Mental health advocate, and mother of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, April Simpkins joins John O’Leary on the Live Inspired Podcast as we raise awareness for National Suicide Prevention Month.
As a seasoned Human Resources expert with more than 30 years of experience, April Simpkins is a powerhouse in the realm of mental health advocacy. With relentless determination, she has tirelessly championed the cause and became an even more visible advocate following the passing of her beloved daughter Cheslie Kryst (Miss USA 2019) who battled depression for many years.
Today, April shares her professional journey, her unexpected path into pageantry and life as a mother of six. Equally important, she shares about the accomplishments of her late daughter Cheslie, the struggles Cheslie silently faced, and how she continues to keep Cheslie’s legacy alive.
My friends, with September being National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, I hope today’s conversation will provide hope and guidance for you to continue forward boldly in your journey.
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SHOW NOTES:
- “My piano became my best friend.” Feeling isolated by shame and feeling that she did not fit in, April fell in love with a donated piano.
- Later in life, April entered her first pageant because the prize package enticed her. She went on to become Mrs. North Carolina where she spoke on the platform of encouraging parents to be more involved in their kid’s school.
- “She didn’t need the accolade of people. She desired the closeness of her true friends.” – April Simpkins on her daughter former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst
- Vibrantly alive: From competing as a heptathlete at a D1 school, to mentoring girls at risk of not graduating and lifting up those around her, many would describe Cheslie as vibrantly alive.
- In 2019, Cheslie won the title of Miss North Carolina USA before becoming Miss USA.
- “What you see on the outside doesn’t always match what’s going on on the inside.”
- As Cheslie battled dysthymia, April had to learn to not fix, cheer or coach her but simply sit in that space with her when she’s not okay, until she gets to that next step of the journey.
- On January 3o, 2022, April got a text message from Cheslie saying, “By the time you get this, I won’t be alive anymore.”
- A woman named Ashley S., who wishes to remain anonymous, started sending April letters and care packages. Before the one year anniversary of Cheslie’s passing, Ashley sent a card for every day in January, and continues to send gifts and notes of encouragement.
- Cheslie finished the manuscript to her book without her passing in mind and asked April to see that it was published. Get a copy of By the Time You Read This here, where all net proceeds go towards the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation and support mental health services.
- “The victory she had by fighting every single day she was here remains something worthy of celebrating.”
- “There’s a fear we have as parents that the last thing in the world we want is to lose our children. But you cannot allow the fear of losing them to stop you from loving them every single day.”
- “Strive to be a supporter, not a savior.”
If you or anyone you love has thoughts of suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
If you want to continue this important conversation, we have an entire playlist dedicated to Suicide Awareness and Prevention. Hear important, life-saving conversations from experts, survivors and those left behind to help us better care for ourselves and those we love. Listen to the Suicide Awareness and Prevention playlist now.
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APRIL SIMPKINS' LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A. Not caring what people thought. - Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A. Cheslie's scrapbooks. - Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A. I talk to Cheslie all the time now, so I'm going to say my grandmother. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. Be yourself. - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. Your children are always watching. - Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. She gave all she had for the betterment of others.
