Transforming Childhood Pain: Actress Chrissy Metz’s Journey to Mental Resilience
Join award-winning actress Chrissy Metz as she opens up about her childhood challenges and reveals how she cultivated mental strength, featured in episode 165 of The Verywell Mind Podcast.
Amy Morin, LCSW, is a renowned psychotherapist and bestselling author whose works, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do," have reached readers in over 40 languages. Her TEDx presentation, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," ranks among the most popular talks globally.
In this exclusive episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, sits down with actress Chrissy Metz to explore her early life, anxiety struggles, and the path to building mental fortitude.
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About Chrissy Metz
Chrissy Metz is a celebrated American actress and singer, widely recognized for her role as Kate Pearson on the acclaimed TV series "This Is Us." She has earned nominations for two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and has won two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Her 2018 memoir, "This Is Me," topped The New York Times bestseller list, sharing her personal journey, life lessons, and practical advice for embracing your fullest potential.
Video by: Micah Hamilton and WesFilms
Why Chrissy Metz’s Story Resonates
Although I rarely watch television, "This Is Us" captivated me with its portrayal of how childhood experiences shape adult lives through powerful flashbacks.
The series highlights how both significant events, such as losing a parent, and subtle moments like teasing, leave lasting impressions—whether nurturing or challenging.
Learning about Chrissy’s personal battles, mirroring her character’s struggles, especially her openness about anxiety, inspired me to delve deeper by reading her memoir.
This motivated me to invite her onto the podcast to discuss how she connects her past to her present, much like the show’s narrative approach.
We are either the product of our parents’ unresolved struggles or our own, and these challenges persist until we confront them directly.
Chrissy’s Mental Health Journey
At age 30, Chrissy mistook a panic attack for a heart attack, leading her to the emergency room where she gained clarity about her mental health.
Since then, she has actively worked through difficult aspects of her upbringing and embraced daily practices such as gratitude to nurture her well-being.
Open about attending therapy, Chrissy credits it with deepening her self-awareness and understanding.

Recognizing When to Seek Professional Help
Highlights from the Episode
- Chrissy’s breakthrough role and career beginnings
- Her memorable lunch invitation with Oprah
- The impact of parental unresolved issues on children
- Her experience coping with grief after her estranged father’s passing
- Feelings of childhood exclusion and overcoming them
- Forgiveness towards her stepfather
- Lessons learned from rejection on "American Idol"
- Daily gratitude practices that support her mental health
Over the years, Chrissy has grown more comfortable embracing discomfort as part of her growth.
Insights on Mental Health from Chrissy
She acknowledges that her parents did their best amid their own challenges, which influenced her upbringing.
Through self-discovery, Chrissy has strengthened her self-worth and developed actionable strategies to enhance her mental health daily.
Sharing these insights in her book, she is confident that her approaches can inspire and help others on similar journeys.

About The Verywell Mind Podcast
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Download the Episode Transcript
Additional Resources
- Visit Chrissy’s official website: ChrissyMetzMusic.com
- Follow Chrissy on Instagram: @ChrissyMetz
- Purchase her memoir: "This Is Me"
- Explore Chrissy’s music releases
If you found this episode valuable, explore these related discussions:
- Unpacking Emotional Baggage with Charlamagne Tha God
- Friday Fix: Building Mental Strength
- Overcoming a Difficult Past with Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe
Discover more at The Verywell Mind Podcast

By Amy Morin, LCSW
Amy Morin is a psychotherapist and internationally acclaimed author, known for her bestseller "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do," translated into over 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," remains one of the most-watched presentations globally.
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