In this episode of the Mental Bears Podcast, Matthew sits down with Justin and Stacey from The Fortified Mindset for a raw, practical conversation about pressure, mindset, stress, and the stories we carry.

Together, they break down how the words we use can either increase pressure or help release it. From the powerful “should detox” exercise to the idea of slowing down painful stories so they lose their emotional grip, this episode explores how small changes in language can create real space, clarity, and movement.

Justin and Stacey share their journey into coaching, trauma-informed work, nervous system awareness, health, behaviour change, and mindset practice. They explain why mindset is not just motivation or goal-setting, but the story we tell ourselves every day.

This conversation is full of simple tools you can use straight away, including how to move from “I should” to “I can because”, how to spot soft talk, and how to start changing the pressure you place on yourself.

A powerful episode for anyone carrying guilt, stress, old stories, or pressure they are ready to look at differently.

Ask yourself:

What bears are you carrying — and what story are you telling yourself about them?

In Episode 11 of the Mental Bears Podcast, Matthew sits down with Jay Setchell, a USMC veteran, entrepreneur, survivor, mentor, and author of The Strength Within You: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit.

Jay’s story is not theory. It is lived experience.

From service in the United States Marine Corps to building businesses, surviving multiple near-death experiences, undergoing more than 70 surgeries, facing paralysis, and still choosing to keep moving forward, Jay brings a raw and powerful message about resilience, faith, purpose, pressure, and refusing to give up.

This conversation explores military life, trauma, survival, family, business, emergency service training, attitude, and the importance of having something to live for.

One line from Jay says it all:

“I count what I’ve got left, not what I’ve lost.”

This is a conversation for anyone carrying heavy bears, facing setbacks, or needing a reminder that their story is not finished.

Ep 10 — More Than a Label: Ray’s Story

Podcast Description

In this episode of the Mental Bears Podcast, I sit down with my mate Ray for a real and honest conversation about the pressures life can put on us — from money worries and everyday stress to identity, transition, and the labels people place on us.

Ray is a trans man, but this conversation is not just about being trans. It is about being human. It is about carrying pressure, finding your voice, dealing with judgement, managing life’s challenges, and learning how to keep moving forward when the world does not always understand your journey.

We talk about financial pressure, personal growth, transition, confidence, labels, acceptance, and what it feels like to be seen as one thing when you are so much more than that.

This episode is a reminder that everyone carries bears. Some are visible, some are hidden, and some people have had to carry theirs for far too long without being properly heard.

Ray’s story brings honesty, humour, strength, and perspective to a conversation that many people can learn from — whether they understand transition or not.

Mental Bears is about pressure, not perfection. This one is about identity, resilience, and being more than the label people give you.

What bears are you carrying?