HVAC Mental Health: Overcoming Addiction and Depression in the Trades - Gerry Wagner Part 1

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie continues the Mental Health Series with Guest Gerry Wagner, President of Education, Services & Products Company LLC (ESPCO LLC). Gerry shares his personal journey through addiction, depression, and recovery, explaining how childhood trauma, low self-esteem, and learning challenges affected his mental health from an early age. He opens up about his struggles with alcohol and drugs, reaching a breaking point at age 30, and maintaining over 35 years of sobriety. Together, they discuss the impact of mental health in the trades, the importance of seeking help, and the ongoing challenge of managing depression while building a successful career and life.

This episode continues the mental health series with a conversation about addiction, depression, and recovery in the trades. Gerry joins Gary to share how childhood trauma, low self-esteem, and learning challenges shaped his early life and led him toward alcohol and drug use at a young age. He explains how addiction affected his relationships and brought him to a breaking point at age 30, which ultimately led him to seek a different path. Gerry also speaks openly about living with depression, coping with suicidal thoughts, and maintaining more than 35 years of sobriety. The conversation highlights the importance of seeking help, building healthy coping skills, and having honest discussions about mental health in the trades.

Expect to Learn:

• How addiction and depression can affect people in the trades.

• How childhood trauma and low self-esteem can shape mental health.

• Why sobriety and recovery require ongoing effort and support.

• How lack of sleep can make mental health struggles harder.

• Why seeking help and talking openly about mental health is important.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Intro to Gerry Wagner in Part 1

[03:39] - Pushback: "Soft technicians" argument addressed

[06:13] - Gerry's sobriety: March 21, 1991 & last bender

[11:18] - Rock bottom: Patricia leaves

[12:37] - Root causes: Dysfunctional family, learning disability

[18:43] - Why Gerry avoids antidepressants (fear of losing training personality)

[23:26] - Suicidal thoughts as first reaction & daily exhaustion

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

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

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

Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/

SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm
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Follow the Guest Gerry Wagner on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerry-wagner-1b154228/

Education, Services & Products Company LLC (ESPCO LLC): https://www.linkedin.com/company/education-services-products-

company-llc-espco-llc/

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

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/