Midlothian, Texas, United States
I help men who are beat up, beaten down, and broken by depression. Why? Because I was once in the deep, dark pit of depression. As I began to recover, I received a calling to help other men struggling with depression. Like me, far too many men struggle in silence. This has devastating effects. I was a tough guy and I kept trying to "gut it out" as we say in wrestling. To work harder, to push through it. The harder I tried, the worse I got. I ended up curled up in a fetal position under the desk in my office before I could see what had happened to me. Only then did I understand and admit I was depressed and go get help. My passion is to speak, teach, write, and share my message with groups, large and small. I want to give men, especially tough guys, "permission" to speak up and admit they're hurting. And then to get help. I practiced Internal Medicine for over 30 years, including 26 and 1/2 years in the Army, spent 18 months in combat zones, and retired at the rank of Colonel. I worked a short time as a locum tenems with the VA and then at a Federally Qualified Health Center for 4 years. Now I work part-time as a Designated Doctor for the Texas Department of Workmen's Compensation. I'm an unofficial amateur wrestling aficionado. I have been involved with the sport as a competitor, coach, brother and father of wrestlers, and fan for over 50 years. I won the 2012 National Veterans Freestyle Championship at 58 kg. and was the National runner-up in 2013. Wrestling is in my veins! My first book, Wrestling Depression Is not For Wimps! Lessons Learned From an Amateur Wrestler's Fight to Triumph Over Depression, was published in February 2014. I wrote it: 1. For men who are depressed. 2. In layman's terms. 3. In short, easy-to-read chapters. 4. To share my story to encourage men to get help. 5. To provide practical tips to help them recover that can be put into practice today. It's available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, and Google
Donald “Skip” Mondragon, M.D. speaks about devastating effects of depression. He tailors his presentations from a personal, professional, and Christian perspective, based on the audience. His primary audience are men, especially tough guys like military veterans, first responders, and athletes. He is equally as comfortable in front of a college classroom, a room filled with medical peers, or a group of high school wrestlers. Dr. Mondragon is committed to, no compelled to share his own story of depression. Likewise, he is determined to combat the stigma of mental illness and encourage fellow sufferers to seek help. Moreover, he is delighted to share “life-giving” tips with his audiences. These life-giving tips are practical seps to not only combat depression, but to maintain health and wellness.
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