Meet Ashleigh Draper | Mental Health Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashleigh Draper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashleigh, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

This quote by Theodore Roosevelt has been a guiding light in my life, a constant reminder to step into the arena of life with courage and determination. It has taught me to disregard the naysayers and critics who only observe from the sidelines, always ready to point out my missteps and flaws. Instead, I’ve learned to focus on being the one who takes action, gets their hands dirty, and is willing to embrace the trials and tribulations that come with pursuing one’s dreams. Roosevelt’s words have motivated me to strive valiantly to accept that errors and shortcomings are inherent in the journey to success. I’ve come to understand that effort and achievement are inseparable from failure and mistakes, and that it’s through these setbacks that we grow and learn. The quote has encouraged me to continually push myself to accomplish great deeds to approach life with enthusiasm and unwavering devotion. In essence, this quote has fundamentally changed the way I approach life. It has given me the strength to overcome obstacles, accept failures as part of the journey, and pursue my passions and goals with unwavering enthusiasm. It’s a reminder that the accurate measure of a person’s worth lies in their willingness to step into the arena and take risks, regardless of the outcomes, and for that, I am immensely grateful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Having a professional career was not always something I had envisioned for myself. I was a teenage mother and stay-at-home mom for the 10-12 years of motherhood. It was not until I was in my late 20s that I decided to return to school and enter the workforce. I started slowly by going to community college and picking up odd jobs here and there. From there, I was fortunate enough to land a job with Bank of America, where I have been for the past seven years. I was not passionate about this career, but it allowed me to stay in school and pursue a Bachelor’s degree as I turned 30. I am working on my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and fully immersing myself in the mental health culture. My professional goal is to one day open my practice and help others navigate their mental health ups and downs!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are many great places to visit in the city and within driving distance. We would visit Sedona, AZ, which is roughly a 2-hour drive from the Phoenix area. The red rock landscape is breathtaking. We would visit Joe Farm Grill and/or Liberty Market in Gilbert, AZ for lazy mornings and brunch-type eating. After that, we would walk the street of downtown Gilbert, admiring the historic water tower and one of my favorite boutique shops, 223 Studio. Another location I love to spend time is a park in Morrison Ranch, where the historic 4 Silos sit off in the distance and the water fountains create a beautiful ambiance.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My therapist Kerry Failoni. She has encouraged me throughout my story and never waivered in her belief that I can do this! Kerry has helped me heal parts of me that I never thought would be healed. She has helped me understand my own story, allowing me to move forward and continue my education with the end goal of assisting others to the way she helped me.

Website: www.asafeplacetohealandgrow.com

Instagram: asafeplacetoheal

Image Credits
Summer Montoya