139: Finding Hope in the Darkest Times: My Journey from Depression to Faith

In this episode of the Brave Co Podcast, I sit down with DJ Hernandez, a man whose powerful story of faith and resilience has touched thousands. DJ opens up about his journey through deep depression, a battle with suicidal thoughts, and how he found hope when he felt most abandoned. From his high school years of struggling to fit in to a life-changing experience at the beach, DJ shares how his faith helped him escape the spiral of despair.Through the grace of God and the steadfast support of close friends, DJ’s story highlights the transformative power of community, honest conversations, and unwavering hope. We discuss the epidemic of depression and loneliness that grips so many young people today, diving into the devastating statistics on suicide and mental health. DJ’s message is simple yet profound: even in your darkest hours, you are not alone, and hope is closer than you think.Whether you’re facing similar struggles or just want to be inspired, this episode is a reminder of the light that faith can bring to a broken world. Join us as DJ prays over the Brave Co community, sharing words of encouragement and strength for anyone in need.I am Second  - https://youtu.be/XCUojO8DtVI?si=6Y89w3cHrYqhQ1UsABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Hey BraveCo men! This week, Jay dives deep into spiritual warfare with his dad, Kris Vallotton, revealing why understanding the spiritual battle we face is crucial. Together, they break down Spiritual Warfare 101: where it comes from, how to recognize it, and—most importantly—how to stand firm against the attacks of the enemy. As Kris puts it, “This wasn’t a subject I chased after; it chased after me.” At 22, he experienced debilitating panic attacks and a breakdown that became a turning point. Now, Jay and Kris share insights into the spiritual layers behind these experiences, showing how facing our battles with faith can lead to freedom.Here’s the truth: once we’re saved, Satan’s power over us is broken—except for what we give him through fear and belief in his lies. We need to authorize it for him to have any power! Fear opens the door to faith in the wrong kingdom; meditating on fear empowers the very things we’re called to resist.In this episode, Kris explains how to keep your spiritual "ecosystem" healthy: change what you look for, and you’ll start to see through a new lens. He shares practical tools for discerning what’s from God and what isn’t, helping you spot deception before it takes root.If you’re looking for a book to dig deeper into this topic with a biblical worldview, we recommend Kris’ book Spirit Wars. Learn how to find freedom, stay free, and step into the authority you’ve been given.Spirit Wars: https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Wars-Winning-Invisible-Against/dp/0800794931 ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Hey BraveCo men! This week’s guest is one of my closest friends and hunting partners, Pat Donelson. Pat is an incredible man—generous, loving, and one of the manliest guys I know. We’ve been hunting together since 2007, and this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and powerful lessons from our adventures in the wild.Join us as we dive into some unforgettable hunting and fishing moments, including our recent moose hunt in Alaska! Beyond the thrill of the outdoors, Pat shares a profound testimony from his visit to Bethel. During a SOZO session, he had a life-changing encounter with God’s voice that reshaped his life from that moment on.This conversation is more than just hunting stories—it’s about friendship that challenges and sharpens each other. We reflect on how hunting strengthens our relationship and helps us become better, stronger men. For Pat, it’s about living younger; for me, it’s about growing wiser.At BraveCo, we believe that building confidence as men means stepping out of our comfort zones and testing ourselves. This episode will inspire you to embrace challenges, pursue meaningful friendships, and grow into the man God designed you to be.ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

From near-death to top-tier training, Derek’s story is one of grit, growth, and grace. His mission? To help others tap into their strength—on and off the bike. As a former pro downhill racer, Derek knows that muscle power isn’t just a competitive edge—it’s armor that keeps you fast and injury-free. Now, as the founder of Dialed Health, he’s coaching cyclists to build strength and mobility, making them faster and stronger on every ride.Fitness has been in Derek’s DNA from the start. With a dad who led by example, always working out and inviting the kids to join, Derek grew up with a love for movement. But it wasn’t just the gym that captured his heart; action sports became his playground. Racing downhill was the dream... until the dream didn’t feel quite right anymore. Unsure about his future in the sport, he stepped into personal training full-time, but there was unfinished business on the trail.Then, life threw him a curveball. Derek survived a brutal hit-and-run accident, suffering a shattered femur, fractured spine, broken ribs, a torn colon, and a collapsed lung. The road to recovery was grueling—but it shaped him. Through the kindness of people who knew what it was like to go through pain, Derek found a new perspective. As a coach, he now trains with heart, believing that real strength isn’t just about muscles—it’s about bouncing back.Connect with Derek:Website: https://dialedhealth.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedhealth/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6xKmv1q7-oQEWoosfldtRQ ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Jason and Lauren welcome Dru Hammer to share her incredible journey of faith, resilience, and healing. Dru opens up about her challenging marriage, the painful process of divorce, and the profound role of her relationship with Jesus in restoring her heart. As the daughter of a man who entered a miraculous healing ministry, Dru has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of faith, forgiveness, and surrender.Throughout this conversation, Dru also reflects on raising children, including navigating her son’s (Armie Hammer) struggles and success in Hollywood, and the spiritual battles that families face. This inspiring episode offers deep insights into maintaining hope and faith through life’s darkest times. Don’t miss Dru's emotional story and the practical wisdom she offers to those facing their own challenges.Dru Hammer was married to the late Michael Armand Hammer until 2012 and they share 2 sons – in her book, she opens up about the ‘emotional pain she endured through a difficult divorce: https://druville.com/products/hammeredbookConnect with Dru:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/druhammer/?hl=enABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this lively and candid episode, Jason welcomes back his dear friend Cole Zick for their monthly conversation, and this time they dive into the intense topic of temptation and sex drive. It’s a friendly but heated back-and-forth debate as Jason and Cole take on one of the most prevalent challenges of today’s culture: managing our sex drives in a world that constantly bombards us with temptation.Humanity has stumbled into a "sexual storm," but is it possible to condition our sex drive to honor our spouses alone? Cole argues that not only is it possible, but it's also practically doable, pointing to James 4:8 and the call to resist temptation. Our sex drive and the devil are not the same, and through practice, we can train our minds to the point where frequent temptations lose their power over us.But Jason pushes back, exploring the difficulty of daily resistance, especially in a culture so saturated with sexual imagery and distraction. Together, they tackle the reality that lust is the willful participation in telling a story that isn’t ours—a dangerous narrative that pulls us away from our true purpose.They remind listeners that even Jesus was tempted in every way, meaning He understands what we go through. His death wasn’t just for us, but as us, offering us the strength to make powerful choices in the face of temptation. In this life, we may not be able to eliminate temptation completely, but that’s where the nobility lies—in overcoming, in saying no, and in making decisions that lead us toward freedom.If you’ve ever struggled with managing your sexual urges or wondered if it’s even possible to retrain your mind, this conversation is for you. Join Jason and Cole for a real, raw discussion that will challenge and encourage you to make powerful decisions in your daily battle.Connect with Cole Zick:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colezick/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cczickABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

John Clancy’s life once revolved around Wall Street wealth—luxury yachts, fast cars, and a Manhattan penthouse. But his world came crashing down when he was indicted on charges of grand larceny and fraud, accused of defrauding thousands of investors. Facing 13 felony counts and years in prison, John found himself at a crossroads.A former stockbroker at the infamous Stratton Oakmont, featured in The Wolf of Wall Street, and Founder of Midwest Fitness Partners a franchisee of 50 Planet Fitness units with 10 under development, John experienced a dramatic transformation when he encountered the message of hope in the midst of his crisis. Ultimately, he was acquitted of all charges, but more significantly, John was set free through faith in Jesus Christ, finding forgiveness and new life.Today, John lives out his faith with his family and is the principal owner of several Planet Fitness locations, including the top-performing location in Allentown West, PA. Through his journey, John continues to give generously and share his story of redemption and grace.ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Hey BraveCo Men! Tune in as Jay sits down with Rick Chavez, a man whose life has been radically transformed by God’s grace. Rick's journey is one of intense conflict, growing up in a chaotic home filled with violence while experiencing glimpses of God that only added to his internal turmoil. Despite Rick’s conflicting choices, His belief in the Lord remained. From a young age, Rick was caught in a whirlwind of drugs, gang life, and the weight of becoming a father at 15. Just days after his son was born, Rick faced a charge of attempted murder—a moment that pushed him further into a battle between addiction and his desire to be the father he never had.Rick’s life took a sharp turn when a public defender gave him a choice: rehab or prison. What he didn’t expect was that the rehab would be a deep dive into prayer, fasting, and hours immersed in the Word. Through this, God began to work in Rick’s heart, showing him the power of surrender and transformation.In this conversation, Jason and Rick discuss the struggles men face—feeling conflicted, inadequate, or uncertain about their roles in life. Rick's story is a powerful reminder that no matter how far gone we may feel, God is willing to move mightily in our lives, especially in our marriages and families. The question remains: will you show up and trust Him?Rick, now a leader in men’s core groups at Bethel, shares the lessons he’s learned through pain, redemption, and the power of showing up. Tune in to hear his story of how God can transform a yielded heart, no matter the past.ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Hey BraveCo Men! Get ready for a powerful episode as Jason sits down with his dad, Kris Vallotton, to dive into the vital topic of spiritual intelligence. In today's world, this is our secret weapon as believers—it’s the distinct advantage that sets us apart and draws others in. Why? Because we can only access it through the Holy Spirit.When we receive Jesus Christ, our human spirit connects with the Holy Spirit and comes alive, transforming us from the inside out. Before that, our spirit was incomplete, deformed even, but with His presence, we’re made whole.Many people overlook the importance of spiritual intelligence, but it brings an irreplaceable dimension to our lives. The spiritual realm is very real, and it’s up to us to grow in our understanding of it. Unlike the world, we have the Holy Spirit living within us, empowering us to think beyond human capacity.The Holy Spirit doesn’t just rest upon us—He lives inside of us, giving us access to what Kris calls the third dimension of thinking. We have IQ (intelligence), EQ (emotional intelligence), and now SQ—spiritual intelligence—the mind of Christ. It’s not just thinking like Jesus; it’s thinking His actual thoughts.This episode is for anyone hungry to experience more of God in their everyday life. Tune in and be inspired!Connect with Kris Vallotton: Website: https://www.krisvallotton.com/ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Hey BraveCo Men! Join us in today’s episode as Jay sits down with Cole Zick to dive into the profound insights Cole has gained while reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. They explore the importance of reclaiming your idle time—those precious moments that are often stolen by distractions we barely notice. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling the strain of a hurried life, looking for ways to reclaim their time and mental energy!Cole shares how, for many of us, these stolen moments are most often taken by our phones. He emphasizes that our best brain space is found in those idle times when we allow our minds to wander freely. It's in these moments that we solve problems, spark creativity, and generate fresh ideas. However, when we reach for our phones during those in-between moments, our brains operate at a lower level, robbing us of that valuable cognitive space.They also discuss the misconception that constant activity equals productivity. Cole sheds light on the pressure many feel to always be doing something, yet he challenges this notion, suggesting that there is a more focused and intentional way to live. Just because we have access to more information and education than ever before doesn’t necessarily mean we are becoming more intelligent, healthy, or productive.Tune in for practical advice on how to slow down, be more intentional with your time, and ultimately live a more focused and fulfilling life!Connect with Cole Zick:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colezick/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cczickABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.