“I wanted to share this for anyone who can resonate with any bit of what I wrote, because the stories of others have actually been the reason I asked for help.”

“I’ve come to know that the more I forgive myself and choose to move through my trauma, the more likely I am to experience an inner happiness that is unchanged by that little voice telling me I’m unloved and unworthy.”

“My road to recovery isn’t over yet, and maybe I’m not even close to completely healing. But I am now strong enough to share my story, something I would’ve never been able to do 5 years ago, or even a month ago.”

“I still battle with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, but I have learned healthy ways to cope. I have made friends with these demons — I hold their hands, I know what awakens them, and what calms them.”

“You are not your story, you are the author. It takes time to heal and you can not rush the process but trust you are being held even when things come crashing down.”

“I told her, ‘I am having scary thoughts, and I don’t feel safe by myself.’ Saying those words felt more freeing than anything I had done before.”

“My own experience tells me that old ideas of masculinity are changing and in fact, talking about your emotions is now deemed a strength.”

“What I’m learning in this new phase of recovery is how much beauty is on the other side of just being alive.”

“Today my recovery is far from over, but I can 100% say that I have grown more in the past few years than ever before, and these dark times always remind me of my resilience.”

“My greatest mission in life is to remove the scrutiny around mental illness in the church community and in the Black community.”

“I have faced things that I thought would destroy me. My voice is important and if I allow my words to carry I can be a powerful force in the world.”

“My life has changed. I’ve changed. I’m someone I want to be friends with. I find myself worthy of the care that I so willingly give to others.”

“I’ve survived all of the days I thought I wouldn’t. I can tell you I will be here for another birthday and another Christmas, when a couple weeks ago I couldn’t tell you if I’d be here another minute.”

“I gathered the pieces. I tried to run. I came back, I showed up. There is still so much work to do. But I am here, and I didn’t always believe I would be. And I feel more alive today than I ever have.”

“Deep inside of me, I found this strength and determination in myself that I never really knew I had. I had to find that little light inside myself that I thought I had lost forever.”

“To anyone who is struggling with an eating disorder — you deserve to take up space. Your body has worked its entire life to keep you alive.”