In this deeply human episode of Survival Mode Disrupted, Leticia sits down with Gerald “RunRev” Collins, who takes us inside the darkest season of his life — the unexpected loss of his mother, the collapse into depression, and the spiral into survival mode that almost cost him his marriage, his fatherhood, and himself.

Gerald describes:

• The shocking 72-hour decline of his mother
• How grief stripped him of his identity, purpose, and joy
• The depression he hid for years as a Black man raised to “tough it out”
• The moment his wife told him she couldn’t stay unless something changed
• Why survival mode makes you more disconnected, irritable, and numb than you realize
• How one small choice — running one mile — became the key that rebuilt his life

This episode is a masterclass in honest grief, everyday survival, and the power of micro-habits to rewire your sense of self.

🎙️ What We Talk About

• How losing a parent can deton­­ate your emotional foundation
• The silent depression men often hide
• Why survival mode feels like “existing but not living”
• Emotional withdrawal, irritability, and the shame spiral
• The neuroscience of movement + why physical activity helps trauma & depression
• How community became Gerald’s lifeline
• The power of micro-commitments: 1 minute → 5 minutes → transformation
• The difference between motivation and discipline
• Purpose as medicine for grief

🔑 Key Takeaways

“You don’t need motivation — you need one minute of discipline.”

“Grief doesn’t just break you. It empties you.”

“Small steps count more than perfect plans.”

“You’re not failing. You’re drowning — and no one taught you how to swim.”

🙌 Why This Episode Matters

So many high-achieving women — and the men they love — are silently drowning under grief, pressure, and the weight of unprocessed emotion. Gerald’s story is a mirror for the people who seem “functional” but are barely holding on.

This episode teaches listeners:

• How to recognize survival mode
• How grief rewires your inner world
• How to rebuild your identity brick by brick
• Why tiny commitments can save your life

If you’ve been stuck, numb, or waiting for “motivation”…

This episode is the spark.

💬 Connect with Gerald

Website: runrevcoaching.com

Instagram: @runrev_coachgerald

Facebook: RunRev Coaching

Email: gerald@runrevcoaching.com