In this deeply personal episode of Second Story, Josh opens up about one of the most challenging years of his life. After being diagnosed with ADHD, while also dealing with mental health struggles, chronic pain, and the prospect of double hip surgery—he reflects on what it feels like to finally put names to struggles he's carried for decades.

The conversation explores the grief and relief that come with a late diagnosis. Josh shares how people-pleasing, overworking, perfectionism, and the constant need to earn approval weren't personality traits at all—they were survival mechanisms. Through therapy and self-reflection, he's beginning to understand how childhood experiences, trauma, and undiagnosed ADHD shaped the person he became and why happiness often felt just out of reach, even during life's best moments.

This episode is an honest look at mental health, masculinity, burnout, and the pressure many adults feel to have everything figured out. It's a conversation for anyone who feels stuck in survival mode, wonders why life feels harder than it should, or is learning that healing isn't about becoming someone new—it's about finally understanding who you've been all along.

Follow us at:
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/secondstorypodcast
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/secondstorypod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@second.story.podc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093169098270

Follow Josh Cybulski at:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoshcybulski/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJCybulski
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jfactor12
Buy Josh’s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Second-Story-Work-Josh-Cybulski/dp/B08JF5M3MN/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1706931882&sr=8-1
Listen to Josh’s Audiobook Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/second-story-work-the-novel/id1712487814

Follow Corey Leckie at:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/leckie_corey/
Business Insta: https://www.instagram.com/frameworks_media

#crisis #secondstory #growth #growing #redeemed #redemptionseries #redemptionarc #motivation #reallife #depression #adhd #anxiety #mentalhealth #mensmentalhealth #mentalhealthstruggles

In this episode, Chris shares his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, discussing the emotional challenges, strategic steps, and mindset shifts involved in making a successful transition.
Chris was making $200K a year in his corporate job just four months ago when he was laid off in January 2026. He did what most people do and panicked, wondering how he would support his family without a stable paycheck. Chris stepped back, took time to reset, and quickly pivoted to a work outside the system in which he controls his time, his moves, and what his future looks like.
You are going to get a lot from Chris as he offers practical advice on overcoming fear, leveraging social media, and building sustainable income streams outside of corporate employment.

This is Chris' Second Story...

Follow us at:
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/secondstorypodcast
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/secondstorypod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@second.story.podc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093169098270

Follow Josh Cybulski at:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoshcybulski/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJCybulski
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jfactor12
Buy Josh’s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Second-Story-Work-Josh-Cybulski/dp/B08JF5M3MN/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1706931882&sr=8-1
Listen to Josh’s Audiobook Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/second-story-work-the-novel/id1712487814

Follow Corey Leckie at:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/leckie_corey/
Business Insta: https://www.instagram.com/frameworks_media

Follow Make It Work Chris at:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/makeitworkchris/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makeitworkchris
Website: https://escapecorporatenow.com

Credits: Original Music By Recent Rumors

Follow Recent Rumors:

Find the track Coka here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMvpwncgwC0)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recentrumors/?hl=en
Stuck In My Head album: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/recentrumors/stuck-in-my-head/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAac0YOQcnMHk8Fimez_iqNxtXSuBTkPJDTsliHT_q85UfVgzBbObxxzQVaGY8A_aem_OFXm0X9FgvSl78A7p7DhdQ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recentrumors3867

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:17 Chris's Journey from Fitness to Corporate
03:37 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship
08:39 The Panic of Leaving Corporate
09:49 Dealing with Depression and Anxiety
12:17 The Importance of Planning and Structure
13:55 Balancing Productivity and Leisure
20:53 The Role of Coaching in Transition
26:59 Support from Medical Professionals
27:50 Navigating Corporate Mental Health Programs
28:45 The Neo Phase: Awakening to Reality
29:32 Identity and Job Security: The Emotional Struggle
31:38 The Impact of Social Media on Corporate Life
33:38 Creating Content: The Art of Engagement
35:21 Batching Content: Secrets to Consistency
38:28 Overcoming Mistakes: Learning from Failure
40:33 Building Skills While in Corporate
43:22 Taking Action: The Importance of Execution
46:08 Empowerment: Making the Leap to Change

#crisis #secondstory #redemption #growth #growing #redeemed #redemptionseries #redemptionarc #motivation #reallife #overcomingadversity #overcomingchallenges #overcomingobstacles #overcoming #redemption #phenomenon #PersonalGrowth

Corey and Josh return to discuss the 22 things they would do differently if they could redo their 20s.
As two men who never realized that they wasted much of their 20s they pass on the lessons that they wish someone had passed onto them.
Whether you're in your 20s right now or trying to rebuild your life later, these lessons will help you.

👇 Be honest:
What’s one thing you would do if you could go back?

Follow us at:
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/secondstorypodcast
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/secondstorypod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@second.story.podc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093169098270

Follow Josh Cybulski at:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoshcybulski/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJCybulski
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jfactor12
Buy Josh’s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Second-Story-Work-Josh-Cybulski/dp/B08JF5M3MN/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1706931882&sr=8-1
Listen to Josh’s Audiobook Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/second-story-work-the-novel/id1712487814

Follow Corey Leckie at:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/leckie_corey/
Business Insta: https://www.instagram.com/frameworks_media

#Your20s #LifeLessons #DontWasteYourLife #MensGrowth #Discipline