How Men Can Survive Grief and Loss Without Numbing Out with Michelle Ann Collins

Most men don’t grieve by sitting in circles and talking about feelings. They grieve by working harder, staying busy, isolating, or pushing pain down until it shows up as anger, anxiety, exhaustion, or illness.

In this powerful episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, Will Schneider and Jon Macaskill sit down with Michelle Ann Collins—grief coach, mindfulness teacher, and survivor of profound loss—to explore how men actually process grief and why “try harder” is not a plan.

Michelle shares her personal journey through her husband’s suicide, PTSD, dissociation, and recovery through somatic, body-based mindfulness. Together, they unpack why men are conditioned to suppress grief, how shame and regret keep men stuck, and why embodied practices—not forced emotional expression—are often the safest entry point into healing.

This conversation offers real tools men can use in their truck, at work, or at home—without needing to relive the trauma or perform vulnerability.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
• Why men and women feel grief similarly but process it differently
• How action-style grief shows up as overworking, isolation, or emotional shutdown
• Why suppressing grief often leads to anxiety, panic, illness, or burnout
• How embodied mindfulness helps men stay present without dissociation
• What post-traumatic growth actually looks like in real life
• A simple grounding practice men can use anywhere
• How to move from the grief cave toward meaning without rushing the process

If you’re a man carrying loss silently—or supporting someone who is—this episode offers a grounded, compassionate path forward.

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Links & Resources
Join the Men Talking Mindfulness team at the 2026 Spartan Race and take mindfulness into real-world challenge. This is about grit, presence, and brotherhood under pressure. Learn more and join the team here: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/spartan-race-2026

More episodes & resources: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com
Mental fitness & coaching with Will: https://willnotfear.com
Book Jon to speak with your team: https://jonmacaskill.com
Learn more about Michelle’s work: https://inhabitjoy.com

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This episode was co-produced by Robert Lopez of https://www.cratesaudio.com/

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