Sep 3, 2026 · 1 hr 12 min · 20 segments
Wrestling icon, writer, and mental health advocate AJ Mendez joins me to talk about what happens when we stop hiding the parts of ourselves we’ve been taught to fear. AJ reflects on becoming the…
AJ MendezGuest
Cheryl StrayedHost
So you have been... you know, a source of therapy to a lot of people, which brings me to a very nice transition moment, dear AJ.
And I, I use this podcast to get amazing people to help me answer some letters, some, some letters from listeners.
Dear Sugar, I'm a 26-year-old woman, and I have a great life in a lot of ways.
My family is a mess, and I've always wanted to create my own, but I can't seem to do that.
The circumstances around my recent breakup are complex, but it's also like my other breakups.
Something happens that I think we can work through, but the other person thinks we can't and leaves.
When I decide to love someone, I'm willing to do a lot to make it work, but that commitment is reciprocated, so I end up feeling expendable to the people I love so hard.
In this case, he cited incompatibility due to different communication styles.
This breakup was especially hard because the problem we had seemed so fixable, even though the issue came up a couple of times.
I need to accept the idea that I might not ever have a long, happy relationship.
I feel so imperfect sometimes with my emotional intensity, my insecurities and my communication style.
I'm in therapy and on antidepressants, but I would love your advice on how to be okay and how to move forward when I'm feeling like this.
So you have been... you know, a source of therapy to a lot of people, which brings me to a very nice transition moment, dear AJ.
And I, I use this podcast to get amazing people to help me answer some letters, some, some letters from listeners.
Dear Sugar, I'm a 26-year-old woman, and I have a great life in a lot of ways.
My family is a mess, and I've always wanted to create my own, but I can't seem to do that.
The circumstances around my recent breakup are complex, but it's also like my other breakups.
Something happens that I think we can work through, but the other person thinks we can't and leaves.
When I decide to love someone, I'm willing to do a lot to make it work, but that commitment is reciprocated, so I end up feeling expendable to the people I love so hard.
In this case, he cited incompatibility due to different communication styles.
This breakup was especially hard because the problem we had seemed so fixable, even though the issue came up a couple of times.
I need to accept the idea that I might not ever have a long, happy relationship.
I feel so imperfect sometimes with my emotional intensity, my insecurities and my communication style.
I'm in therapy and on antidepressants, but I would love your advice on how to be okay and how to move forward when I'm feeling like this.
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