Anxiety Attacks: How I Overcame Severe Anxiety Attacks (Without Drugs)

Joe Simons, co-founder of Like Diamonds, introduces his personal struggle with anxiety attacks and his journey to overcome them. He clarifies that he is not a medical professional but shares his experiences and tools that helped him manage anxiety. Joe discusses the impact of anxiety on his life, including missed events and damaged relationships, and emphasizes the importance of sharing personal struggles to find support and solutions. He also reflects on the lack of resources and understanding when he first began experiencing anxiety attacks, highlighting the evolution of technology and the internet from his college days at Georgia Tech.

Joe shares the pitfalls he encountered during his 14-year battle with anxiety, including the misuse of stimulants like caffeine pills and alcohol as suppressants. He warns against relying on uppers and excessive alcohol consumption, which he found to be harmful and counterproductive. Joe also mentions his experimentation with various diets and lifestyle changes, suggesting that these approaches did not address the core issues of his anxiety. He stresses the importance of avoiding these traps and hints at more effective strategies that he will discuss later.

In this paragraph, Joe narrates his personal experiences with the misuse of stimulants and alcohol in an attempt to manage his anxiety. He recounts a specific episode where he excessively used caffeine pills and alcohol, leading to a dangerous situation that almost resulted in a heart attack. Joe emphasizes the importance of avoiding such substances, as they exacerbate anxiety and can have severe health consequences. He also touches on the broader topic of moderation and the potential benefits of responsible alcohol consumption.

Joe challenges the notion that dietary changes can significantly impact anxiety levels, sharing his frustration with the lack of progress despite trying various diets. He also addresses the negative effects of social media and the tendency to compare oneself to others, which can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Joe stresses the importance of recognizing that everyone has their own struggles and that social media often presents a curated and unrealistic view of people's lives.

Joe discusses his experience with suppressants, which he initially saw as a shortcut to curing his anxiety. However, he found that while they reduced anxiety levels, they also altered his personality and energy, making him feel unlike himself. A pivotal moment was a phone call with a colleague who noticed a change in his demeanor, leading Joe to realize that he needed to find a better solution. He expresses his belief that relying on suppressants is not the ideal way to manage anxiety and hints at more holistic approaches that he will reveal.

Joe introduces the concept of proper breathing as a key component in managing anxiety. He shares his initial skepticism towards breathing exercises, considering them 'corny,' but then he relates a transformative experience involving his brother's success in a free-diving course. This experience underscored the importance of breathing and mindset in overcoming challenges, which Joe connects to his own journey with anxiety. He suggests that learning to breathe properly can have profound effects on both mental and physical health.

Joe delves into the significance of having a clear personal mission or 'why,' which he believes is crucial for overcoming anxiety and leading a fulfilling life. He shares his own journey of discovering his purpose, which involves impacting and uniting families through his company. Joe emphasizes the importance of self-reflection to identify one's purpose and encourages viewers to consider what excites them and what they would do if money were no object.

In this segment, Joe discusses the importance of faith and gratitude in his journey to overcome anxiety. He explains that recognizing that stress and anxiety are products of the mind was a turning point for him. Joe shares his practice of daily gratitude and how it has positively impacted his life, leading to a happier and more fulfilled existence. He encourages viewers to develop a habit of gratitude and to have faith in themselves and in a higher power, as these elements can provide a sense of control and freedom.

Joe continues to elaborate on the importance of having a clear mission in life and how it contributes to a sense of purpose and fulfillment. He discusses the transformative power of faith, not just in a higher power, but also in oneself. Joe shares his belief that everything happens for a reason and that maintaining faith in this principle can lead to a significant mindset shift. He emphasizes the importance of combining mission, faith, and gratitude to achieve control and freedom in life.

Joe concludes by encouraging viewers to define their mission and to live up to their full potential. He uses a powerful metaphor of meeting one's full potential after death, suggesting that either one will not recognize their full potential because they failed to achieve it, or they will see a reflection of themselves, indicating they lived life to the fullest. Joe stresses the importance of taking action, conquering fears, and building habits to make the most of one's life.