Theme of the Week: Men's Mental Health Awareness Month - Mindset and Resilience
“Just as nature takes every obstacle, every impediment, and works around it - turns it to its purposes, incorporates it into itself - so too, a man can turn each setback into raw material and use it to achieve its goal.”
- Marcus Aurelius
Brother,
Welcome to this special edition of our twice-weekly newsletter.
For those who may be new here, Mental Monday is where we introduce a mindset theme for the week - sharing personal stories, reflection, and grounded perspectives that challenge the way we think about adversity, growth, and resilience. Feeling Friday then follows up by offering a simple reflective exercise or practice to help you engage with that theme in your own life.
This week, both newsletters are dedicated to Men’s Mental Health Month - with the intention of supporting boys and men through honest conversation, practical tools, and resources that strengthen mindset and overall well-being.
For this week’s edition, we’ve partnered with Elite Athlete Mindset (EAM) - a local organization led by founder Shahin Tarkavan, who offers a comprehensive approach to athlete development through mental, physical, technical, and tactical training.
The work Shahin does deeply aligns with what we stand for at Path to Becoming. With his sole focus on football and supporting athletes, this collaboration is especially meaningful to me given my own background in sport and the personal struggles I’ve openly shared since launching PTB.
The quote this week carries a truth that both Shahin and I understand well: obstacles are inevitable, but they can be used to make you stronger.
Shahin’s story reflects that. Originally from Iran, he came to Canada at the age of 12. Without strong male mentorship, financial resources, or a traditional pathway into organized sport, he had to force his way into the game through persistence, curiosity, and a deep love for football. Over time, he built his coaching credentials from the ground up, earning his National Licenses and completing a degree in High-Performance Coaching in the UK. While the path was not always easy, what he lacked in opportunity, he built through resilience and perseverance.
My own struggles looked different, but they too brought their own challenges.
As an athlete, I faced perfectionism, performance anxiety, self-doubt, and a lack of confidence. Through cancer, those struggles deepened into anxiety, depression, fear, and the painful reality of watching my body and identity change in ways I could not control.
Both Shahin and I have struggled with our mental health and wellness in different ways. And while our stories are different, one thing remains true: part of what helped us was learning to strengthen our mindset.
That does not mean mindset work alone solves mental health struggles. Mental health is complex, healing is personal, and everyone’s journey looks different.
But for both of us, working on our mindset became one extremely important tool - one that helped us build resilience, improve self-awareness, and continue moving forward through difficult times.
Through education, self-reflection, goal-setting, visualization, positive self-talk, and simply continuing to show up when life became difficult, we found ways to strengthen ourselves.
And that work is always ongoing.
Research shows that men are significantly less likely to seek mental health support, despite being at greater risk for suicide, substance abuse, and emotional suppression. In Canada, men account for approximately 75% of suicide deaths, and many continue to suffer in silence.
We are here to remind you: struggle is normal, and support matters.
If you are a young athlete reading this and struggling with the pressures of performance, confidence, anxiety, self-doubt, or the mental side of your development, both EAM and PTB are here to support you. These struggles are more common than you think, and you do not have to navigate them alone.
If you are a man reading this and looking for support, guidance, or mentorship as you work through life’s challenges, PTB is here for you too - offering a space for honest conversation, growth, practical support, and free resources such as this.
And if strengthening your mindset does not feel possible to do on your own right now, that is okay too. There are many supports available - friends, family, coaches, therapists, and mental health professionals who can help guide you toward a better path.
What matters most is that you do not carry it alone.
If you are in crisis, please seek immediate support. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or medical distress. Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide. Call 211 to be connected to mental health and social services.
This week, and every week, our message remains the same: continue to build your mindset, strengthen your resilience, and give yourself permission to seek support when needed.
Stay strong, even when you are not. It’s okay, you are not alone.
With love always,
Michael Argyrides
