Anxious Ambition
By Justin Allen
Where you will be hearing raw and unfiltered conversations.
With those who struggle with mental illness but refuse to let that get in the way of them achieving their dreams.
Our hope is that by hearing their stories you are inspired to do more.
Here are their stories
Anxious AmbitionDec 29, 2021
One Thought Away From Mental Health | Thriving With Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, & Depression | Sam Led
Sam Led is Anxious Ambition’s guest for episode 11! After going through a harrowing, traumatic, and life-changing experience, Sam spent close to a decade wallowing in self-pity as his life fell apart around him. One day, he decided he was tired of playing the victim. He worked to look beyond the chaos of his life and thought processes and try to find “absolute intelligence.”
Sam’s coaching involves “conversation, questions, and [an] experiential process” to help his clients discover their A-HA moments and begin reshaping their realities. Sam works to get his clients to access the divine wisdom, intuition, and insight that isn’t bogged down by second guessing and negative thought patterns. Sam has been described as “compassionate and intuitive,” dedicated, humorous, and hardworking by many of his clients.
You can find out more about Sam on his website, samledconsulting.com. Sam also has a podcast, Fear Less Now, that can be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. He has also made numerous appearances on other health and wellbeing podcasts! You can also find him on Instagram @samledconsulting
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Overcoming An Eating Disorder | Moving Across The World | Performance Anxiety | James Anastassiades
After a month-long hiatus, Anxious Ambition is back with our tenth episode of Season 2! Some of our guests have included: podcasters like Tre Moss, the founder of Active Minds at the University of Dubuque; LA-based actor and musician Josh Pertler; Chance Savant, executive director of the Southwest Louisiana branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and many more! In the hopes of shedding light on the fact that women and men deal with these issues, all of Season 2’s guests have been men.
This week is no different, as Justin sits down and talks with James Anastassiades, another of the founders of Off the Court. You may remember Off the Court from our last episode, when Justin welcomed Dalton Solbrig onto the show. James is a former volleyball player with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology. He’s currently pursuing a Master’s in Kinesiology. During his time playing volleyball, James struggled with an eating disorder and performance anxiety that affected every part of his life.
It is these personal experiences that help him with his work at Off the Court, an organization dedicated to teaching the importance of mental health, nutrition, and recovery when it comes to athletes. Through their podcast and various clinics, they have the often tough - but necessary - conversations that athletes need to have.
@jamesanastassiades
@offthecourthealth
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Men's Mental Health | Anxiety & Depression | Chasing Dreams | Drugs & Alcohol | Season 2 Compilation
In this episode, we share a clip from each of the episodes from Season 2.
In Season 2 we focused on having on solely male guests with the hope to help promote Men's Mental Health Awareness. These amazing men all came on shared their stories. We truly appreciate each and every one of them for being vulnerable and reassuring others that they are NOT alone. Visit their social media below!
Tre Moss @tre_speaks
Larry Wrather @motiv8_mvb
Josh Pertler @pertpertla
Reggie Vantrease @rollwiththeregg
Chance Savant @chance_savant
Rob Samp samprj01@gmail.com
Jarred Madison Frey @thebipolarbachelorpodcast
Dalton Solbrig @dsoul42 @offthecourthealth
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Professional Volleyball Player | Living Overseas | Off The Court | Battling Injury | Dalton Solbrig
Dalton Solbrig is our guest for episode 9! Dalton is currently living in Germany playing professional volleyball. Dalton grew up playing sports in Illinois and attended college in Hawaii. As a result of injury and the pressure to perform at his best constantly, Dalton realized that mental care needed to be an integrated part of an athlete’s training.
That’s why Dalton, along with a couple of friends, started Off the Court, an initiative dedicated to improving mental health, nutrition, and recovery when it comes to sports. Through their very own podcast and social media, Off the Court has made it their mission to end the stigma around mental health in sports. Join Dalton as he talks with Justin about his personal sports and mental health journey from Illinois to Hawaii to Europe!
You can find out more about Dalton and Off the Court at offthecourt.com, on their Instagram @offthecourthealth, and here on Spotify by searching for “Off the Court”!
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Bipolar Disorder | Psychosis | 20+ Hospitalizations | Living Mentally Well |Jarred Madison Frey
Over the course of this season, we here at Anxious Ambition have talked a lot about depression and anxiety with our guests, but this week is a bit different. Our guest for episode 8 is Jarred Madison Frey, a man who was diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder over 14 years ago. In that time, he has been hospitalized 20 times as a result.
Since his diagnosis, Jarred’s life has been a series of ups and downs as he worked on figuring out his bipolar disorder. From thoughts of suicide to the hills and valleys of emotions and episodes, he and Justin talk about his journey of understanding and his desire to educate others on what bipolar disorder really is.
These days, Jarred does exactly that by hosting the Bipolar Bachelor podcast. You can find his podcast on Spotify, and you can find more information about it on Instagram @thebipolarbachelorpodcast
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Healing Through EMDR | Mental Blockages | Licensed Therapist | Mental Performance Coach | Rob Samp
This week on Anxious Ambition we have Rob Samp, mental performance coach and licensed therapist specializing in trauma, athletes, and substance abuse! He first realized he wanted to help people in this field when he was a camp counselor around 2011. Realizing he wanted to help people on a deeper level, he graduated with a Master’s from Adler University.
Based out of Naperville, Illinois, Rob works with Labyrinth Counseling and Consulting as a therapist and with MOD Volleyball focusing on mental performance.
Join Justin and Rob as they discuss Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), their time coaching and how they were able to help with more than just sports, and how they try to focus on the mental, emotional, and spiritual sides of athletics.
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Mental Health In The South | NAMI SWLA | Hurricane Laura | Seasonal Depression | Chance Savant
Episode Six of Season Two has Justin welcoming Chance Savant to Anxious Ambition!
A Louisiana native and graduate of McNeese University in Lake Charles, Chance is currently the executive director of the Southwest Louisiana chapter of NAMI, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Coming from a small town of roughly 2,000, Chance was unaware of the mental health services that could have helped someone in his position. It wasn’t until he left Kinder that he became cognizant of everything offered. This prompted him to pursue a degree in the mental health field and do his best to pay it forward.
Founded in 1979 in Wisconsin, NAMI is one of the largest national grassroots, nonprofit organizations. With multiple chapters in many states, they exist to provide mental health services to their surrounding areas, including educational courses, support groups, and seminars for all ages. Chance’s specific chapter of NAMI currently serves Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Allen, and Beauregard Parishes. You can find out more about NAMI and what they do at NAMI.org!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Life is a Team Sport | Healing in Nature | The Power of Movement | Therapy | Reggie Vantrease
Continuing our season of all-male guests, Justin welcomes Reggie Vantrease to Anxious Ambition!
As Reggie navigated his way through early life and a budding personal training career, he found himself working to understand the relationship between mental and physical health. He soon realized that, as a result of events from his childhood resurfacing, he was dealing with anxiety and depression. He soon recognized the signs, and after visiting with a therapist, he was able to learn strategies to help him deal with it.
Currently, Reggie works as a sports performance coach and personal trainer out of Chicago. Over the last 11 years, Reggie has worked with thousands of athletes, from kids just starting out to professional athletes. You can find out more about Reggie on his website rollwiththeregg.com, on Instagram @rollwiththeregg, and on Facebook by searching “Roll With The Regg”!
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Overcoming Alcohol | Moving To LA | Actor, Model, & Rapper | Josh Pertler | Pertla
After a short Christmas break, Anxious Ambition is back, as Justin sits down with Josh Pertler, actor, model, and musician. Justin and Josh go all the way back to their freshman year of high school. He began modeling and acting at a very young age, and with the help of his mom, he broke into the business around the age of 11. After high school, he made his way out to Los Angeles to pursue his dream.
He began experiencing anxiety as he began waiting to hear about parts and modeling jobs. He began struggling with drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. After going back and forth between Illinois and Los Angeles, he finally got a handle on his addiction and is still pursuing acting and working on his music!
You can find him on Instagram @pertpertla, on Spotify under the name “Pertla,” and at his website joshpertler.com
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Struggling With Identity | Self Reflection | Life After Sports | Larry Wrather
Ever since 4th grade in Chicago, Illinois, Larry Wrather has struggled with his identity. Born to a black father and white mother, he was bullied for being different in many of the places he went. In Chicago, he was the “half-white” kid. When his family moved to Lake Forest and he began playing volleyball, he was just the “black” kid, having to deal with horrible stereotypes. Eventually, all of these factors led to a crisis of identity, with Larry working through a depression and figuring out who he was. Listen in as he talks with Justin about their varying experiences playing club volleyball, mental health, and figuring out their identity.
Over the years, through self-reflection, self-growth, and realizing nothing changes overnight, Larry realized who he was in terms of the black community and the world as a whole. Currently living in Georgia with his wife, he is coach to both the men’s and women’s volleyball teams at Fort Valley State University.
He has his own podcast, “Motiv8 MVB,” which can be found on Spotify. You can also find him on Instagram @Motiv8_MVB.
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
From Thoughts of Suicide to Becoming A Therapist | Tre Moss
In our first full-length episode of Season 2, we have Tre Moss of UD Active Minds as our guest. You might remember Tre from Season 1 when Justin visited with the Active Minds chapter at the University of Dubuque, of which he is the founder.
Tre sits down with Justin and chronicles his journey figuring out his mental health. After the death of his younger sister, an emotionally-numb Tre thought there was nothing left and contemplated suicide. When a friend called him out of the blue, he found hope and decided to keep moving forward. Seeing a need for mental health resources on campus, it prompted him to help start the UD Active Minds chapter.
Tre is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in therapy at St. Ambrose University in Davenport in the hopes of helping others with their mental health journeys. He talks with Justin about seeking out therapy during college to dealing with the stigmas surrounding mental health growing up in a black household.
Tre also has a podcast, Tre_Speaks, where he and other guests share their journeys. You can find him on Apple and Spotify by searching Tre_Speaks and on Instagram @tre_speaks.
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Welcome to Season 2 | Men's Mental Health | Seasonal Depression
Justin also shares some updates about his own life. Discussing everything from his experiences with anxiety and depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and some of the ways he manages, he shows why Anxious Ambition was created: to show his guests that YOU’RE NOT ALONE!
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram!
Anxious Ambition: linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Being A Student Athlete | Avoiding Burnout |Self Care Tips |Q&A Session with Active Minds of The University of Dubuque
The Active Minds organization at the University of Dubuque exists to advocate and help raise mental health awareness. In their short time since Rockford-native Tre Moss started the UD chapter of Active Minds in 2020, they have been integral in bringing attention to mental health issues. They spearheaded an initiative to have the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and crisis counseling information printed on the back of student ID cards. They even collaborate with the campus Life Services to provide mental health first aid training.
And this week, Anxious Ambition was THEIR guest! Justin visits with the UD Active Minds organization and talks about everything from his history with mental illness to dealing with those things as a student athlete, his time at Clarke University and Eastern Illinois University, and the healthy steps he took when he realized he needed help. You can find out more about them by going to
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram!
Anxious Ambition: https://linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Surviving A Narcissist | Suicide & Depression With Trauma Informed Coach Trish Lane @BadassBroad
From abusive relationship to “Badass Broad,” Trish Lane has seen a lot. She learned the hard way, over the course of a harrowing 7-year relationship, the difference between narcissistic behaviors and narcissistic personality disorder. When she did leave, she decided she could help others that were in similar situations. She became a trauma-informed recovery coach and has dedicated her life to assisting others through their traumas and aiding them in recognizing their trauma symptoms.
You can find more information about Trish at broadcasms.com, or at facebook.com/thebadassbroad and on Instagram at @badassbroad!
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Anxious Ambition: linktr.ee/theanxiousambition
Contact Us: Justin@anxiousambition.com
Dealing With Anxiety In High School & College | Medication | Andy Stevens
Andy Stevens is our guest this week, a man Justin has known from when he coached volleyball. Andy pulls no punches as he shares the various ups and downs of his journey with social anxiety. How did he deal with talking with his family about it? How did he cope with it as he was studying abroad in Europe? Does he let it bother him when people say they never expected him to have anxiety? What does he do to make sure he controls his anxiety, rather than let it control him? Find out all this and more in this week’s episode of Anxious Ambition!
Get To Know Me | Did I Tell My Friends & Family? | Favorite Movie?
For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions! Support www.anxiousambition.com Follow us on Instagram - @anxiousambition Check us out on Facebook - http://bit.ly/TheAnxiousAmbitionFacebookContact Us - Justin@anxiousambition.com
Solo Show Q&A - Does Anxiety Cause Depression? How To Sleep With Anxiety? What's The First Step? Ep.5
This week, Justin answers your questions in a special Q&A episode! How can I help someone with anxiety? What’s the relationship between gut health and mental health? Who can I talk to when I don’t feel like there’s anyone to talk to? (You can always talk to us!) These questions and more this week on Anxious Ambition! For this episode and more, make sure to follow Anxious Ambition on Facebook and Youtube, and @anxiousambition on Instagram! And make sure to keep sending us questions!
Support www.anxiousambition.com
Follow us on Instagram - @anxiousambition
Check us out on Facebook - http://bit.ly/TheAnxiousAmbitionFacebook
Contact Us - Justin@anxiousambition.com
Caitlin McMinn | Deserving Beads | Jewelry With A Purpose | Anxiety & Depression | Setting Boundaries
This week, Justin’s guest is Caitlin from deservingbeads.com. Caitlin began Deserving Beads back in 2019 as a way to cope with her anxiety and grief. She learned at the same time that those are things that you cannot move past, but must learn to cope with and carry with you. Justin and Caitlin discuss a bunch of topics, including seeking help, the benefit of the outdoors, recognizing what works for your anxiety and depression, and how those things can (and will!) change throughout your life.
Check out deservingbeads.com to learn more about Caitlin, her journey, and all of her bracelets! She makes sure to donate a portion of the proceeds to various organizations, including suicide awareness and breast cancer awareness. You can also find her on Instagram at @deserving_beads
Joanna Cowart | Downward Cow | Body Inclusive Yoga| Law of Attraction
Joanna and Justin get real about the intricacies and benefits of yoga, how she has helped make the practice of yoga available for people of all body types, and issues surrounding body image, anxiety, and depression. You can find more information about Joanna and the Downward Cow Academy at downwardcow.com or on Instagram at @downward_cow
Crystal Rhea | Nutrition & Life Coach | Mom | DNA Testing
Crystal also works with the organization We Are Not Broken, a group dedicated to sharing women’s “scar stories.” Their goal is to show that a person’s scars aren’t a sign of being “less than,” but rather “victory marks” from battles won.
Dana Joy of The Dana Joy Project | Self Love | Divorce - Meditation
Justin and Dana discuss everything from how they know each other, her life in the Chicagoland area and Colorado, her career changes. They also discuss their shared struggle with depression and anxiety, defining it in a real and understandable way, and various coping mechanisms, including books, meditation, and other podcasts.
Intro/Outro Music Produced By: maseonbase
June 21, 2021
Anxiety & Panic Attacks | Mental Health Advocates