I Solved Her Life-Long Anxiety in Two Weeks 

Hi all, this is Melinda! 👋🏻 Your generous, supportive comments have been incredible to read. It's been so healing to see that many of you related to my story 💗 Also, in case you needed to hear this today... I know you might be sitting there watching this, feeling like you WANT to want real love and connection, but it just doesn't feel realistic or worth your effort. You might feel like connecting with others isn’t worth giving up your peace. It's not worth the racing heart and the panic attacks and the never-ending mental roller coaster that keeps you up all night. It's not worth putting yourself out there, only to feel constantly talked over and misunderstood. But I know there's another part of you deep down that knows you deserve to experience real love and connection. And in your moments of strength and optimism (even if they're few and far between), the first step is to start loving and trusting YOURSELF first. Everything starts from there. I never would have been able to do this challenge if I hadn't decided 6 years ago that I deserved better than the shitty ways I was treating myself. If you show yourself love (even if it feels fake for a while) and you take small steps to heal at your own pace, one day you'll wake up stunned to realize that you're not faking it anymore. You WILL feel that love for both yourself and others. You WILL be able to see real progress. And even though I know it might not seem like it right now, it IS worth it - and the fear becomes a dance partner instead of a demon. Sending you all so much love. Take care of yourselves ❤

I was severely traumatized 18 years ago as a teenage, got diagnosed with ADHD. Spent my whole life fighting ADHD. Also suffered severe anxiety and mental disorder. Not until my mom recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

melinda was already kind of a boss to want to do this ON CAMERA. This is actually the nightmare worst case scenario for anyone with social anxiety

The coolest thing about these videos is seeing how well someone I associate with writing transitiion over and succeed in a RU-vid content format

How to Overcome Anxiety 1. Desensitization (get outside, talk to strangers, realize the awkwardness won’t kill you) 2. Curiosity (when you train yourself to be curious about others/new activities, you remove the constant focus away from yourself) 3. Humor (You’ll stop worrying what other ppl think of you when you realize how seldom they do) 4. Vulnerability (the going 1st principle) 5. Authenticity

I like that unlike a lot of "self help" authors, you seem willing to actually go out and prove that what you say/do can help regular people. I look forward to the rest of this series for sure.

I'm a 19 year old guy and I cried through the whole video. To everyone suffering anxiety, you are heard, you are seen, and you are loved.

Mark is better than any psychiatric doctor I have ever met. Instead of BS appointments and medication Mark helped this young lady via exposure therapy and “commiserating together”. He was an “active participant” in hear treatment and I can’t even imagine how much better she feels. Both of you did great. Looking forward to watching more of these videos.

It's so refreshing to see the action behind the "self-development" stuff. This feels so real and raw, amazing Marc love the direction. Great job Melinda.

Anyone else tearing up from watching this? Way to go Melinda, that was badass. Love the video, Mark. Seeing these principles shown in a practical sense was a very powerful way to portray it. 👏 To anyone else out there facing similar things. You got this.

I can tell Mark approached this whole project from a place of love and empathy over anything else. All her challenges were approachable and usually fun and even funny. This is why Mark's work is so attractive to me. Breakthroughs are fun now, and they even have naughty words. Thanks for making this your life's work!

I went through that journey on my own, forcing myself to speak to strangers, dealing with their rejection etc, it was so powerful and all along people said I was a weirdo for challenging myself, but I became so much stronger for it. Well done on helping this lady Mark, and to anyone out their who is struggling, just take it one step at a time, in your own time, but push forward, moving outside your comfort zone makes your comfort zone rapidly expand

You're making the world a better place one step at a time, well done!

It would be fantastic to see a follow up in 6 months! You rock, Mark. It's inspiring to see Melinda find more of her courage and curiosity. She's set an example for all of us who live within our heads rather than the world.

This is like an awesome Mr. Beast/Self-Help/Psychology mashup. Love the direction this channel is taking. Feels like a genuine and natural progression of your writing and course work. Nice job, Mark!

That was really beautiful. This video made me cry. I’ve suffered from social anxiety my whole life and it’s nice to see others making strides to overcome it. I just assumed life would always be this way. This gives me hope which I lost a long time ago. I’m even terrified to post this comment but I’ll do it.

This was deeply moving. Melinda, thank you for sharing your vulnerability and Mark, thank you being the catalyst.

As someone who actively works on their own social anxiety and pushes himself to improve on a daily basis, I appreciate this video. Thanks for everything you do mark!

The fact that she laughs when she’s anxious is actually kind of adorable and makes her come across very warm and friendly.

Its so emotional to see Milinda improve through this process, nd I'm watching her improving, and in stage 5 when all invited her with claps - surprise.... Literally i got emotional by seeing how confidently she was speaking, and sharing learnings... ❤️Its just so powerful..!!!

Writing this comment is hard because of my social anxiety but less with videos like that. So helping and genuine, thanks Mark !

FINALLY MY Wait Is Now Ended ❤❤❤

I suffered from social anxiety all my life and i never knew what it was called until my mid 20s. growing up in a Hispanic household in the 90s, anxiety was never spoken of mainly because there wasn’t any knowledge about it but now as an adult i understand what causes my anxiety and i can find resources to help myself. i needed to watch this. thank you for everything you do Mark!

It would be amazing to see Melinda and how she's doing in 6 months or even a year. Seeing the long term effects of this experiment would be really interesting!

You can tell Melinda wanted this for herself more than the money. Anxiety will tell you $10,000 isn’t worth it, but she went all in. This was awesome

Crazy how the 10K cheque incentive probably didn't matter. Getting rid of anxiety is priceless. Btw, thank you Mark for writing Models. I'm reading it at the moment and applying everything I've learned from it to my actual social life. It helps me a lot. Wish I did it sooner, but better late than never!

Saw Mark in a normal human space for the first time. Idk In his RU-vid videos he seems to me like someone who would just ignore you in the crowd with a weird looking face, but he seems genuine caring person in this video. Well done, Mark, you'll always be the big difference in Melinda's life

This actually made me cry at the end. The only way to cure anxiety is to face it head on and this video is an example of that. As an anxious person myself it's so important to remember the suffering comes from our perspective and that by changing our perspective we can change the way we see life. Well done to mark for changing her life that's something that money can't buy

Wow, that was fucking beautiful, I cried my ass off during her speech. All the unfolding of her person in so little time, overcoming something (we) think is stuck with us for our entire lives. When you overcome things like anxiety in your life, you know how liberating it feels. It brought me back to my moments of liberation, but also how beautiful it is to see other humans free themselves. Bravo to Melinda!

Man I am seeing your content for almost three years. Read your books in 2018. But hands down I can say this is the best thing you have ever done. Love you mark . Keep changing lifes ❤

Imagine healing someone's anxiety. It's going to open a whole new aspect of life for her. Well done Mark! You have my respect.

She is one of the most adorable people I’ve seen and Mark you’re goddamn superhero. Finally through your recent videos I can see a small beam of light in these so dark and depressing times.

This is the kind of social experiment that could change people’s lives what a creative and altruistic project I loved how much she transformed with every task i feel like she even looks different towards the end!

😍 Bravo storytelling! I completely forgot about the $10,000 prize at the end bc I was so invested in seeing her growth. Props to the editor.

I was moved to tears as I went on this journey with Melinda.Mark, you are an incredible human with a huge heart and I am so glad I crossed your path. Thank you for all you do for everyone ... those who make themselves visible to you, but mostly ... on behalf of those who are silent. xo

I love this direction you're taking the channel, Mark! As someone who has struggled with anxiety on and off over my life and finally is in a place where I feel great and comfortable and even energized around people, especially new people, this video literally brought tears to my eyes. Keep up what you're doing!

It's not about getting rid of your anxiety but learning to play with it, it's all about changing your perspective! damn I watched this twice lol I've struggled with anxiety over the tiniest things and thought it would never go away but this really give me hope

As someone who suffers from social anxiety too, I was able to relate to Melinda a lottt. This was super inspirational and imma try those tips because I want to change too. Thanks Mark and Melinda for having the courage to do this! 💗💗

This was so beautifully wholesome Mark. You truly are making the world a much better place. Thank you for the smiles, the wisdom, and as always, the authenticity. Cheers🎉

This was AWESOME! She seemed so much more grounded throughout the process. Good job Melinda and Marc :)

😍 *Your COURAGE to 1, embark on this journey for yourself & 2, share it, is such a GIFT to yourself and those of us who witness it. Thank you, Melinda. 💚 There's so much power & healing in VULNERABILITY.* 🙏🏾

I love how creative you are with helping people solve their problems. You’re the most interesting writer I know!

So proud of both of you. Inspiring as f. It's nice to see a selfhelp going out in the field and really helping people. Can't wait to see more

Thank you Mark and Melinda for sharing your hearts and wisdom. This video speaks volumes. I also suffer with a degree of social anxiety and have felt disconnected from others since being a teenager until today, ( I 'm in my thirties). After almost twenty years of therapy and medication, I'm still struggling, so it feels good to know there's hope and much more people going through the same..For all of you I send love and encouragement. It's not an easy world but if we take a tiny step every day, things will change ( at least I hope so!)

Good on you, Mark. For ALSO trying something new and braving this direction. Life doesn't come with cheat codes or walk throughs - so we cope - and many of us disappear along the way. Life is good, when you can figure out what is holding you back. A lot of us are being held back and we don't know why or how to get away from it. We all need help, love and understanding.

awe I has the genuine feels for this. I don't know her but I'm incredibly proud of her. I think anxiety is something you probably never "get over" but just learn to dance with and befriend. Cheers to her success going forward and hugs to anyone who deals with this on a daily basis.

I loved every single second of this video.Thank you for taking this route, Mark. You continue being an inspiration for so many people.

What a great change for a already great woman. Her giggly laughter and wide smile makes me happy! I wish you the best! Thank you for sharing this happy story.

If you're interested in participating in a video like this, fill out the form here: mrk.mn/youtube

Hi Mark! I loved this video thoroughly! I can't thank you enough for the work you do, I am ever so indebted. I feel she (Melinda) is so fortunate to go through this challenge with you in person. I have read a little bit about you and a few books you published. They are all awesome. I am on a journey to read every book you've ever written, but above all I would love to meet you in person as soon as I can. Listening to you, reading your books feels like being saved from drowning into the sea of anxiety, depression, and mental trauma. Thank you once again for being there, being a beacon lamp, being such a nice and noble person 🙏💗😇

Such a beautiful video. I suffered from social anxiety my whole life. Seeing Melinda go through these challenges and coming out the other side with a new perspective on life feels so inspiring

A beautiful and touching story! Great lessons to help people who deal with anxiety, whether big or small. Thanks for sharing this, Mark! This is a very original way to help and educate people at the same time with your usual humor and insightful philosophy. Can't wait to watch the next one!

This video is awesome and yet again proves “ in vivo therapy” ie just go and do it in real life is the best way. If she sat around and intellectualized /spoke abstractly about her anxiety she would never make this progress.

This came at a right time because I’ve been eager to talk to a new student in my grade but my social anxiety has been keeping me away from that opportunity. I’m just grateful that I now have a completely new perspective on socializing, rather than seeing it as a test

This is joyous and yes I teared up big time. Thank you Mark and thank you Melinda for being so vulnerable and brave and showing us a pathway for change with our own anxiety and awkwardness. Powerful stuff

Sweet Melinda sounds like an HSP, her light sure shines like one. Exquisitely sensitive nervous system, walking antenna picking up everyone else's energy, the feelings are so loud that it's hard to hear your own thoughts. Spend a lifetime trying to decipher your feelings from everyone else's and learn how to manage this gift, substances are a common way of coping. Finding that piece to my puzzle has changed my life. Love the video, all very helpful info. ❤

Amazing video!!!! I remember your video where you announced downside of youtube/books driven self help culture and that you would work on making something different. Very happy to see this initiative.

You rock Mark!

Wow. That was so moving & ccompekking! 10,000 well earned Melinda! Wishing you all the best going forward in your less anxious life.☘️💕

Incredible video. I would love to see an update in 6 months to see how Melinda is getting along. What a terrific idea! More videos like this please!

Cheers ✨🥂 Melinda and Mark!!! As a person who’s always suffered w/ anxiety - this brought tears to my eyes! Didn’t think I could love you or your work any more than I already do, Mark - but I was wrong!!! Bravo 👏🏽 ✨🥳. Just incredible

This is such a wonderful thing! Thank you Mark and Melinda!

I straightaway teared up towards the end of this video, Mark. What a brilliant way to help someone deal with their anxiety, and help people grow in their lives. As someone who has struggled from anxiety and depression from a long time due to various past traumas, I would definately do something like this even if there was no reward, no money at the end. Keep doing this Mark, it always makes me happy to watch such videos and how you make a difference in people's lives. Thank you.

Wooh man, I didn't expect I would cry watching this. I relate to Melinda in so many levels. She's so brave and inspiring. ❤

Hey Mark! I'm a huge fan of your work, and your book has genuinely impacted my life in ways I couldn't have imagined. I've been religiously following your RU-vid videos and absolutely love the content you bring forth. Quick audio tip for you: Try standing a bit further from the mic, cutting the low end at 100kHz, and adding some compression. This could really boost your sound quality.

The timing of this video was perfect lol. I always beat myself up for feeling socially anxious and then I get stuck in the feedback loop. I feel like my social anxiety makes me unworthy or relationships and the people I want to be with. Working on it and always come back to this channel when I'm feeling out of it. Keep up the good work, Mark 👏

What a beautiful video, as a person fighting from social anxiety as well this gives me some more hope/motivation to get better. One of the best videos i've seen in a long time

She has the sweetest laugh ❤ .. And that laugh has a lot of stories and lessons to tell. Keep it up Mark! I've been waiting for this video to be release. I hope one day I can be a part of your videos/channel. Thank you.

This is internet gold! The production is A1! Well, done Mark!

I can't believe I'm about to write this, but I've been dealing with the exact same struggle as she has my entire life (tho I have no one special to change for), I realized I have been doing some of these stages in the past 1-2 weeks (out of order tho) and I feel like my own subconcious and universe has been trying to tell me to keep at it, not to regress back into my shell. I just went out for the first time in months having an amazing time and not reacting to everything as a defence mechanism (as I usually do), It's the most motivated I've been to finally let myself be ME and not care what others thing. I come back, open RU-vid and this is the first video I see. I'm a logical man of science, but I really hope this is destiny! Thank you Mark, only found this channel because my dad recommended it to me the other month.

melinda.. you did it! and so much more! I clapped like mad for you and cried like a baby. There are so many of us right where you were and wanting to be right where you are headed. Thank you for your bravery!

Truly moving. So happy to see Melinda work her way through her social anxiety issue. Wonderful job, Mark👏

Love your work, Mark! But THIS is by far the most incredibly valuable video you have made! Congrats

Incredible journey to watch. Continue changing the life of millions. Thanks mark❤❤

This is absolutely gold for anyone with social anxiety. Will make you save like 3 years of faulty tactics and methods. And avoid sooo much suffering

Beautiful, thank you for sharing your story with us Melinda! Thank you Mark for your contrarian way of helping us rediscover our own and our shared humanity and face life head on, and with a good sense of humor! I cried good tears at several points in the video. Thank you!

This was AMAZING!!! So genuine you weren’t kidding when you said you were going to do something big, different, totally real. Melinda beautiful to watch you blossom. So many elements of my life here…. Thank you for blazing the way. PS :I went to high school in Saskatoon … nice city full of really really nice real people!!!

dude, you made it. that is the first youtube video ever to make me cry at the end. Keep rocking 👊🏼🙏🏼💜

I love this. I feel like this is something too many people need to go through, myself included, and to see how much it helped Melinda out really feels inspirational

Love this! I love seeing people have breakthroughs and that scene of you guys in the back of the car after the free hugs and you can tell the difference in her laugh and how excited she sounds to have overcome it and can start to see the light! THE BEST! haha. I have always thought of excitement and anxiety as almost identical, except for our perception. If we focus on the negative it morphs into anxiety, and if we are in a positive frame it feels more like excitement. But giving this lovely women a new lease on life is one of the greatest gifts you can give,. Thank you Mark Manson for making the world a little better for all of us.

Mark is going to redefine what it means to me to be a good author, can't wait to see more live getting improved, gotta read the book again I guess

Wow! This face me a new perspective on the situation those with anxiety deal with. And heart warming at the same time. Thanks Melinda, so bravely done. Thanks Mark, its obvious when something is worth giving a F about.

Very wholesome and inspirational documentary style video. When I saw the title I didn’t think I would relate that much and even cry a little. I’m very interested to see what other paradigm shift video you and your team come up with, Mark.

Love this! Getting into a career in sales was my personal opportunity to put these principles into action by being forced to call and connect with strangers! It definitely helped me build authentic confidence and I’m committed to helping more people use a career in sales to break through their own glass ceilings, become more self expressed, and make meaningful connections and a lot of money along the way!

Great video. Thank you Melinda and Mark. ❤

That was awesome! It's so much fun to watch people grow 🥰

This was so powerful. And I’m so impressed with Melinda! I’d love to see the series address avoiding conflict/fear of expressing feelings that might lead to conflict. That’s my biggest struggle right now.

That's beautiful and amazing what you did for her, Mark!

RU-vid needs this. Thank you Mark😊

This was insane 😳. Thank you Mark

Thanks Mark. This video is way more impactful than just advice. It gives real world examples and shows me what it might feel like to actually do those things. Cheers

This is amazing! Thank you, Mark. I love the new direction you're taking with your videos.

Amazing Video!

I truly needed this video in my life THANK YOU.

Such a beautiful transformation and I loved how practical these 5 steps were. Thank you for sharing Mark, and I am celebrating you Melinda!

Love this new format Mark! You’re a legend. You’ve changed my life and this format will for sure impact many more people much more effectively. Thank you ❤

This video had a big impact on me. Especially since that song you played was once something I listened to every day when I was a depressed teenager/young adult.

Thanks Mark, for being inspiring for us. I've learned a lot from you ❤

We're all rooting for you so hard, Melinda! Way to go!

This was fabulous from beginning to end. Thanks for being an awesome person, Mark!