My mental illness-to-wellness journey is one that others have found all too familiar in my experience – a young, high-achieving Andy that gradually invested more and more of his self-worth into accomplishment and how he made others feel, placing his own needs and desires in the backseat. These anxious behaviors provided a slow, gradual decline into perfectionism and people-pleasing tendencies that amplified throughout childhood and into college. At university, as an Honors student and captain of our men’s soccer team, I don’t think a single person on that campus knew that I was suffering from major depression with thoughts of suicide...

Two moments of vulnerability ultimately transformed my life. Embracing my support system gave me the courage I needed to seek foundational treatment and begin my wholly imperfect journey in pursuit of well-being. Today, I am passionate about reducing stigma and equipping others with the wellness tools and resources I continue to learn and practice in my ongoing recovery.

Wellness is together. Wellness is a practice.