The Verywell Mind Podcast How to Find the Courage to Be Yourself With TV Personality Craig Conover By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Learn about our editorial process Published on April 04, 2022 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Meet Craig Conover Why Craig Conover Is Mentally Strong What You’ll Hear on the Show What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength Quotes From Craig More About the Podcast On The Verywell Mind Podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Meet Craig Conover Craig Conover is an attorney who stars in Bravo TV’s reality show, Southern Charm. He’s also the author of "Pillow Talk: What’s Wrong With My Sewing?" He’s the owner of a business called Sewing Down South. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the company sells pillows, apparel, and home goods. Why Craig Conover Is Mentally Strong Craig could easily make it look like he has everything figured out. He’s successful in so many different ways. But, he chooses to talk openly about his struggles with mental health and his past Adderall abuse. He shares about how he’s been bullied, how not everyone understands his passion for sewing, and how he’s managing his mental health. He’s also encouraging others to follow through with their passions, even if most people don’t understand. He wants to help other people find things they love to do, even if their passions don’t conform to traditional gender norms and don’t seem to fit within certain labels someone might have. 7 Tips for Finding Your Purpose in Life What You’ll Hear on the Show How Craig struggled to figure out who he was and how being on reality TV made this more difficult How he found peace being a lawyer, a reality star, and someone who loves to sew pillows all at the same time How he turned his passion into a business The symptoms of OCD he experienced during childhood and what he continues to notice now How he became addicted to Adderall How Craig realized he was depressed What helped him give up his addiction The steps he’s taking to manage his mental health How to get over the fear of not being liked Craig’s advice to anyone who wants to turn a side hustle into a business How to Overcome an Addiction What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength Spending time doing something that you love is a great way to build mental strength. Leisure time activities give your brain a much-needed break from work. Doing fun things is a great investment of your time. Whenever you’re engaged in a hobby, you get an opportunity to learn about yourself. Your hobby might use different parts of your brain that you typically don’t use. Or it might give you an opportunity to rest and feel rejuvenated. So while you might feel guilty doing something you love or you might think you don’t have time, hobbies can be key to healthy psychological well-being. Quotes From Craig Craig Hanover Having my hobby turned into a business now makes me feel complete almost. Don't let anyone steal your happiness. If that's what makes you happy, do it. — Craig Hanover "If you can just make it through high school, all of the things that you get bullied for actually become cool, like being in school becomes cool." "I'd rather be judged on who I am entirely than this partial shadow version of myself." "If some of your coworkers are making fun of the craft that you're making in your garage, or you’re selling your [whatever], or whatever you're doing, it doesn't mean it's a bad idea. They're either just jealous or can't see your vision. I mean, if everyone had the same idea, there wouldn't be any value in yours." Tips For Goal Setting More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors. Thank you. For media or public speaking inquiries, contact Amy here. Download the Transcript Links and Resources Follow Craig on Instagram: @Caconover Check out Craig’s business: Sewing Down South Buy Craig’s Book: Pillow Talk If You Liked This Episode, You Might Also Like These Episodes How to Fight Depression With NFL Reporter Jay Glazer Friday Fix: Simple Tips for Improving Your Mental Health How to Stop Numbing Your Emotions With Bestselling Author Mallory Ervin 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Goals for Yourself By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit