In August of 2018, Russell Barlow went on vacation with friends for the sixth year in a row. He found himself drinking to blackout for most of it, in the throes of a deep depression.

Following that trip, he was diagnosed with Bipolar 2, or as he calls it, “Bipolar Lite.”

What followed was a several-year process of waking up. The diagnosis was just the first step to a constant process of evolution and change.

In this episode of the Get the F*ck Off Podcast, we talk very intimately about Bipolar 2, mental health, and the stigma associated with it.

We talk about the pandemic, and the necessary pause that allowed for a respite in the American obsession with constant motion; a pause that allowed for some to experience a much-needed break from the assault of grueling jobs where they were undervalued.

We also talk about the importance of well-being.

Russell and I both worked in the hospitality industry for a large portion of our lives, which we use as a lens to examine the importance of work-life balance.

We also discuss the nationwide restaurant employee shortage and the dated mindset of the industry that imperatively needs to change its value system to become more person-centered.

This week, I’ve been preparing to shift gears a little bit, as for the new few weeks, I’ll be bringing on some amazing guests to share their stories and experiences with all of you.

Thus, this episode is the latest (and shortest) one I’ve done since I started the Get the F*ck Off Podcast.

It has to do with responsibility.

People like to think that changing a bad habit is simple, but outside of the physical addiction, there’s an entire element of identity that gets shifted when you change anything about yourself.

The problem? Most of the people in your life don’t change right along with you.

Feeling stuck?

You might be stressing over the most insignificant decision you’ll ever make. We tend to do that when we want something new in our lives.

Analysis Paralysis is real, but you can get past it by breaking things into small chunks, and by rapidly executing decisions that aren’t going to tremendously impact your life. (Like what shoes should you buy)

Negativity is infectious. Yet, when it comes from others, it rarely has anything to do with us. Here are some tips for dealing with negativity, and why being able to neutralize it is so important.

Back in 2015, I thought about jumping in front of the train every day. It signified a much larger problem- that I was not living my life purposefully. This podcast is about hope and change, and taking control over your own life.