Ep 85 | Breaking the Silence and Opening Up About Mental Illness with Vaughn Rush

Vaughn Rush is a liberated, black, gay man who served as a behavioral specialist in the Army serving in Iraq. He’s also an entertainer and go-go dancer who travels the world performing. I met Vaughn in Stowe, Vermont, while he was vacationing, and I was on a sabbatical writing my book. We instantly connected over having real conversations and sharing our most authentic truths. 

In this episode, Vaughn opens up about his bipolar disorder and what it means to navigate life by loving all parts of himself. He gets very vulnerable about what it means to be a gay, black man, endure mental health struggles, and advocate for himself and countless others. 

What’s in the episode: 

• Vaughn’s time in the military as a gay, black man
• What it means to feel supported in WHO you are 
• Why being open about mental health is so important 
• His mental illness challenges
• Strategies he uses to navigate the dark times

“In a way, I feel very blessed for my mental health struggle because I've had a lot of things along the way that safeguarded me and kept me alive.” - Vaughn Rush

If you enjoy this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me, @kimstrobeljoy.

I would also love if you subscribed to the podcast and left a review!

You can follow Kim’s journey on Instagram at @KimStrobelJoy, and in the free private, She Finds Joy Facebook community.

Connect with Vaughn Rush

INSTAGRAM

About Vaughn Rush

Vaughn Rush, professionally known as Sean Vaughn Carter is an Army Veteran, entrepreneur, Male Lead & Entertainer, go-go dancer and international traveler. He currently lives in New York City and San Diego California, although frequently traveling the states and abroad. Vaughn graduated from Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School in New York City and is currently pursuing his Master of Social Work at Fordham University.

Vaughn served in the United States Army for 7 years, deploying to Iraq in 2011 as a Behavioral Health Specialist and medic. For 6 years prior to the Covid pandemic, Vaughn owned ad operated a backpackers hostel in San Diego California. Currently, you can catch Vaughn, or Sean Vaughn Carter, go-go dancing in New York City, San Francisco, Long Beach, and abroad, as well as a Male Lead in pageants, nightclubs, and Brunch drag shows. Vaughn’s passions include travel, mental health, physical fitness, gay pride, and authenticity.