Kevin Gates Sh*t Himself In The Head In 2020: “Crying for help.” I CLUB SHAY SHAY
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Kevin Gates struggled with heavy opioid addiction (heroin, lean) and experienced erectile dysfunction at 23 due to drug use.
- ❖In 2020, while sober and physically fit, he experienced severe depression and attempted suicide by shooting himself in the head.
- ❖He felt unappreciated and 'tolerated, not celebrated,' leading to a deep sense of despair despite his professional success.
- ❖Gates advocates for men's mental health, emphasizing the importance of turning pain into purpose.
- ❖His recovery involved significant inner work and a unique 'couples therapy' approach where his wife listens as he records songs expressing his emotions.
- ❖He prioritizes 'me time' and disconnects from social media daily to maintain mental well-being and self-love.
Insights
1Suicidal Ideation While Sober and Successful
Kevin Gates recounted a suicide attempt in 2020 where he shot himself in the head, despite having stopped drug use in 2019 and being on a fitness journey. He was holding his child at the time, driven by profound depression and a feeling that 'nobody going to miss me anyway.' This highlights that mental health crises can occur independently of active substance abuse, even amidst outward signs of recovery and success.
Guest states, 'I wasn't on drugs then in 2020. I stopped doing drugs and I came home and once I got on my fitness journey like 2019 I wasn't doing no drugs.' He then describes the suicide attempt: 'I done shot myself in the head before. I got a bullet in my head... I'm holding my child... this going to be the last time they see me.'
2The Pain of Being 'Tolerated, Not Celebrated'
A significant trigger for Gates's depression in 2020 was the feeling of being 'tolerated' rather than 'celebrated,' despite his efforts to improve himself through fitness and sobriety. This emotional disconnect, where his contributions felt unappreciated, intensified his despair and made the reality of his situation 'hit even harder when you ain't inoculating yourself' with drugs.
Guest states, 'I'm doing all this working out and I got myself together. I'm doing all this and I'm still seem like I'm just being tolerated. I ain't being celebrated like and it the reality hit even harder when you ain't inoculating yourself.'
3Lean's Impact on Physical Health
Gates explicitly links his past use of 'lean' (codeine syrup) to experiencing erectile dysfunction at a young age (23). He explains that in a depressed state, the desire to 'get loaded' overshadowed concerns about physical side effects.
Host asks about ED at 23 due to drugs. Guest responds, 'Lean. Lean make your don't get hard. Yes.' He adds, 'When you when you in that depressed lane and all that, I'm be honest. You don't be able to be giving a by about no. You just want to get loaded.'
4Music as 'Couples Therapy' for Emotional Release
Gates developed a unique coping mechanism he calls 'couples therapy,' where he records music in the studio while his wife listens like a counselor. This process allows him to express deep emotions and receive support, transforming his pain into 'a song of triumph.'
Guest describes, 'it's called couples therapy where I go in the studio and I record and my wife sit there and listen like a counselor... And then I come back on the song. I'm elevated in rank... it's a song of triumph.'
Lessons
- Prioritize 'me time' and disconnect from digital distractions daily, as Kevin Gates does with a dedicated 'iPod-like' phone for the gym, to foster self-love and productivity.
- Engage in honest inner work to identify what truly brings personal fulfillment and purpose, rather than relying on external validation or others' opinions on what needs to change.
- Recognize that suffering in silence is common, especially among men, and actively seek avenues for emotional release and support, whether through conventional therapy, trusted relationships, or creative outlets like music.
- Understand that sobriety and physical fitness do not automatically resolve underlying mental health struggles; continuous attention to emotional well-being is essential.
Notable Moments
Kevin Gates reveals he shot himself in the head in 2020, while sober and holding his child, due to severe depression.
This moment is a shocking and specific revelation, underscoring the depth of his mental health crisis and challenging the assumption that sobriety alone resolves all issues. It highlights the silent suffering many, particularly men, endure.
Gates describes feeling 'tolerated, not celebrated' despite his efforts to improve himself, which intensified his depression.
This insight provides a specific emotional trigger for his despair, illustrating how a lack of appreciation can be as damaging as other stressors, even for successful individuals.
He details using music as a form of 'couples therapy,' recording songs with his wife listening as a counselor.
This demonstrates an unconventional yet effective method of processing trauma and finding emotional release, offering a creative alternative to traditional therapy and highlighting the supportive role of his partner.
Quotes
"I done shot myself in the head before. I got a bullet in my head. I ain't want to live."
"There somebody out there watching this a man that feel like he only as good as his ability to do and he's suffering in silence. He don't feel appreciated. And when you don't feel appreciated, what's the point of even living?"
"I'm showing the world, but mostly men, how to turn their pain into passion. Turn your pain and turn it. take your pain and turn it into purpose."
Q&A
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