Mental health doesn’t just live in the background – It’s woven into every goal we set.

In this episode of the MetPro Method Podcast, Crystal O’Keefe sits down with Dr. Jenn Mann to explore how therapy, preparation, and support can transform the way we pursue change. If you’ve ever felt like your mind was the biggest hurdle between you and progress, this conversation will give you strategies to move forward with strength.

Crystal O’Keefe: Welcome to the MetPro Method Podcast. I’m your host, Crystal O’Keefe, and today I’m joined by Dr. Jenn Mann. Dr. Mann is a licensed marriage, family, and child therapist and a sports psychology consultant. You may know her from VH1 Couples Therapy with Dr. Jenn, VH1 Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn, or her long-running radio show The Dr. Jenn Show. She’s also written four bestselling books, including The Relationship Fix: Dr. Jenn’s Six Step Guide to Improving Communication, Connection, and Intimacy. Dr. Jenn, thank you so much for being here today.

Dr. Jenn Mann: Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here with you, always.

Crystal O’Keefe: I’m excited to discuss mental health. It’s May, Mental Health Awareness Month, and people don’t always realize how it impacts every aspect of life. Anytime you’re dealing with mental illness, it can affect your workouts, meal plans, and overall health goals. So I thought we could talk about that today.

Why Mental Health Matters in Your Daily Goals

One of the questions I had is this: mental health covers such a wide range of topics, but even with common issues like anxiety or depression, people often struggle to reach their goals—including me. When people are taking on new challenges, do you have tips for what they should consider if they’re already battling mental health issues?

Dr. Jenn Mann: The first thing is to get support and therapy. People often say not everyone can afford therapy, and that’s true. But what most don’t realize is that there are mental health clinics all over the country. To become licensed, every therapist has to complete 3,000 supervised hours, and many of those are provided at little to no cost.

When you go to a clinic, you might think you’re working with someone inexperienced, but that’s not the case. They’re supervised by a licensed professional with at least two years of experience. So you essentially get two sets of eyes on your case. Interns also tend to be enthusiastic, research-driven, and focused on their clients. So getting help this way can be a huge benefit.

Beyond professional help, reach out to your personal support system. Talk to compassionate friends, relatives, partners, or even adult children. Ask them to check in with you, plan activities together, or support you at difficult times of day.

Also, set up your life to succeed. Identify when you struggle most—often mornings or late nights for people with anxiety or depression—and put strategies in place. At night, for example, when you’re left with your thoughts, channel that mental energy into something positive like painting, writing, puzzles, or adult coloring books. Avoid too much screen time before bed, since blue light disrupts sleep. Reading can also be a great option.

For workouts and meal plans, preparation is key. Lay out your workout clothes the night before and decide exactly what exercise you’ll do. That way, when the moment comes, you don’t get stuck deciding while anxious or overwhelmed. The same goes for food—prep in advance or keep a list of go-to restaurants with meals that align with your goals. Preparation and support are everything.

Breaking the Stigma Around Therapy

Crystal O’Keefe: Wow, so many excellent ideas there. You also mentioned therapy—something I’m a huge advocate of. But there’s still stigma around it. Do you have thoughts for people who feel scared or held back from starting therapy?

Dr. Jenn Mann: Absolutely. When I did VH1 Couples Therapy and Family Therapy, one of the best outcomes was helping reduce stigma. People saw celebrities and people from underserved communities doing therapy, and it normalized the process.

For example, after working with DMX on the show, I heard from many people in his community who said, “I never thought therapy was for me, but seeing that made me reconsider.”

If you think therapy is only for “crazy” people, let me be clear—that’s not the case. My clients are not “crazy.” They’re people facing challenges, just like all of us. Even trauma responses that seem irrational are actually normal, human reactions to abnormal events.

Think of it like a sprained ankle. The swelling isn’t what’s wrong—the injury is. The swelling is your body’s response. Mental health is the same. You’re not broken, but you do need to care for what happened and how it’s affecting you and your loved ones.

Crystal O’Keefe: That’s powerful. Another question: if someone isn’t sure whether they need therapy, but they have a big goal—like running a marathon or losing 50 pounds—should they do a self-assessment first?

Dr. Jenn Mann: I believe everyone benefits from at least a year of weekly therapy, trauma or not. Having a neutral professional give feedback, teach tools, and help you reflect is invaluable. Personally, I’ve been in therapy for decades and still see it as essential for growth.

It’s like a tune-up, but even more impactful. It helps you communicate better, be more reflective, and grow. Most people listening to your podcast are growth-oriented, and therapy is one of the best ways to continue that journey.

“You’re not broken—you just need to care for what happened and how it’s affecting you and your loved ones.” – Dr. Jenn Mann

Common Myths About Mental Health

Crystal O’Keefe: I love that. Do you have any myths or misunderstandings about mental health you wish more people knew the truth about?

Dr. Jenn Mann: That therapy isn’t just for people in crisis. Everyone can benefit. And honestly, the more resistant we are to therapy, the more we probably need it.

Crystal O’Keefe: Just like in workouts—the exercise you hate most is probably the one you need most.

Dr. Jenn Mann: Exactly. Hello, squats!

Crystal O’Keefe: And lunge jumps. Well, Dr. Jenn, thank you so much for your time today. Before we go, please let our audience know where they can find you.

Dr. Jenn Mann: You can find me on all social media at @DrJennMann—two n’s in Jenn, two n’s in Mann. I also have an app called No More Diets, all about making peace with food.

Crystal O’Keefe: Perfect. And listeners, that’s all for this week. You can find all episodes of the MetPro Method podcast wherever you listen, or at MetPro.co/podcast. Please follow, rate, and review the show so others can find us. You can also learn more about MetPro at MetPro.co.

I’m your host, Crystal O’Keefe, and I’ll be back next week. Until then, remember—consistency is key.

Your Next Step Toward Lasting Change

Dr. Jenn reminded us that preparation and support make all the difference.

That’s exactly what our MetPro assessment is designed to give you: Clarity on where you are and a roadmap for where you want to go.

Start today and take the guesswork out of your health journey.