We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonathan Niziol. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonathan below.

Jonathan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Yes, there was a defining moment in my professional career that changed its trajectory completely. It was the sudden passing of my mother just before my 21st birthday. This devastating loss was compounded by the deaths of three close friends and a traumatic sexual assault during a model casting. These events triggered a downward spiral into a decade-long battle with alcohol, drug addiction, eating disorders, and mental health challenges.

At my lowest, my excessive drinking led to acute pancreatitis, resulting in a month-long hospital stay, a 60-pound weight loss, five blood transfusions, and two near-death experiences. I was heavily reliant on substances like marijuana, Nitrous Oxide, Muscle Relaxers, Ibuprofen, and Adderall.

This period of immense struggle became a turning point. I realized I had to make a change if I wanted to survive and thrive. Today, I celebrate 17 years of sobriety from alcohol and 7 years free from all other substances. This transformation allowed me to rebuild my career and life, becoming an esteemed international model and an advocate for men’s mental health.

The key lesson from my experience is the power of resilience and the importance of seeking help. My journey taught me that no matter how deep the struggles, it’s possible to emerge stronger and make a positive impact. This drive to break the cycle of silence around men’s mental health continues to inspire my work and my advocacy.

Jonathan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Jonathan Niziol. I began my career as a lacrosse player, drafted 31st overall by the Arizona Sting in the 2005 NLL Entry Draft and playing professionally for three years in Canada. Today, I celebrate a successful 15-year journey as an international model, working with global brands like Men’s Health Editorial and Hugo Boss. Alongside modeling, I’ve been a certified personal trainer for 14 years and a real estate investor in Dallas/Fort Worth for the last three. Sharing my story is my way of offering hope to others facing similar struggles. My resilience drives me to empower others on their path to recovery and mental well-being.

My journey has been marked by profound loss and personal struggles. A 15-year spiral into alcoholism, drug abuse, exercise addiction, severe anxiety, panic disorder, and clinical depression began with the sudden death of my mother, the loss of close friends, and a harrowing incident of sexual assault during a modeling casting. Despite a facade of success on social media, my life was a hidden battle.

Growing up on a farm east of Toronto, I enjoyed a serene, carefree environment with hardworking parents who instilled values of work ethic and sustainability. However, returning home from college at age 20, I faced the devastating loss of my mother just before my 21st birthday. This triggered a downward spiral into anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse, leading to panic attacks and suicidal thoughts.

A turning point came when a near-death experience with acute pancreatitis resulted in a month-long hospital stay, five blood transfusions, and a 60-pound weight loss. This forced me to confront the severity of my alcohol addiction.

A year after leaving the hospital, I signed with my first modeling agency, Sutherland Models, and began traveling internationally, working in multiple markets including Cape Town, Miami, New York, LA, Seattle, London, and Dallas. However, the path to recovery was fraught with challenges. An early trauma from a sexual assault in Miami further intensified my struggles, leading to an eight-year battle with an eating disorder and functional bulimia. My coping mechanisms escalated to habitual marijuana use.

Life in Toronto became characterized by isolation, excessive weed smoking, and substance abuse, including a dangerous cocktail of medications. I was abusing Adderall, using nitrous oxide, and taking muscle-relaxing pills called Robax (methocarbamol) in extreme amounts — each pill contained 500g of methocarbamol, 200mg of ibupofen. I was taking 100 pills a day, everyday which equates to 50,000g of methocarbamol and 20,000mg of Ibuprofen.

Through therapy, I gained the tools to navigate life without addiction. My journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and acceptance transformed me into a beacon of hope. Now, 17 years sober and seven years free from drugs, I use my social media platform to share my story, hoping others can draw strength from my experiences. My mission is to break the stigma surrounding mental health struggles, addiction, eating disorders, and sexual assaults, offering support to those who feel alone in their battles.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, the people you surround yourself with are crucial for success in any field. You need supportive and encouraging people who will also tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. When I was younger, my parents played a pivotal role in shaping my journey, offering invaluable guidance and wisdom. They instilled in me the values of resilience, taking initiative, persistence, and hard work. As an adult, my dad’s actions serve as a living testament to these principles and continue to inspire how I want to live my life.

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

One of my favorite books is “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” It serves as a guide on how to be a good person, emphasizing simple yet impactful principles like thinking of others and not just yourself. I believe society would greatly benefit if everyone read this book and incorporated its messages and practices into their lives, regardless of their field, line of work, or stage of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jonathanniziolofficial.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanniziol/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094469487456
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-niziol-62460698/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd78GKaSm71__LwE-2OKZew
• Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@jonathanniziol
  Personal Training Services – https://www.jonathanniziolofficial.com/fitness

Image Credits

All images shared are owned by myself