We Are All Damaged Goods

05.30.2025

We Are All Damaged Goods

by Cole Rodby

My name is Cole Rodby, and I'm 27 years old. I’m originally from downtown Chicago and currently living in New York City.

Throughout high school and college, I struggled deeply with anxiety and depression. I constantly felt like I wasn’t good enough—like something was inherently wrong with me. Negative thoughts consumed me, whether they were about school, my social life, or relationships. These thoughts often manifested physically: a tightness in my throat, random stomach pains, or difficulty breathing. I felt trapped in a cycle of worry, always afraid those thoughts would return.

A few years ago, I started therapy, and it changed my life. My therapist introduced me to the practice of acceptance—learning not to attach myself to negative thoughts. She helped me understand that these thoughts aren't facts; they only have power if we give it to them. Over time, I began to push back against those thoughts with a more positive internal narrative.

I also started working on myself in tangible ways: becoming more consistent in my career, sticking to a workout routine, eating healthier, and making the changes I’d always wanted to make. I committed to getting 1% better each day. It took time, but slowly, I began stacking good habits and forming healthier thought patterns. I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come. If the scared, 22-year-old version of me—fresh out of college—could see me now, I’m not sure he’d even recognize me.

A major turning point in my journey was starting my clothing brand, Damaged Goods Clothing. The idea came to me during one of the lowest points in my mental health struggles. The brand is built around a simple but powerful belief: we’re all damaged and flawed—but that’s not something to hide. In fact, our struggles make us who we are. There's beauty in our imperfections, and by acknowledging them, we can connect more deeply with others through shared experience and empathy. We are all Damaged Goods.

This message is closely tied to the practice of acceptance that helped me so much. Embracing your damage—and even being proud of it—can be a powerful way to reclaim your story. To rise above it. To stop letting it control you.

Being able to merge my love for clothing with a message that I deeply believe in has given me a sense of purpose unlike anything else in my life. To support others on their mental health journey, $5 from every Damaged Goods purchase is donated to ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America). I’m proud to partner with an organization that’s creating a mental health community much like the one I hope to build: one where people feel safe being open, supported, and heard. ADAA's work—providing free resources to those in need and advancing research to improve treatment—is invaluable, and I’m honored to be a part of it.

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