Meet Henry Menzel

We recently connected with Henry Menzel and have shared our conversation below.

Henry, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. 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.

It’s a tricky question to answer because I believe that persistence and success in overcoming poor mental health are not linear. I used to think otherwise! I grew up believing my happy season finale was coming and that I’d be able to put certain problems or issues to rest, never to deal with them again. But much like good TV, the bad guys can always come back.

Clunky TV metaphors aside, I have improved my ability to manage stressors—even while knowing full well that it will not be the last time I have to overcome them. I’ve gotten better at identifying when I’m struggling, as well as recognizing what remedies I have access to that will help me recover. In the past, I often found myself doing things that only dug me deeper into the hole. A self-destructive ideation will do that to you.

These days, I try to do only things that can result in a positive outcome. Many of these are the same things that brought me solace in my youth: video games, certain record albums, TV, and movies. That kind of stimulation rarely fails to center me until I’m ready to confront whatever problem lies ahead. It seems like such a simple solution, but focusing on the things I truly love when I need to has been my most effective way of coping.

One lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay to take these time-outs before diving back into the minutiae of everyday life. At one point, I thought success was dependent on being relentless and not relying on tricks to maintain mental stability. “Heads down, power through” was how I would phrase it. In a way, I’m comforted by the fact that I’ve been able to figure out any solution at all.

Of course, it can’t be understated that none of this is done alone. Truly supportive people in your life will impart what they can when they can. I’ve learned it’s not healthy to rely wholly on others, but nothing great can be done alone. Others have to factor in. Professional help should also be part of the mix. Access to care isn’t guaranteed, and that’s incredibly unfortunate. However, if you need help, you should always go find it. Therapy has been invaluable to me, and I will always encourage others to seek help for mental health issues at any scale.

So yeah. TV. That’s about it. 🙂

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

I wear several hats each day, but professionally, I am a touring musician and merchandise manufacturing agent.

On the music front, I currently sing and play guitar for a rock band called Keep Flying. Being an independent artist has been an up and down adventure to say the least, but I’m grateful that I’ve stuck with it as long as I have. My art and my career have continued to grow, albeit very gradually.

My day is job is one as someone who assists bands, brands, and companies create custom merchandise and specialty products. I like my job very much and finding myself in this line of work was not what I saw for myself. However, once I found a knack for it, I managed obtain a position with AKT Enterprises, a company I have always had great respect for wanted to work for. I consider myself very lucky.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Listen

Typical stubborn youngster me thought I had it all figured out in the early going of my career. Sometimes I would be too set in my ways to adjust when I truly needed to. It’s hard not to be thrown by feedback but it’s necessary to learn.

2. Be bold.

In my naive early years, I didn’t know enough to have any shame. The exact opposite occurred later on. Somewhere along the line, I started fear being a part of my own life. It’s taken a lot work to get to a point where I want to participate in what I’m doing. I think I’m still scared but I’m busting through it more often these days.

3. Define your own success.

It’s really easy to set benchmarks based on other people’s success and situations. That can be a mistake. We all get where we’re going in different ways. Be mindful of others and apply what you learn, but keep in mind no two people are the same, even if they operate in close proximity or field.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

As we speak, I’m entering yet another new era in my career. Same business, same job, but some new faces, new places and new goals. Specifically, I am about to release my first full length record with this band. Even more specifically speaking, I am doing it with a few new people on my team and there are a few people I am used to having around that will no longer be around. I am hopeful for a great outcome this year but I don’t have any true expectations. However, I am grateful that in my 36th year of life, there will be things happening that I’ve never experienced before.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://keepflying.band
• Instagram: hennygivensundae
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HenrySaysKeepFlying/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KeepFlyingBand

Image Credits