MPG Letter #187
Standing Up for Survivors, Who Are You Without the Title?, Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month
Standing Up for Survivors
This week I had the opportunity to tour Stand Up Placer (SUP), an organization serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking right here in our community.
My buddy Damon drove me out to one of their facilities, and Gary walked me through the safe house and control room. It was eye-opening, humbling, and honestly difficult to fully process.
The reality is that roughly 1 in 4 women experience severe physical violence from an intimate partner during their lifetime. Behind every statistic is a real person, a real family, and a story most of us never hear.
SUP provides 24/7 crisis support, emergency housing, therapy, legal advocacy, housing assistance, and resources for survivors rebuilding their lives.
I’m planning to complete their 72-hour Crisis Intervention Training and potentially speak with local high school students in the future. This work isn’t easy. It takes compassion, resilience, and a willingness to show up for people during some of the hardest moments of their lives.
As I continue this next chapter of my life, I’m looking for ways to serve. This feels like one of them. If you’d like to learn more or support their mission, please take a look at Stand Up Placer. Sometimes making a difference starts with simply being willing to help.
Who Are You Without the Title?
I’ve been reading Andy Stumpf’s Drown Proof, and one theme from the early chapters really hit home.
For years, Andy was a Navy SEAL. Not just by profession, but in how he viewed himself and how the world viewed him. Then one day that chapter ended. He talks about realizing that being a SEAL was something he did, not who he was.
What resonated with me even more was his emphasis on accountability. When a chapter closes, it’s easy to blame circumstances, other people, or the system. The harder path is taking ownership of what comes next.
As I’ve navigated life after the UFC, I’ve found myself reflecting on the same idea. Fighting has been a huge part of my life, but it’s something I’ve done, not the totality of who I am. The responsibility now isn’t to look backward. It’s to take ownership of the next chapter and continue finding ways to grow, serve, and make an impact.
That’s a lesson worth carrying into every stage of life.
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s something I think deserves a lot more attention.
For a long time, many of us were taught that asking for help was weakness. That we’re supposed to figure it out on our own, keep it to ourselves, and carry the weight in silence. The older I get, the more I’ve realized the opposite is true.
I’ve worked with a mental performance coach for nearly 10 years, and honestly, I probably could have used one long before that. Our thoughts, emotions, fears, and insecurities can be difficult to navigate. Life gets heavy sometimes. Relationships get complicated. Expectations pile up. None of us are immune to it.
What I’ve learned is that vulnerability isn’t weakness. It takes strength to be unguarded. It takes humility to admit when you’re struggling, own your mistakes, ask questions, and seek guidance. Anyone can pretend they have it all figured out. Very few people have the courage to be honest.
I definitely don’t have all the answers. But I’ve learned where to look, who to learn from, and when to lean on others. If we want to be better for our families, our children, and our communities, we have to be willing to have these conversations and remove the stigma around getting help.
If you’re struggling, reach out. Send a text. Make a call. Shoot me a DM. Write an email.
We can get through anything.
Together.
THRUX
I need energy that keeps up with the work, not a shaker bottle to carry around or a full can sloshing around in my stomach.
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That’s a wrap for this week.
Life has a way of closing doors and opening your eyes at the same time.
I’m grateful for the battles, the lessons, the people, and the platform. But I’m even more excited for what’s next.
This letter is where I’ll keep sharing the real journey. The fights, the healing, the purpose, the family, the wins, the losses, and the growth in between.
Appreciate you being here.
Max “Pain” Griffin
Just downloaded the book on Spotify. Thx. Need it.