Sit down with your partner or a trusted friend. Take time to write out your true priorities in life, beyond just career success.

Redefining Success

Mike's epiphany came when he realized he could apply his branding and purpose-finding skills to his own life. "We just did that for us. For our family," he said, describing the weekend spent defining their family's mission and values.

This shift in perspective didn't immediately solve all of Mike's work problems, but it gave him a newfound resilience and clarity. He returned to work with a sense of purpose that transcended his job title.

Remember: Your job is part of your life, not your entire life. Define success on your own terms.

The Birth of a New Purpose

Mike's journey didn't end with a simple mindset shift. The challenges at DoorDash, while difficult, ultimately led him to reassess his career path. He realized that his true passion was helping others navigate the same mental health challenges he had faced.

This realization eventually led him to co-found Heare Brotherhood, focusing on men's wellness. This career pivot allowed him to align his work with his personal values and prioritize mental health - not just for himself, but for others too.

Lessons for Your Own Wellness Wake-Up Call

1. Recognize the signs: Physical stress responses, constant anxiety about work, or feeling disconnected from your values are all red flags.

2. Seek support: Whether it's a partner, friend, or professional, don't navigate career stress alone.

3. Redefine your priorities: Take time to write out what truly matters to you beyond your job.

4. Be open to change: Sometimes, the path to better mental health involves a career pivot.

5. Apply your skills differently: Like Mike, you might find that your professional skills can be used to improve your personal life and help others.

Conclusion: Your Career Shouldn't Cost Your Mental Health

Mike's story is a powerful reminder that success shouldn't come at the cost of our well-being. It's about finding that sweet spot where our work aligns with our values and supports our mental health, rather than depleting it.

Remember, prioritizing your mental health isn't selfish - it's necessary. It not only benefits you but also positively impacts your family, your work, and ultimately, your ability to contribute meaningfully to the world.

So, let me ask you: What's your wellness wake-up call going to be? Don't wait for a breaking point. Start prioritizing your mental health in your career today. Your future self will thank you.