Unbreakable: Jay Glazer on Turning Depression and Anxiety into Motivation
Mental health struggles often go unseen, buried beneath success, fame, and outward confidence. But for Jay Glazer, renowned sports journalist and NFL insider, his battle with depression and anxiety has been a constant presence. In his book, Unbreakable: How I Turned My Depression and Anxiety into Motivation and You Can Too, Jay offers raw, unfiltered insights into his lifelong fight against what he calls “the gray”—his term for the weight of depression that has followed him since childhood. In a conversation filled with vulnerability, humor, and wisdom, Jay shares how he channels his struggles into motivation and resilience.
Living in the Gray
Jay has never known life without the gray. From his earliest memories, anxiety and depression have been constant companions. “I wake up in the gray every day,” he explains. “It’s exhausting.” The gray manifests physically—his joints ache, his gut tightens, and his mind spirals. But rather than succumb to it, Jay has learned to harness it, turning pain into purpose.
One of the most profound takeaways from Jay’s journey is that success doesn’t erase mental health struggles. “People say, ‘How can you have depression when you’re rich and famous?’” Jay says. “But my wallet isn’t an antidepressant.” His achievements—being a top NFL insider, an MMA coach, and a television personality—haven’t silenced the inner turmoil. Instead, he’s had to find ways to manage it.
The Relentless Pursuit of Success
Jay’s career is built on sheer grit. For ten years, he made less than $10,000 a year while grinding his way into sports journalism. He worked 90-hour weeks, took unpaid jobs, and outworked everyone around him. “I wasn’t the most educated or the most connected, but I was going to be the last guy standing.” His relentless hustle paid off, but the anxiety never faded.
Interestingly, he notes that his anxiety actually fueled his success. “If I didn’t have depression and anxiety, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am. It’s what drives me to keep going.”
The Three Pillars: Team, Service, and Laughter
To combat the gray, Jay relies on three key strategies:
- Building a Team – “Having a team is one of the things that helps me the most.” Whether it’s his close friends, his work colleagues, or the veterans and athletes in his Merging Vets & Players (MVP) foundation, Jay emphasizes the power of community. “The more I can connect with people, the less the gray wins.”
- Being of Service – Jay has always found solace in helping others. Whether it’s creating MVP to support veterans or volunteering for children’s charities, service is a way to counterbalance his internal struggles. “I started foundations because my gray is so mean to me. I had to do big things to try to offset it.”
- Laughter – “The gray hates laughter,” Jay says. From playing pranks on his friends (including NFL legends like Michael Strahan) to cracking jokes on TV, humor is his secret weapon. “If I can laugh, I see the blue.”
Asking for Help and Breaking the Stigma
One of the most powerful moments in Jay’s journey came recently when he finally admitted his struggles to his best friend of 30 years, Michael Strahan. “He looked at me and said, ‘Why have you never told me?’” It was a wake-up call—if someone as close as Strahan didn’t know, how many others suffer in silence?
Jay’s message is clear: no more shame. “I spent 30 years suffering alone when I didn’t have to. I don’t want anyone else to do the same.”
Moving Forward
Jay has tried 36 different medications, alternative therapies, and even moved to Scottsdale to find peace. While he hasn’t found a magic cure, he continues to fight every day. His advice? Keep moving forward. “Find what makes you feel alive. Whether it’s working out, connecting with a friend, or doing something kind for someone else—just don’t stop.”
Jay Glazer’s Unbreakable isn’t just a book—it’s a battle cry for anyone struggling with mental health. His story proves that while the gray may never fully disappear, it doesn’t have to win.
For those seeking inspiration, resilience, and real talk about mental health, Unbreakable is a must-read. Get your copy today and start turning your struggles into strength.
