We recently connected with Jason Hopcus and have shared our conversation below.
Jason , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I developed my confidence and self-esteem through a transformative process of embracing vulnerability, self-compassion, and authenticity, as I share in my new book Get Unstuck and Move Forward With Your Life. For many years, I believed that external success—whether in the form of financial gains, professional achievements, or validation from others—would heal the deep emotional scars I carried from childhood. However, after my world crumbled following personal and professional ruin, I realized these outward symbols of success were a facade, masking my internal struggles with self-worth and emotional pain.
The turning point in my journey came when I began to confront the very wounds I had long avoided. Instead of hiding behind the false security of perfectionism and people-pleasing, I chose to embrace vulnerability—a decision that required immense courage. This meant acknowledging my imperfections, allowing myself to feel the pain of my past, and facing the uncomfortable truths about how these experiences had shaped my identity.
Through therapy, journaling, and connecting with others who shared similar struggles, I learned that confidence doesn’t stem from pretending to have it all together, but from accepting yourself exactly as you are. I began to treat myself with the same kindness and understanding I extended to others. This shift allowed me to shed the weight of shame and self-criticism that had held me back, making space for real growth and healing.
Building my confidence became a process of consistently showing up for myself, especially on the difficult days. I learned that small steps forward—whether through setting healthy boundaries, practicing self-care, or simply allowing myself to rest—were the foundation for long-term progress. Over time, I found that the more I embraced my vulnerabilities, the more I connected with others in meaningful ways, which only strengthened my sense of self-worth.
Ultimately, I came to understand that confidence is not the absence of fear or self-doubt but the willingness to face those feelings with grace and resilience. By accepting my past, embracing the present, and allowing myself to be authentically seen, I developed a deep and lasting sense of confidence that no external achievement could ever provide. This journey, which I continue to walk every day, has taught me that true self-esteem comes from within built on the foundation of self-acceptance, vulnerability, and the courage to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Professionally, my focus has evolved from overcoming personal struggles to creating spaces where others can do the same. As someone who has lived through childhood trauma, battled perfectionism, and fought the urge to people-please, I’ve dedicated myself to advancing mental health awareness and helping others break free from limiting beliefs, fears, and destructive patterns that often hold them back. My recently published book, Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Your Life, encapsulates much of my journey and serves as a guide for anyone seeking to navigate life’s challenges. The book draws deeply from my personal experiences and offers readers a compassionate roadmap for healing and growth, showing them that change is possible with the right tools and mindset.
Beyond the pages of my book, my advocacy for mental health takes shape through multiple channels. I host two podcasts: Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Your Life and Nobody’s Perfect. These platforms provide an open, unashamed space for discussing the complexities of mental health and personal development. They allow listeners to gain valuable insights, tools, and inspiration to move forward in their own lives with clarity and purpose. These conversations, which aim to strip away stigma, remind people that they are not alone in their struggles and that vulnerability can be a path toward strength.
In addition to my work in the media, I am deeply involved in mental health advocacy through the Nobody’s Perfect Community, a digital hub designed to support youth, parents, caregivers, providers, and educators. This initiative provides clinician-approved resources and fosters open conversations about mental health, helping to equip young people and those who support them with the tools they need to embrace their humanness and pursue well-being.
My commitment to fostering mental health awareness extends into my leadership roles. As the President and CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for Arapahoe and Douglas Counties in Colorado, and as Founder and President of Connection Project, LTD, I focus on supporting individuals who struggle with mental health challenges and helping them build meaningful connections with themselves and others. Through Connection Project, we support vulnerable populations at a higher risk for mental health issues, including youth, emergency responders, veterans, and the aging population. Our mission is to provide tailored resources, and through scalable social impact campaigns, we raise awareness, promote mental health conversations, and bring often-undiscussed challenges into the light with compassion and empathy.
What excites me most about this work is the opportunity to make a real impact in underserved communities. At the heart of everything I do—whether through NAMI or Connection Project—is the desire to help individuals strengthen their connections with themselves and others. That sense of connection drives true healing, and it’s the foundation of all my work. By leveraging technology, storytelling, and community, we break down stigmas and make mental health support more accessible for those who need it most.
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?
In reflection of my journey, the three most impactful qualities and skills that shaped my growth were self-awareness, resilience, and consistency. These elements didn’t come overnight, but through a deep commitment to personal development.
1. Self-awareness: Understanding my internal blocks and how they influenced my actions was pivotal. I had to confront my inner critic and challenge self-limiting beliefs. Recognizing where these came from and choosing to redefine my narrative with compassion instead of criticism helped transform the way I viewed myself and my capabilities. For those early in their journey, I recommend taking time to explore the stories and beliefs that may be holding you back. Journaling and therapy were invaluable tools in this process for me.
2. Resilience: Life’s challenges often feel insurmountable, but learning to face them head-on has been a source of strength. By embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth, I gained a clearer sense of my values and priorities. Pain and adversity have a way of illuminating what truly matters. My advice is to lovingly reflect on past hardships and recognize how they’ve clarified your sense of purpose—resilience grows in the process of overcoming.
3. Consistency: Lasting change doesn’t happen from grand gestures; it’s built through small, steady steps. I used to rely on short bursts of motivation, which only led me to fall back into old habits. True progress began when I started to show up, even when it was hard. I encourage others to focus on taking the next right step, no matter how small it may seem. Small actions, taken consistently, lead to meaningful transformation
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely we are open to partnering and collaborating with others. We truly believe that supporting our most vulnerable populations takes a village, and we’re eager to connect with individuals and organizations that share a passion for advancing the narrative about facing adversity head-on.
Whether it’s through individual coaching, shaping professional teams, or raising awareness on a larger scale, we understand that collaboration can enhance our efforts to make a meaningful impact.
If you’re interested, you can start by tuning into the Get Unstuck. Move Forward you’re your Life. or Nobody’s Perfect podcasts or reading my new book Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Your Life, which offer valuable insights and inspiration to navigate the ups and downs of life. We welcome any ideas for collaboration and would love to hear from those who are also committed to making a difference in our communities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.realpeoplereallife.org and www.nobody’s perfect.community
- Instagram: @getunstuckradio and @nobodysperfectcommunity
- Facebook: @getunstuckradio and @nobodysperfectcommunity
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-c-hopcus-clc-87461b43/
- Youtube: @getunstuckradio and @nobodysperfectcommunity
- Other: Tik Tok: @nobodysperfectcommunity
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
