Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling and no relationship is created between the show hosts or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
[00:00:42] Speaker B: Well, welcome back. Welcome back everyone. This is the Bama balance. Real stories about college men's mental health. I'm Dr. Todi Perez, Associate Vice President for student health and well being and glad to be back for the second season with two new co hosts. So I'll let you guys introduce yourselves.
[00:01:00] Speaker C: I'm Brooks Barbary. I'm from Fenc City, Alabama. I am a senior studying accounting here at ua.
[00:01:07] Speaker D: I'm Edward Fountain. I am a junior from Dothan, Alabama and I'm studying interdisciplinary studies with IT up, studying community development and nonprofit work.
[00:01:16] Speaker B: It's so exciting to have you guys here starting the semester off the new season for this podcast again. For those of you who are new to the podcast or catching up with us, the Bama Balance is a relatively new podcast that we started last semester where we explore college men's mental health and ways to support and build resilience for our college men. And we do this by sharing some of the stories, the experiences among us and talk about topics related to college men's mental health and the experience that college men have. And you know, as before, we hope to carry on the tradition here to share our stories, invite others to share their stories as well, as well as talking about the different resources that we have on campus and other resources that are available to support college men's mental health as well as the services and some new initiatives that might come up along the way. So it's really good to be back. It's been months since I've been on the mic and I know probably months since the two of you have.
What's it feeling like to get started?
[00:02:32] Speaker C: I'm excited. More excited for the school year to start up, especially being a senior. It's my last go around so got to make it count, start some new things and looking forward to see where it's going. The mic is still a little weird though.
I'll be the first to say that.
[00:02:49] Speaker D: Sure, agreed. Yeah, agreed. I would just say I'm excited to be doing something new. It's a lot of fun was not something I expected to do halfway through my college experience. But here I am, and I've enjoyed it so far. And I can't wait to see where we go with this.
[00:03:07] Speaker B: Yeah, I think ultimately it's about not only the three of us, but our experiences and what we can share.
And what I've always valued about it are the conversations that we have. I know that during this time, it feels to me it's like protected time where we can sit and chat.
And I always. Well, I've always imagined me sitting along with last season, Johnny and Nick, and now you, the two of you, Brooks and Edward, sitting on a front porch and just kind of chatting and kind of talking. So I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to it. How were your summers? Did you. You guys have a good summer?
[00:03:52] Speaker C: It's great. Stayed here, took classes, did a few fun things here and there. Got to enjoy the beach a little bit, the lake. So it was a great summer.
Just looking forward to, you know, summer classes. Made me want to come to the school year because now I've got to look at football coming up.
[00:04:10] Speaker B: Right.
[00:04:10] Speaker C: A bunch of fun events and stuff that I don't get during the summer.
[00:04:13] Speaker B: Right. Well, you're senior now. Does that feel different?
[00:04:16] Speaker C: Oh, it's weird.
[00:04:17] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:04:18] Speaker C: Knowing that I'm done, you know, in.
[00:04:20] Speaker B: A year, it's just a weird feeling.
[00:04:23] Speaker C: It feels like I just started school not too long ago, so time really is a thief. It's flown by, but made some great memories and a ton of great friendships here, and looking forward to doing that for another year.
[00:04:34] Speaker B: Goes by quick. How about you, Edwin?
[00:04:37] Speaker D: I had a great summer. I was in Jasper for most of it, working at a community foundation up there, and it was a great experience. But, I mean, it's funny because I was really sad leaving, but it's always like, you get back to.
You get back to Tuscaloosa, and you're like, yeah, this is. This is where I want to be at the end of the day.
So, yeah, I'm just really excited for the school year.
[00:05:02] Speaker B: Nice.
[00:05:02] Speaker D: I think I learned a lot over the last couple of months, and I'm excited to kind of keep growing in that way.
[00:05:09] Speaker B: That's fantastic. Tuscaloosa is home. Feels like home for the two of you now. And certainly, as we start this new year, we want to welcome back students who are returning to campus and also new students who are just finding Tuscaloosa to be their new home for their college career. So we'll talk A little bit about maybe some things to expect for college men, ways that they can start to develop maybe their own wellness plan for mental health and maybe even more so.
Stay with us. This is the BAMA Balance. Real stories about college men's mental health.
[00:06:12] Speaker D: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa.
[00:06:14] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling and no relationship is created between the show host or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348386.
If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
[00:06:56] Speaker C: Welcome back, guys. This is Brooks. Welcome back to the BAMA Balance. Real stories about college men's mental health.
I'm excited to get everybody back to campus.
Just a great feel when everybody's here, you know, I mean, this place truly does feel like such a big campus when you start out, but it truly is very small with the amount of people you get to know and the relationships you make and those going throughout the world, it's cool to speak to people already and they're like, yeah, I graduated from Alabama and, you know, that's something easy to relate to, even if it's the SEC or anything like that.
So I'm excited to have everybody back and, you know, hope everybody has a great year.
[00:07:41] Speaker D: Yeah, I'll let go of that. It's. I always love. I mean, it's always so frantic at the beginning of the any school year, but it's just fun because you get to reconnect with people and get to meet a lot of new, see a lot of new faces, meet a lot of new people. So it's always, you know, it's a lot, but it's a good amount of a lot, I guess.
[00:07:59] Speaker B: It really is. It's. It's always remarkable to me how you know, as, as a first year student, freshman, how big the campus can feel. And because it is big and there I think we'll have close to, if not a little over 40, 1000 students this year. So it can feel huge and kind of overwhelming too. But before you know it, you know, once you make your group of friends, once you find your community and get involved in stuff, the campus feels a little more, not more, not smaller, but manageable and you feel like you belong. I don't know if you felt that way or what point you felt that way coming in as freshmen.
[00:08:46] Speaker C: No doubt.
Coming in as a freshman, you know, you're moving in the dorms. That's new. Your parents aren't there to tell you what to do, and so you're on your own.
But, man, it truly is. I mean, there's a ton of people here.
[00:08:59] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:09:00] Speaker C: But I was lucky enough to be in a fraternity, and that, I feel like, has helped me a ton knowing that, you know, I've automatically got 56 good friends.
And the relationships I've made throughout that have. Have truly helped me, knowing that there were older guys to help me out.
[00:09:18] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:09:18] Speaker C: Like Nick when I was coming through. Nick was a sophomore when I was a freshman.
[00:09:22] Speaker B: Right.
[00:09:22] Speaker C: We were both ATOs, so it's just awesome that you have so many people in your circle supporting you. And, I mean, that's.
[00:09:30] Speaker D: Really.
[00:09:31] Speaker C: Having a great friend circle can make or break you.
You know, people say you are who your best five friends are. So I took that with heart and tried to make as many friends as I can, you know, and hopefully that'll take me a long way with relationships and good moral support.
[00:09:48] Speaker B: Makes a big difference to kind of feel. Feel that sense of belonging.
[00:09:52] Speaker C: No doubt.
[00:09:52] Speaker B: And so how for you?
[00:09:54] Speaker D: I mean, I think coming in, it's just.
There's so much going on, and I had so many people tell me, you know, sometimes it takes time to find people, but I think pretty, pretty quickly I was able to find some people. But, I mean, it really is. You just never know who you're gonna. Who you're gonna meet and who you're gonna be around. And originally, I didn't really do a whole lot. I just was kind of here and glad to be here. And then I, you know, found my people not long after. And it seems like I keep having, like, having new opportunities, and especially freshman year. I mean, there's just so much going on, but was great. And I really, you know, I look. I look back to then, where I am now, and just. It's weird to think, yeah, I'm starting my junior year. It's like, you know, when I really take inventory of all of that time, it puts a lot of it into perspective, of how, you know, you really build the foundations of who you want to be that freshman year.
[00:10:59] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:11:00] Speaker D: And how that. How you. How you're just building upon that every semester. And it's just evident, I think, in where I am.
[00:11:09] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. It just builds on each other, on itself.
And more and more, you feel part of the campus and a part of your community. Was there anything that made it easy for you guys as freshmen when you moved in? Like, did you have brothers or sisters that were here or.
[00:11:24] Speaker C: I'm not. I was only child, really. I knew nobody. Oh, my gosh, Brooks, it was crazy.
[00:11:29] Speaker B: Wow. How did you manage that?
[00:11:33] Speaker C: Honestly, I have no clue. I mean, I was just day to day, but I always told myself, you know, even when you're in class or walking, like, talk to people, you know, you never. Who know who can help you in the future or just be one of your best friends that you would have thought that you would have never met.
[00:11:49] Speaker B: Right.
[00:11:51] Speaker C: So honestly, for me, being an only child, coming here, I was. I was really feeling the big campus thing. I was like, holy cow, this is all brand new.
But quickly, like Edward said, I was able to find my group, and I think that really helped me get through that freshman year.
[00:12:07] Speaker B: Did. Were your. Where did your folks go here or who did you know here?
[00:12:11] Speaker C: My dad went to Alabama.
[00:12:13] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:12:13] Speaker C: My mom went to Auburn.
[00:12:14] Speaker D: Oh, okay.
[00:12:15] Speaker B: That's all right.
[00:12:15] Speaker C: Split house.
[00:12:16] Speaker B: That's okay.
[00:12:17] Speaker C: And I live like 30 minutes from Auburn, so.
[00:12:19] Speaker B: Right.
[00:12:20] Speaker C: Growing up, they were our high school rivals. So I've. I've just got every ounce of non Auburn in me.
So.
[00:12:29] Speaker B: Was there a. Was there ever a discussion where you would go to school?
[00:12:33] Speaker C: Not really.
There's more of the discussion if I was going to play baseball or not.
[00:12:38] Speaker B: I see.
[00:12:39] Speaker C: That was a big thing.
But I knew I didn't want to be that close to home.
And my dad took me under his wing very early, and we had season tickets to football games, so he swung me pretty early on.
[00:12:52] Speaker B: Done deal.
[00:12:53] Speaker C: I can thank him for that.
[00:12:55] Speaker B: Done deal. Roll Tide. Thanks, Brooks. Dad. How about for you, Edward?
[00:12:59] Speaker D: I had. So I have three older sisters.
[00:13:02] Speaker B: Oh, wow.
[00:13:03] Speaker D: They all went here.
[00:13:03] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:13:04] Speaker D: My parents went here, so it was never in doubt where I was gonna go.
[00:13:08] Speaker B: Sure.
[00:13:09] Speaker D: Nor did I really. I mean, I never wanted to be anywhere else.
It was. I think it was great.
I'm definitely glad I. You know, it's not like I didn't know anyone coming up here, but the people that I did know of were. Some of them are older, and a lot of them were just my sister's friends. And those aren't gonna be, like, the lasting relationships that I make sure. So there was. I think there was still a little bit of having to find my people, which I was glad you wanted to.
[00:13:36] Speaker B: Kind of carve out your own.
[00:13:38] Speaker D: Yes, my own path in a lot of way.
Me, like, I think each. Each one of my siblings, we all have, I think, our time. I mean, obviously, I'm not done, but the other three are. And each of their time looked completely different.
And, you know, I hope mine does as well, because just. I don't want it to be theirs.
[00:13:59] Speaker B: Sure.
[00:13:59] Speaker D: Even though I think theirs is great for them.
And I think that goes to just show the. Just how awesome this place can be because it's. It can be because it's so big. It can be as big or as small as you want it to be. And there's so much. There's so much opportunity to get involved in so many different things that you can do whatever you want to do because there's other people who have those same interests and other people who also like what you like. And if you look forward, it's there. So that. That's just a really.
That's like another reason why I love this place. And I think coming in freshman year, just I was able to really find my people. And it was still nice having a few older people to kind of guide me a little bit.
Those who have been here, who had already been here, who, who knew some of the people, or rather my sisters, just having that, I guess, like, not safety net, but just that guidance in a lot of ways was great. But still, I mean, I really enjoyed kind of making my own way. And I'm sure just in many aspects.
[00:15:08] Speaker B: Of it, you kind of saw their path and from that, able to kind of carve out your own trail. You know, it's so interesting to me having new students come to campus and students returning, how much newness there still is about the campus. Because if you're a freshman, it's all new. If you're a returning student, then you're new to that year. So, Brooks, this is a new senior year that's new for you, right? Junior year. Edward, new to you. So there's a lot of newness around being back on campus and thinking about some of the aspects of wellness, particularly for college men and their mental health. What are some of those areas around wellness and mental health that you think might be important to highlight? And we can go into it more sort of this next segment, but what are some of those things that would be important to highlight or to let other students know about with regard to their mental health and for college men, particularly with regard to their mental health and whether you're returning or just starting your academic career here at Alabama? What would some of those things be, do you think?
[00:16:28] Speaker C: Like I said, I'm a strong believer in having a great, you know, Surrounding circle, whether that's friends, family, and then just encouraging yourself, having faith in yourself. Take a leap if you need to.
Some of those risks have very high rewards, whether that's sitting at the front of class and meeting every one of your professors, which I also think is great.
But having a great friend circle and then just believing in yourself is two of those major things that I. I think that I related to as a freshman. And of course, being centered in my faith, you know, that helped me as well.
[00:17:05] Speaker B: So, Edward, would you say.
[00:17:09] Speaker D: I would just say it's important, I think coming in to go at your own pace, but not to where you're boxing yourself in. You don't. You don't have to do things at the speed that everyone else does. But also don't limit yourself into your comfort zone because at some point, you know, you gotta get out and. And see the world, like, broaden your horizons. You have a unique opportunity at school to do that in ways that you won't be able to really in any other time in your life. But at the same time, you might come up with people that you know, and they might be doing things completely differently. And that doesn't mean that you're doing anything wrong because it's different than what others are doing. Or if you join any organization and you see others in the organization who do things at a certain pace, just know that that's. That's what they're doing. But that doesn't mean that's what you have to do.
[00:18:02] Speaker B: Right.
[00:18:03] Speaker D: It doesn't mean that you're bound by a certain way of life here. It's. There's so many. It's so broad because you could have a very specific way of doing things because of the broad nature of this university.
So just don't box yourself in, but don't.
Don't let your pace be defined by others, I guess.
[00:18:25] Speaker B: Great. No, I think that's. Words to the wise. Words to the wise. Thanks.
[00:18:31] Speaker C: All right, so this is it for the second or first segment of this episode. We'll be back in the second segment to talk more about where we left off just then. And just more advice for freshmen and returning students as we get back into the school year. Thank you.
[00:19:03] Speaker D: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa.
[00:19:06] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling. And no relationship is created between the show host or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863 if you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
[00:19:48] Speaker D: Welcome back to the BAMA Balance podcast.
Just picking up where we left off in our last segment.
You know, I think a lot of, A lot of freshman year and especially like going into the first semester, it can be little, it can be, you know, anxiety, nervousness, you kind of, you don't know what to expect in a lot of ways. And as we talk about, like, this risk reward aspect of, I think getting in, like, plugged in places, I think it can be scary. And I know a lot of people like myself included, like first semester, freshman year, you always, like, a lot of, like, I was like hesitant to reach out to people because I wasn't, I was, I didn't want to, you know, intrude or I didn't want to make people feel whatever I was like, I just, you know, I was nervous to kind of reach out. And I think a lot of people deal with that from what I've. What I've heard. And oftentimes the people you want to reach out to feel the same way. And it's just if you reach out to try to find your community, oftentimes it's there and they're, they're waiting for the same thing. And even if you know you, you. It ends up like, become. It doesn't go anywhere. I think the regret of knowing or the regret of not like knowing is worse than the regret of kind of being, I guess, rejected.
[00:21:13] Speaker B: Sure.
[00:21:15] Speaker D: I think just having that knowledge of at least, like I, I tried, I. To reach out, I did something is always better than wondering what if, what if.
So I think when it comes to that risk reward, like, don't, don't be scared to reach out to people. Don't be scared to really take initiative and finding your community because oftentimes that's what a lot of people, they think the same way and are in the same boat as you are. And I think that's where finding your community and belonging, that's what it really comes down to. And.
[00:21:49] Speaker B: Kind of trusting in that.
[00:21:50] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:21:50] Speaker B: Would you say you're a shy person or maybe started out as being shy.
[00:21:54] Speaker D: Not, not super shy, maybe not like the most outgoing, but I've never been shy.
[00:21:59] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:21:59] Speaker D: It's more so for me, it came from a place of. I didn't want to inconvenience people and I didn't want to make them feel like they had to do anything. But I had, you know, my dad was always the one telling me, like, hey, like, they probably feel the same way.
[00:22:12] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:22:13] Speaker D: And a lot of the times it's not because over some, I mean, a lot of the times it is because someone's shy, but it often is too. People just don't want to put anyone in a bad spot, so they'd rather just leave it untouched.
But I think it's. If you're really intentional about where you want to be and knowing where you need to be, then you'll find your community. Whether that is maybe in like a sport you play or a faith based community.
[00:22:39] Speaker B: Sure.
[00:22:40] Speaker D: Or in your. Maybe if you're in a Greek organization, like if you're intentional with that, you'll find your people.
[00:22:45] Speaker B: Right.
[00:22:46] Speaker D: Um, there's, there's, there's too many people. Like you said, 41,000. There's. There's someone out there that that is. Will be your. Like you'll have a friend group somewhere out there.
[00:22:55] Speaker B: Right. You know, I was just. As you were talking, Edward, something that we talked about in an earlier segment, a question that I had was how much of you can kind of getting started here and getting your footing here? How much of that felt not up in the air, but kind of, you know, questionable? Not questionable, but how much of it were you maybe insecure about? Because you've had, you have sisters who've gone here and maybe in some ways feeling like the whole campus knows your sisters and you know, what they've done or what they were involved in. How much of sort of that feeling was with you in trying to get started here?
[00:23:36] Speaker D: I think it definitely informed some of where I wanted to be.
[00:23:40] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:23:42] Speaker D: Especially at first. You, you often want to go where you're known because that can, that can be easier.
[00:23:48] Speaker B: Right.
[00:23:49] Speaker D: And was always cool to meet people who knew them and cool to meet people who had, who were friends with them, who might have still been here. But I just think it, it really came down to.
It was better when I was on my own in a lot of ways.
That's not to say that the things they do.
That's not to say there's no crossover. There definitely is crossover in the things that I do and the things that they did and it's all good, but it's just, it was always interesting, especially when I, you know, say, oh, Edward Fountain, nice to meet you. And they're like, oh, you're Kate's little brother. It's like, yeah, well, yeah, I am. Or Mary Dean's little brother, or Bess is like, it just. It was always, oh, you're the last kid of that group.
[00:24:37] Speaker B: So, Kate, Mary, Dean, Best, if you're listening, this is Edward. He's one of our co hosts this season for Bama Balance Podcast and doing his own thing.
[00:24:44] Speaker D: Yes. Shout out to all of them. They were way more. They did way more than I did, that's for sure.
[00:24:49] Speaker C: I do want to go back, Edward, to something you said that I feel like so important and kind of shaped me and has been my whole life, basically. I am a huge hater of the unknown.
[00:25:02] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:25:03] Speaker C: I fear the unknown.
Not.
I mean, just purely because, like, what if. You know, what if I could have been a great baseball player? You know, and that was something that was tough for me. Making a decision to come here was like, what if baseball takes me down a path that I wouldn't know if I came here or likewise, the other way.
As a freshman, I feel like it's important to try to join as many things as you can.
[00:25:31] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:25:32] Speaker C: You know, apply to fyc, apply to Capstone Men and Women, because those are things that if I wouldn't have done, I wouldn't have been able to sit with myself today knowing that I possibly could have been a member of one of those groups.
And I feel like also when you do that, you meet a ton of people, and that's another way to find your group. So if I could encourage you out there, if you're listening in a freshman, apply to everything. You can. Try to get really busy because it'll make time go by and you'll be able to find good groups.
[00:26:07] Speaker B: Yeah, that engagement is so important.
How did you find your community, bro? How did you find, like, there. There are over 600 organizations here, but how did you eventually sort of whittle it down to find your own community, the where you. You feel like you belong, where you engage the most?
[00:26:26] Speaker C: Joining the Greek organization I'm part of, I feel like was a huge part of that.
Just because you have so many guys that have different aspects and looks on how they want their college career to go doing that. Like I said earlier, I had a ton of older guys that I looked up to, you know, might have been studying the same thing as they were.
And like Edward said, I just asked them, you know, I can. I pride myself in being able to talk to a brick wall. I feel like maybe one day that'll help me out. But, you know, I mean, just not being scared and, you know, that's another one of those Unknown things. What would have happened if I would have talked to that guy?
[00:27:04] Speaker B: Right.
[00:27:06] Speaker C: So I feel like that was a huge role. And then some other smaller things that I was involved in down. Sure kind of made it bigger, but at the same time made the campus feel smaller.
[00:27:15] Speaker B: Right, right.
I think it's something to be a part of a.
Not only a large campus, but also an organization that can also seem large. But there's something too, about being a part of something larger than yourself. Right, right. That makes it feel like this is a place that I belong. These are my people. This is a place where I feel at home.
You mentioned, you know, you kind of fear of not knowing and kind of the risk of.
Of not following through. Were those.
Like, how did you overcome that risk of knowing versus not knowing?
[00:27:56] Speaker C: Having faith in myself was probably the big one.
And like I said earlier, me being centered around my faith, like, that's something that I feel like, you know, risks are meant to be taken.
[00:28:06] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:28:08] Speaker C: So sometimes you're going to get told no, but that's the worst that can come out of that, you know, And I'd rather be told no than the what if possibility of I could have been there and done that.
And there is a ton of anxiety when you're going to take a risk like that.
But talking to your friends about it, having faith in yourself, and then, you know, for me, being centered around faith, I feel like that was what got me through those moments where I felt anxiety when I was about to take one of those risks.
[00:28:37] Speaker B: Right.
That sounds great.
[00:28:41] Speaker D: I think for me, it just.
It was a lot of. I mean, it was the same, really. I'd rather. I'd rather know. And I think when it came to some of the things that I applied for freshman year, not only do you have the experience. Experience of going through a lot of those processes, but you also get to meet people and then you get to figure out having gone through those experiences. Okay, is this really want to be.
And I'll tell you, like, what I thought I was going to be doing going into freshman year is not where I was at the end of freshman year.
I don't even know how I got roped into Farmhouse and having like, the privilege of being able to be there and help found that, but that was not on my radar at all.
And it ended up being. And. And I think I really got to learn with what I applied for and what I did and didn't have the opportunity to do where I wanted to be.
And it shaped and like how I mentioned earlier, how Everything kind of builds on those foundations. Like every freshman out there, anything you are interested in, you need to do like do your freshman year, try to do it because that's where you're gonna find what you enjoy and then you build on that. And I think I was really able to build on what I did freshman year last year in sophomore year. And I was really able to put in some real roots in the things that I started to get involved in and then even some things that I didn't have the opportunity to do freshman year.
I learned from those failures and came back and was able to try again and succeed in some of those ways in sophomore year. So it's just, it's never, never take no as as this is never going to happen.
Because at the end, at the end of the day, that's up to you. If you, you know, if you just tell yourself it's never going to happen, then it won't. And sometimes you don't have every opportunity. But just like it's, I'd rather like. You should always rather try, try as a. You don't want to, you don't want to live with that regret of not knowing.
So I would just echo everything Brooks said and especially like, like also being, I think having a good faith community for me has been helpful and building on that sophomore year was, was great.
But I mean that's, but that's just. Everyone's got to find what that is for them and that's the important, like I said, just building, building off of what you learn freshman year. And really that's, I guess that's a life thing. It is kind of just build off your experience.
[00:31:18] Speaker B: It really is. It's, it's, it's gaining experiences, learning from them and building on them. Yes, great, great words.
[00:31:25] Speaker D: But that's the end of our second segment here, so we'll, we'll take a quick break then wrap things up in our outro wvuafm Tuscaloosa.
[00:31:52] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling and no relationship is created between the show host or guests and anything listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emerg.
[00:32:35] Speaker B: Welcome back everybody to the last segment of the BAMA Balance and you Know, Brooks, Edward, I kind of appreciate, I really have appreciated this, this first episode, welcoming back everybody and you know, new students and returning students and particularly for college men, getting started here again, either as a freshman or returning student. I think that you guys have talked about a lot of benefits from your own experience, sort of what you've done to be able to find your own community and a sense of belonging and navigate some of the anxieties and uncertainties that, that are inevitable whenever you start a new place or whenever you start a new year here. And you know, as, as we were talking during the break and as I was thinking about it, I'm wondering, I want to kind of ask the two of you this question. If you think back during your freshman.
[00:33:34] Speaker C: Year.
[00:33:37] Speaker B: What would be some of the things you would tell your freshman self now that you know now about being here at the university? And in particular, what would you tell your freshman self about how to engage in your maybe self care and, and mental health?
[00:34:02] Speaker C: Mine would definitely be one. Get more involved than I was.
I felt like I was pretty involved, but could have done a lot more and I feel like that would have helped me meet a lot more people.
And you know, freshmen's like have such a tough, like, you know, they're coming into something brand new.
Like we said, you don't know anybody. There's over 41,000 students here this year and that can just be like such a big burden on itself.
Um, but you know, I mean, I feel like your community kind of provides that comfort and. Yeah, to yourself and that's self care in its own right there. Just having people to talk to.
For me, it was huge. Being able to find a community in my church and do that with a bunch of my good friends and you know, just be yourself, talk to as many people as you can. I find comfort in that. Smiling at somebody when they're walking.
[00:35:05] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:35:05] Speaker C: When I started this whole thing out, it was funny because I was a business major and I minored in biology. I was pre dental.
[00:35:12] Speaker B: Right.
[00:35:13] Speaker C: So when I was walking on the business side of campus, you know, it's all smiles, you know, it's easy. It's easy to look at people and smile. And then I walk in the, you know, the engineering and your sciences, going to labs and all, and it's just not the same vibe going on so not as cheerful, you know, I tried to smile at as many people as I could, tell them to have a good day and just speak to them. And that was how I found my comfort and kind of cared for Myself, I love it.
[00:35:41] Speaker B: How about for you, Edward?
[00:35:43] Speaker D: I think I would just tell myself to.
I wouldn't say it's not that deep, but I would say definitely remember that everything here is so. I mean it's, it's real, but you're still, it's college, so you're not. I mean, you feel like a kid again. So enjoy that. Like, enjoy the freedom that you have because you will never have it again, ever.
At least not to this extent.
[00:36:14] Speaker B: That is so true.
[00:36:15] Speaker D: So really enjoy that. Do what you enjoy. Get involved where you want to get involved. To Brooks's point, like, I probably wish I had tried to do more things than I did because I almost boxed myself into certain avenues of like this is where I want to be. And I think if I had broadened my horizons a little bit more, I would have gotten where I am now sooner.
[00:36:40] Speaker B: Right.
[00:36:41] Speaker D: And I love where I'm at now.
So I would just say keep it along those lines. And then when it comes to self care, I mean, I think having a good community of people who are in the same, in the same seasons as you, but people have gone through the same things but maybe are a little bit older who can give you wisdom. For me it was, especially when I look at my sophomore year, having a really good small group leader and a.
[00:37:09] Speaker C: Strong.
[00:37:11] Speaker D: A strong believer who helped me through a lot of challenging circumstances, but also having older people in other organizations I'm in that have gone through what I'm going through and are there to give me advice. And I think the last thing would be just make use of the resources on campus. I mean there's, they, there's some, I mean there's opportunities to really get some, some good help if you are really going through something. There's opportunities to find people, whether it's from like a more peer level to a professional level of, you know, counseling center or many different things. I would just say make use of the resources and make sure you have people who are pointing to you with what you believe and where you want to be.
[00:38:05] Speaker B: No great, great words.
You know, now that you're also starting a new year academically again, you know, Brooks is a new senior and Edward is a new junior. What are, what do you feel are some of the unknowns and what are some of the ways that you're going to sort of manage that and your own well being.
[00:38:32] Speaker C: So I've got a different look on instead ships myself for accounting. So I do that in the summer instead of the spring.
Also I'll have to apply for the master's program. Hopefully that'll go well. And, you know, things with that is talk to as many professors as I can, try to get some great advice on what that needs to look like. And most of it comes back on me. Just study hard.
Although it may not be the most fun thing to do at times.
Study and really just get after it in the classroom this year to set myself up better for when I'm leaving here.
[00:39:08] Speaker B: Sure. How about for you, Edward?
[00:39:10] Speaker D: I would probably just echo a lot of that, as, you know, obviously I have a little more time before I'm looking at some of the next levels or the next chapter.
But I mean, ideally I'll be looking at trying to get into a, you know, post grad program probably, hopefully here grad school.
But really, it's always funny, I think people, you know, every, like, in high school, they'll tell you, oh, you have so much time to figure out what you want to do. And even your first years of college, they'll be, oh, you have so much time. But it got to the point where I was like, if I have that much time anymore. Yeah, time ticks away, but I just preparing for the future, enjoying where I'm at, but not. Not being caught off guard when, you know, yeah, life gets more real.
[00:39:57] Speaker B: Yeah. No, I like that. I think one of the. So lastly, to kind of close us off, one of the biggest unknowns. I don't know if it's a. If it's a big unknown. Maybe uncertainty or backed with confidence for me, is not sure how this football season is going to go. So can you guys help me with some of my uncertainty? What do you. What are you feeling certain about with our football season this year, which starts in no less than, what, two weeks?
[00:40:35] Speaker D: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:40:35] Speaker C: Labor Day weekend.
[00:40:36] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:40:38] Speaker C: I'm not sure if you want to put me down. I'm fired up myself.
I have no uncertainty.
[00:40:44] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:40:45] Speaker C: We're going to knock it out of the park.
[00:40:46] Speaker B: All right. We're going to be. I feel good.
[00:40:47] Speaker C: We're going to be all right.
[00:40:48] Speaker B: Yeah, I feel good. I think because we were talking earlier, I think if there's any season, I mean, you know, certainly last season was a challenging one. First season with new. With coach Deborah's new coach. But a winning season.
[00:41:01] Speaker D: Right.
[00:41:02] Speaker C: Season two, good season.
[00:41:03] Speaker B: Right.
[00:41:04] Speaker C: But I feel like there's a lot that they want to. They want to make known this.
This season, and I feel like they need to make a statement, and I feel like they will make a statement.
[00:41:15] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. How about for you, Edward?
[00:41:17] Speaker D: I Think we have a good chance to win it all.
[00:41:19] Speaker C: Wow.
[00:41:20] Speaker D: I'm gonna be so honest, put it out there. I think if you look at the way Ohio State kind of built their team last year, we have a very like, we had a lot of guys who could have gone pro but stayed.
[00:41:30] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:41:30] Speaker D: A lot of guys who could have transferred but didn't.
[00:41:32] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:41:34] Speaker D: Which is rare nowadays, huh? It's true.
[00:41:36] Speaker B: I think.
[00:41:37] Speaker D: I think we got a lot of pieces there. I'd be shocked if we didn't make the playoffs. And I think we have a really good chance to win the whole thing. So I say that I'm going to be a nervous wreck for every game, even against probably you all. Monroe. I might, you know, there's no telling what I'll do, but I am fired up and excited for it.
[00:41:53] Speaker B: I can't wait. I can't wait. I'm so excited about this season. Probably excited as I've been about any season, really, because, you know, we've now got something to prove, more confidence in the system that's been put into place and can't wait to see how we execute. How are you going to do against Florida State? Do you think it's going to be.
[00:42:11] Speaker C: A bad day for them?
[00:42:14] Speaker B: There you go. We'll have a couple of weeks to find that out, but. And to talk more about it. But what about you, Edward?
[00:42:19] Speaker D: I think it'll be a. I think it'll be scrappy for a little bit, but I'm not too worried about it. I think we'll pull away.
[00:42:24] Speaker B: Yeah. There's some late breaking news with Jam Miller, but I think with our running back core, we're. And still in good shape for that.
Roll Tide. Roll Tide. This has been a great first episode. I want to thank you, Brooks, and. And Edward for being here and for joining as our new co hosts for. For this season.
And we want to welcome our returning listeners and. And welcome new listeners too to. To this podcast. Also wanted to plug our Instagram account, the Bama Balance and so find us there for news and feel free, I guess, to DM us too, in terms of if you have any ideas that. Or questions. Or questions. Yeah. Or questions that you might have of either of us or the podcast in general. But it's been. It's been a great start, a great first episode.
Thank you, Brooks. Thank you, Edward. Looking forward to this year with you and with that. I'm Tony Perez. Hi, I'm Brooks Barbrey.
[00:43:23] Speaker D: And I'm Edward Fountain.
[00:43:24] Speaker B: And this is the Bama Balance. Real stories about college men's mental health. We'll see you next time.
[00:43:45] Speaker D: Wvuafm, Tuscaloosa this show was not intended.
[00:43:49] Speaker A: As a substitute for professional counseling. Further, the views, opinions and conclusions expressed by the show hosts or their guests are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Alabama, its officers or trustees. Any views, opinions or conclusions shared on the show do not create a relationship between the host or any guest and any listener, and such a relationship should never be inferred. If you feel you're in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, please contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective county's crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
