Meet Melissa Duncan | Author, Mental Health Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Duncan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, how do you think about risk?

Risks…. When I was diagnosed with Bipolar1 disorder over 10 years ago all of my ‘risk’ taking started to make sense. I had such a vivid imagination, ever since I was a child. Seeing my dolls dancing at 4 years old, gave me that first spark that my mind wasn’t like everyone else’s.

Growing up it evolved into me either wanting to or taking more risks than I needed (or should have). From binge spending 40k in a month to taking a walk in a barren part of Paris just too ‘find a hookah bar’ I pushed the limits (Both true stories lol).

Being a writer I learned to channel many of my mental health illness through my characters, I was too afraid to tell my own story… When I completed my first novel and children’s book about mental health I knew, I had to take the BIGGEST risk of my life…. I had to come out of the dark, walk willingly into the light.., Taking risks for me used to be so dangerous, getting drunk out of my mind and waking up in foreign places, unwilling to acknowledge the pain I was in hiding this huge secret… Now I take risks with myself, telling my story about having Bipolar 1 disorder, schizoaffective disorder and OCD. BUT, I am a writer and a business owner and working my a&# everyday to fight the stigma we with mental health have to overcome! Without Risks, there is no ME.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

As a writer, I find so much joy in a good story… Having mental health illness, it makes my ability to not only tell the story but find the story a lot different. The way I gather that story sets me apart. When I lived in Brooklyn I would walk on my block and see people sitting outside on the stoop and make up a whole narrative about what their day was like, what they were going through, then I would laugh to myself thinking about what I came up with.

I am most proud of my work as a mental health influencer. Speaking to people daily about mental health, telling them my story and letting people know where to get help… No accomplishment will ever supersede that! If I just help one life, one person overcome then I have done good work.

We recently put out an Ebook and now I am preparing to editing and print my first novel… Completing my novel was the hardest thing I EVER had to do. For me staying focused can be a task but I was able to get it done by using my own words as medicine, therapy for my inner-soul.. NO it wasn’t easy, it was like pulling yourself apart but it worked…. I had to learn creative ways to love ME. (Thank God) Within the last year I started a Podcast, giving raw insight into my mental illness, so many people tell me they would’ve never known I had any mental health issues and that I seem so ‘normal’. This brand, my story is ME. It is MY normal… Beauty can be sometimes be wrapped in terrible wrapping paper lol.. I won’t ever put something out that isn’t me… The good and bad, easy and hard stuff, its authentic.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
GREAT question… I have a couple of spots I have to run through when Im in LA. We would eat lunch at the South Beverly Grill! Then walk over to my favorite department store Neiman’s for a quick shopping trip… Then we could take a stroll on Beverly Blvd because I LOVE the amazing home decor stores on that street….. For a pre dinner snack we could uber to Nonna’s for some FIRE empanadas or walk to Bristol Farms for a good salad and green juice lol. I love Santa Monica pier and The Grove so I would suggest we tackle those spots as well…. And most importantly we would eat lunch at the Nobu in Malibu, the food and view is amazing… THEN go to the Nobu on La Cienega for dinner…. (yes I have done this before in one day lol) I’m not the club type in LA but I go to Craigs for both people watching and food… Always something interesting there…. Every night we can toast at the bar of the Waldorf… They have GREAT drinks and it’s my favorite place to stay!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Listen, there is no me without Jihan B. She was the first person I told about my mental illness and she never judged me. She tried to understand me, listened to me, she helped me, held me accountable…. In this life if we are so lucky to find a person that loves us for who we are… My best friend helped me to see the best side of me, and continues too…There’s no way I could pay her back, Jihan thank you…

Website: https://somypolar.godaddysites.com

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Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQ5miIYmcnOH5tSig1AD8Zg