Episode #73
EP. 100 | The BL3S Squad Story: Miguel & B. Martinez on Healing Through Community
For our 100th episode, we sit down with Miguel and B. Martinez, founders of BL3S Squad, a nonprofit built in memory of their nephew, Andrés “Bless” Martinez. After losing Andrés to suicide, the family found a way forward through baseball, community, and honest conversation about mental health. Miguel and B. walk us through how a small backyard rag ball tournament grew into a registered nonprofit that now brings families across the Permian Basin together every year. They talk about the stigma that keeps people, especially men, from admitting they’re struggling, and why events like the Rag Ball Tournament give people a safe space to connect. We also get into BL3S Squad’s partnerships with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation, and how they point people toward resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline when they need it most. The episode closes with details on this year’s fourth annual Rag Ball Tournament, coming up September 19, plus a new 5K run on September 23 with the Desert Run Collective. This one is about what community can do when people choose to heal out loud instead of alone. Topics Discussed How BL3S Squad started after the family lost Andrés “Bless” Martinez to suicide Why baseball and the rag ball format became the way they chose to honor him Growth from a small family fundraiser into an official nonprofit Breaking the stigma around mental health, especially for men Creating spaces where people feel safe saying “I’m not okay” Partnerships with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and other local mental health resources How family involvement shapes the tournament, from kids to grandparents Details on the fourth annual Rag Ball Tournament, September 19 The new September 23 5K run with the Desert Run Collective and how to get involved #midlandtx #odessatx #permianbasin #bam #bamventures #bl3ssquad #healingthroughcommunity #mentalhealthawareness #suicidepreventionawareness #988lifeline
