Sam Eaton - Founder, Recklessly Alive

Sam Eaton

Sam Eaton is an author, speaker, and founder of Recklessly Alive, a suicide prevention organization sprinting towards a world with zero deaths by suicide. Sam has spoken at over one-hundred events throughout the U.S sharing his story of battling depression and suicidal thoughts.

Sam’s first book, Recklessly Alive: What My Suicide Attempt Taught Me About God and Living Life to the Fullest, was released in January 2021 and reached the top 200 best-selling books on Amazon. He has amassed more than 30,000 followers on Instagram and over 80,000 followers on Tik Tok under the handle @RecklesslyAlive. He currently resides in Minneapolis, MN where he enjoys collecting vinyl records, lifting moderately heavy weights, and trying every flavor of Oreos.

I’m excited for you to connect with Sam, check out his work and impact, and follow along as he continues to share his passion for helping people tell a better story with their lives—one that is fully and recklessly alive.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

My name is Sam Eaton, founder of Recklessly Alive, a suicide prevention organization working towards a world with zero deaths by suicide. My first book–Recklessly Alive: What My Suicide Attempt Taught Me About God and Living Life to the Fullest–was released in January 2021 and reached the top 200 best-selling books on Amazon. I also speak all across the U.S. sharing my battles with mental health and suicial thoughts.

How did you get started?

Several years ago in the school district where I taught, we lost three students, a teacher, and a principal to suicide. I watched my community have no idea how to respond and I didn’t see any big changes following these heartbreaking losses. Ultimately, I decided I had to do something to help.

What Inspired the work you’re doing?

Once I learned that talking about suicide doesn’t make it any more likely that someone will attempt and, makes it much more likely they will seek help, I started opening up about my struggles. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24 so I am working hard to be the person I needed when I was younger.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion is helping people feel fully and recklessly alive. Immediately following my attempt, I knew I wanted to use all the pain I had experienced to help others. I recently left teaching to pursue suicide prevention full-time and have never felt more alive. It makes me so happy to be able to help people every single day.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

Joy for me is found in people I love and pursuing adventure. One of the happiest seasons of my life was a summer I spent playing in a band and traveling across Zimbabwe. I want to be smiling when I die as I think about all of the incredible moments I was lucky enough to experience.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

The best tool I have to stay grounded is exercise. I walk (almost) every morning and lift weights, go to yoga or do cardio most afternoons. For many, getting still is their greatest tool but that has never worked for me. My mind feels more calm when I am active.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

He would be terrified about how much public speaking I do, but he would be so pumped about everything I have overcome and accomplished.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

“Have you really given life everything you’ve got?” This was the question that broke through during my last suicide attempt. Those words empowered me to stop feeling sorry for myself and finally go after the things I wanted most in life. I still use that idea to push myself to live life to the fullest.

What is your biggest dream?

I have always wanted to have a book make it on the New York Times Best-Seller List. I am not there yet but will keep writing until I do.

To connect with Sam and learn more check out his website RecklesslyAlive.com. His book Recklessly Alive is available on Amazon and connect on Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook under the handle @RecklesslyAlive.

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