How ‘Oi. You Got This’ founder Telesha Ballinger’s inspiring story led her to spread positivity on clothes
A Townsville brand is seeking to spread positivity and support to those battling hard times through encouraging messages. Read about how the founders own struggles inspired her to get creative.
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On a mission to share her mental health journey after an upbringing experiencing the loss of loved ones to drug addiction and sexual assault, a Townsville mother is seeking to help others through their own struggles through positive messaging and support.
Telesha Ballinger, founder of ‘Oi. You Got This’, said she was just a young girl when she was sexually assaulted and after her mother and other loved ones lost their battle to drug addiction, she was left battling severe depression and anxiety.
“I was a mess, I had multiple (suicide) attempts and was in and out of hospital,” Ms Ballinger said.
“I spent the majority of my high school years just lost.”
At 18-years-old she fell pregnant and said that without a motherly figure around her to talk to, she was riddled with anxiety about her and her child’s future.
“I just thought, what do I do? I’ve never even used a freaking washing machine before. How am I meant to do this? So navigating that and trying to figure it all out was rough,” Ms
“I was just figuring it out day by day and learning as I went.”
“It was my daughter that really saved me and showed me this new meaning of life.”
With a renewed sense of purpose, and a strong motivation to begin her healing journey Ms Ballinger wanted to spread more positive messaging in a world where she had so often felt disheartened in the past.
“When I think back now I’m like ‘Oh my gosh, I needed who I am now, back then’ and I think about how different things could have been and that’s what really inspired me to create this brand,” Ms Ballinger said.
“Not only do I provide inspiring and encouraging messages with strangers when they read my pieces, It’s more so getting to the point to be able to hold space for people and allow them to come and be heard.”
The business name ‘Oi. You Got This’ was inspired by her sister in law who passed away during a boxing sparring session.
“She used to always be like ‘oi, it’s all good you’ve got this sis’ … It really inspired me and helped to ignite the idea,” she said.
The brand offers clothing items with inspirational messaging written by Ms Ballinger, such as their signature crew neck which reads “I know you’ve been through a lot in your life so thank you for still being here and shining your light” with profits from sales providing support to people in need.
The business website also offers support information and links to different services such as Mens medicine, Mothering Me and Raniera Rewiri.
“Those services themselves are ones that have personally helped me … I wanted to create a hub and put different health approaches in there so it can be a place where people can come and find support.”
To visit the Oi. You Got This website click here.
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Originally published as How ‘Oi. You Got This’ founder Telesha Ballinger’s inspiring story led her to spread positivity on clothes
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