You ever wake up, look around, and feel like your mind’s running on a dimmer switch? Yeah, that was me the other day. My dad actually called me out on it: “Hi T-Man, do you ever wake up and feel like the sun isn’t shining in your mind?” Um… excuse me, who gave him access to my brain? It got me thinking, though. Sometimes the mind feels like it’s a cloudy day that just won’t clear up, no matter how many times you check the weather app.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: I don’t have it all figured out. People might see my life as pretty set—like I’m the guy who’s got some sage advice tucked away, some crazy stories, and maybe a checklist of “life hacks.” I mean, I’ve got a lot to be grateful for. But let me level with you: some days, I just want to pull a Houdini, vanish into a forest somewhere, or find a secluded beach where nobody can bug me. Picture this: me, a stick to poke things with, no responsibilities, no stress, just living the caveman dream.

Last week, I did some breathwork that took me places I can barely explain. I had visions, full-on hallucinations, like I was watching my life in 3D IMAX. If you want the whole rundown, I spilled it all on the podcast here. (Yeah, I’m throwing in a shameless plug – but come on, a guy’s gotta keep the lights on.)

Hello Darkness my NEW friend

But here’s where the curtain lifts: I’ve had my struggles, too. Big ones. I’ve wrestled with stress and depression, and it hasn’t always been easy to talk about. And here’s the part nobody tells you – the days where I was flat broke, taking loans from people who probably shouldn't have trusted me with $20, let alone more. Or those times I’d say things I’d regret, do things I knew were reckless, and wonder what the hell I was even doing. And yeah, there were days it got dark—really dark.

One day, I found myself alone, staring at the mirror, tears running down my face. And I said out loud: “You FUCKING LOSER.” Those were the words. Raw, unfiltered, every ounce of anger and sadness poured into that reflection, looking at someone who’d messed up, hurt people, failed at things he should have been able to do. And in that moment? I genuinely didn’t know if I wanted to keep going. I know a lot of you have been there, standing at your own mirror, maybe not saying it out loud but feeling it in your bones. But here’s the twist—right then, in that moment, something changed. I didn’t get a sign from the universe, no magic answer. I just saw myself there, all raw and broken, and thought, “Well, there’s no place to go but up, right?” And I decided, somehow, that I was going to keep going. Just… one step at a time.

A poem for your pleasure.

Leading the horse to water… DRINK THE WATER DUMMY!

Fast forward a bit, and I’ve learned something that helps: take the blinders off. Try, even when it’s pitch black, to see the tiniest bit of sunshine in your mind. I’m talking about those little glimmers, the cracks where a sliver of light comes through, and maybe, just maybe, that’s enough to keep you going another day. And when I say “sunshine,” I don’t mean Pollyanna “everything’s rainbows and daisies” stuff. I mean that one tiny thing you can still hold on to—a memory, a song, a friend who’s always there, maybe even that one joke that never fails to make you crack a smile.

And when things get really tough, surround yourself with positivity. I mean, sure, I love cranking up Marilyn Manson for a workout, but when my soul’s in a ditch, I go for something that reminds me of my parents. Something my mom or dad would listen to – that music that’s been playing in the background of my life. If you don’t have a memory like that, then find your own go-to. Blast it really loud, dance, move, punch a pillow if you need to. Just do something to move that energy around. And yeah, breathe. Big, slow breaths, the kind that tell your brain you’re still here.

I know it sounds simple. But in those times when you’re just trying to hang on, there’s a strength in doing what might seem small or even silly. Because here’s the real deal: You’re not alone. You might feel it, but you’re not. There are millions of people who feel this way, and when you start to talk about it – let it out, share it – that’s when the healing starts. There’s power in saying it out loud, even if it’s just to the mirror, even if it’s only to yourself. And there’s power in knowing that someone out there, maybe even me, has stood where you’re standing, feeling all those things and choosing to keep moving forward.

BREATHE!!! You do it naturally now just harness the super power within.

So, here’s what I want you to take away: breathe deeply, even when it feels pointless, even when it feels heavy. Look for those cracks of sunlight and let yourself find that tiny flicker of hope. And for goodness’ sake, SMILE – yes, even when you don’t want to. Maybe especially when you don’t want to. That goofy grin might just trick your brain into feeling a little bit lighter, a little bit more at peace. Because sometimes, that’s all you need to keep moving forward.

So here’s to us, to the ones who keep waking up, keep breathing, keep looking for that sunshine – one tiny glimmer at a time.

Turn this backtrack on and just breathe, find your sunshine…

If not watch this you can have some of my sunshine