Brier Skogsberg

My name is Brier Skogsberg. My natural habitat includes a good pair of running shoes and a fresh pot of strong coffee, typical of many 20-somethings. But unlike most people, my timeline is not linear. I lost myself to depression at the age of eleven. After nine years of oblivion, my life began. Today, my friends give me strength and remind me to cherish the present moment. My family fuels my drive and keeps me grounded. Strangers I’ve never met give me hope for the world. I’m still finding my way, one head-scratch at a time. There are many things I'm unsure of, but I do know that our souls are so much more profound than the bodies they dwell within. Under my running shoes are feet that have tried to walk miles in the shoes of others. The strong bite of coffee covers the metallic taste of so many words that should have never left my mouth. My heart aches to empower the most misunderstood corners of the world through our synergy as one diverse, but unified people. The sunset brings us peace before even the darkest of nights. And the same sun wakes us all, from a peaceful slumber or the worst nightmare. We are one people on one planet. We aren't perfect. No one is. But if we can give up our shoes to walk a mile in someone else's, and wash down our ugly words, we will be one step closer to conquering hurt and lifting each other up.