"There is no need to hide," Author and mental health advocate - Randi Lee Bowslaugh S3 EPS 29

Randi's Nugget of Hope: The only way to end the stigma of mental health is to speak openly and honestly. There is no need to hide. Randi-Lee was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and from a young age, she had a passion for helping others. She attended Niagara College and graduated at the top of her class from Community and Justice Services, after completing her placement at a recovery house for alcohol and drug addictions. Post-graduation she worked at a Native Friendship Centre for two and a half years while pursuing a university education in psychology. Randi-Lee continued working in social services for another four years as an employment counselor until she left to pursue her other passions. Randi-Lee is an author and outspoken advocate for mental health sharing her true story with honesty. From the age of fourteen, she struggled with depressive thoughts. There were times in her life that she was not sure how she would continue. Depression continues to be a battle in her life, but she is glad that she continues to live. She has spoken at events that promote wellness and compassionately shares her experiences with her own mental health. In 2021 she started a YouTube channel, Write or Die Show, to spread awareness about various mental health issues and to end the stigma associated with mental health. Growing up she never felt that she fit in, being the last to understand jokes and confused about emotions that she saw on others. In 2021 she finally had answers to the questions about herself that had been nagging at her. She was diagnosed with moderate Autism. Another of Randi-Lee’s passions is kickboxing, which she has been doing for about 10 years. She was a Canadian National Champion in kickboxing in 2015, competed at the World’s Kickboxing tournament later that year, and in 2016 competed at the Pan-Am games where she received silver in her division. In 2020 she was chosen as one of the coaches for the Ontario Winter Games where she inspired and coached young athletes. Randi is a mom to two, her youngest child has autism, and grandma to one. Randi encourages and supports her youngest child's entrepreneurial spirit as he follows his dream of being an artist. When she can she incorporates his art into her stories. Contact Information: https://linktr.ee/randib Published Works: Non-Fiction: Thoughts of a Wanderer A Mother’s Truth Embracing Me Fiction A Little Scare Childrens Books Operation Deck the Halls Diamond the Cat Your Host: Kim Lengling www.kimlenglingauthor.com Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/kimlengling YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letfearbouncepodcast6385/videos Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-fear-bounce/id1541906455 Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Letfearbouncet Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/letfearbouncepodcast Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheWriteStuffTVShow LinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlylengling/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenglingauthor/ Twitter:      https://twitter.com/KimLengling Nuggets of Hope https://www.youtube.com/@nuggetsofhope4757 LifePet.Care Estate addendum https://payhip.com/b/ht03b/af645a57e6be23f