Brian Cuban

Mental Health and Recovery Advocate & Best-Selling Author

Brian Cuban

Mental Health and Recovery Advocate & Best-Selling Author

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Biography

Brian Cuban, the younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner and entrepreneur Mark Cuban, is a Dallas based attorney, author and addiction recovery advocate. He is a graduate of Penn State University and The University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Brian has been in long term recovery from alcohol, cocaine and bulimia since April of 2007.

Brian's debut novel, The Ambulance Chaser, is about how personal injury lawyer Jason Feldman's life is turned upside down when he is accused of the murder of a high school classmate thirty years prior. He is now a fugitive from justice to find the one person who can prove his innocence and save the life of his son. Brian’s best-selling book, The Addicted Lawyer, Tales of The Bar, Booze, Blow, & Redemption is an un-flinching look back at how addiction and other mental health issues destroyed his career as a once successful lawyer and how he and others in the profession redefined their lives in recovery and found redemption. His first book, Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body Dysmorphic Disorder, chronicles his first-hand experiences living with and recovering from twenty-seven years of eating disorders, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).

Brian has spoken at law schools, colleges, universities, conferences, non-profit and bar association events across the United States and in Canada. Brian has appeared on prestigious talk shows such as the Katie Couric Show as well as numerous media outlets around the country. He also writes extensively on these subjects. His columns have appeared and he has been quoted on these topics on CNN.com, Foxnews.com, The Huffington Post, Above The Law, The New York Times, and in online and print newspapers around the world.

Speaker Videos

The Chaos of Addiction

Keynote at the 3rd Annual Media And Mental Health Awards

Legal Presentations

The Addicted Lawyer

No Shame On U

One Step Forward

I was able to Forgive

On Body Dysmorphic Disorder

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Speech Topics

The Chaos of Addiction

It is possible to pull out of the descent into the chaos of drug addiction. Restoring love of self, trust, family relationships and career. Brian Cuban, younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank Shark, Mark Cuban, describes this decent which took him through two trips to a psychiatric facility and the brink of suicide. How he was able to not only recover but redefine his career as a successful lawyer and ultimately find his true passion in life.

Shattered Image

It is possible to rise above our worst moments in life, reinvent ourselves, and achieve great things. Brian discusses his journey through clinical depression, twenty-seven years of eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, alcohol and drug addiction. A journey that took him from an 18-year-old anorexia/bulimic to the brink of suicide at 45 years old. To then finally turn it around, walk away from a successful legal career, restoring himself, his family relationships, and finding his true passion in life.

One Step Forward Into Eating Disorder Recovery & Awareness

Did you know that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness? Do you know that an estimated 30-35 percent of those suffering are men?

Brian Cuban is amongst a select few male speakers in the world sharing his first person story of eating disorder recovery on a national level. He was anorexic at eighteen years old. He transitioned into bulimia at nineteen and did not go into recovery until he was forty-five. In one step forward into eating disorder recovery, through powerful storytelling, humor and education, Cuban presents the tools he used through his recovery journey, tools he continues to use today. He discusses how those suffering as well as friends and family can use Empathy, Education, Empowerment Voice and Action (EEVA) to take that first step and empower others to do the same.

I Am Your Child: The Dangers of Steroid Abuse

Steroid use has the potential to be destructive both short term and long term. Brian Cuban is living proof. He first began using anabolic steroids in his mid-twenties, another destructive behavior of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a psychological disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with their appearance or self-image. After starving himself, binging and purging, and excessive exercise bulimia, Cuban turned to steroids. Spending thousands of dollars on black market steroids, risking arrest and all the physical side effects, some temporary, some permanent. Almost losing his left leg after ignoring a staph infection brought on by using dirty needles, Cuban required major surgery, and to this day continues to have leg and other health problems as a result.

Through his personal journey, Brian Cuban has come to believe that our society can and should keep addressing the behaviors that lead to steroid abuse. In this presentation, Cuban lays out what he believes are the preventive measures to address this difficult issue, from legally prohibiting and punishing possession and distribution, through raising awareness through education, and re-examining the messages (by media, coaches, mentors) imposed on children about their self-image and self-worth.

The Addicted Lawyer

Substance use disorders have always been higher than the societal norm in the legal profession. Most lawyers know someone in the legal profession whose career was either lost or significantly harmed due to addiction. Attorneys and law students like anyone else can be genetically pre-disposed to alcoholism, substance use disorders, depression, eating disorders and even adult self-harm. The stress of practicing law can be an environmental trigger to these issues. The associated shame and fear of judgment can inhibit a lawyer from disclosing these issues until there both physical and employment consequences. Brian Cuban discusses his experiences with mental health issues, both as a law student at the University Of Pittsburgh and practicing attorney in Dallas Texas for over twenty years. Brian discusses his recovery, redefining his career as well as restoring family and passion for life.

Tikkun Olam, a Mental Health Recovery Journey: Repairing The World by Repairing Your World

In the Jewish faith, the Hebrew phrase "Tikkun Olam" means "repair of the world," which has come to connote social action and the pursuit of social justice. In order to effectively "repair the world and effect change however, we must invest in and to take care of others but also remember take care of ourselves. Brian Cuban, a lawyer by trade and a secular Jew, describes how he had to repair himself from serious mental health challenges to reevaluate his goals in life, change course, and begin to engage in his pursuit of social action and justice. Helping others suffering from mental health challenges to repair their world and the world in general.

Don't Mind Your Own Business

Brian Cuban understands what is like to stare into an abyss of depression and hopelessness. In the summer of 2005 he decided to end his life. He did not see it as selfish. He saw it as an act of love and felt his family would be better off without him.

He is only alive today because a friend and family members did not mind their own business at a time when Brian was isolating from contact with the outside world in fog of depress drugs and alcohol.

In this presentation, Brian describes the events that led to that moment and why it is so important that we not wait for those we think may be struggling to reach out for help. It is imperative that we not mind our own business. It may be the one moment that matters.

Testimonials

“The presentation was great and people are still talking about it!”

- Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP

"Brian’s presentation at our annual CLE event was outstanding. I spoke with many of my colleagues after the presentation and all of them found that what Brian had to say was important, timely, and inspirational – I have no doubt there were people in that room who really needed to hear his story. I am so glad Brian was able to visit Columbus!”

- Associate, Porter Wright

"You blew us away. What a powerful and inspirational talk. Thank you so much. We are going to share it with all of our QE employees, and I know that it will be meaningful and touch people and help people. Thank you for being vulnerable. What a beautiful and poetic ending about finally talking to the little boy and letting him know that you love him. That is a real healing moment."

- Quinn Emanuel

"Mental Health America of Indiana was most fortunate that Brian Cuban provided the Keynote Address for our Recovery Month Conference. Brian was engaging and clearly a crowd favorite, as he told his personal story in a way that was humorous and heartfelt. Brian was able to connect with a large audience of treatment providers, criminal justice professionals, and individuals in recovery. His reviews were unanimously positive and I would highly recommend Brian as a speaker for any conference focused on resilience and recovery."

- Mental Health America of Indiana

“The event featuring Brian Cuban was a huge success for the firm. The attendance at the event exceeded our expectations and we have received many positive reviews. Brian is an engaging speaker and he does an excellent job of sharing the personal details of his own struggle and steps to recovery. We are grateful that he could help us kick off our ‘Year of Mental Health’ wellness initiative. Brian’s message of helping others and recovery were a positive way to start off the year.”

- Winston & Strawn LLP - Dallas Office

"Brian’s presentation to AUWCL students was a passionate sharing of stories of how he got where he is with an emphasis on nothing being easy, but everything being possible. Students were extremely engaged, as evidenced by their rapt attention, the targeted questions toward the end of the session around substance use and mental health, and those who approached Brian afterwards for one-on-one advice. Students can be hesitant to work directly with administrators around issues of substance use and mental health for all sorts of reasons. To have Brian speak directly to them (and offer his ongoing availability) is a blessing for these students."

- American University Washington College of Law

"By my estimate we had over 250 assistant DA's, public defenders and private defense attorneys in attendance at the Frank Crowley Courthouse central jury room. [His] message of recovery and mental health awareness is powerful and very much needed by the criminal bar - all attorneys for that matter. [His] candor and excellent presentation abilities kept everyone at close attention and I can't recommend him enough to any other bar organization!"

- Judge, The Criminal District Court

"Thank you so much for sharing your story and educating our FISD community. I appreciated the way you started the presentation in putting the parents at ease by saying 'I’m not blaming parents.' So many times parents get defensive about their parenting skills and shut down before we can provide any support. You also did a great job of answering the questions they threw at you at the end of your presentation. I know you have made a difference in the lives of so many people and we appreciate that some of our families are now included."

- Director of Guidance & Counseling, Student Services Department, Frisco ISD Administration

"To say Mr. Cuban’s message was well-received would be an understatement. Feedback about our event in general was positive beyond our greatest expectations, and comments about Mr. Cuban’s presentation in particular have been outstanding. He wove together the history of his struggles with a message of hope; not just 'what happened,' but also how he escaped the grips of a mental health crisis and embraced recovery. Mr. Cuban is a skilled speaker. I recommend Brian Cuban wholeheartedly as a speaker and as a loyal friend to recovery."

- Executive Director, The Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse

"Mr. Brian Cuban is an inspirational speaker. His forthright delivery speaks to audiences of all ages and both genders. He has broken down barriers for men to speak frankly about their struggles with eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, and addictions. Both those who have been bullied, and those who have bullied others can profit from the stories of his childhood and how bullying contributed to his later struggles. He answers questions openly and honestly and is genuine in the telling of his story and his recovery journey."

- Director, University of North Carolina Eating Disorders Program

"The Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association was thrilled to have Brian Cuban as our keynote speaker for our annual community outreach event, Conversations of Hope. His authentic and powerful story of recovery offered insight and hope to a diverse audience. Mr. Cuban beautifully integrated humor into a serious topic which kept the audience engaged and made for a wonderful evening. We highly recommend him as a professional speaker and consider it a privilege to have heard his story."

- Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association

"You have a gift for telling your story in a way that resonates with people of all ages and life experiences and you made what is typically an unapproachable topic accessible and enlightening. In addition to being a fantastic motivational speaker with a great sense of humor, you generously shared your time and wisdom with the students before and after the event."

- Director of Student Engagement, George Washington University

"Brian is a powerful speaker that engages with professionals, students, peers, and families unlike anyone I have had the pleasure of working with. Brian brings a passion for recovery, on multiple fronts that is unbridled in the modern recovery movement. He is a pleasure to work with professionally, and will impact your audience more than you ever hoped for. I would highly recommend Brian to speak in a variety of settings, and will gladly contract him again to speak at the University."

- Program Director, Collegiate Recovery Program at the University of North Texas

"Brian was absolutely incredible. Not only an amazing speaker but so good with the hundreds of people who wanted to meet him. He is really a special guy. It was an honor to have him there and he had a huge impact."

- No Shame On U

"Your talk was so captivating, honest and inspiring. Everyone loved it! Thank you for doing what you do. You change lives every day by sharing your story and by letting your voice be heard. You are welcome back here anytime. We are your biggest fans!"

- Health Educator, Claremont College Consortium

"While he spoke at the event, I looked out to the crowd of 450 guests and saw men, women, teens and youth completely captivated by his story and his willingness to share his difficult life story. Several guests pulled me aside after and told me that it was one of the most inspiring afternoons they had ever participated in, and I attribute this to Brian and his powerful words."

- Event Organizer, Tea For Eating Disorders

"What Brian gave to our legal community down here in Miami[…is] the word[…] hope.

Brian's approach to a very taboo issue, especially amongst the legal community, is one that works. He is funny, self-deprecating, honest, loving, and most importantly, vulnerable. The event Brian came to speak at [was] almost 300 in attendance[,] including roughly 75 state and federal judges. When Brian spoke, there was complete silence in the room and everyone sitting on the edge of their chairs, a small miracle in the Cuban community. Brian touched many people.

Brian taught us that when you share your weaknesses with people, they will not love you less, they will love you more. He is a personal inspiration of hope to me as I struggle with mental health issues after the loss of my father, who was my best friend. I cannot possibly recommend Brian any more to those considering in being a speaker at your event, conference, symposium, Home. His story is the story of many that unfortunately, in many cases, we don't find out until it's too late. You will be lucky to have him."

- Cuban American Bar Association

"He provided an honest and very real perspective that is seldom heard. Brian’s strength and courage to lay everything on the table with his story that details his addiction, eating disorder, and mental health struggles regarding depression and suicide really resonated with our audience. He educated us with humor, candor and a heartfelt concern for the well-being of lawyers, and people in general. The program reviews were positive, appreciative and attendees were inspired. I highly recommend Brian without hesitation."

- Philadelphia Bar Association

"Your message is very compelling and so on point for what Jewish Family Service is all about. You really helped everyone see inside the mind of a person with addictions. I received more positive feedback for your remarks than for any keynote speaker before. Your mission seems to be very similar to ours, helping people understand the nature of addiction and finding a ways to overcome it. It is such a difficult challenge to overcome, it would be good to have more allies in the fight."

- Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas