Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads

Podcast for Mental Health Insights, Compassion, and Friendship

This Episode will drop on Tuesday at 3 am Eastern

👋Hey beautiful humans,

It’s that time again, and we’re back in your inbox with some real talk and big feels! 💌

This week’s episode is one you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars: Tuesday, 7/15/25 at 3 AM Eastern, we’re releasing:

🎙️ “Masculinity, Coaching & Mental Health: A Candid Talk with Tim Racki”

Legendary coach, leader, and all-around inspiration Tim Racki joins us for a raw and honest conversation on burnout, identity, and the journey to emotional wellness. Think you’ve heard it all about mental health in sports? Think again. 🏈🧠

PLUS — NEW DROP ALERT! We’re doubling the dose! Starting this week, catch new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 AM. Yup, two times the good stuff. 💥💥

✨ Mental Health Quote of the Week

“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is put yourself on your own calendar.”

🌊 Travel, Friendship & Summer Joy

G-Rex here 💥 and what a week it’s been!

My wife and I packed up and headed to Salem, Massachusetts to visit and stay with none other than Lisa Sugarman and her husband — yes, that Lisa, my amazing co-host on The Survivors Podcast and our powerhouse Season 10 opener! 💖

Fun fact: we had never met in person before this trip! But let me tell you, if you ever want to truly experience the spirit of a place, stay with someone who was born, raised, and still lives there. Lisa brought the stories, the heart, and the local flavor in every sense of the word!

🦪 The seafood? Immaculate. 🌤️ The vibes? Perfect. 🎙️ The connection? Instant.

And yes — while we were there, Lisa and I recorded a bonus episode of The Survivors Podcast! It’s everything I needed to reset: real talk, genuine friendship, great food, and just soaking in the moment. My wife has eaten oysters daily, and I’ve been devouring all the seafood I can get my hands on. It’s been a soul-filling getaway and exactly what we needed.

Oh, and Dirty Skittles, I picked up some quirky Salem treats for you — can’t wait to ship this surprise box full of stuff that’ll either make you laugh out loud or say, “hmm…” 😄📦

Life’s short. Make memories. Laugh. Connect. And whenever you can — take the damn trip.

So, what’s on your summer list? Tell us what you’ve got planned!

🏆 Big News! We’re Nominated!

We’re thrilled to share that “Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads” is up for the Podcast People’s Choice Awards in not one, but TWO categories:

🎧 Adam Curry Legacy Award & 💚 Health

👉 Please vote for us before July 31, 2025 at: https://www.podcastawards.com Remember to use a valid email address so your vote counts! Thank you for helping us keep the conversation going 💥

📝 Your Podcast Reflection Worksheet

Ready to take things deeper? Download our Podcast Reflection Worksheet. It’s your go-to tool for turning insights into action. Jot down takeaways, feelings, and small steps to improve your mental space. You got this! 💪🖊️ Podcast Worksheet _07_15_25_Masculinity, Coaching & Mental Health- A Candid Talk with Tim Racki.pdf

🎧 Episode Spotlight: “Masculinity, Coaching & Mental Health: A Candid Talk with Tim Racki”

This week’s episode is a powerful one — raw, reflective, and real.

Coach Tim Racki, one of the most successful high school football coaches in U.S. history, sits down with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to unpack what happens when personal identity gets lost in performance. With 10 state titles under his belt and a Hall of Fame career, Tim’s external wins masked a private struggle with burnout, disconnection, and emotional fatigue.

This episode takes us behind the scenes — into the locker rooms, the living rooms, and the silent garages where so many high-achievers quietly unravel.

From the outside, Tim was a model of success. But inside? He felt empty, ashamed, and distant from the people he loved. It wasn’t until a friend’s vulnerability cracked something open that Tim began to reevaluate everything — his routine, his relationships, and what truly matters.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

The surprising moment that woke Tim up to his mental health struggles
How he coped with the pressure to constantly perform — at work and at home
The shame that comes with not showing up emotionally, and how he’s learning to forgive himself
Real, practical habits Tim’s using to reconnect with his wife, kids, and self
A discussion on how male coaches, leaders, and caregivers often suffer in silence
Why this journey is ongoing — and why showing up “imperfectly” still counts

This is not a story of rock bottom. It’s a story of awareness, accountability, and growth. It’s about choosing to heal before it’s too late — and realizing that you don’t have to lose everything to begin changing your life.

🏈 When Winning Isn’t Enough: Coach Tim Racki on Burnout, Identity, and Starting Over

What if everything on paper looked like success—but inside, you were silently crumbling?

In this revealing episode, legendary high school football coach Tim Racki opens up about the mental toll of performance culture, the cost of always being “on,” and what it took to finally say: I need to change.

After years of trophies, titles, and leadership wins, Tim realized the version of himself his players got wasn’t the same one his family came home to. The shift started with a conversation, a podcast—and the courage to choose presence over performance. This is what real mental health work looks like: honest, messy, in-progress.

✨ This one’s for the grinders. The achievers. The dads, coaches, and caregivers who keep it together for everyone else while quietly disconnecting from themselves. If you’ve ever felt like a fraud in your own life—Tim gets it.

💡 Self-Awareness Is the First Victory Tim walks us through his wake-up call—the moment a friend voiced everything he’d been feeling but couldn’t say out loud. We explore how shame, identity, and burnout can sneak into high-functioning lives—and what it takes to start making small, real changes.

🌱 Change Doesn’t Start in the End Zone From leaving the phone in the garage to finally asking his wife about her day, Tim shares the practical shifts that helped him reconnect to what matters most. Spoiler: it’s not another trophy. It’s time, presence, and learning to forgive yourself along the way.

🫂 A Quote That Stuck with Us

“I coach kids every day on how to lead and how to show up—but I never applied that to myself. Now I’m finally trying.” – Tim Racki

🎙️ Real Talk from the Hosts

“When Tim said he sat in his garage every day with a beer, avoiding connection—that hit hard. How many people are doing the same thing right now?” – G Rex“

I kept thinking, this guy is a coach in every sense. But he’s finally learning to coach himself. That’s brave as hell.” – Dirty Skittles

✍️ Journal Prompts to Sit With

• What version of you goes home at the end of the day—and what version do others see?

• What “success” are you chasing that’s costing you your peace?

• Where in your life do you need to start showing up, just one small choice at a time?

🌈 Gentle Reminder You don’t have to hit rock bottom to change. Sometimes healing starts with a beer left untouched, a phone left behind, a conversation you finally let in. You’re not behind—you’re beginning. 💚

🎧 Meet Our Guest: Tim Racki

Tim Racki isn’t just a coaching legend — he’s a man who has fought hard battles behind the scenes. Over a 26-year coaching career, Tim has achieved what few can dream of: 🏈 10 Illinois State Championships 🏆 12 State Title Appearances 📈 A 226-80 career record 🏅 2024 First-Ballot Hall of Fame Inductee

But the real story starts beyond the scoreboard.

Behind the public success lies a deeply human story — one of quiet depression, emotional fatigue, and the long journey back to self. Tim’s transparency about sitting in his garage after work with a beer, avoiding his own life, is a moment so many can relate to. In his own words: “I coach kids every day—but I never coached myself.”

💬 Topics you’ll hear Tim speak passionately about:

Mental health in high-performing environments
Identity crises for leaders, men, and caregivers
Small, real-life changes that restore joy
Coaching as a tool for emotional healing

🌟 Key Takeaways:

You can’t coach others if you’re not showing up for yourself.
Performance culture can mask deep emotional exhaustion.
Small, consistent changes can lead to big breakthroughs.

💪 Actionable Steps:

Leave your phone behind when reconnecting with loved ones.
Schedule intentional time for reflection or stillness each day.
Start one small habit that prioritizes you — and stick with it.

📣 Listener Engagement

Got thoughts after the episode? Questions for Tim? Or want to share your own story? Hit “Reply” — we read everything. 💬💌

⭐ Subscribe, Rate, & Review

Your support means everything! If our podcast has made you laugh, cry, or feel seen — leave us a quick review. It helps others find our show and join the conversation.

💬 Closing Thoughts

Healing doesn’t always happen in therapy rooms or grand breakthroughs. Sometimes, it starts with a silent garage, a missed call returned, or a coach finally learning to coach himself.

We see you. We hear you. And we’re walking this journey with you 💙

‘Til next time, G-Rex & Dirty Skittles