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My name is Danny du Feu and I, along with two of my best friends, Taylor Marks and Walker Blanco, will be competing in Ironman 70.3 Augusta on September 26th, 2021 in an effort to raise $10,000 for Hope Happens Here. H3 is a mental health awareness organization dedicated to fighting the stigma around mental illness and mental health on college campuses across the country. As someone who has battled with my own mental health since I was 18, their organization’s mission and the work they do is particularly important to me and I couldn’t be happier to team up with them on this journey.
While Taylor and Walker might not have the personal connection I have to H3, they are instrumental in my training, fundraising, and motivation for this race. Consistently reminding me that we are competing in this event for a cause much bigger than ourselves.
My battle with my own mental health started my senior year of high school in January of 2014. I made the mistake of not talking to anyone about it and just thought I was going through a phase, but by February 2015, my battles with depression and anxiety had built up to the point that I almost took my own life. Thankfully, I am still here today and still able to tell my story and promote awareness surrounding mental health.
For months after that, I still didn’t talk to anyone about what I was going through because I was afraid of what people would say. I was afraid that I would be judged and that I was crazy. Afraid that people would be scared of me or not know how to talk to me. I wasn’t comfortable talking about my mental health because no one else around me was talking about theirs, and it didn’t feel like something that I should talk about. And that’s why I love Hope Happens Here.
Their mission is to change all that and help people understand that “it’s okay, to not be okay.” The chapters that they have at different college campuses aim to create open dialogue around mental health and give people the resources they need to get through the toughest situations. They are striving to create an awareness about mental illness and create an environment where people feel comfortable talking about it. The kind of environment and mindset I wish I had when I was at my lowest point.
By donating to this fundraiser, you too, are helping to end the stigma. You are joining the fight and helping to spread the word that it is okay to not be okay. You are helping provide a light to those who may be in the dark and need to know that others have been through what they're going through, while also showing them that it gets better. By donating to this fundraiser, you are helping 1 in 4 people that is battling a mental illness. Lastly, by donating to this fundraiser, you are showing that you care, and reminding someone that no matter what their mind is battling, that they matter, they are cared for, and they are loved.
Thank you for your support, it means the world to me.
With gratitude,
Danny du Feu
While Taylor and Walker might not have the personal connection I have to H3, they are instrumental in my training, fundraising, and motivation for this race. Consistently reminding me that we are competing in this event for a cause much bigger than ourselves.
My battle with my own mental health started my senior year of high school in January of 2014. I made the mistake of not talking to anyone about it and just thought I was going through a phase, but by February 2015, my battles with depression and anxiety had built up to the point that I almost took my own life. Thankfully, I am still here today and still able to tell my story and promote awareness surrounding mental health.
For months after that, I still didn’t talk to anyone about what I was going through because I was afraid of what people would say. I was afraid that I would be judged and that I was crazy. Afraid that people would be scared of me or not know how to talk to me. I wasn’t comfortable talking about my mental health because no one else around me was talking about theirs, and it didn’t feel like something that I should talk about. And that’s why I love Hope Happens Here.
Their mission is to change all that and help people understand that “it’s okay, to not be okay.” The chapters that they have at different college campuses aim to create open dialogue around mental health and give people the resources they need to get through the toughest situations. They are striving to create an awareness about mental illness and create an environment where people feel comfortable talking about it. The kind of environment and mindset I wish I had when I was at my lowest point.
By donating to this fundraiser, you too, are helping to end the stigma. You are joining the fight and helping to spread the word that it is okay to not be okay. You are helping provide a light to those who may be in the dark and need to know that others have been through what they're going through, while also showing them that it gets better. By donating to this fundraiser, you are helping 1 in 4 people that is battling a mental illness. Lastly, by donating to this fundraiser, you are showing that you care, and reminding someone that no matter what their mind is battling, that they matter, they are cared for, and they are loved.
Thank you for your support, it means the world to me.
With gratitude,
Danny du Feu