Win With Your Mental Health

I NEED YOUR HELP!!

And no I am not selling anything. This is 100% about two words that most of us seem to only uncomfortably talk about when we have to…

MENTAL HEALTH.

In June it will be 26 years since the accident where I suffered a traumatic brain injury. Approximately 24 years ago between my freshman & sophomore year of high school is when it became apparent that my mental health would be an almost unbearable challenge for many years to come.

Why? I really had no clue and, in all honesty, neither did the doctors. The kicker was, I was an extremely blessed young man.

I'll share the significance of the 24 years later on with my ask.

Just thinking about the journey is exhausting. I'm exhausted... and you know what that's on me. Why? Because I’ve spent way too many years looking for quick fixes, poorly coping and in all honesty, I've been holding back the truth.

You know SUICIDE is one of those topics we all would rather avoid talking about. It's a word and an action that we all wish didn’t even exist.

Have I had suicidal thoughts? You bet you’re a** I have. The mental anguish, the pain, the overwhelming anxiety, the anger, the depression, the constant battles …they’ve been a part of my life since a young teenager.

I recently came to the realization that I’ve never told anybody that. Why? Well there have been plenty of reasons over the years: embarrassment, people thinking I’m crazy or unstable etc…

For years I’ve shared with Gala when I’m going through a rough spot that I’m struggling with my thoughts. And for the first time the other night I used the word… suicidal.

It was emotional… There are many circumstances that have been a part of my life that I haven’t asked for. Then there have been others that I have completely brought on myself. Through it all what amazes me is that I’ve never had a plan nor have I had the desire to execute a plan.

Why? I truly believe there are two reasons. The first being I’ve wanted to do everything I can to help or even prevent others from going through anything like what I’ve gone through. The second I believe is inspiration. For those of you that know me, you know that I love to be inspired.

Inspired by people like my mom, my wife Gala (who I fell in love with at 13), my kids, all of the young people I’ve taught & coached, friends both old and new and just simply watching ordinary people do extraordinary things.

Here’s what I can tell you about the dark suicidal thoughts. The thoughts of not wanting to be here anymore…

It’s the devil at work trying to ruin a person’s life. Doing everything he can to isolate and trap that person in excruciating thoughts. Telling that person nobody understands them, they can’t be fixed, and it would be better off if they weren’t here.

Whether you want to believe it or not most people who have committed suicide or that struggle with these dark thoughts are some of the highest functioning people you will ever meet. Many are blessed with extreme talent but become a victim of that talent at the same time.

When I was 22 years old a lady named Elain Busse saved my life. I had recently gone cold turkey on 350 milligrams of Effexor, something like 10 milligrams of Risperdal and something else I can’t think of.

I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I was personally sick of being dependent on drugs that had side effects that were running my life and of all things one of them was suicidal thoughts.

So, I went into what was described to my parents as something equal to or worse than heroine withdrawl.

Obviously, that was not a smart decision, but I didn’t care. And please understand that this isn’t an anti-medication post. This is simply my story… Anyway, I was flown to Mayo Clinic given the care I was needed and had to begin rebuilding my body.

Did the depression, anxiety and thoughts go away? Absolutely not. Did I physically feel better? You better believe it!!

So what was next?...

For the last 16 years I’ve been learning. I’ve learned that I can’t cope with or stay ahead of my challenges through gambling, alcohol, overeating, working nonstop or getting a lack of sleep.

I’ve learned that I’ve been consistent in letting the anger of what I’ve personally endured control my passion for what I believe to be right. Which at times has gotten in the way of my love for others. A wall between using my gift to help others bring out theirs.

I’ve learned that we are all BUILT DIFFERENT. My pain, my suffering, my sacrifice isn’t to be compared to as more or less than another’s. Because we all matter.

Most importantly I’ve learned that depression, anxiety and dark thoughts feed off isolation. I’ve learned that through depression, anxiety and dark thoughts the devil will distort my thinking to try to ruin every aspect of my life.

So…..

NOW IT IS TIME TO TAKE A STAND!! Time for me to use the hellish experiences I’ve had over the last 24 years to make a shift and start changing lives.

If someone doubts me or thinks I’m crazy, unstable or whatever I don’t flippen care. That will be their problem not mine.

HERE IS WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP…

Next Friday, April 22^nd I will be taking part in a 24-hour workout session with a group of men from F3 (fitness, fellowship & faith). Together a group of us will do 24 outdoor 45-minute workouts on the hour every hour starting at 6pm. With the support of others joining in throughout the workouts.

Yes, each hour will represent the 24 years of my mental health journey. Why am I doing this?

I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing this to show all of those out there who are struggling with the most minor to the most excruciating mental health issues that with a positive mindset and a team of others you can and you will win!!

I’ve learned strategies, skills and techniques to get me through the rest of my life and I will continue learning every single day. I’m not giving up!! So now I will fight for you!!

My ask…

 I’m looking for 24, 48, 72, 96… as many names as possible to work out for. Maybe it’s you. Maybe it’s your child, a family member, a friend or a neighbor.

I want you to post a comment being as descriptive as you want to be. The only way to win every single day is to talk about it, START NOW…

Give me a name!! Say Brad do a workout for me I’m fighting… Do a workout for my son (Name) he’s fighting…  COMMENT – SHARE  do whatever you feel compelled to do.

I will post a link in the comments for you to share with those who aren’t on social media.

No more lying to ourselves, no more isolation, no more easy fixes. It’s time to enjoy your life!!

LET’S DO THIS TOGETHER!! I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU & NEVER GIVE UP!!

“IT’S NOT IF YOU CAN OR YOU CAN’T IT’S IF YOU WILL OR YOU WON’T”!!

GOD’S PLAN!!

#mentalhealthawareness #mindsetfirst #BuiltDifferent