James Donaldson has an amazing story you need to hear. He enjoyed a long, productive basketball career spanning 20 years, with 14 of those in the NBA. He is a big man with a big heart, and his energy can fill a room.  When he moved from the basketball court to the business world, it was a smooth transition. But that all changed suddenly in 2015 with a trip to the emergency room.

A heart condition he knew nothing about almost killed him.After twelve hours of surgery, two weeks in a medically induced coma, and three months in intensive care, his battle was only beginning.  Four major surgeries in five years, and his world was falling part. James lost it all: his health, life savings, marriage, business, and home all within a year's time. Hedeclared bankruptcy, lost his home to foreclosure, had to close his long-running business.

James was struggling in silence and contemplated suicide.  He battled through the darkness over twelve difficult months and decided to share his story in order to help others. From those dark days he found hope, joy, and purpose and he is committed to speaking up on the topic of depression and mental health.

In this conversation, James takes us through his journey and shares his efforts to inspire others to seek help and find purpose in their lives.

Guest Resources:

Book: Celebrating your gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a life of Purpose and Joy.

Foundation: Your Gift of Life Foundation https://yourgiftoflife.org/

Podcast: Standing Above the Crowd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.donaldson.9634340

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Want to skip to the good part? Here’s this episode’s segments:Chapters

00:00 Nostalgic Beginnings: A Basketball Camp Reunion

02:58 Community Impact: The Role of Sports in Youth Development

05:50 Basketball Legacy: Seattle's Rich History

08:41 From Player to Professional: James Donaldson's Journey

11:08 Mentorship in Sports: Lessons from George Raveling and Lenny Wilkins

14:13 Life After Basketball: Transitioning to Business

17:12 Health Crisis: A Life-Altering Experience

19:53 Struggles with Mental Health: The Aftermath of Adversity

29:42 Facing Darkness: A Personal Journey

33:50 The Catalyst for Change: Tyler's Story

36:21 Understanding Hopelessness: The Depth of Despair

41:11 Breaking the Stigma: Men and Mental Health

45:00 The Need for Representation: Mental Health in Communities of Color

47:38 Empowering the Next Generation: Speaking to Youth

50:58 The Impact of Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword

55:58 The Importance of Connection: Reaching Out to Others

59:54 A Life of Purpose: From Athlete to Advocate