vailsymposium

Benj is a founding member and bassist for American rock band O.A.R. Since 1996, they have frequented the Billboard charts, sold out Madison Square Garden and released a live album recorded at Red Rocks.

While touring with O.A.R. in February 2020, Benj Gershman was hit with Covid-19, recovered temporarily, and later developed a resulting auto-immune disease and what is now known as Long Covid – rendering him disabled for the better part of two years. Unable to walk, unable to hold a music instrument, unable to pick up his one year old son. Healing through physical and occupational therapy, followed by personal training, Benj’s mental health was left unaddressed and negatively manifested in forms of anger, anxiety, mistrust and depression. After crisis was reached; private support, therapy and medication were helpful in allowing him to weather the storm. Rebalancing, Benj began to share about his experience. The response from family, friends and social network connections was strong, constructive and inspiring. This was the genesis for What Could Be Bad™.