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The You Aren’t Alone Project is proud to partner with The Positive Vibe Movement© to make an impact on mental health in Baton Rouge & beyond. The Positive Vibe Movement has pledged to donate 5% of all profits in support of our initiatives. We'll be announcing more on the partnership soon, stay tuned!
The Positive Vibe Movement is so much more than a clothing and lifestyle brand. It's about the strength we find in the support of others when we're struggling, and about taking action to erase the stigma around mental health.
The Positive Vibe Movement is so much more than a clothing and lifestyle brand. It's about the strength we find in the support of others when we're struggling, and about taking action to erase the stigma around mental health.
THE STORY BEHIND THE MOVEMENT
It all started in December 2015 when Matt Bahnick, founder of The Positive Vibe Movement, was attending Florida State University. But to really understand the inspiration behind the movement, we need to go back a few years during his time playing baseball at Kennesaw State University. Although he and his teammates expected to achieve something special, the season didn’t start out that way, opening with a 2-9 record in conference play. Matt recognized that he was putting a ton of pressure on himself to perform and was letting negative thoughts creep into his mind, which started to affect him on and off the field. It was at this point that Matt had a realization.
The next day, in the clubhouse preparing for the game, he decided to take a sharpie and write a small “PV” on his wrist tape signifying “Positive Vibes.” This way, throughout the game there was a constant reminder to stay positive. Over the next couple of games he was playing with a renewed confidence. Teammates quickly noticed, and soon the “PV” marking could be seen on the wrist tape, batting gloves, and cleats of most KSU players. KSU went on to defeat the University of Alabama in the Tallahassee Regional Championship, earning them a spot in the Super Regionals where they would travel to host University of Louisville. After losing the best of 3 series, the Owls came up two wins short of making it to Omaha and playing in the College World Series, but during their journey, The Positive Vibe Movement was born.
Matt was excited to get back for his senior year and finish what he and his teammates had started. Unfortunately, a week after the season finished, Matt received some heartbreaking news. His coach called to inform him that they wouldn’t be able to provide any help financially. Matt couldn’t afford to pay out of state tuition, so after talking it over with his parents, he decided that his time at KSU was done. Just like that, Matt went from starting at third base in the Super Regionals on ESPN to working multiple jobs over the next 12 months just so he could qualify for in state tuition at Florida State University.
Matt was so used to being a part of a team. Since five years old he knew nothing else. He felt lost without that team environment, alone, 19 hours from home, life felt purposeless. Thoughts were getting darker, and days were getting longer. He admits, without the support, love, and constant encouragement from his family and friends, he’s not sure what would have happened. This got him thinking, not everyone is fortunate enough to have a support system. What if he could create a company centered on making people feel happy/spreading love. As he reflected on his journey so far, Matt realized that some of the happiest times of his life involved spreading positive vibes. Suddenly, everything clicked for him. “PV” wasn’t just a message he wrote to himself to stay positive. “PV” was now a logo that stood for so much more. From that moment forward, Matt made it his mission to share his message with the world.
What began with a sharpie and some wrist tape has transformed into something much more meaningful.
It all started in December 2015 when Matt Bahnick, founder of The Positive Vibe Movement, was attending Florida State University. But to really understand the inspiration behind the movement, we need to go back a few years during his time playing baseball at Kennesaw State University. Although he and his teammates expected to achieve something special, the season didn’t start out that way, opening with a 2-9 record in conference play. Matt recognized that he was putting a ton of pressure on himself to perform and was letting negative thoughts creep into his mind, which started to affect him on and off the field. It was at this point that Matt had a realization.
The next day, in the clubhouse preparing for the game, he decided to take a sharpie and write a small “PV” on his wrist tape signifying “Positive Vibes.” This way, throughout the game there was a constant reminder to stay positive. Over the next couple of games he was playing with a renewed confidence. Teammates quickly noticed, and soon the “PV” marking could be seen on the wrist tape, batting gloves, and cleats of most KSU players. KSU went on to defeat the University of Alabama in the Tallahassee Regional Championship, earning them a spot in the Super Regionals where they would travel to host University of Louisville. After losing the best of 3 series, the Owls came up two wins short of making it to Omaha and playing in the College World Series, but during their journey, The Positive Vibe Movement was born.
Matt was excited to get back for his senior year and finish what he and his teammates had started. Unfortunately, a week after the season finished, Matt received some heartbreaking news. His coach called to inform him that they wouldn’t be able to provide any help financially. Matt couldn’t afford to pay out of state tuition, so after talking it over with his parents, he decided that his time at KSU was done. Just like that, Matt went from starting at third base in the Super Regionals on ESPN to working multiple jobs over the next 12 months just so he could qualify for in state tuition at Florida State University.
Matt was so used to being a part of a team. Since five years old he knew nothing else. He felt lost without that team environment, alone, 19 hours from home, life felt purposeless. Thoughts were getting darker, and days were getting longer. He admits, without the support, love, and constant encouragement from his family and friends, he’s not sure what would have happened. This got him thinking, not everyone is fortunate enough to have a support system. What if he could create a company centered on making people feel happy/spreading love. As he reflected on his journey so far, Matt realized that some of the happiest times of his life involved spreading positive vibes. Suddenly, everything clicked for him. “PV” wasn’t just a message he wrote to himself to stay positive. “PV” was now a logo that stood for so much more. From that moment forward, Matt made it his mission to share his message with the world.
What began with a sharpie and some wrist tape has transformed into something much more meaningful.
