Episode 22 — Prioritizing YOUR Happiness In Whatever You Do In Life — with John Cohen - a podcast by Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC

from 2020-07-21T14:00

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There’s the saying by Mark Twain, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” That statement can sadly be hard for many to believe. Is it truly possible to make a living doing what you thoroughly enjoy? 

John Cohen has built up quite a bit of experience in his life. From volunteering at a psychiatric hospital, to working at the first mental health unit serving juvenile offenders for 18 years, to eventually finding his path in Wilderness Therapy, and recently started 2 young adult wilderness programs. In every step of John’s journey he has made sure that he enjoys what he is doing, prioritizing his well being. After he found out about Wilderness Therapy, he decided to combine his love for the outdoors with his passion in working with kids and young adults. John now finds happiness as an Expanse Clinical Director at WinGate Wilderness Therapy.

On this episode of Success is Subjective, John joins Joanna to share his journey going from a lost student with a 1.1 GPA in his freshman year college, to now wearing that as a badge of honor, as it shows the experience he’s gone through to get to the place he’s at now, living his best life. John’s journey shows that it is possible to do what you enjoy for a living, and is someone who always prioritizes that in his life. It might not always be an easy ride, but it will always be worth it. Listen in for insight on how John uses passion as his drive and stays dedicated in providing young adults and their families, effective therapy through genuine connection.

What You Will Learn

  • What John thought college was going to be like 
  • How much John wasn’t mentally ready for college
  • The importance of growing up before going to college, rather than following the herd
  • What made John leave after his freshman year
  • What John did after his freshman year
  • When John went back to college
  • How one professor profoundly impacted John’s life and career path
  • What led John to start volunteering at a psychiatric hospital
  • What the years after he received his bachelor's degree looked like
  • John’s experience being apart of the first mental health unit, serving juvenile offenders 
  • What brought John to leave the the juvenile justice system and pursue wilderness therapy
  • How wilderness therapy was an awakening time in John’s life
  • The lessons that John learned at the first program he worked for
  • What eventually led John to Wingate
  • The importance of making sure whatever you do makes you happy
  • How the experiences John has gained is what brought him to his best life
  • John’s advice to parents and the importance of being vulnerable with your young adult

Connect with John Cohen

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Further episodes of Success is Subjective: Helping parents of college students accept that dropping out is okay

Further podcasts by Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC

Website of Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC