304. Living Life in Crescendo: Lessons from Matt Gutman's Journey (Part 1)
Jun 4, 2024
35:43
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ABC News Chief National Correspondent, Matt Gutman, shares his journey reporting from global hotspots and battling anxiety. The discussion delves into the impact of early traumas, perfectionism, and a pivotal on-air panic attack. Themes of mental health, journalism, and personal growth are intricately woven throughout the podcast.
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Quick takeaways
Early traumas molded Matt Gutman's career path and choices, influencing his resilience and success.
Gutman's struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, and perfectionism underscore the importance of prioritizing mental health.
Deep dives
Early Life Challenges and Trauma
Matt Gutman's childhood was marked by significant trauma, including his mother's battle with illness and his father's tragic death in a plane crash. These experiences shaped his early life, leading to moments of intense grief and periodic struggles with the lasting impact of these events on his mental and emotional well-being. Despite these challenges, Gutman excelled in high school, showcasing a pattern of hyper-achievement followed by moments of personal crisis.
Career Path Evolution and Pressure
Beginning his journalism career in print media before transitioning to radio and eventually television, Gutman's drive for adventure, novelty seeking, and an affinity for the knife-edge moments between life and death were significant factors in his career choices. While achieving success as ABC's Chief National Correspondent, Gutman faced internal pressure and imposter syndrome associated with the responsibilities of the prestigious title, leading to heightened expectations and a subsequent struggle to maintain mental fitness under the weight of these demands.
Struggles with Panic Attacks and Reporting Error
Throughout his career, Gutman grappled with anxiety and recurring panic attacks, often concealed during his on-air appearances where his adrenaline-fueled energy was mistaken for exceptional performance. However, a pivotal reporting error during coverage of Kobe Bryant's tragic death exposed the extent of Gutman's internal turmoil and the toll it took on his ability to differentiate facts under pressure. This event led to Gutman's suspension, prompting a profound reckoning with his panic disorder and the need for introspection and healing.
Personal Reflection and Evolution
Following his suspension and a period of introspection, Gutman embarked on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, confronting his vulnerabilities and trauma head-on. This process of reflecting on his past experiences, the influence of early trauma on his career choices, and the impact of his internal struggles on his professional life allowed Gutman to prioritize his mental health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of addressing and managing his anxiety for personal growth and continued success.
Matt Gutman is the ABC News Chief National Correspondent whose career and personal journey have captivated millions. With a coverage history spanning nearly 50 countries, Matt has reported from the battlefields of the Middle East and Eastern Europe to natural disasters and key events in the US. He is the author of "No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks," a candid memoir about his battle with panic attacks. He also authored "The Boys in the Cave," detailing the rescue of the Thai soccer team from a flooded cave. Matt currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
Episode Summary:
Greg dives deep with ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman. Matt shares his enthralling journey reporting from hotspots around the globe and delves into his struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, revealing a facet of his life seldom seen on TV. With a career spanning wars, natural disasters, and pivotal events, Matt's life and career are marked by resilience and remarkable bravery.
Matt discloses the profound impact of early traumas, including the loss of his father in a plane crash and his mother's battle with Hodgkin's disease, on his career choices. He also speaks about his tenure at the Jerusalem Post, the burden of perfectionism, and the eventual on-air panic attack that drastically altered his path. The discussion intricately weaves through themes of mental health, high-stakes journalism, and personal growth, making it a compelling listen for anyone interested in human resilience and storytelling.
Key Takeaways:
The Effect of Early Trauma: Matt shares how the loss of his father and his mother's illness shaped his life and career.
Journalism Adventures: His time at the Jerusalem Post and the intense experiences that characterized his early journalism years.
The Burden of Titles: How the prestigious title of ABC's Chief National Correspondent brought an unexpected pressure that contributed to his panic attacks.
Panic Attack Live on Air: Details of the on-air panic attack during the reporting of Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash and its aftermath.
Mental Health Journey: Insights into how Matt confronted and managed his anxiety and panic attacks through various means, including writing his book.
Notable Quotes:
"With great negligence comes great opportunity."
"My greatest characteristic was grit and pluck. It was chutzpah."
"I felt like I had to achieve to a higher standard, and that put more pressure on me."