We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jason Kyle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jason thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

It was 2013, and I had just gotten back from serving in the Peace Corps in Albania. It was day 2 of my new job as a Management Consultant, and for 10 hours a day I was cropping screenshots for a user manual that no one was ever gonna’ read. I paused and thought, “Is this really my life?”. And right there in that moment I googled, “how to become a stand-up comedian”. (NOTE: Results essentially said, “idk man, just find a mic and start doing it”)

Living and working in Eastern Europe, where creative and artistic paths for young’ns were practically non-existent, gave me an appreciation for all the opportunities that exist for us here in the U.S. That does NOT mean we can just snap our fingers and BOOM we have the creative job of our dreams. It’s a bumpy road of potholes and missing parts you have to fearfully jump like Keanu in SPEED. But at least the road to those opportunities exist.

And there I was, wasting my untapped creative potential in a tiny cubicle. But that experience living abroad, that perspective, that appreciation, that siloed cubicle, all gave me the courage to take the leap and do what I was born to do. Be creative, and make fun of Management Consulting.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Since I was a young lad (not British, I just like typing the word ‘lad’), I struggled with ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Throughout my childhood and teen years, I thought I was the only one. So I kept it secret. Was GREAT at spilling the beans on other kid’s secrets, but I kept my own close to the chest. In my 20s, I realized other people wrestled with similar things. So I started to harness some of this experience and pain into artistic outlets like stand-up and acting.

For years I went open mic to open mic. Comedy show to comedy show. Acting in indy films and shows no one’s heard of.

I drove back and forth from SF to LA – sometimes multiple times in the same week – working gigs, taking classes, honing skills, eating 7-11 pizza, crashing on couches.

I knew I had the talent and leadership to take on more responsibility, so I started writing/directing/acting in my own plays. Then started landing bigger voiceover roles in national commercials and hit video games.

Throughout this entire time I was trying different medications and therapies. Some worked a little. Some didn’t. Some turned me into a zombie from [inset your fav zombie flick or show HERE].

After I made the official move to LA, and after crying my eyes out while begging people for work, I landed “creative” roles working in “creative” departments in TV Development in Hollywood. (Quotes to exhibit that while it was labeled “creative”, there wasn’t much creative about it)

Thanks to some deep reflection and a strong support group, I realized I was struggling with what a lot of men struggle with. Finding. PURPOSE.

And then…

Call it fate, luck, an act of God, higher power, divine intervention, force majeure, cosmic choreography, or just a plain ol’ fucking happy accident, a buddy of mine called me up.

He said: “I might have a thing for you.”

I said: “Tell me more”.

He said: “Have you heard of the Calm app?”

I said: “Yes, tell me more.”

He said: “Part of the founding team of Calm is starting a new company.”

I said: “Tell me more.”

He said: “It’s an app for men’s mental health.”

I said: “Tell me even more.”

He said: “And they’re looking for a comedy writer.”

I said: “Tell me NO fucking more- let’s set a meeting.”

He put us in touch, and long story not much longer because it’s already long, I became the first hire at Mental, one of the world’s first mental health apps designed specifically for men, as the Head of Creative and Production.

We’re not medication or therapy, we’re science-backed, evidence-based, and an action-oriented approach that helps men take small steps in the right direction, that lead to big changes down the line.

My role is writing/producing/voicing the dailies in the app that mix science, motivation, and wisdom. It’s a daily multivitamin that gives men the perspective and mindset they need in that moment, and their micro-purpose the day. I also wrote/produced and part voiced our cold shower protocol with a Navy SEAL Master Chief. The protocol is a way to help men INCREASE (good) stress in the cold shower by training with science-backed mental tools, that help them DECREASE (bad) stress in everyday life.

Oh, and, I get to swear. Kind of a lot. And it’s fucking GREAT!

Back to the buddy who called me about this opportunity. How did I know this buddy? I met him in 2013. At open mics. Performing (BAD) stand-up comedy.

Had I never taken that frightening plunge from the cubicle to the stage, I never would’ve met him. He never would’ve called me. And I never would’ve found the purpose I have now, in helping other men get Mental.

Feeling stuck? Find the fear. Then run towards it.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield. It’s not my creative bible. It’s THEE creative bible. Read it. Share it. Read it again. Read his other books. Then read this one again. Then LIVE it.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

In my teens I always thought it was about the money and fame. Now it’s as clear as a Venetian glass vase (a clear one) that whatever I do, has to evoke emotion and get others to feel something. It has to have a strong social purpose. It has to drive, inspire, and motivate others and help them find their purpose. It’s not about money and fame. But most of all, it has to bring in shit tons of money and fame.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.getmental.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getmejasonkyle/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thementalapp