They Told Me to "Kill Myself" at 12 Years Old

Whether you are struggling with depression, addiction, or seeking motivation, Justin’s story is a roadmap for anyone feeling lost in the dark. "I was the youngest heavyweight in the country, and I was losing the only fight that mattered." In this powerful episode Kati speaks with Justin Wren for a raw conversation on mental health, resilience, and the recovery journey. Justin pulls back the curtain on a life of extreme highs and devastating lows, from the "merciless" bullying he faced as a child in Texas to the secret OxyContin addiction that haunted his professional MMA career. We dive deep into the "living nightmare" of substance abuse, where Justin managed a massive intake of pills while fighting on the world’s biggest stage. He shares the heartbreaking moment he hit rock bottom after missing his best friend's wedding and the moment in Tulum that gave him a second chance at life. Justin also discusses his work with Fight for the Forgotten, his nonprofit dedicated to providing clean water and land rights to the Mbuti Pygmy people in Uganda and Eastern Congo. He shares the beautiful, life-altering lessons he learned about community, grief, and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) that helped him find true healing. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offer: • Function Health - visit www.functionhealth.com/KATI and use gift code KATI25 for a $25 credit toward your membership • Warby Parker - our listeners get 15% + Free Shipping when they buy 2 or more pairs of prescription glasses at https://www.warbyparker.com/KATI • Care.com - for a limited time, go to https://www.care.com and use code KATI for 20% off your initial subscription or a Senior Care Advisor Plan • Remi - protect your teeth with Remi by using code KATI to get 50% off your new night guard at https://shopremi.com/KATI In this episode: 00:00 – Meet guest Justin Wren 01:41 – The "merciless" bullying Justin faced in grade school 08:34 – Moving schools and finding mentorship through Olympic wrestling coaches 13:54 – Discovering the UFC 18:18 – Learning to "swim in the deep end" by wrestling 200 matches a year 18:49 – Finding purpose by speaking in over 100 correctional facilities 26:54 – The freak injury that led to a massive opioid addiction 33:07 – Rock bottom: "I can't believe you missed my wedding." 34:10 – The attempt to end it all in Tulum and the miracle survival 44:48 – Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) with Dr. Daniel Amen 49:32 – The cycle of "dry drunk" vs. real recovery 53:51 – Fight for the Forgotten: Deep work on land rights and sustainable water 01:04:13 – Explaining depression to a culture that has no word for "suicide." 01:17:08 – The Statue of Responsibility and giving a "hand up," not a "handout." JUSTIN WREN https://www.fightfortheforgotten.org/ Ask Kati Anything ep. 302 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices