Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Murray.
Hi Christina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As you stated my name is Christina, also known as Duck Jones. I’m a Georgia Peach, born on the Westside of Atlanta. Since my youth I’ve been a visionary, a dreamer, and very spiritual. I have great support of my family and a village that loves on me. Lets star with chapter 14 of my life.
When I was about 14, I started to feel abandoned, unwanted by my family, which led to a severe depression that I hid from everyone. But at 14 depression can look like average teenage behavior if you are not paying close attention to your children. Around age 16 without going in too deep, I was going to commit suicide with the largest knife we had in our apartment. I was going to do it one way then I heard a voice say “you will suffer that way, you want it to be quick, You should take the knife right through your heart.” The moment I was going to put the knife through my heart a heard another voice which I know to be the voice of God say to me “Christina stop! I have something for you and it’s going to happen.” That moment I felt safe. At 21 depression took me back to that dark place and I attempted suicide again by taking a number of pills and prayed to God not to wake up. I woke up and God dealt with me in a different way. Long story short 10 years after suffering in silence and dealing with my issues I created Live It Out, Inc to encourage others to Live.
Live It Out, Inc started five (5) years ago in 2017 when I finally had the confidence to speak out about my suicide attempts, depression and anxiety. Live It Out, Inc started when I got over the shame and realized that if I went through such tragedy and turmoil mentally, surely others may have been the same thing, and I wanted to create a safe space for people like me that wrestles in their mind to be free to express themselves without feeling ashamed of their journey.
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?
My anxiety won’t let me be great sometimes. For me, it’s not what other people think about me that bothers me. It’s me feeling that what I’m doing is not impactful. Also as a mental health advocate, many people aren’t as interested in talking about things of the mind as much as they’re about say, make-up, styling, celebrity, or the arts. Mental Health goes in waves, for example, if something happens in mainstream media, everyone is talking about it, then mental health begins trending, that topic slows down until the next big event happens. That makes it challenging to be on that wave sometimes because all we want is to help people every day. not when it’s trending.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
By day I work in hospitality, All day I’m a businesswoman. I have a handmade candle line called An Ode to Scents. I have a production company called Duck Jones Productions. Also, of course, my nonprofit Live It Out, Inc. I’m most proud that I haven’t given up, I’m so proud at being the most consistent in my business ventures. Because I want to give up all the time. However, I know that if I’m setting up my legacy I have to stick to something. As for what sets me apart from others, I’m not comparing myself to others. I have no idea what other people are doing I’m really focused on being the better version of myself.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice would be for you to just start. Be legit, do your homework, and keep your business in order. You will not know every single thing when you start. Take the next best step to make your next best move. Don’t sit on your gifts. Don’t doubt your abilities. Don’t sell yourself short. Help others along the way. Build a go-getter trustworthy team and treat them well. You got this!
Contact Info:
- Website: liveitoutinc.wixsite.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/liveitoutinc
- Facebook: Facebook.com/LiveItOutInc
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCaqdgCR1EE_Z0rEIQFCzZg
