A Love Story

Ours is a love story—but not the kind you see in movies. It’s a story of struggle, resilience, and ultimately, healing.

For decades, my wife Kristal has lived with anxiety, OCD, and a form of religious anxiety known as scrupulosity. For years, we didn’t have the language to describe what she was experiencing. We just knew something wasn’t right. A wise church leader noticed the patterns and gently encouraged her to seek therapy. That moment was a turning point—but not yet a solution.

We tried everything: therapy, medication, counseling, and even electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). It all helped, but nothing seemed to bring lasting relief. We found ourselves stuck in the same painful cycle, having the same conversations over and over. As her husband, I kept thinking, “I’m failing her. I'm not supporting her with what she needs. I don't know how to help or what to say. I need to learn more about mental health.”

Eventually, we discovered something called Relationship OCD—a revelation that led Kristal to an OCD and Anxiety Clinic. She enrolled in a 15-week group program, and it completely changed our lives.

During that time, we learned more than we ever thought possible about mental health—not just about OCD, but about communication, management techniques, compassion, and the power of understanding. We heard the stories. We witnessed the impact. We kept asking ourselves: 

• “What if we had known this 20 years ago?” 

• “What if everyone had access to these tools and information?” 

• “How many lives could be saved?"

• "How many relationships could be improved?"

• "How much healing could take place?” 

That’s when the idea for ONE RED STEP AT A TIME started.

The Socks That Sparked a Movement

During one of Kristal's most difficult seasons—while undergoing ECT treatments—she wore a pair of fun and crazy socks to the hospital to help reduce the anxiety of the moment.

It might seem trivial, but that single act sparked something beautiful.

The nurses, doctors, and hospital staff lit up when they saw them. They commented on the socks, laughed, connected. It broke the tension. It softened the room. And slowly, relationships began to form.

Moved by their kindness, Kristal decided to gift each of them a pair of the same socks. From then on, whenever Kristal was scheduled for treatment, the staff would wear their socks in solidarity. It became a ritual—a quiet but powerful show of support. That small gesture brought Kristal peace. It turned a sterile hospital into a circle of care. It turned fear into connection.

As our vision for the charity began to take shape, we knew that socks had to be part of it. But we chose to make them red—a color that speaks louder than words.

Red is unapologetically bold, and impossible to ignore. It exudes confidence. It demands to be seen. Across cultures, red symbolizes celebration, vitality, passion, abundance, and love. It’s the color of life—and the color of courage.

That’s how ONE RED STEP AT A TIME was born; out of love, connection, hope, and the belief that we can make a difference.

How much power is in a pair of red socks? 

Mental illness touches every life—whether you’re suffering quietly or standing beside someone who is. And too often, we don’t know how to talk about it. We don’t know what to say, how to help, or where to begin.

Maybe you’re carrying dark thoughts. Exhausted from pretending you’re okay. Tired of feeling broken, ashamed, or beyond help. Maybe you’ve tried speaking up, reaching out—yet nothing seems to lift the heaviness. So, you slip into silence. Please hear this: You are not weak. You are not alone. You are not beyond hope—or healing.

And what if the first step toward healing was something as simple as pulling on a pair of red socks?

We wear red socks not for fashion—but as a symbol. A visible, declaration of hope. A wearable mindset. They say: “I’m struggling, but I’m still here. I can do this. These socks represent my courage, my fight, and my worth.” And when you catch a glimpse of them throughout the day—and trust us you will—they’ll remind you: You’re stronger than you think.

And for those who stand beside someone in pain—desperate to help, afraid to say or do the wrong thing—your heartache is real too. You watch someone you love hurting, and you feel powerless to reach them. You second-guess every word, every silent action. We get it.

Mental illness is hard to talk about. Shame keeps people silent. Fear keeps us frozen. And while we wait for the perfect words, the suffering continues.

But what if healing doesn’t begin with perfect answers—but with presence?

Sometimes, all it takes is someone willing to say: “I see you.” Someone brave enough to listen, to stand by. To show up—even when it’s messy.

That’s where the red socks come in. They aren't magic. They can speak for you when you’re not sure what to say. The message they send is powerful: "You matter. You are seen. You are not walking this alone. I'm with you." They are a declaration. A promise to support.

We believe you don’t need to be a therapist to make a difference. You just need to care—and to show up.

We believe every person deserves to be heard without judgment, loved without conditions, and supported without shame. We believe small acts—conversations, educating ourselves, sharing stories, learning from one another, or simply wearing red socks—can shift the narrative and crack the silence wide open.

So whether you’re barely hanging on, or trying to hold space for someone who is—pull on some red socks. Keep fighting. Say the words. Take the step. Let’s walk together. Let’s talk louder. Let’s break the silence.

Can red socks shift the narrative, provide healing and hope, create connection, and get us talking? How much power is in a pair of red socks?

Let’s find out together—ONE RED STEP AT A TIME. Walk with us™.