Emerging Leaders: John Mollura
47 ABC – John Mollura is a professional speaker, and men’s performance coach, and went from being a rocket scientist to a multi-award-winning heart-centered portrait photographer.
Now he’s dedicating most of his life to coaching men and teaching them about imposter syndrome to help them stop the endless cycle of “what ifs” and become men of authentic action; Taking a new approach to mental health, and just ahead of World Mental Health Day.
“If you can put yourself out there in service of others and something’s uncomfortable and difficult to talk about to help others, then that to me is the definition of true mental toughness,” says Mollura. A man with an extensive list of accolades, but a man not immune to the hardships of life. From NASA -to National Geographic, to public speaking about a topic many struggle to openly discuss, mental health.
Mollura educates and empowers audiences, primarily men, on imposter syndrome, and provides coaching and resources on how to cope with it and get better. “My heart is to help people understand what they give up and one of the biggest things is playing small, they feel like a fake, not going after things that could serve other people,” he says. Mollura explains imposter syndrome as “At its core what it is, when people feel like a fake despite levels of accomplishments, accolades, degrees awards, they feel like if someone finds out I don’t know what I’m doing, this house of cards is just going to fall apart.”
Mollura says he knows firsthand what it feels like. Years ago, he found himself overwhelmed with fear and doubt while receiving an award for his work with NASA. What should have been a pinnacle moment in his life, turned out to be a pivotal one. He found his faith and started on a journey of self-discovery, and learning more about what he was feeling. “I realize that I can’t play small and not talk about mental health and put myself out there because you never know who you’re going to help,” he tells us.
After losing a close friend to suicide, it only pushed John to take his expertise, and he made it his mission to help anyone before getting to that stage in their life. He says it starts with turning the volume down, so any mental illness, such as imposter syndrome, doesn’t rob you of your joy. “It’s having those tools and some of those skills in place before you get to those valleys that will help you minimize the impact.” Mollura adds, “Looking to help organizations, large organizations, small organizations that are interested in helping their people holistically.”
Mollura tells us, as a coach for men, he’s been able to create what’s called an authentic men of the action coaching program. “It’s a six-pillar process where I step them through ways to understand who they truly are. So then they understand who they are and how they can serve their loved ones, their community, their jobs from a place of fulfillment and not just what they feel like they should be doing,” he explains.
He says our brains tend to focus so much on the negative, so he wants to teach others how to quiet that down through unique initiatives and tactics. “Writing down wins throughout their life. It doesn’t have to be about an employee of the year this year, it could be something like I found a parking space and that’s a win today. Don’t just write things from your immediate history, go back as far as you can remember.” Mollura adds, “On those days where fear, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt are chatty and loud in your head, you can look at this list and say oh that’s right I have done all of these things.”
When it comes to fear, Mollura says it doesn’t fight fair, it digs up pain from your past and puts you in a vicious cycle when it comes to your mental health. That’s why he says it’s important to surround yourself with a community that can help you fight through it. “If you’re in a good spot in life right now, there will be something that drops you back down into a valley, that’s just part of being on this side of heaven.” He goes on to say, “That’s why establishing community and having people to at least talk to until you can get into a counselor is so big in helping people establish communities. Lone wolves might look cool in the movies but in the wilderness, lone wolves don’t last without a pack.”
While Mollura says he is continuously growing during his mental health journey, being able to help others just like him can make a world of difference. “You know what, it doesn’t matter how awkward I feel or how uncomfortable it might be, but if I can help someone, it makes it all worth it.”
To learn more about Mollura’s story, his classes, and other mental health resources, visit his website.
In regards to the serious content in this story, if you or someone you know is struggling please dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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