Meet Susan Johnson

We were lucky to catch up with Susan Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Susan, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from my deep rooted faith, family, friends and years of therapy. I have been through lots of ups and downs as a woman living with bipolar disorder ( a mood disorder with extreme highs knows as manias and deep lows to the point of suicide) since 1995. In writing my book “Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping” A Memoir of My Bipolar Journey I was able to look back at my life and realize I never gave up despite the many obstacles in my way. I came out on the other side with wisdom and success. I followed my dream of going to college and becoming an educator. I was always scared to tell people I have bipolar and never dreamed I would share my journey with the world. I have learned there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

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?

As I mentioned in the other question I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1995. After being born and raised in CA my dad got a job in Iowa. I had to trade my flipflops for snow boots. I was not happy. I went to 4 colleges and graduated from Drake University with a B.A. in Sociology. I dreamed of being a licensed teacher and my dreams were shattered because when you live with bipolar disorder stress sets off the illness. Teaching is a very stressful job. I had a wonderful psychologist who knew that and encouraged me to take other roles in schools. I took her advice and have worked in many capacities in schools for many years as a one on one for a child who had cerebral palsy ,a Kindergarten Assistant, an Aide in a Autism classroom, a sub , and currently work with students who have learning disabilities in regular general education classrooms. Guess what my kids call me at the end of my day? A teacher!
Eight years ago I felt a calling to write my healing journey. I didn’t know how and ended up taking a class and found a teacher who believed in me and saw that I had talent. The book was supposed to be just for me, but when I finished I thought it might help others . A publisher loved it and it was published over night. That then led to overcoming public speaking through Toastmaster’s and I ended up giving a TEDx talk “Having A Mental Illness Is Not A Death Sentence. It was definitely a bucket list item. I also was a blogger for a mental health magazine. I am using blogs from it to write my second book.

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?

My doctors were very instrumental in my journey. They helped get me on the correct medicine, I have always been open to seeing a psychologist and being honest with them . The best advocate for mental health is yourself.
I always preserved through college and in the ups and downs. My sense of humor has always helped me which I get from my dad. My faith has been crucial along with a support from the many people in my village. The most important is my husband ( my cat Sterling lol) and my mom and dad. The advice I have overall for all people if you are struggling don’t be afraid to ask for help. There is no shame despite what society sometimes says.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents have given me life, my faith, my college education and my sense of humor. They have NEVER turned their back on me especially when I was very sick and lived on my own in Virginia. They saved me by moving me to Las Vegas and found the best psychiatrist in town who helped me get on the right drug cocktail and brought me stability. They paid for my COBRA to get the health care I needed. They found me a psychologist. My mom encouraged me to try dating through a Catholic website. That is where I met the man of my dreams who is now my husband Gary. We have been married 17 years. Both of my parents let me live at home time and time again. They never gave up on me even when I wanted to give up on myself. I am forever grateful for the love and support they have given me and continue to do so.

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