Meet Lance BORDELON

Let’s get to know HIM a bit better….

Q: So, Lance what is your role with NoStigmas?
A: Marketing Coordinator

Q: How long have you been with NoStigmas?
A: Since September 2021

Q: What motivates your work with NoStigmas?
A: There is always this lingering advice to filmmakers and storytellers to "write what you know"....and I think the same is true for being drawn to service in an area of your life you have a connection with. And like so many of us seeking to right the wrongs of the world and stand up for the silenced or pushed aside, I have a weaving and winding family history with mental health challenges, defeats, and victories. With a background and education in design and PR, I have never felt my soul called to paychecks and material things — and those traditional high-paying traditional “PR/marketing” roles (not that there is anything wrong with those at all, just never was my calling). I always knew in my gut that my purpose on this earth is advocacy. I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and also from a very conservative, small town in the South. I learned early on in my life, that I had to advocate for myself and through the fires, continue to stand grounded in my truth and hope that one day the stigmas in my own life would fade away. I am proud to say that after years of healing and education and connecting, my wounds are mended and so are many relationships in my life. I wanted to work with an organization that truly sees the value and truth in each and every one of us — that stands in defiance of ostracizing anyone for any part of their story and their identity. An organization that builds a community for survivors and advocates alike to come together and save lives by breaking stigmas. Social stigmas exist not only in the bubble of the clinical definition of “mental health” but in so many communities affected by inequality, a lack of resources, and the fear of speaking up. I know that NoStigmas has spent a decade being a strong voice in these conversations, and I wanted to offer my gifts in support of the next decade of change and advocacy.

Q: How do you practice self care?
A: I have a passion for music, and am a professional singer in another chapter in my story, so I sing 24/7 -- it's not that I schedule "music therapy" time for myself, but it's like micro-therapy throughout my day. I am always connecting to oldies or newbies that connect to the soul of the human experience and often find catharsis in belting out these melodies and lyrics. I also keep moving and also read non-fiction/educational materials for fun. I wish I enjoyed getting swept up in fantasy stories but I guess I just love the lived grit of real-life storytellers. I do, however, love to get lost in fantasy films and franchises.

Q: What are you grateful for?
A: My husband. Full stop. He has walked through fire with me, and I could not have asked for a better human to be in my life and who inspires me daily. He is daily reminder of the beautiful possibilities of life and has an outlook that so often helps to guide me out of my low moments. He is also so incredibly patient with me and my mental health, and supports me in anyway he can. Since we live in Italy, there have been many moments he has been at my side as such a strong support system for me. "Gratitude" doesn't even begin to articulate it.

Q: What was your mental health “aha” moment?
A: My mental health experiences have been intertwined with my journey of self love and embracing/accepting/celebrating my truest identity. My "aha" moment was sophomore year of college when I was surrounding myself with people that inspired me and showed me what authenticity looked like. It was liberating. It showed me what my future could look like, free from so much pain and hiding. So that was the beginning of a long road (with so many peaks and valleys) to self-love and bravery.

Q: What advice would you give your younger self about mental health?
A: Don't fear the darkness. Be brave and stay grounded in who you are. Never doubt your value, and when you find yourself being pulled down or forced to shape-shift into someone you do not love or connect with, know that this is a choice and you can choose to stay the course. You don't have to let your inner (and outer) saboteurs win. You will go on in life to create beautiful things and impact so many others, you have so much to give this world. Don't fear the darkness, walk through it, learn from it, grow from it, forge your armor in it. "It's always darkest before the dawn."

Q: Do you have any new hobbies these days?
A: I've stepped up my chef game, and turning out some truly restaurant-quality dishes at home and for family gatherings. (claps for himself) Haha. I have also been more and more into plants and "gardening" (apartment-style).

Q: How can we all connect with you?
A: Lance@NoStigmas.org | Instagram @LanceBordelon