In this inspiring episode Zack talks with former Mountain Valley resident, Gin Majka, who candidly shares her journey through anxiety, perfectionism, and the path to self-discovery. As an 18-year-old facing severe panic attacks and academic pressure, Gin’s time at Mountain Valley served as a turning point in her young life. Now, nearly a decade after graduating the program, Gin reflects on how the supportive environment and exposure-based therapies helped her accept discomfort, embrace vulnerability, and set her on a path towards healing and self-discovery.

Today, Gin thrives as a freelance photographer, harmonizing her passions for creativity, environmental storytelling, and meaningful human connection. As she continues the never ending journey of managing her mental health, Gin shares how she has learned to leverage coping strategies, therapeutic support, and view her sensitivity and perfectionism as assets rather than liabilities in her everyday life. Gin encourages others to accept that life’s journey—both personally and professionally—is rarely straightforward and there is beauty to be found in the chaos.

Zack’s Hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares how harnessing creativity can help you fear less.

Gin Malka’s website is-https://www.ginmajka.com/

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this episode Zack talks with Ciara Fanlo, founder of The Homing Instinct, a mentoring program for teens. Drawing on her own experience as a “troubled teen,” Ciara recounts the challenges she faced in adolescence—ranging from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to questioning her sense of belonging. Through wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools, and a series of transformative treatment programs, she forged a deeper understanding of herself. Ciara’s story highlights how facing discomfort and embracing vulnerability can help individuals discover their inner compass, ultimately guiding them toward resilience, clarity, and personal growth.

Today, Ciara pays her journey forward by mentoring teens who find themselves navigating similar waters. With empathy and insight, she supports them as they take incremental steps beyond their comfort zones, encouraging them to harness self-expression, develop coping strategies, and connect meaningfully with others. Whether through journaling, tapping into nature, or using metaphors like the “hero’s journey,” Ciara F helps teens build emotional “toolkits” and cultivate a grounded sense of self-worth. Her message resonates for anyone seeking to understand adolescence as an essential rite of passage—a period of uncertainty, yes, but also a powerful opportunity for growth and authentic self-discovery.

Zack’s Hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares how imaging self in a future context can help you fear less.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this heartfelt episode Zack sits down with Chris Leston, the Executive Director and founder of Away Recovery, a treatment program dedicated to helping individuals overcome substance use challenges located in Pike, N.H. Chris shares his personal journey through addiction and recovery, offering deep insight into the complex world of substance use disorders and the pivotal role the fear and anxiety play in the process.

Chris discusses how underlying issues like perfectionism, control, and fear of judgment contributed to his struggles and how confronting these anxieties was crucial for his healing. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, connection, and facing discomfort to achieve true recovery. The episode also explores how Away Recovery provides a supportive environment for individuals to self-reflect, embrace holistic practices, and work through 12-step immersion programs. This conversation offers valuable perspectives for anyone interested in understanding addiction, recovery, and the transformative power of facing your fears.

Zack’s Hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack talks about how vulnerability will help you Fear Less!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.