Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Rogoski
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
March 8th of 2021 I hit a devastating low and checked myself into an out-patient holistic care facility for alcoholism. My drinking habits were a symptom of something bigger- crippling anxiety and depression. Slowly I peeled back the layers and learned to take care of myself emotionally, establishing boundaries and healthy habits. Throughout this process I became frustrated that the care I needed was so hard to come by. It was wildly expensive even with health insurance. I asked myself what would have helped a younger version of myself? How can I hold onto these lessons and share them with my peers? I poured my heart into artwork and a handwritten mini-magazine workbook, creating something that would help me the next time I felt depression slipping back in. During the process I reached out to friends who had been put thru the wringer yet managed to come out stronger than before, and included their stories in the magazine. A few of us committed to checking in once a week with each other online, just for an hour. As our group grew we opened it to the public, recognizing that action sports athletes share similar hardships and that just talking to each other helped immensely. I have a background in sociology- I began looking into why groups like AA were so effective. The sense of community and individuals engagement with other members was a big predictor for their success in the program. Similar research with veterans shows that veteran led peer support groups reduced negative symptoms. We’re All Mental began to take shape. Not as a substitute for professional care, but as a free resource to strengthen our community and provide safe places for authentic conversation. 4 years later we are now a 501.c(3) tax exempt non-profit with a global presence. We have printed and distributed over 3,000 copies of our magazines, hold 2 free online peer support groups per week, and host a series of events across Minnesota, the US, Canada, and Europe.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I had zero background in website design, making a magazine, starting a business, finances, or running a non-profit. It has been a wild learning curve and I still don’t feel like I have it all figured out. I made the first magazine by writing out everything by hand on computer paper, scanning it in, taking photos of my artwork with an i-phone and then putting it all together on the pages app that comes free on apple computers. Since then I’ve taught myself to use in-design and am currently working on the 3rd issue of our magazine. I am a perfectionist and have been so nervous to finish the next issue because now I feel like I set a high bar and I don’t want to publish it if i’m not proud of it. I keep trying to tell myself that done is better than perfect. Fundraising to print the magazine is a huge struggle and takes up a ton of my time. In that respect I try to remember that I printed the first issues off my home computer and then fronted all the money from my personal bank account when I finally went to a printing company. When I think about that our current situation seems a lot brighter. When I do finish the magazine we have funds to get them printed thanks to multiple snowboard brands and small business donating items to our silent auctions, and that is a win.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been chasing a snowboard dream since my senior year in high-school. I wanted to be a pro-snowboarder. Now i’m not sure exactly what being a pro-snowboarder means, so I have redefined my goal as finding success in snowboarding. With that framework I can say with certainty that I have made little Laura’s dream come true. I have traveled all over the US, and world, to snowboard. I’ve filmed multiple video parts, won contests, and been featured in magazines. I get paid to snowboard, feel love and support from my peers, and am now in a position to mentor younger riders and host my own events through We’re All Mental. I work for Snowboy Productions and help build some of the most polished and unique resort terrain parks. When I started snowboarding I wanted to get into ride a private park at Mt. Hood but I did not have any sponsors or connections, so I volunteered with the park crew in exchange for access. Eventually I was hired on as an employee. At that time I did not know a single other female who worked in terrain parks and was told I was the first female to hold my position in years. Now I help advocate for females working in the operations side of ski areas and help create opportunities for them to succeed. I have seen a significant change in the number of females working in parks over the years and know that I did my best to help.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a red headed wild child. I liked getting dirty, playing rough, and taking chances. I loved making art, working with my hands, taking things apart and putting them back together. My dream job was to become an inventor. I played team sports until I got in trouble for smoking weed in another high schools locker room at an away game… whoops. When I was kicked off the team and banned from high school sports I got into skateboarding. That shift changed my life forever. I found a community within skateboarding that led me to snowboarding.
Pricing:
- www.wereallmental.org
- magazines are free at in-person events
- 10$ online to cover shipping and the time to package orders
- Our online meetups are free and can be attended anonymously
- Every Monday at 3:00 pm and Wednesday at 8:00 pm
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wereallmental.org
- Instagram: @_were_all_mental
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0mxusOXN9w
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxkXAP4cpyg
