Half Marathon for Mental Health Support

Hello and thank you for stopping by! My name is Sam Brief, and I’m running in the Chicago Half-Marathon in September to raise money for a cause near and dear to me: resources for those needing mental health support. I’m proud to partner with my friends Jon and Renée Laaser, who operate Laaser’s Ladybug Society. In their words,

Laaser’s Ladybug Society has the dual missions of combating the stigmas attached to mental health through educational initiatives while actively fundraising to raise funds towards that aim. They’ve raised funds for schools and crucially important programs that will help so many.

On my side, I started running during the summer of 2019, my first season broadcasting for the Chicago Dogs baseball team. At first, it was simply a way to explore the cities we were traveling to — from Kansas City to Winnipeg to Milwaukee. As I often do, I became obsessed. I was running more and more to the point of running every single day. It became my “me” time, often running silently through city streets at the crack of dawn, reflecting on life and observing the cities waking up around me. I kicked it up a notch running even longer distances around Australia and New Zealand this winter while working in the Australian Baseball League — and as my fitness increased, I decided it was time to set sail on a half-marathon.

It’s important to me to use my running for a cause as crucial as mental health support. I’ve struggled with my own anxiety for nearly my entire adult life, and I’m proud to highlight mental health in sports through my podcast, The Mental Game. Now, let’s join together to raise money for Laaser’s Ladybug Society as I run around the Windy City!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Sam

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From Jon and Renée:

“There is nothing more important than the mental health of our young people. And the best path to mental wellness is getting out there through physical activity. Please support Sam as he supports the mental health of our kids.”