Dustin Rhodes Encourages Fans To Keep Steppin’ Against Depression, Not Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Over the course of five decades, Dustin Rhodes has had his share of battles in and out of the ring. One invaluable lesson that he learned along the way is to not be afraid to ask for help.
Dustin Rhodes recently spoke with WrestleZone’s Dominic DeAngelo and the two got on the subject of football. “The Natural” happens to be a Dallas Cowboys fan and a recent subject in the news was their quarterback, Dak Prescott, opening up about having depression. Dustin took that moment to give his thoughts about how being able to confide in someone for help is so important as a step in the right direction.
“You bring light upon something like that and somebody else says something, somebody else says something and it’s a domino effect and pretty soon you have a lot of people talking about it, a lot of people more comfortable with opening up about mental awareness and things because it is a real thing and it is out there. People are struggling with it and if you have someplace to go or somebody to talk to, it always helps, you know? Even when you just want to be caved into your own little cocoon man and not really speak about it and whatever you do, because I had to learn this over the years that when you do open up to somebody and you do talk, it does relieve a little pressure in your mind, the hurt or the depression or whatever it may be. It’s very important that you ask for help and that you talk to somebody because a lot of times we can not do that on our own and as hard as it is, you need somebody who is there, who can help you and get you there, you know what I’m saying? A lot like the drug and alcohol addiction that I used to have, but I asked for help, I wanted help and it had to be the right time for me and it had to be all me saying ‘I need help’ cause if I say ‘I’m gonna do this on my own’ it’s impossible and I could not do it on my own so I went to rehab and I got clean and sober and I haven’t turned back, you know?”
“There’s a new work ethic in me of just go out and kick some ass and take some names and work your ass off and be rewarded later. I’m happy and I’m healthy and I’m clean and I’m sober,” Dustin added. “Everybody in the world, there’s so many people that struggle with that, that struggle with mental illness or depression and it’s something that if you talk to somebody, if you ask for help, it can help.”
Something that people have a hard time dealing with when asking for help about depression is what someone will think or say to them and Dustin Rhodes isn’t about going down that road.
“I could give two shits if somebody is judging me for having depression or I’m asking for help and they’re not being there for me. I’ll go onto the next person to ask for help if I want it bad enough. I’m not gonna give two shits of what somebody thinks of me and I think that’s important. I think that’s important with people growing and getting older and having experience and finally saying, ‘You know, enough’s enough,’ because it’s hard when you’re young. You haven’t experienced life, you’re scared to death to upset anybody, you don’t know how to go about things, you’re just kind of winging it, but the more life you live, the more it makes sense to say, ‘Hey, I don’t give a shit what this person thinks.’ I need to think of my well-being, myself first. So if they’re a friend in my life and they’re judging me like that, well they’re no longer a friend. You put them away. You get away from them. You get away from the negativity. You try to find a circle that is really positive and behind you and support you, you know?”
(Transcription credit should go to @DominicDeAngelo of WrestleZone)
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