Meet Spencer Brooks Otto

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Spencer Brooks Otto. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Spencer Brooks below.

Spencer Brooks, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

I have struggled with mental health issues since I was a teenager. Depression, social anxiety, suicidal ideations, and an array of other conditions have been prevalent on my journey through life thus far. There have been many moments, instances, and seasons where quitting was the most appealing option. The suffering I experienced was so great that any relief was attractive, even if it meant not living. However, I have consistently pushed through those moments, sometimes by my own will power, other times by the grace of something higher than myself. The thing that gave me the strength to push through has always been my firm, conscious belief that I was called for something great in life. I have always felt greatness inside of me, and I clung to the idea that if I can just make it through this season of darkness, it will all be worth it in the end. On the contrary, if I were to give up, I would be leaving so much potential, talent, ambition, and promise on the table, which has always scared me more than the actual suffering I have experienced.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a SAG-E Actor, Author of “Diaries of a Homeless Junkie”, and Instagram influencer.
Born and raised in Austin, TX, my life has been full of ups-and-downs. From a young age, I knew that I would do something great in life. I was a natural born athlete, as well as an artist, so most of my life I have gravitated towards performing on the field/court and the stage.

In high school, I earned a division 1 football scholarship to the US Military Academy at West Point, which is where I planned to take my life upon graduating. However, after some badly dealt raw hands, as well as some bad decisions, I lost that opportunity and became immersed in the drug world. I spent years 18-32 addicted to heroin/meth, which ultimately led me to living homeless on the streets of Austin for over a year. However, today I have been in recovery for 2 years, and my life is completely different than it used to be.

Throughout the last 18 months, my focus has been on recovering from all the pain and trauma I endured in my life. I became very aware of the fact that nothing was going to change if I didn’t make a conscious effort to get at the root of my issues, which I have. It wasn’t until the last 6 months that I rekindled my passion for acting, music, writing, and athletics.

Today, my focus is on finding a worthy publisher for my book, “Diaries of a Homeless Junkie”(which chronicles my time living on the streets), maintaining my personal recovery blog, and furthering my acting career.

I am actively involved with an acting class that I love, and am booking jobs at a consistent pace, which I am grateful for. My goal is to be represented by a top-tier agency in Texas in the next 3 months.

With my book, I am very passionate about conveying the raw, uncensored truth about addiction/trauma/recovery to the masses. My aim has been to find a common thread that we can all relate to, regardless of if one can relate to the other’s circumstances. Far too often in society we tell ourselves that we aren’t like one another, nor could we ever be, due to being more privileged, sheltered, talented, etc. “Diaries of a Homeless Junkie” truly illustrates that not only are we much more alike than we realize, but we are also all just one circumstance away from becoming someone we never thought we could become.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

For me, the three things that have served me most are my ability to critically think/make decisions for myself, my ability to read people/situations, as well as my inner determination/vision to be the best at what I do.
Interestingly enough, my critical thinking skills as well as my ability to read people/situations were born from serious traumatic life experiences. From 18 until 32 I was a drug addict, addicted to heroin and later meth. Being a drug addict in the drug world teaches you how to survive, and how to be incredibly resourceful. Due to the nature of the drug game and the potential hazards associated with living that life, I became constantly hyper aware of my surroundings and how to navigate them with ease. Towards the end of my addiction, I was homeless for over a year which taught me how to literally survive on the streets with absolutely nothing, while maintaining a $100/day drug habit. These skills, although born from rough circumstances, have translated to my life today. Everything from sizing up someone’s character, discerning between who to do business with and who to trust, solving problems that appear to be unsolvable, and being able to look at the world for what it actually is, regardless of what we’re being told it is, have become my most priceless asset.

My inner vision and determination to be great has always been a part of who I am. Growing up, I didn’t just want to play basketball- I wanted to be Michael Jordan. I didn’t want to just be another kid in the crowd- I wanted to be the “top dog”. This internal fire to rise to the top has given me the motivation to not only strive for greatness but to dare to dream of it as well. I firmly believe in the quote by Henry David Thoreau, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation, going to the grave with the song still in them.” I believe that most people fail to really dream, and experience what their lives could be. This is the one thing that scares me more than anything else in the world, leaving something “on the table.” My drive to exceed my own expectation is what keeps me going.

To those early on in their journey I would say this: Get in touch with your “why” in life. Take a weekend and remove yourself from all the noise, outside opinions, and external expectations other have for you, strip yourself down to the foundation of who you are and what you love- then decide what makes you tick, why it makes you tick, then go for it. The rest will follow, if you are being true to yourself.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The book that has changed not only way my of thinking but also my way of viewing the world, is “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It is a powerful and inspiring book that provides a straightforward path to personal freedom and growth. Drawing from ancient Toltec wisdom, it introduces four transformative principles: be impeccable with your word, don’t take things personally, avoid making assumptions, and always do your best. These simple yet profound ideas are like a roadmap for letting go of self-doubt, breaking free from limiting beliefs, and creating a life filled with more peace, joy, and purpose. It’s a guide that encourages real, lasting change in how you see yourself and the world around you. It truly has been a game changer for my mind, body, and spirit!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://spenceotto3.wixsite.com/hard-knock-gospel
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hardknockgospel
• Other: https://hard-knock-gospel.myspreadshop.com/