One Day or Day One? Madai Delgado Cary's Road to Healing

Since Madai was a teenager, she has been tired of the stigma around mental health.

Starting from a young age, she dealt with feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. She felt isolated by cultural norms placed on her by her Hispanic heritage and was constantly told, "You're just a kid, what do you have to be depressed about?"

Beginning Her Healing Journey

When she was 16 years old, Madai went to her first inpatient mental health facility and was shocked to find kids younger than her struggling in the same way she was. She noticed that what a majority of the patients had in common was that they felt alone. Madai saw that despite these feelings of loneliness, they were all in it together and truly weren't alone on their journeys to healing.

"From then on, I told myself I was never going to shut up about it because struggle is not something to be ashamed of. We all struggle, so why do we have to do it alone?" She began to be more vocal about mental health on behalf of herself and others.

As Madai embarked on her journey of healing, she was in and out of therapy, trying different medications, but her anxiety and depression stayed consistent. In April of 2023, she sought more intensive help for her mental health. She found an organization that provides virtual, intensive mental health treatment, and from there, the trajectory of her journey has changed.

Enter Still I Run

After twelve weeks of intensive therapy, she graduated from the program and began engaging with their alumni services. This was how she found Still I Run.

After seeing a post about the Spring 2024 cycle of the Starting Line Scholarship (now the Mental Health Runner Program), she decided to take the leap to apply. "While I was applying, I kept telling myself, one day or day one? Are we going to keep saying one day, or is today going to be the day we start?"

She had a longtime dream of running 5k races for charity and saw this opportunity as her day one towards that goal.

She completed her first 5k on April 20, 2024, benefiting the Daniela Conte Foundation. It was a cold, gloomy day, but Madai described it as beautiful. She crossed the finish line at 65 minutes surrounded by families impacted by childhood cancer, and thought, 'That's not it, there's more for me to do.'

Madai then saw the applications for the 2025 Ambassador Program. She initially didn't think she was quite ready, but Madai told herself she'd take the leap and apply if she saw the post again. Thankfully for Still I Run, she did see the post again...the night before applications were due.

"When I first got the email, I couldn't believe it. I'm still an 18-minute mile girl, but it goes to show that Still I Run is about you and what you want to achieve, not your mile time. It really is for anyone at any pace."

Still I Run, Even at Work

After leaving her previous job, Madai started at EverBank and immediately felt supported and welcomed. She was inspired and encouraged by her managers to get the company involved with what she's passionate about: Still I Run and mental health.

One of EverBank's core values is Social & Community Impact, so volunteering is highly encouraged within the company, giving Madai a great way to introduce the Runstreak challenge in 2024. After speaking with coworkers and managers, it was clear there was an interest in getting involved. The EverBank team had 128 people in 2024, thanks to coworkers spreading the word amongst each other and marketing and communications teams publishing it on employee dashboards.

For the 2025 Runstreak, she was challenged to double the participation. She was successful in doubling the number... and then some! In 2025, there were 267 EverBank associates involved in the Runstreak challenge, and they completed over 11,900 miles.

"Volunteering has been a big part of my life, so to be able to do it at a place where I spend so much time and to be so supported by everyone around me feels so good."

Running Her Way to a Trailblazer Award

The EverBank Trailblazer Award was created to recognize and celebrate associates who show exceptional commitment to community service. It's bestowed upon employees who go above and beyond to support their passion in a specific focus area. For Madai, the focus area was "Supporting Our People."

When her manager pulled Madai into an office to tell her about the award, Madai thought she was being fired. Her manager described her as going white as a sheet, but once she heard the good news and all the wonderful things her coworkers had to say about her, all was well!

Madai found herself reminiscing on the time she's spent with EverBank and the endless support her managers and coworkers have shown her. She's consistently encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to do more volunteering or get involved in committees to reach her full potential both at work and outside of it. "If it wasn't for them constantly telling me that I'm capable, I wouldn't have the confidence that I do now, even on days when I'm not feeling it."

After being presented the award, she was met with love and celebration from her peers. She was able to see firsthand that her work is appreciated and valued. It made her want to work harder towards making a difference in her community.

"Advocating for myself is one thing, but I know that there are so many people who probably have these feelings, and they just feel alone. If me never shutting up about it can help just one person realize that there's someone out there who can help them or that they're not alone, they're not the only ones feeling like this, that's enough."

Her Journey: Then to Now

After finishing her mental health treatment, Madai told herself she wouldn't water herself down anymore. She strived to be as involved as possible and advocate for herself and others. She would make herself more known and grow her confidence.

She's taken steps outside of her comfort zone and has challenged herself to grow both physically and emotionally. Through Still I Run, she's made new friends, set new goals, and helped others realize their potential.

"Today, I carry myself with belief, not just in where I'm going, but in who I am. I no longer question if I belong; I know I do. I finally see myself through the same lens of worth I've offered to everyone else. I look in the mirror, and for the first time in a long time, I see me. I'm worthy, and I deserve to take up space in every room I'm in."