HVAC Mental Health: Surviving Cancer, Divorce & Depression in the Trades - Ilija Martinovich Part 2

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie wraps up his chat with Ilija Martinovich, about mental health in the trades and the personal struggles he faced over the past six years. Ilija shares his experience navigating COVID, a bladder cancer diagnosis, divorce, and the pressure of supporting his children while working as an essential tradesperson. He opens up about dark moments, the stigma around men speaking up, and how therapy, exercise, better habits, and honest conversations helped him turn things around. The episode highlights the importance of asking for help, managing stress in healthy ways, finding purpose, and taking small daily steps to regain control and build a better future.

Gary and Ilija discuss mental health in the trades and the real struggles many workers face but rarely talk about. Ilija shares his experience during COVID while working as an essential tradesperson, being diagnosed with bladder cancer, and going through a divorce at the same time. They talk about the stigma around men speaking up, the dangers of turning to alcohol or isolation, and the value of therapy and honest conversations. The discussion also covers stress management, building healthy habits like walking and exercise, and finding purpose through family and daily routines. They finish by highlighting the importance of asking for help, taking control of what you can, and making small changes that lead to long-term improvement.

Expect to Learn:

• How mental health challenges can affect tradespeople, especially during major life events.

• Why speaking openly and seeking therapy can help reduce stress and prevent darker outcomes.

• How unhealthy coping habits can make things worse, and how small daily changes can help.

• Why exercise, routine, and simple goal setting improve focus and emotional control.

• How finding purpose through family, support systems, and honest conversations can help you move forward.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Intro to Ilija Martinovich in Part 02

[01:36] - How younger generations are different today

[05:01] - How instant gratification is changing human connection

[10:18] - The turning point: When things started to get better

[14:00] - Why do you have to help yourself first

[16:12] - Simple ways to manage daily stress

[18:27] - Focusing on small victories

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall

Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/

SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm
Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!

Follow the Guest Ilija Martinovich on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_hvac_foodie/

Follow the Host:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/