Today we’d like to introduce you to Leo Flowers.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Leo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
At the age of nine, I told my mom I was going to kill myself when I turned 40. I thought 40 was old. I didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. Looking back, I realize I was and still struggle with depression. It turns out that a lot of people complete suicide because they feel like they’re a burden to others either physically, emotionally, socially or financially.
I always felt like a financial burden to my mom. She invested and worked a lot for me and my sister to go to a private school. We had tutors. A computer. The encyclopedia collection.
When I turned 40, I realized I wanted to live. Thrive. Stay around until I’m 100. However, I also realized that I didn’t know how to take care of myself. I didn’t know how to take care of my finances. My health…I have six bulging discs in my neck and a torn meniscus. I also didn’t know how to have a healthy relationship with friends, girlfriends or food…my weight is constantly fluctuating.
At 40, I also realized that so many other people are struggling in the same areas. Money. Love. Health. Communication. However, nobody is talking about it. We are, but secretly. To our therapist, if we can afford one.
So I started a suicide prevention podcast. We discuss all of those areas with the aim of demystifying the stigma around suicide. So many people with so many resources are taking their lives. More people are dying from suicide than war, murder and natural disasters.
On the podcast, I have comedians, doctors, authors, astrologists and anyone else with either a story and/or solution regarding suicide. The numbers are growing every month and I’m consistently getting messages about how an episode has impacted someone’s life.
The main idea that I want to spread are suicide drills. What to do when you have a “flare up?” I do what’s called, JERMS: Journal, exercise, read, meditate and self-talk.
In September, I’ll be performing and/or hosting a panel at the Life Is Beautiful festival 20-22. 200,000 people are expected to be in attendance, so I’m looking forward to getting the word out there.
I’m 43 now and am pacing myself to live to 100. Who’s coming with me?!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road. Some of my struggles were:
1. father passing away a few years ago
2. living out of my car for a few years
3. having a cervical spine fusion
4. fighting my own internal demons
5. finding guests to share their stories and trusting me with it
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Before You Kill Yourself (podcast) – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a comedian. I talk about socio-political issues and mental health issues.
I also am a personal trainer who trains clients privately in their homes.
I have a M.A. in counseling/psychology…I used to counsel inmates and married. I use those skills to counsel my personal training clients.
I also have the suicide prevention podcast BEFORE YOU KILL YOURSELF.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m excited about touring with the podcast. Giving talks to businesses, schools and organizations about mental health and suicide. I’m also excited about writing a book with the same title of the podcast that has a different message for every day of the week.
Hopefully, this also becomes a movie or tv show. The problem with 13 Reasons Why is that the girl actually commits suicide. It would be great to have a show about someone who is thinking about it, but doing all of these things to keep going and thrive.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: BEFOREYOUKILLYOURSELF
- Facebook: B4YOUKILLYOUSELF
Image Credit:
Leo Flowers
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