Meet Jake Ross of The Ross Wellness Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Ross.

Hi Jake, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was blessed to grow up in Westerville, an affluent suburb of Columbus. In a two parent house hold where my needs were met and I was insulated from what the world is like for folks who were not as fortunate as I was. Despite the structure I had around me, my world went into upheaval when I lost my grandfather to suicide. I started to realize the impacts of mental health and the importance of helping professionals within this space.

At eighteen, I had the opportunity to go to Camden, New Jersey and intern in a residential treatment facility for adolescent males with extensive trauma histories, fire setting behaviors, and extreme aggression. It was through this experience that I recognized as humans we are all dealt a different hand of cards when we are born. I was blessed with a royal flush, and these young men I had the opportunity to work with did not even have an unsuited pair. It was at this point in my life I realized I wanted to dedicate my career to being the helping professional who could support those less fortunate individuals.

This led me to completing my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Social Work and spending a decade in Appalachia where I not only learned the field of Social Work but was also educated on the difference culture can make, even with less than 200 miles of geographical separation. Throughout this decade I had the opportunity to work in child welfare with foster and adoptive parents, in emergency shelters, and in legislative advocacy. I also spent a year working in a hospital system, learning about the interplay between mental and physical health.

I spent the next eight years moving back to Ohio and exploring opportunities in digital health start ups focused first on severe mental illness and then on remote patient monitoring for physical health issues. During this portion of my career I experienced extreme anxiety related to work stress, I earned the best title of “Dad” not once, but twice, and I developed routine and structure in my life that allowed me to my best self.

Throughout this time while I loved the work I was doing, I felt something was missing. This led me to the realization of my calling being empowering millennial males to manage their stress differently in order to live more fulfilling lives and navigate their relationships with ease. I currently support this calling through providing individual therapy, mental health awareness trainings and events, and producing content which supports millennial males in their journeys of parenthood, marriage, or finding their own identity in today’s world.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was a very winding, confusing, and challenging road to get to where I am today. After falling in love with the field of Social Work, obtaining my degree in the field became difficult and I considered changing majors multiple times.

Upon relocating to Ohio and working in residential treatment again, I struggled with self care and work life balance – ultimately finding myself hospitalized in an in patient facility.

When I earned my favorite title, “dad”, I found myself more anxious than I had been since that hospitalization – fortunately I had the necessary skills and support to cope with these emotions.

Finally, when deciding to make empowering millennial men my full time career – I was met (and continue to be met) with imposter syndrome, doubting myself and my capabilities as I navigate a new professional world.

There is a steep learning curve, and I would be lying if I said it did not knock me down at times. However, I am consistently reminded of the why behind my work and this keeps me going.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Ross Wellness Group?
We specialize in empowering millennial males to manage their stress differently in order to lead more fulfilling lives and navigate their relationships with greater confidence. We provide this service through virtual and in person individual therapy, training opportunities in the community and with other helping professionals, and raising awareness on mental health and how to be a mental health ally in general.

What sets us apart is that we have lived experience and that we specialize in presenting mental health in an approachable way for males. Moving away from the sterile environment and the touchy feely language and leaning into practical skills that can improve overall wellbeing. If you have tried therapy in the past but felt like it was not for you, we might be the right fit!

We are most proud of the fact that our brand is actively contributing to changing the script and the approach around men and their mental health, it is our hope that our son’s and their son’s will be well versed on their mental health and the importance of emotional regulation.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There is not enough room for me to highlight everyone that deserves credit as there is no way that I would be here without the village of support.

First and foremost, my incredible wife, Brittany Ross who is my fiercest cheerleader, my thought partner, and my self care promoter. Along with her, my daughter Evelyn and son Charles have made significant sacrifices in order for me to be able to build this business from the ground up.

My parents, Cindy and Michael Ross who offered me not only an upbringing that made me passionate about this work, but also for the ongoing emotional and logistical support, my dad’s marketing expertise helping me frame my messaging, and being our go to babysitters.

Each and every one of my friends (their spouses) and my extended family who are frequently checking in on how business is going, offering their time and energy to support, and helping me spread the word of what The Ross Wellness Group is doing.

Finally, every single one of the clients I have had the privilege to work with throughout my career who put their trust in me to support them through one of their most difficult times in life, and reiterated my passion for this work.

Pricing:

• Individual Therapy – $160/session
• Training/Consulting/Speaking – $ varies

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therosswellnessgroup.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therosswellnessgroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558999264647
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-ross-52918960/