Reagan
“I’m inspired by every single mother (and every mother for that matter), all of my best girlfriends, the women who rise in spite of their mental health conditions, the women who find a way to make ends meet, the female athletes fighting for equal rights, and the women who feel as though they can’t go on but refuse to give up.”
*Content Warning: Discussions of depression and suicide
Reagan is an influential professional hockey player, activist, and the founder of Female Athlete Society, an organization that puts community and networking on the forefront of its mission. This initiative allows its members to reach out to other female athletes and provide a necessary support system focused on areas such as nutrition, mental health, recruitment, and building connections. She is a leader who is unapologetically herself, and has used her own personal battles as motivation to help others. Her platform serves to give young girls and women the necessary resources and tools to empower and inspire them in both their athletic and personal endeavors. Meet Reagan. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
R: My name is Reagan Rust. I was born and raised in Mississippi, but with my love for hockey and helping others, I've lived all over the world. I'm currently playing professional ice hockey in Stockholm, Sweden, and mentoring female athletes through my business, Female Athlete Society.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
R: I'm best described by all the people, places, and things that I love. Mental Health Advocate. World Explorer. Female Athlete Advocate. Mentor. Hockey Player. Photographer. Filipino. Daring. The people that keep me whole: Samuel, Jamie, Jetta, Kyle, Johnny, Brooke, Kyla.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
R: I love that I'm unafraid to be myself. Oftentimes, it feels like the world and society want you to fit into these little boxes, but I've never wanted to be defined by one little box. Humans are meant to be ever-changing. I can sleep easy at night knowing that I show up every day with a loving heart and don't change regardless of the people I'm surrounded by.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
R: When I was 14, I almost took my own life due to a long battle with depression. I received a random call from an old friend where she told me that she "just wanted to let me know how much of a good friend I was." To this day, I don't know if that call was real or not, but it saved my life. That moment changed me. Having been at such a low point at a young age, I learned how precious every second on Earth really is. It taught me to be grateful for every second with loved ones, be grateful for my bad days, and be grateful for all the opportunities there are in the world.
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
R: I wouldn't necessarily want to say anything to my younger self because I think that would change who I am today, but if I had to say something, it would be to always follow your gut and intuition.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
R: It's so hard to choose just one woman. There are so many powerful, strong, and intelligent women out there. I'm inspired by every single mother (and every mother for that matter), all of my best girlfriends, the women who rise in spite of their mental health conditions, the women who find a way to make ends meet, the female athletes fighting for equal rights, and the women who feel as though they can't go on but refuse to give up. I think inspiration is in all women. What I would say to all of them is: Keep going. You're doing amazing. All of it will pay off.