The Motyv Podcast · Shayden J. Bertagnolli MS LMFT Men's Mental Health Expert

The Motyv Podcast Episode 23 | Thompson Tough: Finding Hope, Strength and Compassion in Suffering

·58 min·3 clips

Eric says ALS means today is the strongest he will ever be for the rest of his life.

1. The Motyv Podcast episode 23 with Eric Thompson centers on Thompson Tough, hope, compassion, and suffering. 2. Shaden Bertinoli hosts the conversation, and Eric Thompson returns for part two because his ALS story and daily limits shape the discussion. 3. The episode asks how a diagnosis changes self-compassion, compassion for others, and the way men move on from shame. 4. Eric says his voice tires more easily, his legs have weakened in the last three weeks to a month, and he now uses a wheelchair for safety. 5. He explains that the University of Utah and his doctor have told him to stop doing risky things because a fall could cause a neck injury, brain bleed, or broken hip. 6. Eric describes grieving the loss of autonomy, getting angry, and then having to ask for help and accept his new reality. 7. Shaden says his mission is to help liberate men, and he links that to hope and self-compassion instead of shame and self-hate. 8. Eric says ALS increased his awareness of other people, including wheelchair access, handicapped parking, and people who feel alone or helpless. 9. He says he was already empathetic with his wife, kids, family, and football players, but his awareness outside that world was limited before. 10. He says the disease attacks him physically and mentally, and it chips away at self-worth every day. 11. Eric says he used to understand depression for only short periods, but ALS has made him more aware of anxiety, self-worth, and mental pain. 12. He says he can steer his mind toward positive things, ask for help from Sky, and schedule time to connect without phones or television. 13. He says his hope now includes appreciating what he can still do today, because there will be a day when he longs for today’s abilities. 14. He names specific anchors in the week, including Tuesday night basketball for one son, Monday night basketball for another son, Wednesday night basketball for Jack, and family plans like a comedy show. 15. He says his suffering is getting worse, but his happiness has increased because he is more present than he was before. 16. Shaden and Eric connect that present-moment hope to connection, service, and the idea that life with meaning comes from helping others. 17. The interview is conversational and reflective, with Shaden asking pointed follow-up questions and Eric answering in long, concrete examples. 18. The tone stays direct and personal, with theological references, family details, and practical talk about daily routines. 19. Listeners interested in men’s mental health, faith, ALS, and self-compassion. 20. Skip if you want light banter or short, fast-paced conversation.

As heard by us

A reflective conversation that turns suffering into a steady search for connection.

Eric Thompson's second conversation starts with a small test of endurance, then opens into a plainspoken look at what can slip away and what still holds. The thread settles on hope that does not depend on circumstance, but on connection with God, with self, and with other people.

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Why you'd press play

You want a candid return visit about pain, hope, and finding connection in the middle of illness.

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