#234 - James Cunnama: Identity, Mental Health, and Finding Your Way Back

<p>James Cunnama is a former professional triathlete who finished top 5 in Kona, won Challenge Roth, and made a career of endurance. But his real story isn’t about race results—it’s about who he became after crossing the finish line.</p><p><br></p><p>In this raw and honest conversation, James opens up about losing his identity when he retired from pro sport, struggling with suicidal thoughts, and learning that presence matters more than podiums. We discuss his coaching philosophy on removing friction to enable passion, why small daily improvements compound into life transformation, and how fatherhood forced him to answer the hardest question: <em>Who am I?</em></p><p><br></p><p>James also shares his last day working at GTN after five years, what his kids have taught him about what really matters, and why you can&#39;t help others until you&#39;re willing to reach out for help yourself.</p><p><br></p><p>This is a conversation about mental health, purpose, family, and the often-invisible struggle behind someone who looks like they have it all figured out.<br><strong>James’ IG: </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamescunnama/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/jamescunnama/</a><br><strong>James’ Coaching:</strong> <a href="https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiscoaching.com%2Finquiry%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAafApMPQEhyiU9eWQ7IpGLHLcSjUkft74HmWsyx0n6f9--GSP6D8q1ON_m19rQ_aem_ApEA4D9BnIcLrCuEVRtxMA&e=AUCCs5sqMEMjd2MrvtbM5Bb-iz0wmnWxyeMp6oBfh_zRjYM5PkSDUi1eJOXJjnA59PL30FnBStZUOHyQejf4JBjNG0Nggrl7uCXjrUQ26AWssFS48OG-1pG0F9c51U1juZI-0hCZlfkfRiubUWu7PtkhvzeN" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.kiscoaching.com/inquiry</a></p><p><br><strong>Suicide Prevention Hotlines – Worldwide</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>USA:</strong> 988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988, 24/7) <a href="https://bellehealth.co/international-suicide-hotlines/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Belle</a></li><li><strong>USA (Crisis Text):</strong> Text HOME to 741741 (24/7) <a href="https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/commission-meetings/commission-meeting-may-28-2026/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">ca</a></li><li><strong>Canada:</strong> 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline (24/7) <a href="https://bellehealth.co/international-suicide-hotlines/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Belle</a></li><li><strong>UK:</strong> Samaritans – 0800 689 5652 or 0800 689 0880 (24/7) <a href="https://findahelpline.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Find a Helpline</a></li><li><strong>Australia:</strong> Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24-hour) <a href="https://www.samaritans.org.nz/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Samaritans</a></li><li><strong>New Zealand:</strong> Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (7am–midnight) <a href="https://mentalhealth.org.nz/helplines" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Mental Health Foundation</a></li><li><strong>New Zealand (Samaritans):</strong> 0800 72 66 66 (24/7) <a href="https://lifeline-international.com/member/new-zealand/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Lifeline-international</a></li><li><strong>India:</strong> KIRAN – 1800-599-0019 (24/7) <a href="https://findahelpline.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Find a Helpline</a></li><li><strong>South Africa:</strong> 0514445691 <a href="https://healthcollective.in/contact/helplines/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Healthcollective</a></li><li><strong>France:</strong> 3114 (24/7) <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Psychology Today</a></li><li><strong>Germany:</strong> Telefon Seelsorge (online chat 4pm–11pm CET) <a href="https://www.suicidestop.com/call_a_hotline.html" target="