Today we’d like to introduce you to Jakay Matheny Sr..
Hi Jakay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is JaKay Matheny Sr., and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, therapist, keynote speaker, and resiliency trainer. I was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised as an only child. At the age of 16, I moved to Tampa Bay, Florida, where I finished high school. My teenage years were difficult—by the time I graduated, I had two children and very few positive role models to help guide me. Shortly after high school, I joined the military, but I entered adulthood still trying to figure out my identity as a man, husband, and father. I was married young and had four children by age 21, and I struggled with self-esteem and stability. The challenges in my marriage carried over into my service, and by the end of my eight years in the military, everything seemed to be collapsing. I eventually divorced and became a single father to three of my four boys. Around that same time, I tried comedy, which gave me confidence, but I still didn’t have a plan for life after the military. Like many service members transitioning out, I felt lost. I decided to go to college because it offered stability and structure, but halfway through, I became seriously ill. My health declined to the point that I had to drop out, and I lost nearly a year of my life—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Finally, a doctor identified the issue and prescribed medication that changed everything. I started the medicine on December 22, 2015; two days later, I was delivering Chinese food, and a month after that, I began working at a mental health facility. At first, the job was simply a source of steady income—I had no idea it would set the foundation for my career. One of my responsibilities was running therapy groups. The facility served military members, spouses, and children. Working closely with soldiers, I recognized the same lack of direction I struggled with when I left the military. One thing that saved me after I got out was applying for my VA benefits. Something I only did because a persistent woman refused to let me say no. That support carried me during my difficult health journey, and I realized many veterans were about to face similar obstacles because they planned to apply only after separating from service. I started helping them navigate benefits and education without knowing that what I was doing was social work. In the groups I led, I developed a simple metaphor using a staircase: most people don’t fall to the bottom going up—they stumble on the third step and get back up. But if you give up and turn around, the fall is much harder. That message resonated, and patients began to respond in powerful ways. A social worker eventually sat in on one of my groups and later told me that whatever I was doing was inspiring people to change. That conversation pushed me to return to school and pursue social work seriously. I went on to earn my associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in social work. My internships were in juvenile justice and with sexually reactive youth, which prepared me for the emotionally demanding work ahead. My first job after graduate school was in a women’s prison, where I saw many of the same challenges I’d encountered in my internships. Ultimately, these experiences inspired me to open my own practice, where I could work with individuals who were often viewed as “too much” for other providers. That’s when it became clear just how great the need was for Black male therapists, especially licensed social workers. I began receiving invitations to speak on Black men’s mental health, youth mental health, men’s emotional wellness, and working with tough or high-need clients. I combined my skills as a therapist, my lived experience, and my background in comedy to create a teaching and speaking style that is engaging, relatable, and memorable. I later completed John Maxwell leadership training to strengthen my communication and keynote speaking abilities. Today, I run J L Matheny Solutions, LLC, where we provide therapy, coaching, keynote speaking, and resiliency training for individuals and organizations. When I reflect on my journey, from a struggling teenager and young father, to a lost soldier, to a man rebuilding his life. I am in awe of how far I’ve come. I used to carry survivor’s guilt, but now I turn that feeling into a message of hope, helping others set goals, build resilience, and reach their full potential.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, the road has been far from smooth. I faced major challenges early in life—becoming a father in high school, entering adulthood without strong role models, and trying to navigate fatherhood, and identity while serving in the military at a young age. My personal life was unstable, and by the time I completed my service, it felt like everything around me was falling apart. Transitioning out of the military added another layer of uncertainty. I felt lost, disconnected, and unsure of what direction to take.
When I tried to restart my life by going to college, I was hit with another setback. I became seriously ill and had to withdraw, losing almost a year of my life physically, mentally, and emotionally. Even after recovering, I had to start from the ground up, taking whatever work I could find just to regain my footing.
But through all of those hurdles, the military and college played crucial roles in changing my life for the better. The military gave me discipline, structure, and experiences that helped shape the man and father I would become. Even if I didn’t realize it at the time. College provided a pathway back to myself. It offered stability, direction, and eventually, the education that opened the doors to social work, leadership, and the career I have today.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but every struggle pushed me toward purpose, growth, and eventually, the greatest blessings of my life—the work I love, the person I’ve become, and the joy of finding a wife and true happiness.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At J L Matheny Solutions, LLC, I provide therapy, coaching, keynote speaking, and resiliency training to individuals, families, and organizations. My work focuses on high-need and underserved populations, especially men’s mental health, minority youth and families, and people who have often been viewed as “too much” for other providers. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am committed to culturally responsive, trauma-informed care that helps people build the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to thrive.
Beyond clinical services, I deliver engaging trainings, workshops, and keynote presentations that blend humor, storytelling, and evidence-based strategies. I draw on my unique background as a veteran, therapist, and former comedian to create learning experiences that truly connect with audiences. Whether I’m helping organizations strengthen their culture, equipping leaders with tools for resilience, or empowering communities to talk openly about mental health, my mission remains the same: to inspire growth, build resilience, and help people reach their full potential.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next five years, I envision expanding my impact by traveling to organizations across the country to strengthen their leadership, teams, and workplace culture. My goal is to help companies become more resilient, more employee-centered, and more client-focused by equipping them with practical tools that support wellness, emotional intelligence, and effective communication. I want to partner with organizations that value their people and are committed to creating environments where both staff and clients can thrive.
I also plan to build a dedicated team within my practice to increase access to mental health services for individuals who struggle to afford care. This includes developing programs, community partnerships, and flexible service options that remove barriers and ensure people receive the support they deserve. Ultimately, my vision is to create a network of professionals who share my passion for healing, resilience, and empowerment—so we can reach more communities, transform more lives, and make mental health support accessible to all.
Pricing:
- Free 1 Hour Training for businesses
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jlmathenysolutions.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EqqEYd7ss/?mibextid=wwXIfr
