John found laughter to be the best medicine in his mental health journey. Just when John was starting his career as a comedian, he received a diagnosis of Bipolar 1 disorder. He feared that this would end his comedy career. For a long time, John tried to outrun his Bipolar 1 diagnosis. “I was trying relentlessly to pursue making it as a comedian, determined not to let bipolar disorder hold me back.” John would experience severe manic episodes followed by dark depressive episodes. He pushed forward with his life goals without addressing the underlying mental health challenges he was facing. “The truth is, not making my mental health central to my life is what held me back.”  

John learned that by prioritizing his mental health, he was better able to achieve his goals. In his recovery journey, John began including his experiences with Bipolar 1 disorder in his comedy routine. “Talking about deeply personal experiences actually taps into something that’s universal and a part of the human condition.” Everyone is impacted by mental illness in some form or another, John discovered. By incorporating his experiences with mental illness in his routine, he opened the door for others to talk about it.  

Since opening up about his experiences with mental illness, John has been able to start a podcast, Episodic, with his friend Andrea, who also has bipolar disorder. Together, they destigmatize bipolar disorder through comedy. He also filmed a comedy special, The Manic-Depressive Chocolate Fountain Operator, where he shares how Bipolar 1 disorder impacts his life in a comedic form. “Laughter unites people,” John explains.  

Still wanting to help destigmatize mental illness and give back to his community, John started volunteering with NAMI-NYC’s In Our Own Voice program. With In Our Own Voice, John had the opportunity to share directly with people living with mental illness how he achieved recovery and success. He even had the opportunity to return to one of the hospitals where he received treatment. “It was really amazing for me to go back there and give a presentation to try to be helpful to folks who are going through a rough time like I was.” Through his work, John gives hope and helps others realize that it’s okay to talk, and even joke, about living with a mental illness.