Paul Martino's TEDx Audition
July 5, 2016 by Spotlight
Paul Martino, Let Me Run's Executive Director, recently auditioned to speak for TEDx St. Louis about the Let Me Run program and its positive effects on society. The results of the audition haven't been announced yet, but his words were so powerful, we couldn't wait to share them.
Paul told a moving transformation story about one of our Let Me Run boys named Harry, who found belonging, confidence and lasting friendships through the power of running.
He also spoke about the reasoning behind the Let Me Run program, saying "society has established a 'boy code,' in which boys are supposed to act and be a certain way, which restricts their individuality. This term was coined by Dr. William Pollack, a Harvard professor, and leading psychologist for boys and the author of “Real Boys.” With the boy code, boys are not supposed to have any emotional expression other than anger, and they must always be strong and in control."
Paul continued, "We have gone the way of the 'boy code' long enough and these are the results:
- Boys are four times more likely than girls to be expelled from school and two times more likely to fail out of school.
- Boys are four times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with a behavior disorder and prescribed a stimulant medication.
- Depression in boys is often masked as anger or a behavior problem.
- Three or more boys commit suicide every day in the United States.
"It is time to break the 'boy code.' Running is the vehicle to reach these boys. Combined with a comprehensive curriculum that includes mentoring, social interaction, emotional expression, acceptance and belonging, our boys can be prepared for the long run."
We couldn't be prouder of Paul's audition, and we hope you'll join us as we work to break the boy code, so all boys can discover the greatness in themselves and others, like Harry did.