I recently had the amazing opportunity to do my very first LIVE video chat, on Firetalk. So I figured what better way than to break in this feature on SMP, than to bring in amazing friend like Jodi Aman.
You may very well know Jodi from her videos on dealing with, and conquering, Anxiety. Her youtube channel is filled with countless validating strategies and information to help everyone realize that Anxiety doesn’t have to run our lives.
Jodi is waging the war against Anxiety and trying to reach as many as possible with a message of hope.
We all have anxiety to some degree. It’s just part of who we are as human beings, but others of us, particularly survivors, often suffer from it on a much greater level.
I’m not trying to minimize those who haven’t lived through trauma in their lives, because Anxiety is difficult to deal with for everyone. Again though, when you factor in being an abuse survivor or a survivor of any type of trauma, Anxiety takes on whole new meaning.
Often times, survivors already have self esteem problems as it is and then Anxiety tries to tell us…”well you have no self esteem and no confidence, so let’s make sure it stays that way”.
We don’t have live with that type of stress in our life, there is hope! People like Jodi are here to educate, affirm, encourage, and equip us with practical tools and strategies.
In my talk with Jodi, we discussed the unique needs of male survivors and how men in general often times are reluctant to reach out for help. We feel like our man card is in question if we show any type of vulnerability.
We also discussed different types of emotions that men often turn too when they feel pressured or uneasy about reaching out for help. We also looked back at how preparing for the worst, anticipatory anxiety, can do more harm than good.
There’s so much more so I hope you’ll enjoy this video and share it with all those who might benefit.
Men and women survivors alike, we can all learn from and encourage each other.
Thank you again Jodi for taking the time to chat with me and thank you especially for your encouragement and support to survivors everywhere!
Lastly, in honor of my first Firetalk chat with Jodi, I’m going to do a random drawing and 1 lucky 
winner will get a FREE copy of Jodi’s book.**
All you have to do is comment either here this blog post or on the comments on the YouTube video, and you’ll be entered. Simply comment with “I want to beat Anxiety”.
This will run from the date of this post through 10/31/16. I’ll then do a random drawing online and post it up on my YouTube channel, and contact the winner to arrange shipping. UPDATE November 2016 – Contest has ended and winner has been notified.
Be sure and follow Jodi and pick up her book on Amazon: and also check out Jodi’s blog post about our chat, on her site!
- Twitter: @JodiAman
- YouTube.com/JodiAman
- www.JodiAman.com
-Matt
royaly free feature image courtesy of pixabay.com
First time I’ve listened to something like this it was great thank you! Great also hearing language that has become so natural to me (us) in our journey the last 4 years, being used out there and so naturally … I felt so “normal” listening to you two. Wish I had that book 10 years ago! I taught myself to beat anxiety but it was a tough road. The world needs a book like that! Thanks Matt as always for your bravery!
Hey Jennifer!!
thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! I’m so glad you were able to listen too and relate to the chat with Jodi. She is amazing isn’t she?! Her kindness and message of hope is just inspiring. It’s so awesome that you have been able to kick Anxiety’s butt! That is inspiring and I’m so happy for you! that’s my goal as well, and I know one day I will get there.
I want to be anxiety
“I want to beat Anxiety”
I want to beat anxiety!
Hell yeah, I want to beat Anxiety!
Matt, is there a version of this minus the music track? I thought it was great, but I found it really difficult to follow with the music in the background (I’m an intensely visual person & it felt distracting).
Yes, you can watch it over on Firetalk – https://firetalk.com/events/H1p-XOe2 – the original recording as it happened, shown via a replay.
Terrific post and story. Keep sharing and making everyone more aware. I want to beat anxiety.
Thank you. I’m so tired of fighting this every day of my life. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it any more. Tired of the emotional pain.
Something I deal with everyday. Some days I pop Ativan like it’s candy. So yes….I totally want to beat anxiety.
thanks for sharing its one step at a time i go back and forth anxiety is hard but i know i can overcome it one step at a time it was good to listen thanks for sharing take care kind regards Lynda
thanks Matt listened to it again really good thanks take care kind regards Lynda
You are so welcome Lynda!! I’m always hoping that at any given time, a post or podcast or video will speak to someone in a unique and personal way to encourage them!:)