Metta World Peace

Best known for his pivotal role in the 2010 NBA Championship victory for the Los Angeles Lakers and his involvement in the "Malice in the Palace" brawl, Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) is a figure of both controversy and inspiration. His candid discussions about his mental health struggles with depression and anxiety have earned him the "Mental Health Hero" award for his advocacy. An engaging speaker, he recounts his transformative journey from Queensbridge, NY to achieving NBA superstardom.

World Peace has been at the forefront of mental health advocacy in sports since he publicly thanked his therapist after securing the 2010 NBA Championship, a moment that significantly impacted public perception of mental health. This act of openness predates similar public admissions by athletes like Michael Phelps and Simone Biles, marking him as a pioneer in the sports community for mental health awareness. His willingness to seek help and discuss these issues publicly played a crucial role in reducing the stigma around mental health in athletics.

Since his days on the court, World Peace has expanded his impact beyond basketball. He is now a successful entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and public speaker. His efforts have been documented in the multi-award-winning and Emmy-nominated documentary "Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story," which features interviews with NBA icons such as Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom. His work in mental health advocacy led to him testifying before Congress in support of the Mental Health in Schools Act and being recognized with the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. Through his leadership role as Chief Impact Director at OOTify, a technology platform offering mental health solutions, and his founding of the Artest Management Group, World Peace continues to influence and inspire both within and beyond the realms of professional sports.