Give Life a Chance

To an audience of Turner Public School students and community members on Wednesday, October 2, Ryan Wetzel, who is the founder of Actions Speak Louder, shared his insight on how to overcome various obstacles in life. Wetzel spoke of issues surrounding depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. His steps for how to overcome each of the emotions involved derive from his own battles.

Inducted during December 2018 into the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame for outstanding athletic achievement and basketball accomplishments, Wetzel, who is a born and raised Montanan and a member of the Blackfeet Nation, holds degrees in both Behavioral Science and Health Administration. With considerable experience working in mentoring, coaching, and the mental health field, Wetzel's presentation touched on major components of depression and anxiety and how they can completely redirect someone's thought process if not treated appropriately.

Connecting to his audience through personal experience with the unexpected obstacles that life can deliver at times, Wetzel told students about being defeated and bouncing back. He took students on his journey as a superstar athlete destined for greatness, to, in an instant, losing his dreams to compartment syndrome, a complication that forced him to rethink his purpose in life.

"My identity was tied to sports. It was the only positive outlet I had during my junior high and high school years. Now, it was taken from me, so I thought my life was over. I started drinking, keeping company with gang members, and refusing to talk about my emotions. Counsellors guided me to begin working on myself physically, mentally, and spiritually. The number one tool in this process is learning the ability to communicate and understanding that it's okay to feel confused or to lose focus. Supportive adults helped me address some serious issues and shared steps that included choosing activities such as exercise, reading uplifting books, as well as other actions that generate a positive attitude. They involve building yourself up, not bottling emotion or neglecting troubling feelings. These strategies saved my life!"

His experiences taught Wetzel that he could be a motivating person, someone who builds others up. He told his audience that it also helps to surround yourself with supportive people and to redirect your thinking, rather than taking the impulsive route or looking for a way to bury the pain. As Wetzel shares steps to creating a better situation, his delivery exudes with compassion and reveals his mission for saving others, believing in their abilities, and infecting them with confidence.

"Chase your dreams, and when you lose direction or have to put your wishes and dreams on the back burner, face your demons and discover a new purpose if necessary. It's never too late to find your passion," Wetzel said.

Wetzel claims his passion now is to share his life experiences and struggles in hopes to help save lives by spreading his message about giving life a chance.

Students recorded key take-aways from Wetzel's presentation. Most realized Wetzel's key message about giving life a chance and being determined, even when the odds seemed stacked against them. And many named ideas about communication being the most important thing in life or that it's never too late to set big goals. However, some found lessons in recognizing how bad experiences can lead to self-improvement or in realizing that a person's life may appear perfect but that an individual can be struggling beneath the surface or behind closed doors. Still others focused on always striving to be better, helping others become better, or being a leader and a friend.

In summarizing Wetzel's words, sophomore Holly Grabofsky recapped: "Surround yourself with people who push you to be your best."

Another sophomore, Ali Doyle noted: "Even though Ryan 'had everything,' he still developed stress, anxiety, and depression."

Meanwhile, Senior Modesty Chamberlain added, "We tend to push people away when we need them the most, but a good support system and a good work ethic can get you far." believing in their abilities, and infecting them with confidence.

"Chase your dreams, and when you lose direction or have to put your wishes and dreams on the back burner, face your demons and discover a new purpose if necessary. It's never too late to find your passion," Wetzel said.

Wetzel claims his passion now is to share his life experiences and struggles in hopes to help save lives by spreading his message about giving life a chance.

Students recorded key take-aways from Wetzel's presentation. Most realized Wetzel's key message about giving life a chance and being determined, even when the odds seemed stacked against them. And many named ideas about communication being the most important thing in life or that it's never too late to set big goals. However, some found lessons in recognizing how bad experiences can lead to self-improvement or in realizing that a person's life may appear perfect but that an individual can be struggling beneath the surface or behind closed doors. Still others focused on always striving to be better, helping others become better, or being a leader and a friend.

In summarizing Wetzel's words, sophomore Holly Grabofsky recapped: "Surround yourself with people who push you to be your best."

Another sophomore, Ali Doyle noted: "Even though Ryan 'had everything,' he still developed stress, anxiety, and depression."

Meanwhile, Senior Modesty Chamberlain added, "We tend to push people away when we need them the most, but a good support system and a good work ethic can get you far."