In support of the mental fitness of ALL men, a new AO is launching 0530 on Wednesday 11/24 at Starbucks off Exit 28 (20300 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031). This is just the beginning… time, day of the week, place, format, number of groups, size of groups, and other details will be figured out as we go along.
The Thang
Men will come together to support each other in whatever mental battles they are currently facing. This will be a place to unburden your soul. Seriously, no topics related to mental health and well being are off limits. If you feel so inclined, please share your story or struggles. If you're not ready to share, please come to listen so that you know you are not alone. In any case, all are here to support each other as men. Call it a long format COT, an open-house Shield Lock, a peer-led mental beatdown… we can make it whatever it needs to be for maximum impact. To be crystal clear, this is not a physical beatdown, it's a time to share, listen, and support (but of course you're welcome to do a pre-run).
Brief History
About two years ago a PAX, F3 name Toby, in F3 Cape Fear took his own life. The region, led by a PAX named 10-count, created "Toby Talks" as an AO to support mental health and well being of ALL MEN. This story was shared to a group of men at the F3 10 year anniversary, including some Lake Norman PAX who then brought the idea back home with them. The idea caught the interest of many PAX here and an effort to create the region's own version of Toby Talks rapidly formed, and it was further accelerated by the tragic loss of Chicken Little in F3 Race City.
By Us, For Us
Even though the initial PB may come from one PAX, there are many PAX leading the charge for this effort. Thank you to all men involved thus far, and to all men who support and post in the future. This is created by all of us, for all of us!