Metal Anarchy

Butcher Babies vocalist Heidi Shepherd has revealed that she was involved in a serious car crash back in April. The accident left her with a number of extensive injuries and it may take three to five years for her to fully recover.

Shepherd said the following:

“‘LENGTHEN YOUR STRIDE!’

Some people may know that in my past, I had a pretty fun track career that took me around the world and through college. I started training & competing at age 7, during my summer breaks from school. Then, once I reached high school, my coaches suggested I also train & compete in cross country (barf) to keep in shape for my track season. Me, being a sprinter, jumper, & shot putter; long-distance running was NOT my steez.

I obliged and began training, however, it didn’t come easy for me. It was SO hard. I dreaded every single race.

One of those excruciatingly long races on a Saturday morning, during my freshmen year, I was trotting along (dying) at the back of the pack, when a woman on the sidelines yelled toward me in encouragement, ‘LENGTHEN YOUR STRIDE!’

So, I did.. I extended one foot in front of the other slightly further than before. And I continued to repeat, ‘LENGTHEN YOUR STRIDE!’ to myself for years until I was one of 7 girls on the state-winning cross-country team. This mantra STUCK with me.

I have NO idea who that woman was, or why she chose to encourage me. Perhaps, she said this to every ol’ trotter aiming for last place. But, I’ve referred back to that moment for 25 YEARS. When things become difficult, I remind myself to ‘LENGTHEN YOUR STRIDE!’

On April 21, 2024, I was involved in a pretty bad car accident (not my fault) and the recovery process has been HARD AF, physically & mentally. Things def could have been worse as my seatbelt probably saved my life, but my injuries are still pretty extensive.

I fractured the L5 in my back & compressed the C5 & C6 in my neck. Docs said it will most likely be 3-5 years before I will be back to normal.

Between physical therapy 3x/week, X-rays, MRIs, cortisone shots, and trying to regain the normal activities that keep me sane, it’s been ROUGH.

Yet, every time I become discouraged, a little voice in my head reminds me to ‘LENGTHEN YOUR STRIDE!’ So, right now, I’m doing just that. One foot in front of the other with purpose and determination.

In difficult moments, let’s remember that there can be great successes on the other side. You can only control you. ‘LENGTHEN YOUR STRIDE!’”