Mental Health and Athletics: Ryan Mundy
Introduction
Regardless of who you are, what you do, and where you come from, you must admit that February is an intriguing month. Even though only one large-scale “holiday” regularly comes to mind to the average person (Valentine’s Day), two often forgotten major events are significant to the country’s people and history: Black History Month and the Super Bowl. Specifically, Black History Month, or African-American History Month, celebrates the numerous generations of African Americans who struggled with various adversities to become citizens with equal rights. In addition, the Super Bowl is defined as the yearly National Football League’s championship game, with this year’s winners being the Kansas City Chiefs. Although they seem incredibly incompatible to the untrained eye, to Ryan Mundy (a former Super Bowl Champion), they go hand-in-hand.
Body
Mundy founded “Alkeme Health” in 2021 to increase the quality and quantity of health platforms that focused on African American citizens in America. The story behind its name is simple: it stems from the word “Alchemy,” precisely that of “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. Overall, the book is popularly known as a “classic” novel in which the main character embarks on an adventure in which he eventually learns about who he is and, thus, how to improve himself. With this being said, Mundy found significant value in the story’s principle theme that the journey, not the destination, is important.
Consequently, after finding solstice in this writing, Ryan Mundy was inspired to help others who looked like him after facing many physical and mental challenges following his football career. In fact, after the constant highs of being a successful athlete, he experienced anxiety and depression, questioning what he could possibly do with his life after retiring early from a sports-induced injury. In addition, he began to face chronic illness, as many ran in his family lineage, and decided that an end must come to the national lack of supporting services to alleviate chronic diseases that are consistently suffered by the Black community.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it is of utmost significance that both events are recognized as occurrences that unite us as one people. They are celebrations that honor patriotism, equality, and the evolution of the United States over time for everyone. Understandably, Mundy was able to recognize this connection and used their likeness to generate a business that would help his community heal through education and empowerment.