August 25, 2026, 11:05 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Chase Stokes portrayed the lead character John B. in the hit series “Outer Banks.” It was the role that catapulted him to fame, but also the one that, according to him, plunged him into a “quarter-life crisis.” The success, fame, and years of identifying with his character left their mark.
“Hindsight is always 20/20, but I probably wouldn’t have lasted much longer if I hadn’t paid attention to my body,” Stokes told the “Hollywood Reporter.” The actor struggled with the success of the series and the accompanying fame. The role of the early-20s John B. clung to the now 33-year-old so much that he increasingly felt confined. “I was John B. more often than Chase,” he reported. Eventually, he sought professional help and consciously took time after the series ended to stabilize himself physically and mentally.
The Health Issues
“I left the series… my liver and kidneys were failing. I was dealing with numerous health issues, and my head was completely messed up,” Stokes recalled. Instead of immediately taking on new projects, his own health was his priority. To get back on his feet, he underwent blood tests every two weeks, as well as TMS therapy and testosterone treatment. His testosterone levels were “alarmingly low” at the time.
The TMS therapy (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is used for depression, rehabilitation after a stroke, and sometimes for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. The device stimulates specific areas of the brain through a coil on the head.
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Testosterone Deficiency
Testosterone deficiency is actually not uncommon among men. Depending on the definition and age group studied, about 10 to 40 percent of men worldwide are affected.1 From the age of 30, the deficiency naturally decreases, but the risk of a serious deficiency increases. This can be due to chronic conditions like obesity or type 2 diabetes. Additionally, psychological stress, lack of sleep, severe illnesses, extreme training, malnutrition, or certain medications can contribute to a drop in levels.
Chase Stokes reported that working on “Outer Banks” took a significant physical and mental toll on him. Among other things, he tried for years to maintain the body of his much younger series character despite his age. Added to this was the pressure of sudden fame and the feeling that after seven years as John B., he had little time to develop himself further. Whether the testosterone deficiency was also related to these stresses is plausible, but ultimately, especially as an outsider without a medical background, it cannot be proven. What is certain, however, is that Chase Stokes described the years on “Outer Banks” as physically and mentally very demanding in retrospect.
There are a few symptoms, even if they are nonspecific, that can indicate a deficiency:
- Fatigue
- Lack of drive
- Loss of libido
- Erectile problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
- Loss of muscle mass
Also of interest: More than half of men in this age group sleep particularly short
Health Update
Stokes is now doing significantly better. It took a lot of work to return to his normal physical and mental state. Looking back, he described the time as frightening, but also said that consciously working on his health helped him find himself again. Today, he looks forward with confidence to the next chapter of his life, which includes his directorial debut “I Told the Sun About You” and a lead role in an upcoming NASCAR series.