Instagram story viewer> @peytonforbess> Posts

peyton ㅤ◡̈

@peytonforbess

697

followers

630

following

madly in love with my abba father
|| @umhbalumni || licensed social worker

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

september is suicide prevention month

as an athlete, i was put under intense stress to perform to a certain level. i never felt connected to teammates. whether to my face or behind my back, my body was a topic of conversation. i wasn’t skinny or pretty like the rest of my team. name calling and body shaming became common for me to hear from my teammates.

at 15, a coach told me i “wasn’t good enough” and “had no potential”. in front of the whole program. i began to question everything about life. was i worthy of love ? was i worthy of kindness? was i worthy of joy?

was i worthy of life ?

i had chronic panic attacks for 4 years. the idea of stepping onto a volleyball court terrified me. seeing my teammates elevated my heart rate. i would cry before getting onto the bus for a game, afraid of what comments my teammates would make about me. i didn’t want anything to do with life. i was giving up on caring. i wanted nothing to do with anyone.

my junior year, we got a new volleyball coach. the bullying and body shaming only continued. what was supposed to be a “fresh start” was only continued pain and tears. nearly every night, i questioned what the purpose of waking up the next morning served. it felt like no one would’ve missed me.

after that, i decided to step away from volleyball in order to focus on my mental health. when i told my coaches, they said “i am so disappointed in you” and that i was making a mistake. i could do nothing right for anyone.

i left that environment and moved away for college. there i reconnected with Christ and found who my identity was rooted in. it wasn’t rooted in my sport, wasn’t rooted in what my coaches had to say about me. wasn’t rooted in whether we won or lost. slowly my anxiety left. my depression weakened. i was smiling again. Lamentations 3:22-26 are verses i clung to. i held out hope that He was going to save me. He put a purpose on my life to help those experiencing something similar to my story. God saved me from suicide. by @peytonforbess

3

16

2 months ago

so blessed to be able to be apart of camp this year. being able to pour into the next generation while also being poured into was life changing. will forever be grateful for @crossingcc and the countless memories it has provided me by @peytonforbess

3

5

3 months ago

almost licensed to talk abut your childhood in depth by @peytonforbess

3

28

6 months ago

ready to join the 11% of women who have masters degrees #2026grad #msw by @peytonforbess

3

35

7 months ago

so who’s coming with me to my next one taken in Big Bend National Park by @peytonforbess

3

5

8 months ago

life has been so joyful lately by @peytonforbess

3

18

9 months ago

dear arizona, i love you by @peytonforbess

3

12

a year ago

change of scenery 🥾🗻🦬🏕️🐻 taken in Yellowstone National Park by @peytonforbess

3

6

a year ago

sweet blessings from the Lord over the last few months by @peytonforbess

3

5

a year ago

2024 ✨🫶🏻
to be honest, this was one of the hardest but also most rewarding years i’ve gone through. i experienced my last semester of undergrad which ultimately was my favorite semester. i was surrounded by some of my favorite people, defended my research project and graduated in may. went to the dominican republic. finally witnessed the beauty that is colorado. BUT i also lost a job in july, then worked at a very toxic and dangerous place until God pulled me out in november. i lived with depression again. my weight fluctuated. relationships grew but some were lost. memories were made and tears were shed. i would like to say that i wish the year ended on a happier note, but God wrote it perfectly. i am exactly where i need to be and i cannot wait to see the beauty He creates in 2025. by @peytonforbess

3

6

2 years ago

if it’s this good way down here, then what’s it’s like up there high in heaven? #bestnightofmylife #niallhoran #delwatergap taken in Ball Arena by @peytonforbess

3

11

2 years ago

only one more month at my favorite place #umhb2024 #senior taken in University of Mary Hardin-Baylor by @peytonforbess

3

97

3 years ago