On my 17th birthday, I took 18 shots of vodka, smoked 2-3 blunts, got behind the wheel of a car illegally without a license, drove to a football game, and then to a friend’s house. – Little did I know what was to come after. Shortly after hanging out at a friend’s house, a minor … More Breaking Through Adversity, Trauma and Generational Curses
Full transparency: For so many years, I lived in fear when it came to trying to start a family. I’ve had so many insecurities and fears surrounding being a dad and bringing a child into such an evil world. I have lived in a world of what-ifs for far too long! On top of my … More Becoming a Dad
As I sit here at my desk and process my thoughts, I keep coming back to this title, “In Pain, There Is Healing.” As anxious as my chest feels right now, as scattered as my brain feels, I have come to know and understand that so much of life is a paradox. Two things can … More In Pain, There Is Healing?
Seasonal depression is upon us. The days are getting shorter. The amount of light during the day is fading. Two years ago, I had a breakdown in a meeting with my team. I started crying. These tears were familiar to me. My brain felt cloudy, my heart felt heavy and my soul felt depleted. As … More Seasonal Depression Is Upon Us
I hope you find these words to be an invitation to understanding why black experiences and black voices matters. … More White Feelings, Black Experiences
I wasn’t supposed to be here… 1.2 GPA end of my junior year of high school Smoking weed every day Selling weed Three minor in possessions of alcohol all by the age of 17 40 hours of community service I had to take an extra class to graduate high school I had zero basketball/academic scholarships … More I Wasn’t Supposed To Be Here
I once had a deep trauma when it came to talking in front of people and asking for help. I’m not just talking about speaking in public spaces but in one on one conversations. Let me share a couple of personal stories with you. I was at McDonald’s in college with my teammate JB … More Living Through Trauma
Majority of minorities/people of color have been taught since a young age to suppress feelings, to fight through, to not talk about struggles and trauma which has led to many turning to substances, drinking, sex, money, etc… For many of us who grew up in the hood/lower economic areas we didn’t have resources nor the … More Erase the Stigma of Mental Illness
There I am. Breathing too hard to understand Eyes paling Loud thunder above Mind renting space to the surrounding forces Here I am. The ground shakes… Body broken from the journey The soul feels… My voice reveals
2017 was one of those years for me. Emotionally and physically I went through it. From getting sick early in March to battling with the sickness for the rest of the year put me on a rollercoaster ride I did not expect going into the year. I had aspirations that 2017 would be the year … More SOAR!
Josh Samarco 