Interview – Randi-Lee Bowslaugh

Episode Description

Today I welcome Randi-Lee Bowslaugh, who joins me from her home in Welland, Ontario. Randi-Lee is an author, a cancer survivor, kickboxing champion, mental health advocate, a mom, and so much more. In this episode, we discuss being a mom to a transgender son, his autism diagnosis, and how she and her family deals with it. Then, Randi-Lee shares her cancer story, and finally, she gives us an open and honest account of her struggles with her mental health and how she learned to cope.

She is a competitive kickboxer who has twice represented Team Canada internationally. She was a Canadian National Champion in kickboxing in 2015, competed at the World’s kickboxing tournament later that year, and in 2016 competed at the Pan-Am games where she received silver in her division. In 2020 she was chosen as one of the coaches for the Ontario Winter Games, where she inspired and coached young athletes.  

Randi-Lee has published non-fiction and fiction books.  Her most recent book Embracing Me explores Randi-Lee’s true story of coming to terms with her depression. Sharing thoughts around suicide and the harsh reality of feeling the need to hide these thoughts. Each chapter outlines coping strategies that can help individuals explore their mental health and lovingly embrace themselves. Worksheets are provided at the end of the book to put the strategy into practice. Stopping the stigma of mental health starts with speaking honestly and openly. Topics discussed include therapy, medication, coping mechanisms, suicide, negative self-talk, positive self-talk, self-care.