Kier Gaines: Solving the Crisis of Men’s Mental Health | Growth Mindset | E59

Men face unique challenges when it comes to talking about mental health, expressing emotions, and confronting toxic behaviors. As a result, they often turn to unhealthy refuges, like cheating, substance abuse, and the manosphere. In this episode, licensed therapist and renowned speaker Kier Gaines joins Tim to discuss his new book, It All Starts When You Do, which unpacks how to confront uncomfortable truths within yourself that are keeping you from happiness, peace, and fulfillment. He and Tim also talk about the cultural norms that encourage men to bottle up their feelings, the consequences of pretending to be strong, and actionable steps men can take today to get in touch with their emotions. In this episode, Tim and Kier discuss: (02:38) Growing Up Without Seeing Any Black Therapists (06:11) Why Men Struggle With Holding Uncomfortable Truths (11:04) Signs a Habit Has Turned Toxic (13:58) Why Men Don’t Share Their Feelings With Their Wives (17:39) Building Up Your Distress Tolerance (21:07) Why People Cheat and How to Stop (30:04) Blame vs. Accountability: Holding Yourself Responsible (37:37) Accepting When You Aren’t the Best in the Room (40:26) The Biggest Lies Men Are Believing Today (43:29) Why So Many Successful Men Are Secretly Lonely (49:35) The True Meaning of Love That Lasts Kier Gaines is a licensed therapist, digital content producer, and accomplished speaker. Known for his warm and relatable approach to emotional wellness, Kier has amassed a huge online presence with over 1 million followers across various social media platforms, where he shares insights and inspiration on building resilience, emotional well-being, and self-awareness. He has been commissioned by Fortune 500 companies to provide insight into best practices around employee mental health initiatives in the workplace. Kier also hosts (L)Earned The Hard Way, a podcast built on the idea that the best lessons rarely come easy. Resources Mentioned: Kier’s Book, It All Starts When You Do Connect with Kier: Instagram LinkedIn Kier’s Podcast, L(E)arned The Hard Way Connect with Tim: Website Instagram YouTube LinkedIn If this episode inspired you, leave a review and share it with someone ready for their comeback. Every story has a comeback. What’s yours going to be? Motivation, Comeback, Breakthrough, Inspiration, Overcoming, Purpose, Faith, Resilience, Growth Mindset, Hope, Life Transformation, Determination, Confidence, Vision