What if the qualities that make you successful are the ones keeping you from getting the help you need? In this episode, I talk with General Gregg Martin, a retired U.S. Army two-star general, about what it’s like to lead at the highest levels while living with bipolar disorder. Greg shares how the same energy, drive, and creativity that propelled his career were also symptoms of a condition that went undiagnosed for decades. We also dive into the cost of high performance, why success can mask serious mental health struggles, and how bipolar disorder often shows up in ways people don’t recognize. Tune in to better understand the complexity of mental health in high performance, work, and leadership.

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In this Episode, You Will Learn

00:00 What does leadership mean to you?

06:30 How gratitude shifts your mindset in high-stress environments.

09:00 Why bipolar traits can be rewarded in leadership roles.

12:30 How the bipolar spectrum shows up over time.

16:30 How structure and routine can stabilize mental health.

19:30 How pressure and responsibility can intensify mental health struggles.

23:00 Why high achievers often go undiagnosed.

26:00 What it feels like to experience rapid emotional shifts in a single day.

30:00 Why success can hide serious internal struggle.

34:00 How performance can stay high even during mental health decline.

41:30 Why mental health diagnoses are often missed.

43:30 How loved ones can help identify what you can’t see in yourself.

46:30 Why do leaders struggle to speak up about mental health?

50:30 Why your mental health challenges don’t define your potential.

Resources + Links

Learn more about Gregg Martin HERE!

Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

Watch the podcast on YouTube

Find more resources on our website morraam.com

Follow

Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

The Gifts And Struggles of a Bipolar General with Gregg Martin