EP 35 - Minding Your Mind with Actor & Writer Pietie Beyers

The Alchemy of Business Show

There is no health without mental health, and in this episode, our host Steve takes the time to recognize the importance of well-being for both our work and personal lives. South African Actor and Writer, Pietie Beyers joins us for the 2nd time to share his experience struggling and learning how to live with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

He emphasizes the importance of minding your everyday thoughts and looking after yourself in order to use your abilities and gifts wisely and to be able to deal with the everyday stresses of our life. Rather than seeing one’s vulnerability as a weakness, Pietie and Steve discuss the importance of taking the first step and realizing that honesty with oneself and with your loved ones can be the best gift to you and the people around you. Through conscious efforts to protect his well-being, Pietie was able to turn his “mess” into a positive message through the NETFLIX film Skemerson, which positively impacted different people around the world by giving awareness to our mental health as human beings.

TOP GOLDEN INSIGHTS

1. Feeling like a freak doesn’t mean you are a freak, it means you’re a human being
2. It takes quite a lot of courage to be honest about difficult things, Putting 1 foot in-front of the other and taking the first step to being honest with yourself and to others can lead to help
3. Similar to our work or business endeavors, when we want to accomplish something we’re unsure of, talking and asking for advice from the right people/mentors will get you closer to achieving it. Don’t be afraid, be curious, the only way to find out more is to try out things and converse with people!

EPISODE TIME STAMPS

4:52 - Pietie on the film SKEMERSON, and how his openness to others sparked the idea for it.

8:13 - The process on how the film was made and the positive impact it had on people who watched it.

10:26 - Steve on how to blend both the ego & the spirit to GET stuff/SHIT DONE.

16:41 - Learning to live with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and learning how to break the loop

19:41 - Steve shares his experiences with mental health challenges

21:41 - On Mental Health Stigmas

• Masculine ideas, “JUST HARDEN UP”
• The irony in that is that “IT TAKES QUITE A LOT OF COURAGE TO BE HONEST ABOUT DIFFICULT THINGS”
• Sincerity and communication has been a CRUCIAL STEP TOWARDS HEALING

29:52 - On the Importance of taking the First Step towards getting help

• I want to encourage people that they can speak to professionals
• Putting 1 foot infront of the other, can lead to help
• • Fixing your bed
  • Going for a run
  • Getting out of the house, speaking to someone
  • MAKING THAT PHONE CALL

33:53 - Signs to look out for that could affect mental health negatively long term

• Unusually sad mood
• Feeling unworthy
• Tired
• Loss of appetite
• Changing in eating patterns

35:05 - Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace

• Create awareness
• Assessments
• Make way or a safe space to encourage people to talk and share
• • Are you happy/joyul?
  • Is there anything that’s weighing you down?
• Listen and Respond
• Choose the place
• Earn your employees’ trust
• Encourage taking help

37:08 - Feeling like a freak doesn’t mean you are a freak, it means you’re a human being

41:25 - Process of getting the movie/project into production

• Start speaking to people, google and look for ways to get funding
• Reach out to friends within your industry such as producers, and ask for advice
• Getting sponsors who are like-minded to help with funding

56:35 - Pietie on what spirituality is

• Tapping into peace when he lets noise go
• I’d rather be sitting in the mountains thinking about God rather than sitting in church thinking about the mountains.

Helpful Resources for Mental Health & Self Care:

Crisis Services - If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.

https://afsp.org/suicide-prevention-resources

How Managers Can Support Mental Health in the Workplace - https://www.vantagefit.io/blog/managers-support-mental-health-workplace/

Practicing Self Care -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65snrWJTNDU&t=381s

Signs & Symptoms of depression - https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2019/10/what-to-look-for-signs-and-symptoms-of-depression/

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https://www.youtube.com/c/SteveRodgers/featured