Meet Chad McLean of Mental Joe in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad McLean.

Chad, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Billings, Montana by my mom and with two siblings. My dad was an alcoholic and was pretty abusive so we didn’t have much of a relationship with him. My mom worked several jobs to make ends meet and I thought the military was the only way that I could change my path. I was recruited in high school and I enlisted in the Army immediately after high school.

During basic training, I was offered an airborne slot and during airborne school, I met up with the 75th Ranger Regiment liaison. At the time I had no idea that I would graduate and be guided through RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program) by one of the most famous Rangers of all time, Sgt. Jeff Struecker. I was stationed at 2nd Ranger Battalion and the 24th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington where I was part of the Weapons Platoon. I was only in the Army for four years but those four years changed my life.

Being put right back into civilian life like I never left and unprepared for the challenges that I faced, was not what I had imagined. I looked at the world entirely different and I was no longer the happy-go-lucky kid I was growing up. Add to the mix unresolved childhood issues and I was anxious, angry, and confused. I could no longer drive down the street, go to the movies, or sit in a restaurant without being on edge. I was always on high alert and “peaked out.” I sought therapy on and off for years but never found the right fit, it didn’t seem like anyone understood me, and I didn’t want to continue to repeat my story.

It wasn’t until 20 years later that my then girlfriend, now wife introduced me to TRE (Trauma Release Exercises). I was extremely skeptical about it all but gave it shot. I walked into a group session as the only man and felt very uncomfortable at first. The instructor made me feel as comfortable as possible and after the session was over, I knew this was something that could help me. I like to explain TRE as a mix between yoga, meditation, and therapy but you don’t have to be flexible, you don’t have to try to shut your brain off, and you don’t have to talk- amazing right?! Four years after being introduced to TRE, I decided to become a certified provider to help others and that instructor that walked me through my first session became my mentor as I went through the courses.

I feel like I have finally found my passion and mission in life. TRE is a useful tool for literally everyone, and my main focus was initially geared towards veterans and first responders, hence the name of Mental Joe. However, after working with kids as young as 8 years old, a woman who has also been through trauma, and the everyday stressed out mom (aka my wife), I look forward to helping any and everyone I can.

I am so thankful for my wife to introducing me to TRE and I can say without a doubt that I married my best friend. We have 2 little boys who have made me want to be an even better man and I plan to introduce TRE to them in the next year to help them cope with the crazy world that we live in today. I am a graduate of Arizona State University and am a huge Sun Devils fan.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been several struggles and setbacks some personally and some professionally trying to get a 501c3 Non-Profit up and running. TRE is highly recognized in other countries but it hasn’t caught on as quickly as I had anticipated in the states. It’s something that people have to try to understand and once they try it, they love it. We have two young boys so trying to get new business, let alone a non-profit has been slower than I had hoped. However, I am committed to getting this in the hands of as many people as possible in 2020.

We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Tension & Trauma Release Exercises (or TRE®) is a simple yet innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. Created by Dr. David Berceli, Ph.D., TRE safely activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return to a state of balance. I am proud that this has been expanded beyond my target audience and that it has helped such a wide range of people.

What were you like growing up?
I was silly and the class clown. I loved making people laugh and I tried to be nice to everyone. I was friends with everyone and even though I grew up pretty poor, I was liked by everyone. I played baseball and I wrestled for a short time but was embarrassed to wear the singlet in high school so I quit but was pretty good.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mental-joe.com
• Phone: 406-670-7125
• Email: chad@mental-joe.com
• Instagram: chadmentaljoe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chadmentaljoe/

Image Credit:
Edward Mitchell with Edward Mitchell Photography
Taylor and Johnny with Studio 616 Photography

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