Louder Now Episode #55: Special Guest Donald "Skip" Mondragon( Faith Series)
Episode #55. Special Guest Donald "Skip" Mondragon. We had a lovely talk about defeating depression especially when it comes out of the blue and everything is going okay before it hits. This is often how it works for a lot of us. We also dive into some themes of faith and how God helps us in dark places.
Skip's story in his own words:
Lights out, door locked, blinds drawn, phones off, I crawled up into a fetal position, under the desk in my office. I asked myself, “Skip, what are you doing? How did you get here? Skip what are you doing?!” Over the next four hours, I wrestled with these questions. I’d been struggling for over nine months. I thought to myself, “I’m a physician, Colonel, and National Wrestling Champion. I’ve been in the Army 25 years and deployed 30 months to combat zones. I’m a tough guy! What happened?” Lying on that musty carpet, I became an observer-participant, and slowly put the pieces together. Finally, I admitted to myself, “Skip, you’re depressed. Go get help!” April 17, 2014, I hit rock bottom and could not go on any longer. I needed help.
I began treatment and it was a slow, arduous, and painful process. About a month into my recovery, I was still in a very dark place. My youngest brother, Chris called to share about a Bible Study he attended led by Evangelist Franklin Graham. Franklin spoke about the horrendous suffering Christ endured for us. Franklin asked why do we think we should be immune from suffering?
For over 10 months I had prayed, “Lord, please, please, deliver me from this darkness.” I couldn’t get Chris’ call out of my mind. I recalled Philippians 3:10, “O, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering.” I’d prayed this verse hundreds and hundreds of times over the years of my walk with Christ. Yet, in my suffering, I wanted deliverance. Over the next two days my prayers changed to, “Lord, what would you have me learn from this?” And, “How can I use it to help others?” This was the turning point.
Soon, I understood I needed to share my story. I began to make note of the lessons I learned during the course of my depression and lessons I was learning as I recovered. I was called to take my mess and make it into my message. Now I speak and write to combat the stigma of mental illness and to encourage other men struggling with depression. In my book, Wrestling Depression is Not for Wimps! I tell my story and provide practical tips for men who are struggling with depression and to help them maintain their health and well-being.
Skip's BIO:
Donald G. “Skip” Mondragon, MD, is a graduate of the Oral Roberts University School of Medicine. He has practiced Internal Medicine, adult medicine, for over thirty years. Colonel Mondragon is a twenty-six-year Army veteran, spent thirty months in combat zones, and is a National Veterans Wrestling Champion.
During his last year in the Army, Skip became a casualty of depression. As he recovered, he was called to help men struggling with this dark disease by speaking and writing. His book Wrestling Depression Is Not for Wimps! was published in February 2020.
Skip’s true claim to fame are his five independent and gainfully employed children, his four grandchildren, and especially his wife Sherry. She’s a tough as nails Army wife who has endured raising teenagers on her own, a variety of moves to new duty stations, and far too many of his idiosyncrasies for over thirty-nine years of marriage.
To reach Skip visit:
Www.wrestlingwithdepression.com
Find him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SkipWNW
Find him on Twitter:
You can also find his book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/WRESTLING-DEPRESSION-NOT-WIMPS-Depression/dp/1945252650/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=wrestling+is+not+for+wimps&qid=1621112121&s=instant-video&sr=1-1
For other resources please call Suicide Prevention Hotline:
800-273-8255
Or visit online:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Also Nami.org
and Betterhelp.com if you are looking and in need of a therapist.
Please email loudernow88@gmail.com if you have any questions, comments, or would like to be a guest.