Episode Overview
Podcast: Mick Unplugged
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Will Craig
Episode: "Will Craig: Transforms Fear Into Freedom"
Date: July 5, 2025
In this compelling episode, Mick sits down with Will Craig—a best-selling author, viral speaker, and mental health advocate—whose journey is marked by overcoming trauma, chronic illness, and personal loss. The conversation centers around transforming fear and adversity into an engine for connection, leadership, and genuine legacy. Listeners are invited to move beyond the conventional “why” to their deeper “because,” uncovering core motivations that fuel resilience, purpose, and impact.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Power of Meaningful Connections [(00:46 - 04:13)]
- Social Media & True Engagement:
- Mick and Will discuss how a simple, authentic outreach (in their case, via Instagram) can spark substantial relationships.
- "Just shoot your shot, reach out… shoot your shot, but make it meaningful." — Mick [02:50]
- Advice for Networking:
- Will emphasizes research and purposeful questions over superficial interactions, noting that good questions leave lasting impressions.
2. Will Craig’s Origin Story – From Fear to Purpose [(04:39 - 06:31)]
- Defining “Because”:
- Will’s driving force has transitioned from overcoming adversity to helping others feel less alone in their struggles.
- “When you're in the darkest parts of your life… you're not alone.” — Will Craig [05:12]
- Living with Chronic Illness:
- Will details his lifelong battle with hydrocephalus, requiring six brain surgeries and constant vigilance.
3. Living with Urgency and Preparedness [(08:20 - 12:32)]
- Daily Reality of Risk:
- Will shares the gravity of living with a brain shunt—if it fails, he has an eight-hour window to receive surgery.
- “At the end of the day, I'm gonna need brain surgery if it breaks. So that's… obvious.” — Will Craig [11:15]
- The Importance of Plans & Support Systems:
- Will stresses the necessity of preparation—medical teams, informed loved ones, and clear plans—while also noting the emotional burden on his family.
- Mick's Reflection:
- Mick challenges listeners to reflect on their own priorities: “If you had eight hours, what's important to you? Who are the people around you?” [12:32]
4. Who Will Was vs. Who He Is Now [(06:31 - 14:36)]
- Old Identity:
- Will describes his younger self as driven by fear and a need to overcompensate, leading to arrogance and insecurity.
- “I truly believed that my existence in other people's lives was a sunk cost to them… I had to be exceptional.” — Will Craig [07:04]
- Current Mission:
- His focus is on vulnerability, connection, and leadership without regret.
5. Writing as Healing and Advocacy [(14:36 - 22:38)]
- Path to Authorship:
- Will’s first book was born from years of blogging and a friend’s challenge—writing brought catharsis and structure to his journey.
- The Book’s Purpose:
- “To care about your mental health, to care about your experiences. Like, these things matter.” — Will Craig [15:42]
- The Power of the Pause:
- Will advocates for intentional resetting and reflection, especially for men struggling with cultural expectations of toughness.
6. The "Sunday Reset" and Mindset Toolbox [(16:49 - 24:38)]
- Pause Practices & Recognition:
- Will prescribes noticing physical cues (heart rate, breath, racing thoughts) to recognize when a pause is needed.
- “Be in tune with your body to know… my heart's beating a little bit faster… just take five seconds, breathe in, breathe out.” — Will Craig [18:33]
- Journaling:
- Daily writing is his cornerstone tool, helping identify patterns, process emotions, and foster self-awareness.
- “Journaling… my best and most useful thing.” — Will Craig [21:15]
- Breathwork:
- Breathwork techniques help manage anxiety and enable better decision-making.
7. The Release of the Sunday Reset Journal [(22:38 - 25:08)]
- Journal Details:
- Organized in four sections: Grief, Healing, Self-Discovery, and Hope. Constructed for reflective prompts and creative expression.
- Inspired by Will’s own therapeutic journey, where writing letters became an entryway to healing.
- “Each [section] has five to six prompts… room for writing, for doodling, for reflection.” — Will Craig [23:25]
- Available via Amazon July 1. [24:42]
8. Defining and Living Your Legacy [(25:08 - 29:04)]
- Zero Regrets:
- Will encourages listeners to seize opportunities and push through barriers.
- “There's nothing stopping you but you. But do you really want to look back… and wonder, what if I had gone for it?” — Will Craig [26:07]
- Modeling for Others:
- His wish is for everyone he leads to derive tangible inspiration and to model healing and authenticity for future generations.
9. Actionable Advice for Viewers [(27:49 - 29:04)]
- Daily Legacy Practice:
- “If someone were to follow my lead, what would I want them to learn from me?” — Will Craig [27:49]
- Emphasizes leadership by example, intentional daily living, and self-reflection.
10. Quick Five: Personal Side of Will Craig [(29:11 - 31:56)]
- Favorite College Basketball Team: Purdue, though childhood allegiance was UNC.
- Comfort Food: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans [30:09].
- Mood-Boosting Song: "Inception" by Logic — his pre-interview hype track [30:30].
- Unplug Ritual: Quality time with friends, phone-free [31:07].
- Biggest 2025 Lesson: Learning to actually forgive himself [31:38].
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “When you're in the darkest parts of your life… you're not alone. There are other people who have been in your shoes.” — Will Craig [05:12]
- “Just shoot your shot, reach out… shoot your shot, but make it meaningful.” — Mick [02:50]
- “We live in an opportunity right now where… there's nothing stopping you but you.” — Will Craig [26:07]
- “To forgive myself and actually mean it.” — Will Craig, on the biggest lesson he’s learned so far in 2025 [31:38]
- “Check in on your friends, even when things are going well. …That little bit of connection… that's enough to make them realize that you're still there.” — Mick & Will [33:01-33:27]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:46 – How Mick & Will met: Power of social media
- 04:39 – Will shares his "because" and opens up about his medical journey
- 07:04 – Will describes his younger self and formative experiences
- 10:36 – Managing chronic illness and the importance of support systems
- 14:36 – The book: genesis, writing as healing
- 16:49 – The “Sunday Reset” and how to actually pause
- 22:38 – The journaling tool and practical prompts for healing
- 25:08 – Legacy: the urge to live without regrets
- 29:11 – Quick Five: Rapid-fire fun facts
How to Connect with Will Craig
- Instagram & Social: @mentalhealthwithwill
- Podcast: Sunday Reset with Will and Friends (Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts)
- Blog: The Battle You Know, Not
Takeaways for Listeners
- Your “because” holds transformative power. Go beyond “why” to claim it.
- Preparedness, connection, and reflection are essential strategies for turning fear into freedom and loneliness into legacy.
- Leadership is lived and witnessed; your daily actions, not just your words, shape your impact.
- Check in on your friends—the smallest gesture can mean everything.
- Start where you are: reach out, write, breathe, and live so that you leave no regrets behind.
“Remember: your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.” — Mick Hunt [34:03]