In today’s fast-paced world, mental health often takes a backseat, yet it remains one of the most pressing challenges people face. Surprisingly, many first encounter trauma at a very young age—sometimes as early as four years old. DeAngelo Jelks, fondly known as DJ, recognizes this reality and offers a beacon of hope in his book, The 4-Hour Fix-it Plan: How to go from broken to better within yourself and your relationships. By shedding light on personal pain and demonstrating the power of healing, this resource aims to help readers mend both themselves and their relationships.
What This Book Brings to the Table
The core message of Jelks’s work is that trauma, when ignored, often leads to a vicious cycle of guilt, fear, and regret. Rather than burying these emotions, The 4-Hour Fix-it Plan encourages readers to confront them head-on. The author’s approach stems from his own recovery journey, which began as scribbled notes meant to help him navigate his post-war challenges and personal traumas. Over time, these jottings evolved into a comprehensive plan that could benefit not just military veterans, but anyone wrestling with emotional scars.
Within the pages of the book, Jelks emphasizes that unaddressed trauma can keep people stuck in repetitive patterns. Instead of merely surviving each day, readers are encouraged to take active steps toward self-awareness. Jelks’s plan speaks to those experiencing repressed pain, guilt, or anger, as well as their family members seeking to understand a loved one’s struggles. By laying out practical, four-hour strategies for addressing hidden wounds, he empowers individuals to stop pretending they’re okay and start genuinely moving toward a healthier state of mind.
A Story Rooted in Personal Experience
Jelks’s path to authorship began with a simple desire to heal. Sifting through his experiences as a post-war veteran, he quickly discovered that many of his tactics applied universally. His personal notes, once intended solely for self-help, soon inspired close friends who saw value in his perspective. Encouraged by their feedback, Jelks began refining and expanding his insights into a plan that addresses the needs of a broader audience.
Initially, the goal was to create mental health support for veterans and their families, helping them cope with the aftermath of service. However, it became clear that trauma does not discriminate—everyone from all walks of life can benefit from the same tools. His journey stands as a testament to transformation: it’s possible to turn “lemons into lemonade” when we embrace vulnerability and share our discoveries with others.
Why It Matters to Readers
What makes The 4-Hour Fix-it Plan unique is the author’s conversational tone and practical guidance. Jelks isn’t offering abstract theory; instead, he speaks from a place of empathy and understanding. Readers aren’t simply told to “get over it.” Instead, they are given concrete steps to navigate feelings of fear, pain, or anger and move toward a more fulfilling life. Each chapter is designed to break down overwhelming concepts, making the journey feel less daunting and more accessible.
For those seeking to comprehend the struggle of a loved one, the book also offers insights into the why behind certain behaviors, along with helpful suggestions on how to be supportive. It underscores the importance of open communication, setting boundaries, and building trust, making it a valuable tool for both the individual coping with emotional wounds and the people who care about them.
Learn More and Take a Step Forward
By weaving personal anecdotes and lessons learned along the way, Jelks ensures his readers don’t feel alone in their pain. His mission is simple yet profound: help others reach a place of genuine happiness, rather than a mere imitation of it. If someone feels trapped by negative emotions or yearns to guide a family member out of a dark place, The 4-Hour Fix-it Plan is a strong companion for that journey.
To delve deeper into these insights and discover actionable steps toward self-improvement, visit the book’s Amazon page here: The 4-Hour Fix-it Plan. Whether readers are grappling with old traumas or simply wish to strengthen their relationships, Jelks’s approachable style and carefully laid-out strategies hold the power to create meaningful change. No one has to remain stuck—this plan shows that a better, healthier version of oneself is well within reach.
We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Hi, It’s great to have you with us today! Please share about yourself with our readers.
Hello, I’m DeAngelo Jelks, but feel free to call me DJ. I like to say that the JELKS stands for: just enjoy life & keep smiling.
Please tell us about your book.
My book started as notes for me trying to help myself as I recovered from my post-war trauma as well as other life challenges I had faced. As I continued to develop it, I shared it with close friends who thought that it could benefit many others as well. I continued to develop it, and over time, I realized that it could do so much more for everyone, and not just post-war veterans in their families.
Please share your journey with our readers.
In October of 2021, I tied a noose on my pull-up bar and was prepared to jump off of it. In an instant, I thought about my children and realized that I needed to love them enough to live a life that displayed resilience and perseverance as opposed to cowardice and failure. That me being discovered dangling from a pull-up bar could not be the legacy I left behind. I, therefore, must get better, must make a difference, and must do my best to be present in their lives as long as the Lord would allow.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Honestly, the strategies that helped me were very much related to something I had to do many times in the military: and that was to grab my straps, tuck my chin, and just put one foot in front of the other, and instead of focusing on the destination, focus on taking that very next step.
Any message for our readers?
Make every effort to just enjoy life and keep smiling. Inside The 4-Hour Fix-It Plan, the reader will be exposed to what many consider advanced psychological concepts but in the form of short stories and parables used to explain them in such a way that they are digestible for everyone.
Thank you so much for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!