Isn’t it Lovely to Get Past Your Past? Special Guest: Jason VanRuler

This episode is brought to you by Ignite Fitness Studio! Ignite is passionate about creating a space where everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves, celebrating the beauty of diversity and believing that positive change must start from within! Check out Ignite at ignitefitness.studio or the MindBody App!

The content of this podcast episode is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have.

“If you fall into a pit, I don’t want to hand you a tent so you can live there; I want to hand you a ladder.”

Prepare for a breakthrough as Tracy and Rachel are joined by licensed therapist, author, speaker, and coach Jason VanRuler to celebrate healing and healthy futures through a discussion of his new book Get Past Your Past: How Facing Your Broken Places Leads to True Connection. Jason offers listeners practical first steps when seeking therapy and explains the importance of facing and dealing with pain and grief, learning from the past, yet now allowing it to dictate the future. Jason and Tracy unpack current mental health trends, including the complex relationship between mental health accounts on social media and clinical diagnoses, as well as the conversation around hot topics such as narcissism. Rachel and Jason explore the importance of taking risks to pursue and nurture genuine human connections versus unhealthy dynamics of hero/rescuer/victim roles. Jason candidly discusses the “vulnerability hangover” that results from writing a book; Rachel and Tracy continue to quote Jason back to himself and extend the interview countless times with “one last question.”

Episode Mentions:

• Jason VanRuler’s Website: https://www.jasonvr.com/

• Jason VanRuler’s Instagram: @jason.vanruler

• Get Past Your Past: How Facing Your Broken Places Leads to True Connection by Jason VanRuler

• Psychology Today

• Social Media and Self-diagnosis by Ellen McVay

• Narcissisim

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Bass Weejuns Men’s Shoes

What Are You Loving:

• Jason: Florida/traveling somewhere warm; Experiencing Friendship with God: How the Wilderness Draws Us to His Presence by Faith Eury Cho

• Tracy: Blurry Creatures Podcast; Annie F. Downs That Sounds Fun podcast featuring Nate Henry and Luke Rodgers of Blurry Creatures

• Rachel: Near Organization (Mission Statement: At Near we are on a mission to improve the way we care and connect during times of serious illness and grief); founder Christy Knutson

Jason VanRuler began his career in 2011 and has worked with many populations over the years, ranging from persons who are incarcerated to top CEOs, performers and artists, and just about everyone in between. Jason has extensive experience as a clinician, coach, and speaker and operates a multistate private practice. In 2018, Jason joined Bethesda Workshops in Nashville, TN, where he serves as a group leader and facilitator. Jason is known for his ability to relate and connect with his clients and offer hope to those who have felt hopeless. He has an engaged and rapidly growing online audience for his insightful, short videos sharing practical tips for psychological care, self-help, and healthy relationships.

Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and three children playing games and traveling. In his spare time, Jason enjoys cycling, running, music, fly fishing, and all things personal development related.