The Courage To Get In The Arena

Life has been a struggle for me lately. In this solo episode, I get vulnerable, sharing my hard beautiful journey and the importance of having the courage to get in the arena. 

We are all living in challenging times right now. There’s so much uncertainty with the ongoing pandemic and the war in Ukraine. As many of you may know, I lost my brother to a tragic drug overdose, and I’ve been missing him like crazy. 

Today, I want to share something that has been on my mind lately. One of my therapists reminded me of its importance, and I hope that it inspires you and has the profound impact that it’s had on my life.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to the complete episode:

1. I share the speech from Theodore Roosevelt and talk about the impact it’s had on my life, both personally and professionally.
2. I’ve had mental health challenges over the years, and I speak about my choice to get in the arena and fight for my life.
3. Discover my journey of deciding to love my brother through his addiction, despite giving up on him many times.
   
   

Episode Highlights

The speech

• The speech below from Theodore Roosevelt has profoundly impacted my life.
• It’s hung up in my office at home and is in a frame on my desk at work.
• It has significance to me on a personal and professional level.

On a personal level

• It’s no secret that I’ve had mental health challenges.
• This is why I started the podcast to share my story.
• There would be no podcast and no sharing of my story if I didn’t choose to get in the arena.

The depths of despair and depression

• Getting in the arena meant admitting I couldn’t help myself anymore and letting go of my ego.
• I was in a dark place, thinking of the easiest way to leave my life.
• When I say I know the depths of despair and depression, I get it; I’ve been there.

Fighting for my life

• I chose to get in the arena and fight for my life, asking for help.
• I thank God that when I asked for help, there was someone there when I asked.
• You need to have the courage to say, “I’m not okay.”

The mental health space

• I believe that we are making strides in the mental health space.
• There, however, is still so much stigma surrounding it.
• It’s important to know that everyone struggles with mental health at some point, not just some people.

It’s not the critic who counts

• It’s not the critic that counts, not the man or woman who points out how the strong person stumbles.
• The person who counts is the one that is in the arena doing the work, falling, making mistakes, and learning but choosing to fight for their life.
• We need more people in this world who support those who struggle and those who are courageous enough to admit they need help.

Addicts are in the arena too

• Other people in the arena are those struggling with addictions, as my brother did.
• People who are desperately trying to beat their addictions and demons.
• My brother spent countless hours at clinics as a way to keep clean.
• I watched as he asked for help, and this was not an easy thing to do.

Basic human need

• It’s a basic human need to feel loved and connected.
• We need more people willing to shed the false sense of righteousness that they have over others who find themselves in a place they never thought they’d be.
  

Choosing to love my brother through it all

• There were many times I gave up on my brother because of the behavior that came with his addiction.
• When I chose to fight for my own life and understand myself better, I felt that I owed it to my brother to do the same.
• This was when I told him and my family that I would love him through it.

He felt the love that I had promised

• Our relationship was forever changed for the better.
• I thank God every day for my decision to get in the arena with my brother because our relationship before he passed was one of love and support.
• I still feel that love from him from the other side.

On a professional level

• I choose to get in the arena with my co-workers and employees.
• My most significant responsibility is to have their trust and stand up for them.
• Being in the arena also means standing up for myself and not being taken advantage of.
• Not being afraid to take chances on myself and do things even though it may scare me.

Show up and be vulnerable

• The critics are the ones that will never know true victory or defeat.
• It’s easier to criticize those who dare to get in the arena, but there is no meaning or true fulfillment in this.
• You have to show up and be vulnerable.

Powerful Quotes from this Episode

11:38 – “It’s simpler to sit on the sidelines and do nothing. And it’s always easier to criticize and sneer at those who have the courage to take chances, especially behind a keyboard. But there is no meaning or true fulfillment in this, and there never will be; you have to show up and be vulnerable. You have to be the man or woman in the arena”.

12:13 – “Two things we get every day are a chance and choice. Let’s put more value on our choices; that’s what determines our destination”. (Quote by J Prince)

Want to get in the arena?

The arena for you could mean being a guest on my podcast to share your hard beautiful journey. Please check out my website and fill out the request form if you’re interested in doing this.

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Thanks for listening,

Tiff