Mental Gladiators

In the early 2010s, a bunch of folks in a JPMorgan Bogota conference room watched in stunned horror as the Indian gringo went from stuttering into a non-verbal meltdown.

Someone fetched tea.

Let’s de-stigmatize: I’ve experienced an unwelcome surrender of the unconscious mind to unprocessed emotions.

It’s not fun.

As I held the cup, I remember the sound of the saucer rattling. Everyone in the Colombia office was very kind.

My team was surprised: I’d successfully delivered this presentation before!

Because my cup over-floweth at work, the experience made me more conscious of mental health relative to the professional (or academic) environment.

I had to unpack something about myself.

In elementary school, I once faked being sick. I successfully got out of going on stage for a spelling bee. And I knew how to spell all the words.

There was work to do.

Work Speak

I became self-aware of triggers which resulted in a rising heart rate, parched mouth, and racing thoughts while public speaking.

I needed “professional help” to process my issues (using air quotes purposefully).

So, I became one of the founding members and was the VP of Public Relations for a Toastmasters…