At just 19 years old, Raven Saunders, also known as “The Hulk,” achieved an impressive fifth-place finish in the shot put event at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. This remarkable accomplishment catapulted them into the spotlight, marking them as one of the youngest female shot putters to compete at the Olympics. Despite the exhilaration of their Olympic success, Raven’s return home was marred by a deep Depression, fueled by unresolved childhood traumas. This ordeal set Raven on a life-changing journey of triumph over tragedy.

Raven’s turning point came when they reached out to a therapist at Ole Miss, someone they felt truly understood her struggles. This therapist became a lifeline, especially during a critical moment when Raven contemplated ending their life. Their decision to text their therapist while at a crossroads, both literally and figuratively, ultimately saved Raven’s life.

Raven highlighted the stigma surrounding mental health in the African-American community, where seeking help is often seen as a sign of weakness. They shared their journey of breaking through these cultural barriers and finding the courage to seek Therapy. Raven’s story underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues openly and honestly.

This week, you’ll learn the importance of finding support and seeking help, how to break the mental health stigma in the African-American community, and how to Inspire others through advocacy.

LEARN MORE:

>> The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis: 1-800-273-8255 (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

>> Gatorade Presents: UNSTOPPABLE Feat. Trayvon Bromell & Raven Saunders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBix4I09_yg)

>> PBS Voices: An Olympic Athlete Takes on Depression (Feat. Raven Saunders) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-GwT-4xc3Q)

>> Follow Raven on Twitter and Instagram (https://twitter.com/GiveMe1Shot?s=20) (https://www.instagram.com/giveme1shot__)

>> Check out other Motivational Mondays episodes (https://www.nsls.org/blog/tag/motivational-mondays)

NSLS MEMBERS ONLY:

>>Listen to the bonus episode to learn when Raven discovered the moment they had massive physical strength and how their mental health care has made them a better person on and off the field. (https://thens.ls/3WkzlAb)

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Corey Andrew Powell Cultural Commentator / Content Producer

Hey there! My name is Corey Andrew Powell. I'm a creative chameleon with a knack for donning multiple hats. From crafting compelling copy and producing engaging content to rocking the mic as a podcast host and weaving musical magic, I've got a diverse skill set that keeps things interesting.

My journey kicked off in 2011 at The Vitamin Shoppe, where I started as a copywriter and quickly found myself caught up in the whirlwind of rebranding campaigns, product development, and retail store expansions. Two years of hard work later, I proudly stepped into the role of Manager of Marketing Copy, steering the ship through the exciting waters of marketing creativity.

After three years of freelancing, in 2019 I joined the incredible team at the National Society of Leadership & Success ( NSLS), stepping into the role of Content Manager and Content Producer for the nation's largest leadership honor society, with over 1.3 million inspiring members.

In 2021 I became the proud host of the NSLS's beloved podcast, 'Motivational Mondays'! How cool is that? In my debut episode, I had the absolute honor of chatting with Tokyo Olympics silver-medalist Raven 'The Hulk' Saunders. We dove deep into the world of professional sports and had a heart-to-heart about the importance of mental health. Our audience has grown exponentially to over 250,000 listeners and subscribers.

My creative life has been an incredible journey thus far, and I’m always intrigued by what the future holds.