#151 - Anna Sowell

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason welcomes Anna as she shares the story of her younger brother, Alex Calvo. This episode is a little different, as it covers a topic rarely discussed but one that weighs heavily on many hearts and minds: suicide. Anna lost her little brother, Alex Calvo, at just 33 years old. She received the call no one ever wants to get, from the county sheriff's department. That moment is etched vividly in her memory; those words are scarred into her heart. She then had to deliver the devastating news to her parents. Alex struggled with mental illness, something he hid incredibly well. On August 31, 2024, he lost his battle. He was found lifeless in a hotel room. Anna has wrestled with the loss of her brother, left with countless questions and very few answers. He was the youngest of five siblings, a certified electrician, and a dog lover. His loss has deeply shaken their entire family. There were no signs, no red flags, no warnings. He functioned as if everything was perfectly normal. Overnight, Anna's world changed. In this episode, Anna opens up about a topic many keep private in order to preserve the image of their loved ones. She steps out of the shadows surrounding suicide in hopes of making a difference in the life of someone who may be struggling or grieving a similar loss. Anna speaks to the stigma surrounding suicide and shares her experience with honesty and vulnerability. This conversation comes from the heart -- raw, real, and genuine.