Charmagne the God (Leonard McKelvey), a radio and television personality best known as the co-host of the radio show “The Breakfast Club,” opened up about his struggles with mental health issues on former Hillsong New York Church pastor Carl Lentz's podcast, “Right On,” alongside Lentz.
“I've suffered from severe anxiety and depression my whole life,” she said. Black Effects Podcast Network, said Lentz detailed how his anxiety manifested itself at a young age.
“I used to have really bad panic attacks — uncontrollable panic attacks,” he added. “Crying uncontrollably, being scared to death of the environment I'm in. I don't necessarily know why no one is calming me down. I don't even know why I'm in this state.”
He also recalled an incident in his 30s when he thought he was having a heart attack, but doctors told him it was a panic attack and that his “athlete's heart” was fine.
According to Church LeadersThe interview also touched on Charmagne's journey to success in media, marriage and therapy, but Charmagne admitted that achieving that level of success didn't make his life better.
“I'm making more money than I've ever made in my life. I'm having more success than I've ever had in my life. But it hasn't changed anything. In fact, it may have made things worse,” he said.
“I wasn't living the way I should have been living,” Charmagne admitted.
The radio presenter also confessed that his wife caught him cheating one night.
“What are you doing with your life? You're about to lose everything, including us,” she said.
“I was becoming what I hated,” Charmagne said. “What I hated was the way my dad treated my mom.” He also revealed that his father was addicted to drugs and alcohol, and “ruined his marriage” with infidelity.
“I didn't want to be that person,” Charmagne said.
“I have to raise my children with love, not fear,” Charmagne, a father of four, continued. “I feel like my dad raised me with fear.”
After undergoing therapy, Charlamagne began to feel a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time. The therapy helped him change the way he thought and acted, and helped him rebuild trust with those closest to him.
“Everyone needs to share their stories to eliminate the stigma around mental health,” Charmagne said.
Charlemagne the God wrote the book “Shock One: Anxiety is plaguing me” was released earlier this year.
“He knows that going to therapy and showing vulnerability can create anxiety in the black community, but this is one of the reasons he wants to embrace his truth – to pave the way for others to not feel embarrassed about talking openly about their mental health,” the book's description reads.
Photo credit: ©Larry French/Stringer
