Q: What advice do you have for people experiencing anxiety?
A: Realize that your current reality does not dictate your future. Things can change quickly for the better.
Monitor your self-talk. Don't beat yourself up for shortcomings. Choose to be positive even when life is throwing a sh*t sandwich at you and you feel terrible.
Eat good foods, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. There are millions of people that feel exactly the same way you do. Build a support group. Go online and interact with people that suffer as well.
Confront the pain instead of hiding and avoiding. There is no magic pill … it takes time, hard work, perseverance and determination.
Q: If you could tell your 19-year-old self anything, what would it be?
A: I know how scared you are. I know you are scared and you can't see beyond this pain and you can't imagine talking to a girl let alone Oprah in front of millions.
Your past does not equal your future. Panic and social phobia could be the best things that have ever happened to you. Five years from now they will lead to things beyond your wildest dreams and speaking to people will become your greatest strength.
I would say … you can do it! Fight! You have courage that you don't even realize you have. I know the pain you are in now, but I am telling you, it does not have to be that way forever. Use your pain to elevate yourself and others.
Q: What made you decide to tell the world about what you were going through?
A: I know firsthand how terrifying life is with social phobia and panic disorder. I was lucky to make it through and I feel a sense of commitment and compassion for people who are experiencing it.
Anxiety can hit anyone at any time. Since the show, a lot of very successful people dealing with sudden onset anxiety and panic have approached me for answers or said that I have helped them with my story.
I want to tell that high school kid, business person or mother who is dealing with her suffering child that they are not alone. There are millions of people feeling the same way; pain unites us and it can be turned into a positive.
Q: What is your favorite inspirational quote?
A: "If there is no struggle, there is no progress." … Frederick Douglas. Or "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right"... I believe Henry Ford said that.
Q: Do you ever still have panic attacks?
A: I still have my days in the dark and always will. I have not had a full blown panic attack in 9 years, but I know it's possible that I will have one or many for that matter.
I also know that it can be overcome if I choose to prepare and fight. Overcome might not be the right word … managed. If I experience panic again, that does not mean my life is over or totally limited. I hope I have the courage to get back in the ring.
Q: What have you been doing since being on the Bachelorette and writing your book?
A: Since the show I have been living a pretty normal life. I play a ton of golf. I have trained athletes and been VP of sales for a company in Chicago. I have done TV reporting for NBC and have interviewed celebrities such as Lebron James, John Cusack, Kim Kardashian, Hugh Laurie, Chelsea Handler and many more.
Read Jamie's book, Fear Is No Longer My Reality
