What does mental illness feel like? In this honest and deeply personal video, Mike Veny—Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® and multiple award-winning mental health advocate—shares his lived experience by comparing it to something we all understand: a stove with four burners.
One burner has anxiety constantly simmering. Another is bubbling with obsessive-compulsive disorder. A third holds the heat of anger and depression. And then there’s the fourth—a massive stock pot where all of it mixes together, creating a chaotic stew of emotion and energy that affects every area of life.
This is what it’s like having a mental illness. This is what it’s like living with one.
Mike Veny opens up about the inner world of mental health struggles, offering a metaphor that makes it easier to understand what many people silently endure. Whether you live with mental illness, love someone who does, or simply want to deepen your empathy and awareness, this video is for you.
As a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® and a trusted voice in workplace mental health, Mike has dedicated his life to helping individuals and organizations understand the complex layers of emotional wellness. He’s the winner of Corporate LiveWire's Innovation and Excellence Award in 2022, 2023, and 2024, the 2023 Leader of Mental Health Awareness from NAMI New York State, and the 2025 Global Excellence Award winner for Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® of the Year.
You’ll walk away from this video with a powerful new perspective on:
* What mental illness feels like from the inside
* How different mental health conditions can coexist and interact
* The importance of compassion and self-advocacy in the face of invisible struggles
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live with anxiety, OCD, depression, and anger all at once—this kitchen-stove metaphor might just give you the clarity and connection you’ve been looking for.
Let’s break the stigma by talking about the reality of mental health—without filters, without shame.
🧠 SUBSCRIBE for more mental health insights, wellness strategies, and stories from a patient advocate who’s lived it.
👇 COMMENT BELOW: What metaphor would you use to describe your mental health journey?
Stay in touch with Mike Veny!
Website: https://www.mikeveny.com
Courses: https://learn.mikeveny.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/mikeveny
Facebook: http://facebook.com/mikeveny
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeveny
