Jon McCombs 5 Retirement Hacks in the age of Covid 19...
On February 29, 2020 there was a yell from the audience, "We Love You Tommy"...as the standing ovation subsided my mind wondered who said that? It was later as I came off the Bell Centre for Performing Arts stage, that my good friend Jon McComb came out of his stage front seat with open arms toward me...
What happened next defines who Jon is as a human being. With black leather jacket shining in the lights, arms wide open, Jon came toward me and before I could show my own emotions that had built up like a steam kettle ready to whistle, those long arms wrapped around me and he whispered in my ear "You were awesome. Did you hear me yell "we love you Tommy?"" That moment is indelible, like so many moments this award winning veteran broadcaster left for his audiences from the mic in his CKNW980 studios.
And now Jon continues his passion as the producer and host of his own podcast.
Catch his podcast here The Jon McComb Podcast on Spotify
Be sure to "LIKE" the podcast and Follow Jon on twitter to keep up to date with all his latest.
Jon agreed to contribute to this article and has given us something special...you'll need to read to the end to find his 5 Retirement Hacks in the age of Covid 19... but first, he gave me something more powerful to share...his story.
Flash back to days after TEDx Bear Creek Park...I was listening to an episode of Jon's podcast and heard his heartwarming talk about his battles with mental health throughout his life. His public acknowledgement of my TEDx talk "How Leaders Can Lift the Stigma of Mental Health" had me reconnect to Jon with a simple question..."Jon, will you write a brutally honest article with me about your mental health and join my mission?"...there was no hesitation. Watch Tom Duttas TEDx Talk Here. Jon and I want you to WATCH it, LIKE it LEAVE a comment and SHARE it to support our mission...
Hours later this incredible story arrived in my email inbox from Jon:
I look back over a successful 50 year career in broadcasting and realize there wasn’t a time when I wasn’t shadowed by mental illness. In fact, if I’m honest, I’ve suffered with anxiety my entire life. Even as a child I can remember the dis-ease I felt about life and myself.
Throw in the fact I grew up in a wildly dysfunctional family complete with the 4 horsemen of the psychological apocalypse, alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, domestic violence, and attempted suicide…and I was primed for a long and painful struggle with serious clinical depression. My childhood and family life came to end when I was 16 years old. I came home one evening after being out with friends to find my mother dead on the floor of our living room. From the way she was laying it appeared she was trying to reach the telephone to call for help.
Less than a year later I turned 17 and began to live my dream of working in broadcasting. Since I was more or less on my own, I started the process of trying to move away from the past, to stuff down the traumas large and small and get on with my life.
But it wasn’t that easy. For many years into adulthood, married with 4 children, I tried to ignore my depression. I self medicated with alcohol, was angry a lot, and because of the anxiety, worried about money, my job, the future, etc.
Finally after years of trying and failing to get ahold of myself I threw in the towel and sought help. I took 7 months away from my radio job, got my depression and anxiety under control with medication, changed my outlook about things and went back to work.
The past 20 years since then have been my most creative, satisfying and financially rewarding. I retired from full time radio in December of 2019 but I’m busy with a podcast, voice over work and other endeavors.
I didn’t seek help for 2 decades because I didn’t want to admit I suffered with mental illness. I self stigmatized, I was petrified of friends or colleagues finding out and believed I could “pull up my socks” and deal with it alone.
My only regret is that I waited as long as I did to get help.
Wow, what a story! The thing is, Jon and I met a decade ago through the work we did on the Board of The Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia now operating as an independent brand under the banner of Lookout Health and Housing Society.
We worked tirelessly together to create innovative, rapid access programs for mental health support services.
I never forget the day Jon and I sat for coffee at the world famous Georgia Hotel in downtown Vancouver, kitty corner from his CKNW talk radio studio atop the TD Bank Tower. Jon told me his story over coffee...I was blown away at his candor and courage. I mean how many celebrity status radio personalities would disclose their struggles with mental health publicly? I said to Jon in that moment, "Dude, you are a hero"...and he said "Noone's ever called me that before"...true to Jon's humble personality...but we both knew we had passed over a common thread in our stories. It felt right.
It was shortly after that coffee that I asked Jon to do an interview on my Quiet Warrior Show Podcast. We titled it, "From Hell to Hope, with Veteran Broadcaster Jon McComb. LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE .
Thank you Jon for your incredible lifetime work on the radio and your passion for the mission of Lifting the Stigma of Mental Health. Jon was inducted into the Quiet Warrior Global tribe and awarded the challenge coin for his commitment to using his voice to impact lives globally.
Less than 50 of these rare coins are awarded each year and Jon certainly earned it!
Well, you've patiently read this article and Jon and I appreciate that. So here it is, a gift from Jon McComb to you, Jon's 5 Retirement Hacks in the Age of Covid 19 ...
We thought you'd get a kick out of hearing Jon share his Hacks in his legendary radio voice:
And here is a special gift from Jon: Download What I Learned from Retirement EBook
ABOUT THE WRITER OF THIS ARTICLE Tom Dutta
Tom Dutta is CEO and Founder of KRE-AT People Development, #1 International Best Selling Author, TEDx Speaker, Radio/Movie Producer.
Tom's business book The Way of the Quiet Warrior, 90 Days to the Life you Desire is endorsed by Jon McComb
“Courage, that is what it takes to write such a book, and that is what the reader gains from reading Dutta’s powerful story: Courage to transform one’s life.”- Jon McComb, Veteran Broadcaster, CKNW
Doing What I Do Best!
4 年Tom, great article. ? I work on my spiritual condition daily ? I eat as healthy as possible and get daily exercise with my great dog ? I continue to help others wherever and whenever possible Ghandi once said “ If you want to find yourself, lose yourself in the service to others” Stay safe and healthy all.
This is great stuff. Amen and keep up the great work my friend.
THERAPIST / Founder Metrolina Psychotherapy Associates PODCAST HOST: Through a Therapist's Eyes................. AUTHOR: Amazon Best Seller: Reunderstanding emotions and become your best self: release date: 3/16/2021
4 年This article is fantastic... Thank you, Mr. Dutta and Mr. McComb. What you are willing to do in way of sharing your story is simply courageous in my view! I have committed my life's work to these issues as a Mental Health and Substance Abuse therapist for something like 25 years now. What you speak of I see on a daily basis from many people struggling with many of the same issues. Firstly, here is my contribution on three "retirement" / life mental health management needs. I call them the "Three Cares:" Self Care... Physical Care... and Relationship Care. Self Care: I see as the cornerstone of Mental Health: Fun Relaxing things we do to detach from stress. Physical Care: I see as the things we do to take care of our physical needs: sleep nutrition, physical health et cetera. Relationship Care: same as self-care but with another human being... we CAN'T do life alone everyone! You can hear more about these and several of the life experiences you have mentioned in your story such as Family dynamics of Substance Abuse, and Methods to manage anxiety and the many in's and outs of Mental Health and Substance abuse on our podcast: Through a Therapist's Eyes. Please join me in our show's purpose to encourage positive Mental Health, blow up myths and stereotypes of Mental Health and Substance abuse.
Co-Founder and Vice President at KRE-AT?
4 年Besides proper self health aspects, good sleep patterns, exercise, and healthy eating. It is critical especially for leaders to not over commit and take on more than they can realistically handle with the quality they desire to deliver. Learn when to say NO!!