Announcing the Break-A-Leg Badge Recipients! 🧗‍♀️ (April 2026)

Stepping out of your comfort zone is rarely easy. It takes real courage to face stress, anxiety, and fear head-on to try something new. Whether it was picking up a hobby, speaking in public, facing a phobia, or taking that scary first step to support someone else, you have all shown genuine bravery.

I was deeply moved by reading your stories. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the bold individuals who took a leap of faith, pushed past their boundaries, and earned the Break-A-Leg Badge!

@RiceSkipping: I am rather someone who's the one always sharing to others, it's my first time hearing others and trying to be understanding despite all short comings and maintaining rules which I rarely could especially online! As a new listener I poked my comfort bubble!

@2Ears2Hear: I have overcome stress, anxiety, and fear to try something new by starting to regularly attend church

@MrAnonymousHealer: I think I deserve this badge because I had a close experience with depression, anxiety and existential crisis and joined 7Cups to overcome these. And now I am sure I have overcome them, surely only with the support of my dear listeners. I am ready to carry this badge now as a token of achieving a breakthrough through the struggles I experienced.

@LightWinter3974: I recently overcame a significant personal fear by taking a prolonged self-care break—something I was scared to do because I didn't want to let members down. This required me to learn to say 'no' and set boundaries. I've also been rebuilding my confidence in supporting members after experiencing compassion fatigue, which was a major hurdle I've worked to overcome.

@adi4u: I am working on myself to deal with Anxiety and stress, through listening - I have considerably improved my patterns and understood life better.

@Blueswan001: I overcame fear and anxiety made my first social media post and volunteered for public speaking

@Galaderiel: I feel that I deserve this badge as I have faced depression and anxiety and suicidal thoughts and fought against it. In the beginning I was not sure if I could do it but when I heard from people that they were thankful to me because of my support I felt I overcame my fears. I think that this badge will represent that I am someone who had progress in her own mental state and is willing to help those who are going through same thing.

@mayajourneyz: I had a discussion and it was scary but I did it and I am proud of myself for being the listener that I am.

@Carenova: I was afraid of much water together but i tried several times to overcome that fear. It was hard but finally I am very much fine with water nowadays. Even this birthday I went to river Ganga and took bath with my family.

@iris2888: 2025 was the year of growth. I struggled but I had advocates that supported me throughout. I reached out for help and they were there in need. I did a speech in front of my class and got an A+!! I knew that even the little steps would help me reach my goal. Though my struggle with anxiety is still prominent, I know that I have support and I CAN do it.

@Heart4art: I became a volunteer chaplain. I still feel like I'm a fish out of water sometimes, but I'm working really hard to learn new skills and become competent to help people.

@Ruben470: I recently supported a member in a topic I didn't feel confident about. I wasn't sure if I could support them "well enough", but in the end, they were very grateful for me. I felt super proud after that.

@SkyTheListener: I tried having really hard conversation and it actually went ok, I used all the tools and tips that my therapist and I practiced

@SkyeBanfeild: I tried something new, and it finally worked out :) I tried and failed and tried and failed to play the drums, and now I consider my self a pro now

@jsanchez2: I am a new active listener, whom has been trying this website as an active intership for my senior year which has been very beneficial.

@bubblyLove123: I think I should be awarded this because I have defied some odds. I was diagnosed with agoraphobia almost a decade ago. I remember sitting in therapy and my therapist at the time sharing the likelihood of me overcoming this. I thought it would defy me and my life was never going to be the same again. Despite agoraphobia and the panic disorder (also received diagnosis for this at the time), I am moving forward and out of my house.

@Bloossom: I'm a very introverted person in real life, but I decided to try out for a play and I made it in. Performances are this week and I'm nervous, but I don't think I regret trying out, despite how scary it was.

@nabz22: I feel as though me becoming a listener and already having several one to one conversations within the last two days - with positive outcomes and impressions, has made me feel much more luckier and happier as I’ve accomplished my goals and did well.

@heavenLight1323: I overcame a lot of stress and anxiety by joining 7 cups. I've struggled with an anxiety disorder my entire life, and sometimes I've even felt like I had run out of air to breathe. This happened especially in social circumstances, and it took me an incredibly long time to have the confidence to not only make friends, but learn how to be a good friend and support them. Coming on 7 cups was a brave choice to me, and I chose to do it because I wanted to help other people out there that are struggling realize that there are so many people and resources out there to help them.

@Chelsie0402: I'm a very quiet person and was terrified to try something like this because of how much communication is in it, but I signed up anyways and even tried talking in the listener chats. It's scary because I'm so afraid of being judged and I'm still pushing myself to answer more chats despite being anxious that I'll say the wrong thing or that a member I'm speaking to will start being rude and tell me that I'm doing a bad job.

@Romona777: Recently I have been feeling stress out about school however, during that time I have found ways to cope by developing to do list to help clam my stress. I also pick up a hobby that help me discover a new side of me. That hobby is drawing; one it is calming and i get to developed new skills.

@IamSkyBlueAakash: Hi, I would like to apply for the Break-A-Leg Badge. Trying something new is not always easy, especially when there is stress, anxiety or fear. I personally understand how difficult it can feel to take that first step, even in small ways. Being part of this community has encouraged me to come out of my comfort zone and support others who may be going through similar feelings. As a listener, I try my best to create a space where people feel safe, heard and not judged. I believe growth happens slowly, and even small steps matter. I am also learning and growing along the way, and I try to carry that understanding into every interaction. This badge would really motivate me to continue supporting others with empathy and patience. Thank you for your time and consideration 

@hopefulSunshine1731: I used to be so overwhelmed filling out school apps. Recently, I applied and kept myself busy. I even heard back from them! Now I am preparing for the interview :)

@ultrabliss: applied for a new volunteer program in my community! i got in!

@alwayzpanda: I remember just a few months ago, I was on the brink of letting it all go- I was filled with fear at even the thought of it, but I managed to overcome my fear by inhabiting something new into my life. I was always anxious about becoming religious, because I wasn't born religious- and as a White girl, it'd be a bit strange to convert to a religion in the middle of your life. All that tension was eating me alive, so the first month of me being Buddhist- I kept it a secret. But eventually, it spread out, and I was able to tell my close friends about it first- and I felt better, more open, more secure and more like who I wanted to be. All that fear went away, and I learned to be more open with both myself and others. Religion is a great way to express yourself & to open yourself to all these negative emotions, accept them- and let them go. I have changed so much, and I am so proud of myself.

@MeilleureAmie: I challenged myself to join listener group chat even though I have an intense fear of being judged in group settings, something that I've always experienced. It took a lot of courage to push past that anxiety and participate meaningfully, even when it felt uncomfortable.

@dquin: I have been suffering from Anxiety and depression from last 2 years which I have overcomed by using my personal ways and willpower for which I want to help others by listening to them and becoming that person they can rely on

@Christisnear4: I think I should be awarded this badge because I was scared to talk to members as a newbie listener but now I listen and help with much confidence because I got used and I'm no longer scared or anxious to.

@CalmingPresence90: I recently lost my job, and I was incredibly distraught over it, so I came to 7 Cups, first as a member, then realized that I could do so much more, and I became a Listener. During my first night Listening, I had almost 20 support chats (19 to be exact), and two individuals specifically say that they would like to chat with me again. I wasn't sure that I had enough in my bucket to share without emptying it, but talking with others really helped me spread my wings and see that I can do so much more!

@EvanescentZiaaa: Well I struggle a lot with anxiety. Recently i've been doing more to make sure I dont let it control me or my actions. For example instead of stressing about my exams, id just study for it. Or instead of thinking someone smells good, I'd tell them (even strangers) that they smell good. I've also started working on my self confidence to not rely on others opinions thank you for reading that

Celebrate Your Journey: How to Self-Nominate for Special Badges!