STP 169 | Fear, Failure, and First Steps: How Ira Hays Put His Mission in Motion

Fear, Failure, and First Steps: How Ira Hays Put His Mission in Motion In this episode of The Scaling Therapist, James talks with Ira Hays, LCSW, about what happens when your mission gets bigger than the people you can help one-on-one. Ira started like many therapists do. He had a job, a small practice, and a desire to help the people in front of him. Over time, his work with school phobia, OCD, emetophobia, and school attendance led him into school trainings, new programs, a book, content, and other ways to serve. This conversation is for the therapist or group practice owner who knows they have something useful to share, but still feels nervous to put it out there. Ira’s reminder is simple: start before it is perfect, give away what helps people, and take the next step toward your mission. What You’ll Hear in This Episode You’ll see how a mission can grow one step at a time. Ira did not start with a giant plan. He started by asking, “How do I help more people?” That question led to trainings, new roles, a book, and a bigger way to serve. You’ll hear why fear does not mean stop. Ira talks about feeling scared, sick, and out of place before his first big talk. But he did it anyway. If you are waiting to feel ready, this part will hit home. You’ll be reminded to give away what works. Some therapists feel like they need to protect what they know. Ira says the opposite. If it helps people, share it. Teach it. Post it. Let people see how you think. Show Highlights 00:00 – Give away what works Ira opens with the core message: if you learn something that helps people, don’t hide it. 01:00 – Ira shares what he is building Private practice, Innerspace Counseling, Bia, Launch, teaching, and a book. 02:00 – From getting by to growing a mission Ira shares how his work started small and grew as the need grew. 02:30 – “What’s the mission?” The question that helped Ira decide what to build next. 03:50 – The tree and the branches School attendance was the trunk. OCD, phobia work, trainings, apps, and writing became the branches. 05:10 – Free training as a way to serve Ira started giving trainings to schools because people needed the information. 06:20 – The book as another way to help The book came from people asking, “What can I read to learn more?” 08:00 – Writing was not easy Ira shares how he used walks and voice notes to get ideas out when sitting down to write felt hard. 09:30 – The fire to solve a problem When you solve something others are stuck on, you start wanting to help more people solve it too. 10:10 – Helping people beyond your office Ira talks about families outside New Jersey who needed help he could not provide one-on-one. 11:30 – The real cost of school phobia Kids missing school, meals, family dinners, and normal life. 13:00 – Start with the smallest step Ira’s advice: set the minimum standard needed to begin. Do not build the whole thing first. 14:00 – Failure versus doing nothing Ira says it is easier to sleep as a failure than to do nothing when people need help. 15:00 – The first talk was scary He was nervous, sweating, and unsure. But he did it, survived, and kept improving. 16:00 – Your first version can be small James connects Ira’s story to the idea of a simple first experiment. 17:20 – Sharing online feels vulnerable Ira talks about posting on LinkedIn and wondering if anyone would care. 18:00 – If nobody knows you exist, you help no one A clear reminder for therapists with good ideas hiding in their heads. 19:20 – Just start Post what you think. Share what you believe. Connect with people doing good work. 20:00 – Give your knowledge away Teach the schools. Help the programs. Share the lesson. Let people see behind the scenes. 21:00 – The Go-Giver mindset James and Ira talk about giving as a more honest way for helpers to grow. 23:30 – Learning new skills is awkward Podcasting, editing, writing, and posting are all part of the growth process. 24:00 – Who, not how James shares how he is learning to ask who can help instead of trying to do every task himself. 25:45 – Final encouragement Give away what helps. Share the idea. Post the lesson. Put your mission in motion. Resources Mentioned Connect with Ira Hays on LinkedIn and YouTube: Ira Hays, LCSW Hayes Health and Wellness Innerspace Counseling Books mentioned: The Go-Giver, Who Not How, 10x Is Easier Than 2x, and Time as a Tool Take One Next Step If this episode sounds like you, don’t wait until the idea is perfect. Share the post. Offer the free training. Record the short video. Write the first page. Give away the thing that has helped your clients move forward. You do not have to protect what works. Give it away, and watch it grow.