Good Morning {{First Name | my friend}},

In 2012, getting into Harvard was the biggest achievement of my life. And yet, I was afraid.

I remember sitting in the opening ceremony as the Dean welcomed us and said, “How will YOU change the world with this opportunity?”

And in my head, I thought, I don’t know, Dean. I’m pretty sure admissions made a mistake letting me in off the waitlist. I didn’t even think I’d make it this far.

That moment stuck with me because it represented a deeper truth—achievement often doesn’t silence doubt. It amplifies it.

Getting into Harvard felt like I had climbed a mountain. But once I reached the top, I didn’t stop to enjoy the view. I immediately thought: How do I make the most of this? How do I prove I belong here? What comes next?

And at the same time, I felt something else—a hesitation to even acknowledge the struggle.

When you’re accomplishing things, you feel guilty admitting anything is hard. You tell yourself, You’re lucky to be here—what could you possibly have to complain about? And when others reinforce that—What do you have to be stressed about? You’re doing great!—you learn to keep it to yourself.

So I did. The more I achieved, the more I demanded of myself. And the more I struggled, the more I pulled away from people.

I didn’t want anyone to see me doubting myself—so I kept it to myself.

And that’s the irony—when you’re surrounded by high achievers, it’s easy to assume you’re the only one struggling.

In a class of 900 brilliant, ambitious, successful people, I somehow convinced myself I was alone in this.

It was around this time that I was diagnosed with ADHD and Clinical Depression.

I remember sitting in the doctor’s office when they recommended therapy. And I remember my first thought, clear as day:

"You're wrong."

I wasn’t in absolute crisis. I wasn’t completely falling apart. I had made it this far—I could handle it on my own.

Looking back, I realize that just "handling it" shouldn’t have been the bar. I could have been doing much better.

But I also remember something else—I felt like I had to sneak to my sessions.

I’d check over my shoulder before walking in, making sure no one saw me. I had this irrational fear that if someone spotted me coming or going, it would mean something was wrong with me. That I wasn’t as in control as I wanted to be. That I was somehow less.

Because back then, therapy wasn’t something men talked about. It felt like an admission of failure.

But here’s what I learned over time, at least in my experience:

And more than that—it made me better.

I had spent years training my body, my career, and my ambitions—but I had never trained my mind to deal with the pressure that came with them.

Therapy gave me three things I didn’t even know I needed:

🔹 Self-Awareness – I started noticing patterns in my thinking and reactions that I hadn’t seen before. Instead of just pushing through stress, I started understanding what triggered it.

🔹 Emotional Control – Over time, my emotions had less control over me. I wasn’t as reactive. I could operate at a higher level—clearer, sharper, more focused.

🔹 Better Relationships – I started seeing how much stress and expectations I carried into conversations. Therapy helped me communicate better, manage conflicts, and actually listen—rather than just waiting for my turn to speak.

It didn’t make challenges disappear. But it helped me show up differently—more in control, more present, and more capable of handling whatever came next.

The conversation around men’s mental health has come a long way. But there’s still a long way to go.

One thing I’ve noticed—most men won’t just offer up that they’re in therapy. We don’t bring it up out of nowhere. But if the topic comes up? We’ll talk.

A few years ago, I started seeing this pattern among friends—guys who, on the surface, seemed to have it all figured out.

None of us were volunteering the information. But when the conversation naturally turned to stress, relationships, or burnout, that’s when I started hearing things like:

🔹 “I figured there’s no harm in trying therapy, and then it actually does tend to help. Why not?”
🔹 “Therapy is where I take my emotional dump truck, unload everything, and leave feeling 10,000 pounds lighter.”
🔹 “My therapist is the biggest life hack. They help me figure things out before I react, not after. It’s a game-changer.”

No one was framing it as a dramatic life overhaul—just a practical tool, something that helped process things we didn’t always have space for elsewhere.

And the truth is, therapy looks different for everyone. I’m not in therapy right now, but I’ve done two solid stretches where it helped me work through things.

For some, therapy is a weekly routine. For others, it’s an occasional check-in when life feels heavier. Some of us find the right therapist quickly, while for others, it takes time to find the right fit. And that’s okay.

What matters is having a space to work through things—however that looks for you.

The reality is, we’re not alone in this. Some of us just wait for permission to talk about it—while others never start the conversation at all.

Maybe your next level of growth isn’t about physical performance, career achievements, or ticking another task off your to-do list.

Maybe it’s about exploring what’s underneath—the thoughts, beliefs, or emotions that shape how you show up every day.

A few stats that may or may not surprise you:

That’s part of what we’re trying to change with Infinite Momentum - supporting improved health and wellness holistically.

Because the real work isn’t just about achieving more—it’s about becoming the kind of person who can handle the pressure that comes with it and continue to thrive.

And even more than that, help lift up the people around you who might need your hand.

We invest in our bodies, our careers, and our bank accounts.

But how often do we invest in the thing that drives it all—our mind?

Therapy isn’t for everyone. But if something’s been weighing on you? If you’ve been carrying more stress than you let on?

Maybe it’s worth a shot.

Your mental wellness deserves to bloom. For Mental Health Awareness Month, BetterHelp is offering your first week of therapy free, no strings attached. Whether you’re facing stress, burnout, or relationship challenges, therapy can help you grow through what you’re going through.

You’ll be matched in under 24 hours, and you can message, chat, or video call your therapist anytime, anywhere. 94% of users report improvement, and 80% see symptom relief within just a few sessions.

It’s time to invest in yourself: try therapy with no risk today.

Try for 7 Days

To your health and happiness,
Eric

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