Second & Sebring by Of Mice and Men - 5/12/25
Official music video from Rise Records
*Volume warning for the Spotify preview
It's Metal Monday again everyone! If you have not seen this series before, I try to post every Monday about a metal track that I believe resonates with our individual professional journeys and to help those of us who struggle to get going on Mondays. (Plus, I get to share some of my favorite metal music with you all!)
If you saw my post from last week, you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. This is a topic that’s close to me for many reasons I won’t get into here, but it’s one I feel strongly about highlighting—especially through music. This past Sunday was also Mother’s Day. My daughter, my fiancé, and I spent the day at my mother-in-law’s house, celebrating with the family. We left my mother-in-law’s home around 8:30PM as the sun was going down. My fiancé was in the passenger seat and our daughter was in the back seat listening to her own music with her headphones on. I couldn’t help but be incredibly thankful for the family I have, so I just sat in that feeling and let the peacefulness of the moment wash over me on the drive back home. The entire day was a reminder of how important these moments are and how deeply they can affect our emotional well-being.
As springtime breathes new life into the world around us, it offers a fresh perspective and a chance to acknowledge the various aspects of our lives. It's fitting that Mental Health Awareness Month falls during this time of renewal, especially for those of us farther north who deal with S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder). It's also the month we honor the mothers who have profoundly shaped us. Continuing our weekly "Metal Monday" exploration, I bring these two themes together through a deeply personal and emotionally charged track: “Second & Sebring” by Of Mice & Men.
I chose this song not just for its musical intensity, but for the story behind it. Written by former vocalist Austin Carlile, “Second & Sebring” is a tribute to his late mother, who passed away when he was a teenager. The song captures the pain of loss, the weight of grief, and the enduring desire to make a loved one proud. It’s a raw, honest reflection of how mental health and personal loss are often intertwined and how music can help us process both. The title refers to the intersection in Lehigh Acres, Florida, where Carlile last lived with his mother before she passed away in 2007 due to Marfan Syndrome. The song serves as a tribute to her memory and a vow to live a life that would make her proud.
History and Significance of Mental Health Awareness Month
To recap for those who don’t know, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States since 1949. This observance was initiated by Mental Health America (then known as the National Association for Mental Health) to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses, including conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote understanding, treatment, and prevention.
Questions to Inspire Your Journey
With all of that said, let’s get into the music. As you read through this article, think about how you can apply these songs to your personal and/or professional life, no matter your position or role, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments on the LinkedIn post! Here are some questions to get you started:
How has the loss of a loved one shaped your personal or professional journey?
In what ways do you carry the memory of someone important to you into your daily life?
Have you ever felt driven to succeed in honor of someone who believed in you?
What role does music play in your emotional well-being?
How do you show appreciation for the people who’ve shaped your life?
Living to Make Someone Proud
Lyrics:
This time I'll make you
Proud to see me over, come on day light
Proud of, who you raised
Your shelter, your peacefulness
So this time I'll make you proud
Proud of who you raised up
You know that I will
Always be here till' the end
This is the emotional core of the song—a promise to live a life that honors his mother’s memory. This theme speaks to the deep human desire to honor those who’ve shaped us, especially parents or caregivers. After loss, many people find purpose in living a life that reflects the values, lessons, or love they received from someone they’ve lost. It becomes a form of tribute, a way to keep their memory alive through action.
In a professional context, this might look like striving for excellence, showing compassion, or leading with integrity because that’s what someone you admired would have wanted. Personally, it might mean being present for your family, pursuing your passions, or simply being kind to yourself.
Grief and the Ongoing Impact of Loss
Lyrics:
Come back so I can say thank you for this
Home cooked meals and a place to rest
My troubled head when you're away
I've passed the test, I've earned an A
Not just in school, but in life
You'll always be right by my side
To help me show, hope to all
That are lost and sick in this dying world
These lines reflect the longing and emotional weight that comes with losing a loved one, especially a mother. They capture the everyday comforts that are missed and the emotional grounding that’s lost, which can deeply affect mental health. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. It’s not something we just “get over,” it’s something we learn to carry. “Second & Sebring” captures this beautifully, not just in its lyrics, but in its tone: aching, raw, and honest.
The song reminds us that grief can resurface unexpectedly on recurring days like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or even in the quiet moments. It can affect our mental health, our motivation, and our sense of identity. But it can also deepen our empathy, strengthen our resilience, and remind us of what truly matters.
In the workplace, grief often goes unspoken. Yet it can impact focus, energy, and emotional bandwidth. Recognizing this—both in ourselves and in others—is a step toward creating more compassionate environments.
The Power of Music as Emotional Expression and Healing
Lyrics:
This is not what it is, only baby scars
I need your love like a boy needs his mother's side
This is not what it is, only baby scars
I need your love like a boy needs his mother's side
This metaphor of “baby scars” suggests emotional wounds that may fade but never fully disappear. The vulnerability in these lines shows how music can give voice to pain that’s hard to express otherwise, offering a form of healing through connection and catharsis. Music has a unique ability to say what we can’t. It gives shape to emotions that are too complex or painful to articulate. For Austin Carlile, writing “Second & Sebring” was a way to process the loss of his mother—a form of therapy through sound.
For listeners, songs like this can be a lifeline. They validate our feelings, remind us we’re not alone, and sometimes even help us cry when we need to. Whether it’s metal, classical, hip-hop, or folk, music can be a powerful tool for emotional regulation and healing.
In both personal and professional life, music can offer a moment of pause, a space to reflect, or a source of strength. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t linear—and that sometimes, the loudest songs speak the quietest truths.
Conclusion and Wrapping Up
As we wrap up this week's Metal Monday, let's reflect on the themes of mental health explored in Second & Sebring. These themes are not just lyrics in a song; they resonate deeply with our personal and professional lives.
TL;DR: In this week’s Metal Monday, we explore “Second & Sebring” by Of Mice & Men—a powerful tribute to vocalist Austin Carlile’s late mother. Tying together Mental Health Awareness Month and Mother’s Day, the article reflects on themes of grief, healing through music, and living to make someone proud. It’s a reminder of how music can help us process loss, honor loved ones, and support our mental well-being—both personally and professionally.
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments on our LinkedIn post—I’d love to hear your stories and insights. By fostering a supportive work environment and encouraging open conversations about these themes, we can create a culture where everyone feels valued and understood. Remember, it's okay to ask for help and to take time for self-care. By addressing these themes head-on, we can build resilience and find the strength to overcome any challenges that come our way. Let's use this Metal Monday as a reminder to prioritize our mental health and support one another in our journeys.
Stay tuned for next week's Metal Monday! Until then, keep rocking and stay strong!