<p>Welcome back to another episode of <em>The Anchored by the Sword Podcast.</em> I’m really excited—and honestly, really expectant—about today’s conversation.</p><p><br></p><p>If you’ve been around this podcast for any length of time or you’ve read <em>Anchored in Freedom</em>, then you already know… mental health is something that is deeply personal to me. It’s something I’ve walked through, something my family has walked through, and something I am incredibly passionate about bringing into the light.</p><p><br></p><p>And I truly believe there is no better time to have this conversation than right now, as we walk through Mental Health Awareness Month.</p><p><br></p><p>Today, I’m sitting down with Erin Kerry, author of <em>Live Beyond Your Label: A Holistic Approach to Breaking Old Patterns and Rediscovering a Healthier You in Mind, Body, and Spirit.</em></p><p><br></p><p>And you guys… this conversation is real.</p><p><br></p><p>We talk about:</p><ul><li>What it looks like to be diagnosed with mental illness at a young age</li><li>How labels can both help… and hinder</li><li>The tension between faith and mental health (and why “just pray more” isn’t the answer)</li><li>Walking through trauma without shame</li><li>The importance of boundaries (yes—even as Christian women)</li><li>And how our physical health—what we eat, how we move, how we rest—actually impacts our mental and emotional well-being</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Erin shares her story of being diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder, the struggles that followed, and the healing journey God led her through—not overnight, but through intentional steps, support, and truth.</p><p><br></p><p>We also talk about something that I think is so important:</p><p>👉 You are not your diagnosis.<br>👉 You are not your struggle.<br>👉 And you are not disqualified because of your mental health.</p><p><br></p><p>As believers, our identity is rooted in Christ—not in the labels we’ve been given.</p><p><br></p><p>This episode is for you if:</p><ul><li>You’ve ever felt defined by your mental health</li><li>You’ve wrestled with shame, anxiety, depression, or trauma</li><li>You’ve felt unseen—even in the church</li><li>Or you’re just trying to figure out how faith and mental health actually work together</li></ul><p><br></p><p>And I just want to say this clearly:<br>You are not alone in this.<br>And there is hope.</p><p><br></p><p>Let’s keep having these conversations—not just this month, but always.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Bio:</strong></p><p>Erin Kerry is a health coach and mental health advocate. She encourages people to live beyond their labels, sparking hope and wholeness each week through her podcast, <em>Sparking Wholeness</em>. </p><p><br></p><p>Erin knows how suffering from a chronic illness can infiltrate every area of life. By the age of 18, she was given the labels PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. Today, she is living</p><p>symptom-free. She empowers people to be their own health advocates so they don’t have to be limited by a label or diagnosis. She and her husband, Richard, live in Tyler, Texas, with their three kids: Isabel, Roman, and Rhett.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Anchor Verses:</strong></p><p>Zephaniah 3:17</p><p>Romans 8:1</p><p>Hebrews 4:16</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Erin:</strong></p><p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="https://erinbkerry.com/">https://erinbkerry.com/</a></p><p><strong>IG: </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sparkingwholeness/">https://www.instagram.com/sparkingwholeness/</a></p><p><strong>FB: </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sparkingwholeness">https://www.facebook.com/sparkingwholeness</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong> </strong>***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!*** </p>