Here’s why I’m attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest speech in history …
At just twelve years old, I was clinically diagnosed with depression and an eating disorder called anorexia nervosa.
Being the late 1980s at the time, the doctors admitted having no experience with an adolescent boy like me suffering from those issues. They didn’t know what to do with me.
If it weren’t for my family and the counseling I received, I would have died – whether that be from my body giving up or me committing suicide. I was lower than rock bottom.
I got better over time, but there were moments I was tempted to fall back into depression. But because I had support around me, I was resilient and got through those tough times without relapsing.
A few years later, at just 23 years old, I was drugged and became the victim of a traumatic sexual assault. (I wrote about that evening for the very first time last year).
If it weren’t for the support I received afterward, I surely would have fallen back into a depression. It was the most disgusting and shocking experience of my life.
Until I wrote my first book and started speaking professionally, I had never shared these past struggling experiences publicly. I felt embarrassed, weak and ashamed. I wanted to forget about the pain and trauma of feeling like a victim.
It wasn’t until I started hearing other people’s responses to my speaking through them sharing their stories of similar struggle that I realized I had no reason to feel weak or alone. We had so much in common that they didn’t even realize.
Now, I feel a responsibility and privilege to share my stories of struggle through my speaking and writing platform to simply help others find massive strength like I did and battle through the adversity. I want them to know they can alter their circumstances, live their dream, and accomplish anything they set their mind to.
My purpose, my “why,” is to use my voice for good so that it empowers others to find theirs. Whether others speak up, I want them to know they are not alone and that support and love surround them whether they see it or not.
I need your help to take this to a new and grander level … you can help me raise awareness and support for mental health organizations by joining our volunteer event team and/or supporting my GoFundMe campaign to break a Guinness World Record for the longest speech marathon in history! Together, we will achieve something special that will cast small stones of optimism and awareness creating ripples of positive change in our society.
It’s not about breaking a Guinness World Record. It’s about bringing awareness for mental health through breaking a World Record.
To date the longest speech marathon is 90 hours and 2 minutes, achieved by Ananta Ram KC in Kathmandu, Nepal between August 27 – 31, 2018. My goal, and vision, is to surpass 100 hours by presenting a continuous speech beginning on Friday, May 3 at 3:00pm and continuing through Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00pm!
The purpose of breaking the Guinness World Record is to bring awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention, to provide encouragement to those currently battling those issues, and to support the “silent” voices of sexual assault survivors.
The statistics are shocking:
· Depression can begin at any age and it can affect people of all races and across all socioeconomic statuses
· Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among teenagers and young adults
· 300 million+ people around the world have depression
· 30 million+ people suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S.
· Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness
· Rape is the most under-reported crime; 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police
· One in three women and one in six men experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime
Mental health disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder and eating disorders, are illnesses that often cause people to suffer silently. Unfortunately, there is still a powerful stigma associated with mental health. Having discussions and raising awareness about mental health are the first steps to combating the stigma and bringing about a culture shift. Sexual assault is also a tragic reality in this world and millions of survivors will never reveal their trauma.
Although the stats are alarming, have comfort in knowing that depression is very treatable. Untreated depression and other mental health illnesses is what increases an individual’s risk of suicide. Have comfort in knowing you can provide support for sexual assault survivors.
Your donation to this cause will responsibly be used to subsidize the costs associated with undertaking this journey and hosting this event. (An expense breakdown is located at the bottom of this description). In addition to promoting awareness, ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED evenly to several nonprofit organizations who exist to help those dealing with mental health issues and sexual assault. Those groups are:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Mental Health America (MHA)
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
The Child Mind Institute
I am grateful for your support honoring this exciting cause which is bigger than all of us. If I wasn’t already convinced I can speak for 100+ hours consistently, I wouldn’t have already made the commitment to myself and family to begin this extraordinary undertaking. I’ve been preparing for this opportunity for the past 10 years as a professional speaker!
With your support, we’ll not only champion a cause together, but you can feel proud that you supported a Guinness Book World Record!
Our goal deadline is March 30 so we can make arrangements for the Guinness Book World Record agents to be onsite. Please donate before that time. We will continue to take donations through the conclusion of the event as well!
Click here to visit my GoFundMe page!
Donation Levels
$25 – $250 donation
· Contributor recognition on our website
· Link to livestream the event so you can watch at any time
· One complimentary ticket to attend event in person (optional)
· Post-event message with Guinness Book World Record award jpg
$251 – $1,000 donation
· All of the above
· Two complimentary tickets to attend event in person (optional)
· One “I Made It Happen!” Guinness Book World Record shirt
· “Finding Our Voice” eBook documenting this world record journey (note: July release date)
$1,001 – $2,500 donation
· All of the above
· Onsite media and print recognition
· Four complimentary tickets to attend event in person (optional)
· Four “I Made It Happen!” Guinness Book World Record shirts
· Five autographed copies of “Finding Our Voice” (print version)
· Unlimited eBook download of “Finding Our Voice” (eBook version)
· Invite to post-event celebration party
$2,501 – $7,500 donation
· All of the above
· Unlimited tickets, ten shirts, ten autographed books
· Daily recognition during speech
· Logo inclusion on special banner
· Kevin will provide a complimentary 60-minute motivational keynote speech for an organization of your choosing (travel not included)
· 2-night complimentary Airbnb stay aboard Kevin’s private 40’ sailboat (the “Why Knot?”)
· 1/2 day complimentary sailing charter with Captain Dr. Kevin!
$7,501+ donation
· All of the above
· Kevin will provide a complimentary 60-minute motivational keynote speech for an organization of your choosing (travel included)
· Two complimentary Airbnb 3-night stays aboard Kevin’s private 40’ sailboat (the “Why Knot?”)
· Full day complimentary sailing charter with Captain Dr. Kevin!
Foreseeable Expense Breakdown
· Guinness World Record verification process, admin, etc. ($7,500)
· Hotel venue for hosting and security ($1,500)
· Event company to provide livestreaming, video, lights, staging, AV, etc. ($3,500)
· Marketing to help promote the event (ads, videos, graphics,) ($1,500)
· Onsite signage, banners and marketing ($750)
· Onsite logistics including materials and refreshments, ($500)
· Miscellaneous expenses ($500)
THANK YOU!! Please reach out to me if you have any questions.
Kevin Snyder
Kevin@KevinCSnyder.com
www.KevinCSnyder.com
@KevinCSnyder
#919-633-9931
