By: Alyssa Goodman
Former football player and current motivational speaker, Tra Battle, went to GWCFC to share wise words about mental health on February 7, 2024.
Tra Battle is a former Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers football player. He also played college football at the University of Georgia and select students were brought to the gym to hear him speak. Battle came to GWCFC to talk to students about mental health related to the low points in his life that most of the students around this age can relate to. The event was received well by the students, evident when many students participated by asking questions and making it known that they could relate to Battle’s speech.
During his session, Battle pinpointed three important things about mental health. The three things he wanted the students at GWCFC to remember were the following: Who you are is not what you do, never let circumstance and comparison kill your calling, and don’t choose the safe place, choose the brave place.
During the first point, Battle explained that if he asked who you are, and you say what you are, then that is not who you are, that’s what you do. Battle said, “If I asked who you are, and you say a teacher, that’s not who you are, that’s what you do.”
The second thing Battle wanted the students to remember meant not to let what they’re going through stop them from doing something they love.
Lastly, “Don’t choose the safe place, choose the brave place,” means that if you are going through something, don’t be afraid to reach out and call for help. Everyone has or is going to struggle with mental health at one point in their life, but not everyone can get up and speak about it. We asked Battle why he started motivational speaking and he said that he went through a low point in his life, and now that he has learned from it and grown from it, he would want to help others that are struggling with mental health as well.
All students and staff enjoyed Battle’s speech. It was very relatable, not only to the students but to the teachers as well.