May is “Mental Health Awareness Month.” In 2020, I became an avid runner. The pandemic gave me more time to take care of my physical health. Running long distances has never been one of my favorite things to do, but I made a commitment to run in the 2020 virtual AJC Peachtree Road Race and discovered that while I was racking up the miles, I was getting in good physical shape and my mental health was improving.
I was able to listen to books and podcasts. Best of all, I had a lot of crucial conversations with myself.
Running brings me joy and some sore knees, but it’s worth it. When my mental health is good, I am more patient, caring and I feel peace.
What do you do to improve your mental health?
If social media existed when I was a teenager in the early ’90s, I believe that my mental health would have suffered, as I was trying to be seen by Travel Ball, college coaches and pro scouts.
Even as an adult, I have to guard my mental state by not comparing myself to other coaches and community leaders. My best defense is my personal mission statement. I have my own game of life to win.
My personal mission in life is to be significant by serving millions and bringing them into a relationship with Christ starting with my wife, Kelli, and our daughters, Mackenzi and Mackenna.
What’s your personal mission statement?
Why do you need one?
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C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, C.J. has more than 22 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and a track record of success that can work for you.
