I first worked with Kings County Health Department last year presenting to Avenal High School. Everything went so wonderfully well, they invited me back this year. I always love coming back and presenting for clients. The entire group that heads up the youth prevention programs for King County Health Department are special. When you have a group of people such as them running things it makes my work even more enjoyable. Their hearts really are on making an impact in their community, it’s not just a paycheck.
I have only been to Kansas a couple times before my visit in Bonner Springs to provide my substance abuse and mental health speeches. I actually was contacted the Kansas Universities football team a couple years ago and I had really hoped we would be able to work that out but we weren’t. Each time has been for high school and middle school level students. It’s been cold every time I am in Kansas and let me tell you, it gets COLD in Kansas. Visiting Bonner Springs in October would be similar, cold but very warm concerning the receptiveness of my message to the students.
I’m going to say it until it’s not the truth, I rarely speak in California. I love when I get to do it! Travel is easy and it’s my home state! You would honestly think that the majority of my speaking engagements come from California, sadly, they do not. I love traveling across the country anyway so it’s not like it kills me that i’m not speaking more in Cali. When you follow the group of guys that are in the substance abuse speaking and mental speaking space, not many at all are spending lots of time in California. I’ve been pretty vocal but I honestly think that California schools might be towards the top of the list when it comes to preparing students for life outside of reading, writing and arithmetic.
From time to time things come together last minute and in a hurry. I can’t say i’m against this because clients typically that do this know what they want and are ready to make things happen and have all their ducks in a row. This was the case for NMAPC which stands for National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee they work hand in hand with some of our nations largest unions. They contact me after seeing my TEDx talk and wanted me to stand before all of the unions and help break stigmas surrounding substance use and abuse.
You would think after almost 10 years of speaking that I would be tired, bored or that it would really feel like a job. Honestly, after 10 years it still feels the same to me. I love what I get to do and every time I take the stage I get that rush I got the first time I shared my story. I think the biggest thing that has come from my speaking is just how much my speech has grown in terms of depth. I didn’t share much about mental health when I first started this journey but that is because at that time I had not done a ton of work on myself. I was still under 5 years of sobriety and there is so much to learn about yourself and your behaviors. I’m currently in my 12th year of recovery and moving towards my 13th. The last 3-4 years have without a doubt been the most enlightening. I have learned to understand early childhood trauma in my own life which has give me compassion and empathy towards others. I have really learned that emotional trauma is literally the backbone of all substance use. Gaining this knowledge has allowed me to share my story at a much much greater level and I think that keeps the spark high because it’s not the “Same story” all the time.
Jefferson County Businesses Against Drugs has been on top of things in 2019! I met John, the head man in charge of leading the alliance that is providing drug prevention programs in Watertown New York, last year. We spoke over the phone and he told me about his big ideas he had for his community. I loved the direction John wanted to take his work. John is a local business owner and when you get to know his story, this man has really done a lot for his community. I wish there was more people like john that existed in this world. We linked up immediately after our phone call and got to work in the spring time.
