Happy to Fail

We've had multiple conversations on this Podcast about our concerns regarding social media. I have unique story as I met my wife through twitter in 2009, in this episode I bring her on as a guest to have a dialogue about the challenges of being a couple that met online and how social media has recently affected our mental health. We also have a honest conversation about difficult times we overcame, with the hope of inviting other couples to explore all possible options to resolve conflicts involving their online presence. Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

Are you the same person you were in January 2020? What have we learned about ourselves as we connect more with our emotions and put new self-help tools into practice? On this episode I share key things I've learned this year, with the hope of motivating others to dedicate spaces for self-reflection so we can admire who we've become and how we continue becoming stronger people every day. Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

Loneliness, negative experiences, lack of hope and other factors may lead to someone thinking about suicide. We understand many people can feel uncomfortable speaking about the topic as we've been taught to not speak about it. In this episode Juan and Ana have a lengthy conversation about the contributing factors that could lead to suicidal thoughts, and share strategies to support someone during this process. Note: This episode features examples of situations involving suicide. If you do not feel emotionally comfortable about the topic we suggest you listen to our initial episodes of this season instead. We completely understand. Need support? Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255   Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

Inner Peace is something that I aspire to achieve daily as it helps me think clearly and prevents negative situations from deeply affecting me. In this episode I share what is inner peace and react to a few articles that have helped me rediscover myself and maybe the can help you too! Articles referenced in the episode: 1) How to find Inner Peace in 4 Simple Steps (HackSpirit.com) 2) How to Bring Inner Peace Into Your Life (PositivityBlog.com)   Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

Inpatient Treatment can be beneficial for those experiencing mental health challenges that could put them at risk, but we understand the fears, concerns and stigma associated with it.    In this episode Juan and Ana share experiences about the topic, including engaging with families, possible emotional pressure and long-term results regarding inpatient treatment.   Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

Let's celebrate Recovery Month by sharing what recovery means to us! In this episode I speak about what it means to me, and the concern I have about how social media has begun to disconnect us in ways that can jeopardize our recovery and wellness if we're not careful.  Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

Connecting with a therapist creates an opportunity to open up about our thoughts, fears and concerns. It can be an intimidating process, especially if you haven’t gone through the experience before. In this episode we share our stories of engaging and connecting with therapists. Ana Conde speaks of her experiences providing therapy with families. We also share strategies and ideas that could possibly help you in this healing journey!   Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

In a time where we can easily feel overwhelmed, remembering positive experiences from our past helps us relax, smile and remind ourselves of those special moments that reduced our anxiety. In this episode, Juan shares why something as simple as a donut helps him reconnect with memorable moments from his past. He also talks about other activities that help him practice mindfulness.   Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

Negative events from our past can be difficult to overcome as just thinking about them can remind us of the fears we once had. In this episode Ana and Juan have a conversation about what it’s like to heal from traumatic experiences, the challenges and positive results that can come from this process.   Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

The pandemic has provoked a change in our culture, lifestyle and how we work. This has led to the use of apps such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and others to connect, work, collaborate, hangout, celebrate birthdays and even weddings! This can lead to digital fatigue which can make things VERY challenging and exhausting. In this episode I share how digital fatigue has affected my lifestyle and what I’ve been doing to overcome it!   Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

How do you feel when you share your fears and feelings with someone else and they minimize or invalidate how you are feeling? Our culture and stigma related to mental health can make it very challenging to be open about our feelings. In this episode I’m joined by Ana Conde who shares her experiences and we talk about how minimizing and invalidation has affected our lives.   Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter   Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

Being held accountable involves having a honest conversation with ourselves and recognizing our mistakes, and that maybe we haven’t been practicing self care as much as we should have. Holding ourselves accountable gives us the opportunity to learn from our past in preparation for a better future. This is the first episode of the second season of Happy to Fail!   Want to connect?  Facebook Twitter   Send an e-mail! juan@happytofail.com

Are you #WorkingFromHome but are struggling to adjust with the changes? I share 8 tips and habits that I've put into practice. They've helped me, so maybe they can help you too! -- Let's Connect -- Twitter Facebook Instagram juan@happytofail.com  

Most of the evidence points to social distancing as one of the best ways we can prevent the spread of the virus, but that may not be so easy for some communities. What can we do during these difficult times? In this episode I share what I'll be doing during these times in the event were we cannot leave our homes for an extended period of time. -- Let's Connect -- Twitter Facebook Instagram juan@happytofail.com  

Long-term goals and aspirations are great, but what about the road that will take us to the things we want? We can easily fall into a trap of obsessing over the destination and forget about the journey which is just as important. In this episode I share how taking my time has lead to wonderful results in my life, and how having this mindset could be a great tool for you. -- Let's Connect -- Twitter Facebook Instagram juan@happytofail.com

We've officially moved into our new home so it's time to catch up with you! We begin 2020 by talking about the earthquakes that have been happening in Puerto Rico and what purchasing a new home has meant for me. I also provide an update on the future of the Podcast and its overall format. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

For some getting old can bring a lot of fears. “What have or haven’t I accomplished during these past few years?!?!” I just turned 30 years old this past Friday. I have a lot left to live for, but I can’t ever forget there was a point in time in my life where I was going to put an end to all this. On this season finale I share what I’ve won, what I’ve gained and what you can ask yourself as you grow up! -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Let's continue celebrating #RecoveryMonth! Part of celebrating what you've achieved involves taking a look at where you came from. On the 4th episode I spoke about a list of negative things I wrote on September 9th, 2009. 14 pages that always remind me how far I’ve come. On this episode we take another look at it and share what it’s like to go through those rough emotional moments, including "wanting to be normal". -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

It’s recovery month! It happens in September of each year and its purpose is to increase awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use challenges and celebrating the stories of the people that recover. What better way to celebrate than by rewarding yourself with something special? Seems easy enough, but it’s actually difficult when you’ve gone years living with low self-esteem and think you’re not worth it. Let’s talk about how I’ve rewarded myself and the benefits of it now on the show. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

A negative situation often makes you think in a negative way, right? This is the case for many people and I can definitely relate. I used to think about POSITIVE situations in a negative way because I was always looking for the plot twist. When were things going to mess up? This way of thinking was destroying me emotionally, which is why I made it a goal to always look at the positive side of even the most horrible scenarios. It wasn’t easy. It isn’t easy, but it’s helped me live a much healthier and productive life. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

For me being alone isn’t the same as FEELING alone. You can be surrounded by hundreds of people, but not have anyone you can identify with. It’s like being a superhero with the power of invisibility, except you can never turn it off. Our minds can have these on-going thoughts that we’re afraid of sharing so we can end up being consumed by them. This happened to me a lot growing up and still does everyone once in a while, so let’s talk about that on the show. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

There’s an incredible sense of satisfaction when you begin to take control of your life and improve many parts of your health. But what happens when things don’t go according to plan? What if - despite what you are doing - you see nothing but new problems pile up as you try to solve the old ones. I share a few stories of the challenges I encountered while trying to improve my overall health. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Our environment is incredibly influential when it comes to our happiness. Living in a place where you feel at home, walking down streets where you see people that accept you for who you are and everyone in your family embraces your lifestyle or preferences. Unfortunately, not everyone lives in this ideal scenario. I felt the responsibility to produce an episode on the importance of embracing diversity. Our differences make us awesome, yet others can feel threatened by them. Why? Let’s talk about that! -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Be grateful and thankful for every contribution someone’s made in your life, no matter how big or smal. Life can become so hectic that we just keep going without taking a second to thank those that have been with us for the ride. I want to start a series of special episodes focused on the people that have made an impact on my life, and hopefully motivate others to do the same. Today I start by thanking someone special that I lost in 2014. Today, I thank Steve. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Learning is one of the greatest gifts we have. We’re always absorbing information from people and events in our surroundings, but what about ourselves? How do we make sure we stay connected with our spirituality, purpose and satisfaction? In this episode I share what I've learned about myself as a result of sharing my story and what we can look forward to in the future. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Social media allows us to connect with people around the world, but it can also be overwhelming and create situations where you compare your life to others. In this episode I share the benefits I've gained thanks to social media, as well as the risks and dangers involved when my mental health isn't at 100%. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Sharing my story with mental illness helped me feel empowered and let others know that I was taking control of my life. It's our 10th episode, and in it I share 5 tips that I follow every time I share my story with family, friends or when providing peer support. I hope they may be of use to you! What has helped you? Let me know through social media. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Some people have jumped to conclusions about a person's mental health based on their clothing or how they interact with others. What about the people that have the biggest smile but feel empty on the inside? We sometimes hide our emotions by acting opposite to the way we actually feel. In this episode I share situations I've been through where others didn't take my mental illness seriously because I "... didn't look depressed". Let's motivate each other to live happy, healthy and productive lives! -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

One of the best feelings you can have is the satisfaction of knowing you did something great. But what about the missteps along the way? We’re all humans and can make mistakes, yet many times frown upon them. I’ve learned to embrace the mistakes I’ve made because I’ve learned from every one of them. Not just that, I made incredible changes to my life thanks to those mistakes, so I’m here to share them with you. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Setting new goals can be scary because it sets an expectation of what you would like for the future. For me, having something that I'm working towards to keeps me motivated, especially on those days where my thoughts and self-worth aren't as positive as I'd like them to be. In this episode I share goals I've accomplished, as well brainstorm ideas of what could be in my future. -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com  

Living with depression has been one of the biggest obstacles of my life. Even though I've learned to overcome the situations it comes with, you never forget your worst days and events. The days where even your favorite food or gift wouldn’t cause you to crack a smile. Sadly, many people think depression is just another way of saying you're feeling sad. This misconception can lead to a person not getting the help they need. That’s why I'm going to be talking about with this… thing that I've lived with for decades. Meet my unwanted partner, depression. -- Recommended Resource -- "I'm Fine. Living with Depression by Jake Tyler" TedX Talk (Youtube) -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Life is full of problems and challenges. It can be something simple like a flat tire as you’re driving back home, or finding out a loved one has passed away. No matter how hard things may be, it’s important to have and recognize the things that make you happy, even on the worst days. These are the things that fill you up as you leave your home, ready for life's challenges. In this episode I’ll be talking about five things that keep me happy and looking forward to the future. -- Recommended Resource -- 31 Tips to Boost Your Mental Health (MentalHealthAmerica.net) -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

A pen and paper can be your best friends or your worst enemies. Writing what you're feeling requires tremendous honesty and in 2009 I spent countless hours writing a 20 page list of things that I did not like about myself and wanted to change. I still have this list and decided to begin sharing it with you. This is a very real episode as I'm honest about my struggles with depression a decade ago, so trigger warning for people that may feel uncomfortable hearing comments about suicide, anxiety and depression.  -- Recommended Resource -- Write to yourself by using FutureMe.org   -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

There’s a saying about helping yourself before helping others and I believe it’s absolutely true. I didn’t who I was growing up because of my mental health challenges. I couldn’t look at myself in a mirror. One thing I always craved was being able to interact with other people without looking and acting awkward, but I didn’t have anyone I could actually speak to. What I realized was that in order to get along with others I first had to learn to get along with myself. May is #MentalHealthMonth, so let's share our stories to motivate others that recovery is possible. We can all live happy, healthy and productive lives. Do you think this show can help support others in their road to wellness? If so, consider sharing and reviewing on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. -- Recommended Resource -- Grab a pen and paper, visit a comfortable location outside your home and write activities you would like to do by yourself! -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Being branded or labeled doesn't feel good, right? In this episode I share my opinions and experiences being labeled a "Mental Health Patient" and how those around me treated me differently once they found out I was diagnosed with mental health challenges. May is #MentalHealthMonth, so let's share our stories to motivate others that recovery is possible. We can all live happy, healthy and productive lives. Do you think this show can help support others in their road to wellness? If so, consider sharing and reviewing on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. -- Recommended Resource -- "What They Don't Tell You About Mental Illness" by Elizabeth Medina (TEDx Talk) -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

It's the beginning of a new journey! In this debut episode I explain why I decided to name the Podcast "Happy to Fail". It's related to a disturbing goal from my past that I transformed into my daily motivation to achieve happiness. I also share the mental health challenges I was diagnosed with as a child, and what persuaded me to work on this show. May is #MentalHealthMonth, so let's share our stories to motivate others that recovery is possible. We can all live happy, healthy and productive lives. Do you think this show can help support others in their road to wellness? If so, consider sharing and reviewing on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. -- Recommended Resource -- "The State of Mental Health in America, 2018" -- Social Media -- Twitter Facebook Instagram -- Reach me by e-mail -- juan@happytofail.com

Welcome to the Happy to Fail Podcast! In this show we'll defy the expectations that people living with mental health challenges can't live happy and productive lives. Episodes will focus on chapters of my life that made me who I am today: A supportive family member who loves to work and enjoys a strong cup of coffee in the morning.  If you're ready to join me in this journey then subscribe to the Podcast feed. New episodes every Monday, beginning May 6th, 2019!