Meet Dreg Vega

We were lucky to catch up with Dreg Vega recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dreg, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

Mental health has always been a personal struggle for me. I always find myself getting carried off to a place where for years I’d wish for someone to stumble upon me and help get me out of there. As the years have gone by and I’ve grown and changed probably 100 times over I’ve realized that I never needed anyone to find me. I had to figure out how to understand that the wonderful people I have in my life are there for a reason. I always used to fear being alone. Everybody has to walk this life . Some tougher some shorter than others but it makes a hell of a difference who you’re walking with. My friends keep me human . I love them dearly.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

During the pandemic I founded a group of live streamers called the BlackCollar Collective. Together 5 years later we have raised tens of thousands of dollars for multiple causes. This year we finally made the leap and became our own non profit. The BlackCollar Youth Foundation. BlackCollar goes hand in hand with what I said earlier. These are some of the best people I have ever met and to be able to come together to entertain folks so they can forget their troubles for a little while all while raising money for today’s biggest causes is a great feeling. They have given my life purpose , they’ve help launch my career as a stand up comic and actor. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I don’t know about any specific or special skills. I just know that nobody was put on this earth to just exist. I used to be a pretty bad person. I was a career criminal I ran with a gang I stole I sold drugs (allegedly) the point of it all is to live your story. As cliche as it sounds I implore you to follow your dreams. Even if they don’t pan out the way you think it should be you can look back and know that you showed up. On the bad days , the good days , rainy or sunny. You stood for something you cared about and more importantly, wanted to share it with the world. Be good to yourself , never compare yourself to others and always keep an open mind and a kind heart. This world, this universe is all doors anyway , you just have to get up and open them.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

If I knew I had a solid ten years. I’d spend it making up for all that I took from the world. I’d hope to pass the foundation to one of my dear friends so that I know folks are gonna be alright when I’m gone. I’d spend it trying to get folks to believe in themselves. Id try my hardest to finish every project I started (and trust me , it’ll take every bit of ten years) . Honestly if I had ten years left , I’d laugh. Every. Single. Day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: DregVega
• Facebook: DregVega
• Youtube: DregVega
• Other: Google the BlackCollar Collective to stay up to date on all our charity endeavors.

Image Credits

Brittany B.
Travis C.
Jason B.