By John J. Schessler Jr., MS, CPT, SPC
You can spend an hour talking to a man about his workout, his job, or last night’s game and still have no idea how he’s doing.
I’ve been thinking about that a lot.
As a personal trainer and someone with a background in sport psychology, I’m interested in what people bring into the gym besides their goals. The expectations. The insecurities. The pride. The things they’re trying to work through but don’t necessarily have words for yet.
I’m also a man who has had to figure out who he is through experiences that changed his body, his confidence, and his understanding of himself.
Those interests and experiences helped lead me to create Men, Actually, a podcast built around honest conversations about men’s lives.
Why I Wanted to Create This Podcast
There are plenty of places where men can find advice about getting stronger, making money, or becoming more successful. But I wanted to make room for conversations that don’t require someone to arrive with an answer.
What happens when something you’ve built your identity around changes? How do you tell a friend you need support? What does confidence look like when you’re still figuring things out?
I don’t expect every guest to answer those questions the same way. That’s part of why I want to ask them.
Men’s experiences vary. Our relationships, backgrounds, sexual orientations, health, and opportunities shape how we move through the world. I want Men, Actually to leave room for those differences and give guests the chance to explain their lives in their own words.
Some conversations will be serious. Others will involve laughter, questionable gym stories, and the occasional realization that none of us has this whole adulthood thing completely organized.
I certainly don’t.
Our First Guest: Jason Janov
For the first episode, I’ll be joined by Jason Janov, a National Level Bodybuilder.
Bodybuilding offers a compelling starting point for this show. People see the physique and the presentation. They may know very little about the person who built it—or what that person’s life looks like beyond competition.
I’m looking forward to asking Jason what drew him to bodybuilding, what the experience gave him, and how his relationship with training and strength has changed over time.
We’ll also explore the expectations that can come with looking strong. Do people assume you’re confident? Do they recognize when you might need support? How much can anyone understand about another person from appearance alone?
I want listeners to meet Jason as a person and hear what matters to him today.
What You Can Expect
As Men, Actually develops, I want to explore subjects that connect with everyday life: body image, friendship, relationships, identity, asking for help, and navigating change.
My education and coaching experience will inform the questions I ask. My guests will bring their own perspectives, and I’ll bring my curiosity—and a willingness to examine my own assumptions.
You don’t need to be a bodybuilder, an athlete, or someone who already feels comfortable talking about emotions to find a place in these conversations. You might hear something that helps you understand yourself. You might recognize someone you care about.
You might simply appreciate hearing another person say something you’ve struggled to put into words.
An Invitation to Listen
Creating this podcast means taking an idea I care about and giving it a voice. I’m excited to begin, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the conversations take us.
My hope is that an episode stays with you after it ends. Maybe it gives you a question to ask a friend or a way to start a conversation you’ve been putting off.
Men, Actually is coming, and I’d love for you to be part of it.
Follow @AthleteMindsetHQ on Instagram and Facebook for updates, first-episode announcements, and more from behind the microphone.
And tell me: What is a conversation you wish more men felt comfortable having?
John J. Schessler, M.S.
John J. Schessler, M.S., is a Mental Performance Coach, Behavior Interventionist, speaker, and founder of Athlete Mindset HQ—a high-performance coaching platform dedicated to helping athletes, professionals, and everyday individuals develop the mindset needed to thrive under pressure and perform at their highest potential.
John earned his Master of Science in Sport Psychology from Capella University and his Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. His work bridges the gap between psychology, human performance, behavioral science, and personal development, combining evidence-based strategies with practical coaching that people can immediately apply in sport, work, and everyday life.
His passion for helping others is rooted in his own journey. As a child, John survived Guillain-Barré Syndrome, spending weeks in a coma before fighting through rehabilitation to reclaim his life. That experience shaped his belief that resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build through adversity, discipline, and purpose.
Today, John works with individuals from all walks of life, helping them strengthen confidence, improve emotional resilience, overcome obstacles, and develop the habits that lead to lasting success. Whether coaching athletes, mentoring students, speaking to organizations, or creating educational content, his mission remains the same: to help people become mentally stronger than the challenges they face.
John is also the host of the Men, Actually Podcast, where he explores sports psychology, leadership, men’s mental health, motivation, resilience, and human performance through practical conversations that inspire listeners to move beyond intention and into action.
His philosophy is simple:
Mental strength isn’t about never struggling. It’s about developing the confidence, discipline, and resilience to keep moving forward—especially when life gets difficult.
Because success isn’t built by what you intend to do.
It’s built by what you follow through on.
Personal Brand Statement
John J. Schessler, M.S. is dedicated to helping people unlock their potential by strengthening the one asset that influences every area of life—the mind. Through education, coaching, and authentic conversation, he empowers others to develop confidence, resilience, and the discipline to follow through on their goals.
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