MINDY PETERSON, NCTM

Photo by Jadson Thomas on Pexels

Ryan Dusick went from being the drummer for the world’s hottest rock band, to being forced out of music by physical and mental health challenges. He spent a decade suffering from depression, crippling anxiety, and substance abuse before beginning a journey of recovery. We explore the intersections of music, mental health, and purpose; discuss the pivotal question that reshaped Ryan’s future; and share valuable insights for educators shaping the next generation of creatives.

Guest

Ryan Dusick was the founding drummer of Maroon 5, and is now an associate marriage and family therapist, a mental health coach, and the author of the book Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery. Ryan went from being the drummer for the world’s hottest rock band, to being forced out of music by physical and mental health challenges. He spent a decade suffering from depression, crippling anxiety, and substance abuse before beginning a journey of recovery in 2016. He wrote his book in hopes of helping others who might see themselves in his personal struggles. Ryan now works as a mental health professional and advocate, spreading the message that recovery is possible, along with a new life path full of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.

Notes

We discuss:

• Ryan’s book (I loved it and highly recommend it!).
• The challenges Ryan was facing around the time when it seemed that the band’s dreams were coming true.
• The kind of stress that can come with success, and common coping mechanisms.
• What ultimately led to Ryan leaving Maroon 5.
• Changes in awareness and strategies related to wellness, mental health and well-being, and preventing burnout for artists.
• The question that changed Ryan’s career trajectory.
• The services Ryan now offers as a therapist, life coach, and speaker (in person and remote).
• Insights and recommendations for musicians and creatives for fostering mental health.
• Signs that creatives may need help (so listeners can recognize them in themselves and/or those around them).
• Recommendations for music educators as they shape the next generation of creatives.
• Quotes from the book:
  •  “…Harder to Breathe is not only a detailed chronicle of the early days of the band, but an inspiring story of redemption. Ryan’s personal journey is inspiring and will remind those in need of help that change is possible.” —James Valentine
  • “My intent in writing this book has been to offer an example of how accepting help can actually change (and possibly save) a life. This stuff is not easy. And there are no shortcuts. The only way through it . . . is through it. However, the rewards on the other side are so worth it.” – Ryan Dusick

Connect/Other Resources

• Ryan’s website: www.ryandusick.com
• Instagram: @ryan_michael_dusick
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick
• LinkedIn: Ryan Dusick, MA, AMFT
• Find Ryan’s book here: Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery (Nov 2022)

• Ryan recommends these resources for finding mental health support:
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK—https://988lifeline.org/
  • SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—samhsa.gov
  • NA – Narcotics Anonymous—na.org
  • NIMH – National Institute of Mental Health—nimh.nih.gov
  • NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness—nami.org
  • AA – Alcoholics Anonymous—aa.org
• Ryan recommends Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness, by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Other episodes we mentioned or that you may enjoy:

• Ep. 143: Harness the Power of Music to Stay Sober, with author Tim Ringgold, MT-BC
• Ep. 158: How to BECOME the music for a rock star full-body workout; with Kirsten Potenza
• Ep. 149: Corporate team-building & wellness through music; with Rock and Roll Team Building Founder Ciaran Gribbin
• Ep. 80: How do Rihanna and other artists get paid for their concerts or recorded performances? With Songtrust’s Anna Bond
• Ep. 12: Coldplay’s Music Therapy for Kids Suffering Illness: with Melodic Caring Project’s Levi & Stephanie Ware
• View all episodes related to Sports & Entertainment

In-Episode Promo

The Business Side of Music podcast

JAMBAR: In addition to music, I am passionate about health & well-being. For me, a healthy lifestyle includes eating a diet that is mostly whole, unprocessed foods. This is pretty easy when I’m close to home, but living a full life often takes us away from a convenient refrigerator and a predictable schedule. Enter my favorite whole food energy bar. JAMBAR is a Certified Organic whole food bar, non-GMO and gluten-free. Created by a food science and nutrition expert, athlete, and musician, JAMBAR is packed with protein and fiber, and minimally sweetened with only all-natural sweeteners. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and has a one-year shelf life. These bars don’t melt, freeze, or crumble – which means they can go from a day of ice skating in Minneapolis to a trip to the beach when I’m visiting my daughter in Florida. (The only problem with the beach trips is keeping my kids from eating all my bars because they love them, too!)

Fuel your full life and healthy lifestyle with JAMBARs. Available at Amazon, select retailers, and jambar.com. For more info, you can also visit Episode 160. Links are in the show notes.

Coda

Ryan shares the special meaning that Chris Cornell & Soundgarden have in his heart. Ryan says: They were to me the perfect intersection of power and vulnerability personified in music, which was inspirational to me as a teenager. Their music spoke for me and helped me feel understood. Of course the deaths of many of my heroes from that era have forced me to reckon with the darkness in those artists and their music, and I have since reflected on the balance that must be struck between feeling seen in the music you listen to and also finding material that can lift you up out of the darkness, so there is a lot to mine there. Cornell’s death came right around my first sober birthday, so it was a heavy reminder of what depression, anxiety and substance abuse can lead to.

Closing Words

Thank you so much to Ryan for sharing his story with us today, and sharing even more of his experience in his book, Harder to Breathe. I highly recommend it. There are links in the show notes to the book, as well as links to many other resources from our conversation and from Ryan.

You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

All Enhance Life with Music episodes are evergreen; so check out the back catalogue for more ways that music can make your life better.

Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time, may your life be enhanced with music.

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