The Person Who Believed In Me

Episode: Nick Cannon on NARCISSISM, ADHD & Why Diagnoses Are Just LABELS
Host: David Begnaud
Guest: Nick Cannon
Release Date: March 30, 2026

Episode Overview

In this emotionally rich episode, host David Begnaud sits down with Nick Cannon—producer, comedian, rapper, actor, and media entrepreneur—for an unguarded conversation about discipline, identity, mental health, and the people who shaped him. The central thread is built around the mentor who believed in Nick before the world did: Grandmaster James Wilson, his childhood martial arts instructor. Through deeply personal anecdotes, Nick explores how early lessons in discipline, resilience, and integrity have influenced his public life, his battles with diagnoses such as ADHD and narcissistic personality disorder, his approach to fatherhood, and his relentless drive.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Mentor Who Believed: Grandmaster James Wilson

[03:34 - 16:52]

• Formative Discipline: Nick met Grandmaster Wilson at age 5 when he joined martial arts at his father’s urging. Wilson became a pillar for both the Cannon family and the wider community.
  • “This is Ma James Wilson, my first instructor in the field of martial arts…Just such a great influence to my family…met him when I was five years old.” – Nick Cannon [03:48]
• Larger Than Life Role Model: Wilson represented discipline, integrity, perseverance, and, above all, strength. For young Nick, his presence was nearly mythic.
  • “He was like a superhero to me…He was so strong. And then, to know all the accomplishments, there was like folklore…” – Nick Cannon [15:18]
• Lessons on Integrity: Wilson’s influence extended beyond the studio—he was also a judge, minister, attorney, and preacher, becoming a central problem-solver and moral guide in the community.
  • “All of the things that I attempt to live by to this day…discipline, integrity, perseverance, resilience, strength, you know… probably more than anything is strength.” – Nick Cannon [04:57]
  • “To do the right thing even when no one’s watching. And that just has always sat with me. I pass that on to my kids to this day.” – Nick Cannon [13:56]
• Reflection as Adult: Nick realizes now, looking back, just how profound that belief and example were in his development and what he seeks to foster in his own children.

2. Family, Community, and Growing Up Fast

[16:52 - 22:06]

• Young Parenthood: Nick’s parents were teenagers when he was born. He describes “growing up together” with his father and how evolving perspectives as an adult led to deeper empathy and understanding.
  • “My dad had me when…they were teenagers. I was at my dad’s high school graduation.” – Nick Cannon [18:30]
  • Recognizes the influence and sacrifices of his father, even when physically apart.

3. The Performer’s Origin: Early Creativity and Attention

[22:06 - 26:13]

• Drive for Attention: Nick began doing stand-up at 11 and was always “on,” seeking attention not out of lack, but from natural hyperactivity and love of performance.
  • “I just wanted everybody in our neighborhood to know my name like that.” – Nick Cannon [23:32]
• Supportive Family: His father involved him in community media and encouraged both his comedy and music ambitions, giving him space to express himself.

4. Diagnoses: Labels, Acceptance, and Self-Understanding

[29:02 - 37:18]

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Nick discusses the process of being diagnosed, the stereotypes, and what it means to accept versus be ashamed.
  • “I accepted everything that that test said that I was. …It was the first step of healing for me is it was acceptance…” – Nick Cannon [31:33]
• ADHD as Superpower: Both host and guest reframe ADHD as a creative asset, not a deficit, linking high energy and restlessness to productivity.
  • “With great power comes great responsibility. …ADHD diagnosis and all of that stuff… just love to be on, love to be vibrant and precocious.” – Nick Cannon [26:13], [41:26]
• Depression & Lupus: Nick refuses to let health diagnoses define him. He approaches them as chapters, not his entire story.
  • “Even with my lupus, like…it’s a stage. This is just, I’m, you can say I’m, I’m working through this. I’m dealing with this currently, but it doesn’t define me.” – Nick Cannon [34:03]

5. Dealing With Challenge—Relentless Drive

[35:40 - 39:08]

• Pushing Against Limitations: Nick shares openly about living with lupus, the pain it brings, and his belief that staying active—rather than slowing down—helps him cope.
  • “When I slow down, it hurts more…The thing that makes me feel better is when I get up and go…” – Nick Cannon [35:45]
• Internal Motivation: Cannon says he’s not trying to prove himself to the world, but rather to himself, always seeking new challenges and personal growth.
  • “I’m the kid trying to prove something to himself.” – Nick Cannon [36:53]
  • “One of my therapists called me a machete juggler… it’s like, self challenges.” – Nick Cannon [37:34]

6. Fatherhood: Legacy, Guilt, and Showing Up

[39:08 - 57:09]

• Present Parenting: Cannon is proud to show up for his twelve children and prioritizes being physically, mentally, and emotionally present, despite the demands of his career.
  • “The more I can personally do, it is really the greatest currency that I could ever give my kids.” – Nick Cannon [39:49]
  • “When I am there, I’m present, I’m focused…So then when I miss it, I’m either on the phone or that night, I’m like, how did it go?” – Nick Cannon [55:45]
• On Having a Large Family: He discusses the public’s fascination with his large family, sharing both the pride and daily guilt of not always being able to do more.
  • “Why do you have so many kids? Like I was like, that’s not a…I don’t have an answer for that question.” – Nick Cannon [54:00]
  • “I absolutely deal with guilt daily. I think that’s another driving force.” – Nick Cannon [55:17]
• Legacy Defined: Nick distinguishes between lineage and legacy, seeing his kids as his lineage, but his true legacy as the impact he has on others’ lives.
  • “People think my children are my legacy when I truly believe your children are your lineage. But your legacy is what you do for others, every life you touch.” – Nick Cannon [50:05]

7. Navigating Fame, Creativity, and Controversy

[43:05 - 53:52]

• Cultural Impact: Reflects on creating ‘Wild N Out’ for MTV—one of the first to maintain ownership of his IP, providing a rare platform for Black culture and emerging artists.
  • “I was probably the first…to create their own IP…sold it to MTV…even when MTV goes away, Wild N Out does it.” – Nick Cannon [44:19]
• Dealing with Criticism, Controversy & “Cancel Culture”: Nick welcomes controversy as a challenge, emphasizes sincerity, and isn’t afraid to stand in the fire.
  • “I love standing in the fire. I’m performing it. Standing in the fire while juggling machetes.” – Nick Cannon [53:30]
  • “I’ve been canceled so many times… and made it through and actually come out on the other side even more successful.” – Nick Cannon [52:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On discipline and legacy:
  “Your legacy is what you do for others every life you touch.”
  – Nick Cannon [50:05]

• On acceptance of diagnosis:
  “It was the first step of healing for me is it was acceptance because I accepted everything that that test said that I was.”
  – Nick Cannon [31:33]

• On the impact of his mentor:
  “To do the right thing even when no one’s watching. And that just has always sat with me.”
  – Nick Cannon [13:56]

• On his driving force:
  “I constantly have to prove something to myself.”
  – Nick Cannon [36:53]

• On presence as a parent:
  “The more I can personally do, it is really the greatest currency that I could ever give my kids.”
  – Nick Cannon [39:49]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:34] Introduction of Grandmaster Wilson
• [13:56] Lessons about integrity and discipline
• [26:13] ADHD as both diagnosis and superpower
• [31:33] Accepting the label of narcissism
• [34:03] Treating depression and lupus as chapters, not definitions
• [35:45] Why Nick keeps moving, even through health challenges
• [39:49] Hands-on parenting and time with his children
• [50:05] Redefining legacy: the impact on others
• [52:05] On being “canceled” and coming back stronger
• [54:00] On having a big family and managing guilt as a parent

Tone & Style

The interview is warm, vulnerable, often humorous, and deeply reflective. Nick Cannon is self-aware, insightful, and unguarded—sharing both humility and confidence. David Begnaud, as host, is empathetic, curious, and skillfully facilitates the emotional depth of the conversation.

Final Reflections

David closes the episode by emphasizing the power of connection in struggle, not just in success—a theme echoed by Nick, who repeatedly credits his resilience and perspective to early mentors, supportive family, and relentless self-inquiry. The conversation stands as a testimony to how unseen acts of belief and everyday discipline shape the public faces we come to know.

"I'm Nick Cannon, and the person who believed in me was Grandmaster Wilson."
— Nick Cannon [60:07]