And I remember like going through a depressive episode of constantly just crying about three

to four days a week and I would constantly question like what would it be like if I wasn't

here? Like what is my purpose? Like what would the world look like without Raven?

That's two-time Olympic shot putter Raven Saunders and she's my guest on this episode of No

Off Season. I'm Dr. Shaiyri Turner. When it comes to mental health Raven Saunders believes

in transparency. During our time together she shared the factors at Shaper Mental Health.

We discussed Raven's challenging childhood in South Carolina and the extreme isolation

that she felt after returning from her first Olympics in Rio. Raven also shared a powerful

story about the text message that saved her life and ultimately helped her find a path forward.

One quick trigger warning. Our conversation touches on self-harm and suicidal ideation. Take

care of yourself if this is a hard topic for you. If you choose to keep listening, know

that you're not alone. Crisis text line is always here for support if you need it. It's

brave to reach out. At any time, textures in the US can connect with volunteer crisis

counselors by texting the word strong to 741-741. It's private, free, and 24-7.

So Raven Saunders, I am really so honored to be having this conversation about mental

health with you. You've shared so freely with so many audiences, but I want to make sure

that this audience has the full picture and your full story as well. So I want it to

start by asking about your childhood in South Carolina at Charleston. What we go through

as children impact our mental health as adults. And from an early age, you were confronted

with a complex set of circumstances, including the domestic witnessing, the domestic abuse

in your own home, understanding at a very young age your sexuality, coming out to your

mom in third grade, which is amazing. And then I would imagine just could see like a degree

...