Meet Mary Maxion | Author, Ghostwriter, Speaker & Advocate for The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Maxion and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
Hebrews 11:1

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

During my time working as a Police Officer for a level one trauma hospital in Detroit, I seen so much death and destruction. My heart began to feel so heavy, and the things that I seen and became involved in started weighing on me. Also, during this time, I had began writing my mom’s biography called, “Wake up 2 Forgiveness!!!” I was struggling with learning the truth behind who my father was. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, I was struggling.

My mentor and Sergeant James Mitchell told me to find a scripture that I love, write it down, and carry it on me everyday to work. Hebrews 11:1 is the scripture that became my saving grace. By carrying that scripture with me everyday, my faith began growing. Honestly, I started searching for my purpose….”Who is Mary”? I always knew that there was something more for me to do, but my faith was struggling.

After completing my mom’s biography on November 11, 2011, I began feeling like God wanted me to move. It’s was like He stirred up everything and made me so uncomfortable in all aspects of my life. However, I kept hearing His voice telling me to, “just write”. Still, I didn’t listen so I continued to make myself miserable by not listening. I found myself searching for answers, confused, and did not recognize myself anymore.

Before this time I had not been baptized, nor had I ever joined a church. I joined a church, got baptized at the age of thirty-three. One day still struggling with myself, I set up a meeting with my Pastor Johnnie Jordan. As I sat there telling him what was going on….he just sat there listening to me with a smile on his face. Once, I was done, he looked at me and said, “God is trying to use me”.

He continued by telling me that, “Faith and fear is like oil and water….it does not mix. You can’t have faith in what God is telling you to do, but fear it at the same time”. I left that meeting and called myself testing God. Multiple things happened over the next year, which ultimately lead me to taking a leap of faith. Although, I loved my job, my family, friends, and my city, I knew it was time to move. In June of 2014, I moved to Georgia.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I worked for almost 20 years in the emergency field as a Police Officer & Paramedic.

I have written and published two books of my own called “Wake up 2 Forgiveness!!!,” and “A Merciful Sinner’s Breaking Point!” I have also written multiple books for other people as well

I have been an advocate & speaker for NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Health) since 2019. I have spoken to well over 200 groups throughout Georgia advocating for mental health and mental health awareness.

Nothing that I have done has been easy. However, the hardest part for me was having to realize that I could no longer be an officer anymore due to my disability. After battling depression, anxiety, and PTSD, my doctor sent me to therapy. My therapist told me that, “I needed to grieve the loss of my limb”. In grieving the loss of my right foot, I had to realize that the “Mary,” I once knew was no longer anymore,

I began volunteering for NAMI, as a way to put myself back in a position to help others. In volunteering, I began speaking and advocating for NAMI. Mental Illness is real, depression is real, anxiety is real, and suicide is infecting everyone. I know that God saved me in my car accident, but I struggled with what I was left with. I went from being able to wear cute shoes, walking 3 1/2 miles up Stone Mountain, the 5 miles around the mountain, to wearing one ugly shoe using a brace and cane to get around. Mentally, I was in bad shape.

Growing up, I never saw myself as a writer or speaker. However, now, I understand that I’m a writer who did not choose to write. Rather, I’m a writer who was chosen to write. Advocating for mental health has become a passion of mine.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day One Monday……………………… I will cook a good home cooked meal, we will have drinks and relax

Day Two Tuesday……………………… Go to the Historical Dr. King District, go to the HBCU campuses, Stone Mountain, and maybe
the Aquarium

Day Three Wednesday………….. We would would wing it on Wednesday….

Day Four Thursday…………………… Go get a manicure, pedicure, massage, shopping at the Mall of Georgia. We will probably go
to Hook n Reel for some good seafood

Day Five Friday………………………….. Go visit my brother, and go see my niece in Augusta (family day). Then go to Apache for some
good drinks and talent night.

Day Six Saturday………………………. We will go to The Corner Grille around 12 noon, because the line is always wrapped around
the corner. I would go for the bottomless Mimosa’s, and shrimp and grits.

Day Seven Sunday…………………. We will go to Greater Traveler’s Rest Church (Pastor E. Dewey Smith) for a good word and
awesome choir.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes,

I want to shoutout my mother Linda Phillips, and my sisters, because their support feeds my drive. I want to give a big thank you to my mentor James Mitchell for all he has done to help me in my writing career. I have to thank my friends and co-workers from Henry Ford Health System, because they have supported me so much when I was in Detroit.

After moving to Georgia nothing happened the way I planned it. My life changed in the blink of an eye and had it not been for my best friend Ashawnti, I probably would have given up. I also want to thank my good friend Red, because her support and friendship helps me to stay focused and continue to believe in myself.

I am just so grateful and thankful for everyone that God has placed in my life.

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