What if the path to heroism didn’t start with strength—but with panic?

In The Hero’s Journey That Started with Anxiety, we follow Nick Pierlot, a Catholic husband, father, and missionary, as he walks us through his darkest hour: a breakdown on a spiritual pilgrimage. In the face of crippling panic attacks, emotional repression, and a crisis of identity, Nick uncovers an unexpected truth—heroism begins not with power, but with surrender. From battling inner dragons to chopping down literal god-trees, from failing forward to forming unshakable faith, this episode is a raw, honest deep dive into how God makes men heroic. It’s not about being the hero—it’s about letting God be one in you.

#anxiety #panicattack #heroic #catholicmen #catholic #saints

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Real stories of heroic faith

3:00 – Story of St. Boniface begins

6:00 – Chopping down Thor’s oak tree

9:00 – Hobbit heroism: small brave acts

12:00 – Chaos vs. sacred order

15:00 – Personal journey starts with anxiety

18:00 – Panic attacks on pilgrimage

21:00 – 9 months of daily panic

24:00 – The Father speaks after suffering

27:00 – The blue snake moment

30:00 – Called to help head meet heart

33:00 – Young men and the pain of honor

36:00 – Evangelization as one beggar to another

39:00 – The dragon is where God knocks

42:00 – Head, heart, and hands in mission

What if the day you lost your father was the day you became one? In this moving episode of Heroic Stories, Jay Wonacott opens up about the most painful turning point of his life—the sudden death of his dad—and how that loss became the moment he had to grow up, take responsibility, and lead with heart.From tearful hospital visits and lucid dreams to finding spiritual strength in daily prayer and brotherhood, Jay shares how his father’s legacy became his compass. He reveals how real heroism isn’t found in grand gestures, but in showing up for your family, doing the hard emotional work, and learning how to integrate mind, heart, and soul.If you've ever felt crushed by grief, unsure of how to step into leadership, or like you’re still waiting for someone to show you the way—this story is for you. Jay’s story is a roadmap for turning loss into legacy and fear into fortitude.Subscribe free to the weekly Heroic Men email: https://stories.heroicmen.orgFor the price of a coffee, you can support our mission to reach 25,000 men in 2025. https://heroicmen.org/give | ABOUT HEROIC MEN |Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind.Website: https://heroicmen.orgHeroic Map: Find an event near you: https://heroicmen.org/mapJoin the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhoodHeroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: https://store.heroicmen.orgDonate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: https://heroicmen.org/alliance| FOLLOW ON SOCIAL |Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhoodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Real stories of heroic grit3:00 – Called to serve Idaho families6:00 – George Washington’s reluctant leadership9:00 – Fortitude through adversity12:00 – My father’s legacy of presence15:00 – My brother’s honest heroism18:00 – Daily rosary, inspired by my father-in-law21:00 – Uncle Ed: stripes on the bridge24:00 – Extraordinary things, ordinary ways27:00 – Dream: 'My hands are clean now'30:00 – Surviving my wife’s heart failure36:00 – Becoming the father, not just the son