November is Men’s Mental Health Month, and I want to share the story of the man I was, and the man I have become.
From the outside, I looked like a young man destined for “success”.
I was elected School President, voted athlete of the year, received several academic awards, and was a National scholarship recipient.
But while the world saw potential, I was quietly falling apart. And, because I believed that men weren’t supposed to talk about their pain, I suffered in silence.
Over six years, I was prescribed 12 different pharmaceutical medications. My life spiraled into alcoholism and compulsive gambling. I dropped out of university (twice) and tried to destroy myself in every way I knew how. Eventually, a doctor told me I had a month to live if I didn’t change my destructive ways.
That should have been the end of my story. It wasn’t.
Two things changed my life:
1. I found my voice and embraced vulnerability.
2. People believed in me when I no longer believed in myself.
Today, I’m a sober husband and father of four, a two-time university graduate, author of five books, TEDx speaker, and I’ve shared my message of hope and resilience on more than 1,000 stages.
Today, I speak for the man sitting in the back of the room who has mastered the art of saying, “I’m fine.”
I speak for the leader who carries everyone else’s weight, yet doesn’t know who to turn to when he’s the one struggling.
I speak for the person who loves their family but has never learned how to talk about their own pain.
Lastly, I speak for organizations motivated to create spaces where people can find their voice.
Together, let’s create a culture where men know they matter and where they understand that nobody has to face life alone.
Bring this message to your team or organization. November dates for Men’s Mental Health Month keynotes are extremely limited. Contact me today to reserve your date and start a conversation that saves lives.
