Breaking the Silence: Men's Mental Health, Anxiety, and Fatherhood with Nelson Borges

Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Nelson Borges, founder of Capillary Wave, to discuss men’s mental health, anxiety, fatherhood, and personal growth. Nelson shares his powerful story of overcoming a mental health crisis, the challenges of raising a blended family, and the mission behind his nonprofit, which provides support for men struggling with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. This conversation breaks the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and highlights the importance of connection, vulnerability, and self-care.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• What triggered Nelson’s first major panic attack and how he recovered
• The backpack analogy—why emotional burdens pile up over time
• How Capillary Wave is changing the conversation around men’s mental health
• Why connection is the #1 factor in mental well-being
• Parenting lessons from raising a blended family with four kids
• The importance of purpose and how to build a meaningful life
• How men can seek help without fear of judgment

Listen now to hear Nelson’s incredible journey and gain insights into mental health, resilience, and fatherhood.

1. "We took all their clothes away… and made them earn them back!"
2. "My dad’s medical advice? Whiskey and warm lemon water."
3. "Nobody’s here for free—so I made my daughter’s boyfriend cut the lawn!"

1. "I let her love me so I didn’t stay in bed all day."
2. "This can’t be the rest of my life. This sucks."
3. "My dad told me, ‘We’re not friends, but I’m your best friend.’"

1. "My dream daily driver? A ’77 Pontiac Trans Am—T-tops off, back to high school!"
2. "Give me crab, lobster, or my mom’s octopus stew—seafood all day!"
3. "We made pottery, built wine holders—none of us are Picassos, but it was awesome!"

1. "When we don’t have purpose, we seek pleasure."
2. "We plan a wedding, we plan a divorce—but we don’t plan being divorced parents."
3. "My panic attack felt like a heart attack—then it lasted for months."

1. "I became my dad—and I didn’t even realize it."
2. "If you chase butterflies, they fly away—but if you build a garden, they come to you."
3. "70% of men don’t seek help. 70% of suicides? Adult men."