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39. A Fighting Spirit: How Mac Scotty McGregor Found Freedom

Warriors Unmasked

Release Date: 09/28/2021

195. From Rock Bottom to “Make It Great”: Ian Fee’s Journey of Sobriety, Self-Worth, and Second Chances show art 195. From Rock Bottom to “Make It Great”: Ian Fee’s Journey of Sobriety, Self-Worth, and Second Chances

Warriors Unmasked

What happens when you’ve burned every bridge, lost your family, and can barely look at yourself in the mirror… but you still wake up knowing there has to be more? In this honest and powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Ian—author of Wild Ride to Sobriety and founder of Make It Great—to explore what it truly takes to go from self-destruction to self-respect. Ian opens up about his early start with alcohol, the choices that cost him everything, and the moment he decided he was done being the villain in his own life story. With unflinching vulnerability, Ian...

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194. Breaking the Cycle: Dustin Dunbar on Healing Addiction, Generational Trauma, and Choosing a New Legacy show art 194. Breaking the Cycle: Dustin Dunbar on Healing Addiction, Generational Trauma, and Choosing a New Legacy

Warriors Unmasked

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192. From Chaos to Clarity: Dr. Lisa Nezneski’s Path to Healing, Resilience, and Mindful Living show art 192. From Chaos to Clarity: Dr. Lisa Nezneski’s Path to Healing, Resilience, and Mindful Living

Warriors Unmasked

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191. The Truth About Alzheimer’s: Caregiving, Cognitive Decline, and Compassion with Lisa Skinner show art 191. The Truth About Alzheimer’s: Caregiving, Cognitive Decline, and Compassion with Lisa Skinner

Warriors Unmasked

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190. The Power of Intention and Human Performance with Dr. Toper Taylor show art 190. The Power of Intention and Human Performance with Dr. Toper Taylor

Warriors Unmasked

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189. Healing from Infidelity: A Conversation with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem show art 189. Healing from Infidelity: A Conversation with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem

Warriors Unmasked

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188. Why Coaches Need Mental Health Support Too with Carly Baker show art 188. Why Coaches Need Mental Health Support Too with Carly Baker

Warriors Unmasked

In this important and timely episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Carly Baker, head coach of the Women's Rugby program at Endicott College and Assistant Director of the Graduate Sport Leadership Program. Carly brings a powerful and honest voice to a topic that often goes overlooked—the mental health and wellbeing of coaches. As a former multi-sport athlete turned professor and coach, Carly shares a unique, dual perspective. She opens up about the pressure to win, the relentless expectations placed on coaches, and the emotional toll it can take behind the scenes—even in...

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187. How Somatic Stillness Can Heal the Mind with Will Johnson show art 187. How Somatic Stillness Can Heal the Mind with Will Johnson

Warriors Unmasked

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Warriors Unmasked

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More Episodes

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! Chuck here, this week I sit down with a powerful person both in and out of the dojo. Mac Scotty McGregor takes us along on his journey of pain, perseverance, and above all else, healing. 

We take a deep dive into what it was like growing up with a mother who battled mental illness, and the responsibilities and stress Mac took upon himself. Including watching over his younger brother, and making sure their mom was taken care of. Mac talks about the moment he realized he wasn’t living in a normal home as well as the dojo he found refuge and family in. You’ll hear how he went from an unstable home to creating a life that was whole, happy, and free. 

Listen in as we talk about life after high school and the many people Mac still remembers today who helped and supported him (even if it was little things). Though he hid his wounds through means of overachieving and staying busy Mac knew there was a time where he needed to confront his past to help his future. He talks about the letters he wrote to his younger self and how extending a hand, even if it was his own, was a turning point for him and his mental health. We discuss the courage it takes to be vulnerable and how practicing vulnerability can help you change the very reality you see. 

For those of you who are struggling you are not alone, and for those who know someone struggling just remember a little goes a long way. We hope this episode gives you the encouragement to reach out for help or to reach out your hand to someone in need.

For more resources or to connect with Mac, check out the links below!

Always in your corner, 

Chuck Thuss

 

More Of What’s Inside:

  • Growing up with a mentally ill parent
  • Finding a family through martial arts
  • Climbing the ladder to martial arts success
  • Stepping out of a life of silence
  • Being a seeker of knowledge
  • Writing letters to your younger self
  • Understanding that it’s ok to have emotions
  • Learning vulnerability from a strong role model
  • Taking off responsibility that is not yours
  • Changing your reality with healing
  • And much more!

 

GUEST LINKS:

 

 LINKS:

 

Episode Minute By Minute:

  • 0:02 - What we cover today
  • 1:47 - Introducing Mac Scotty McGregor
  • 5:53 - Growing up in the south with a mentally ill parent
  • 11:18 - Finding success in martial arts
  • 16:39 - The importance of talking about issues
  • 21:41 - Being different
  • 25:24 - Life after high school
  • 30:11 - Beginning the journey of self-healing
  • 35:57 - Admitting your past trauma
  • 39:43 - The power of coaches
  • 43:57 - How Mac sees his mom now
  • 48:17 -  Doing it for yourself
  • 51:10 - Mac’s advice for you
  • 52:48 - Closing thoughts