In this deeply powerful episode of Chase Your Happy, I sit down with Malena Faison — a fellow service member I had the honor of serving alongside — to share a story that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Malena walks us through the darkest day of her life:

She set a silent 15-minute timer and told herself that if no one spoke to her at work before it ran out… she was going to end her life.

With two minutes left, her supervisor looked at her, paused, and asked one question — that moment of human connection — that saved her life.

In this episode, Malena opens up about:

• The unseen mental health battles so many service members face

• The moment everything almost ended

• How one person’s awareness and compassion changed everything

• Her journey toward healing, purpose, and reclaiming her happiness

• What she wants every listener to know if they’re struggling

This is an episode about courage.

About the power of checking on people.

And about how one conversation — even one question — can save a life.

If you or someone you know has ever felt alone, invisible, or overwhelmed, this conversation is for you. You are not a burden. You are not alone. And you matter.

🚨 If You Need Immediate Help:

If you are in crisis, thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else, please reach out for help right now:

United States & Territories

• Call or text 988, or use chat via 988lifeline.org for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free, confidential). 
  

Text-based help in several countries

• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 in the US, 686868 in Canada, or 85258 in the UK & Ireland to connect with a trained crisis counselor (24/7). 
  

Worldwide / find a local helpline

Because numbers differ by country, you can use these directories to find verified mental health or suicide prevention helplines near you:

• Find A Helpline – searchable global directory of free, confidential emotional-support and crisis lines: search by country or topic at findahelpline.com. 

• Befrienders Worldwide – list of emotional support and suicide prevention centers in many countries: befrienders.org. 

• International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) – links to crisis centers and helplines around the world. 

If you can’t find a helpline or don’t know where to start, please contact your local emergency number immediately (for example, 911 in the US) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Ever hit a wall when you're trying to chase a goal? That moment where everything in you wants to stop, avoid, or delay? This episode is all about that moment—and how to move through it.

We're talking real-life resistance: the mental blocks, self-doubt, and overwhelm that creep in right when you're trying to make progress. I share my own experiences with hitting resistance and what’s helped me keep showing up, even when motivation fades.

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about building the mental resilience to keep going, especially when it’s uncomfortable. Whether you're working toward something big or just trying to stay consistent, this episode is here to remind you: You are capable of pushing through.

🎧 Listen in for:

• What resistance actually looks like (and why it’s sneaky)

• How to stay committed when you don’t feel like it

• The power of small wins and showing up messy

If you’ve been feeling stuck, discouraged, or tempted to hit pause—this one’s for you.

💬 If this episode resonates, share it with a friend and leave a quick review. It helps more people find the show!

I've also created a free download for anyone listening who wants to do the 30-Day Challenge.

Head to: https://www.themichelleurso.com/product-page/30-day-challenge-workbook-1

Listen to the episode to get the promo code!

Today’s episode is a wild one — and I am SO EXCITED to share it with you!

I sat down with Tom Gervasio, who spent 10 years in the corporate world — from the highs of working for the New York Jets to the lows of feeling completely stuck and miserable at a payroll company.

But instead of settling, Tom made a bold and unexpected leap into entrepreneurship — opening a crime scene cleanup (to include hoarder houses) franchise (yes, you read that right).

With zero experience in the field, he dove headfirst into the unknown... and 6.5 years later, he’s thriving.

Now, Tom gets to put his kids on the bus every morning, run a successful business, and pour time into his true passion: To The Moon Cards & Collectibles, his second business.

Tune in to hear his incredible story — from corporate burnout to franchise owner, the steps he took to make it happen, and yes… some of the craziest things he’s seen on the job.

Check out his passion business here: https://tothemooncards.com

Have you ever set goals for yourself and struggle like hell to hit them?

It's not a you problem - there are REAL explanations for why you struggle. I did the research behind the top reasons on why we have such a hard time accomplishing our goals, and I added in a fifth reason, which is PARAMOUNT if you want to see real progress this year.

I am super pumped about this episode, so much so that I even spent countless hours creating a workbook to go along with it. My listeners get this workbook for FREE!!!!!!

Just click this link and use the promo code PODCAST:

https://www.themichelleurso.com/workbook

University of Scranton Study:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2980864/

Strava Data:

https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/a776013/today-is-the-day-youre-most-likely-to-let-your-new-year-fitness-goals-slip/

This episode is to let you know that it is okay:

-To put yourself first

-To take care of your basic needs

-To put your mental health as your number one priority

-To escape an abusive relationship

-To get a divorce

-To not know what you're doing or what's next

-To listen to your gut for the next steps

-To chase your happy at all costs

-To do something every day to fill your cup

**I talk about domestic violence around the 8:30 mark so please be conscious of this sensitive subject**

Articles on Domestic Violence:

-https://www.breakthecycle.org/domestic-violence-statistics/

-https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/

I would be so grateful if you could leave a comment with thoughts, suggestions, and/or if this helped you in any way!

In our society, we focus so much on self-confidence but how much do we think about self-worth? In this episode we're talking about the importance of self-worth and how it plays a major role in success and overall happiness.

We also discuss the difference between self-worth and self-confidence and talk about how imposter syndrome plays a role in our happiness and success.

I really hope you find value in this episode and it would mean the WORLD to share it with someone who could benefit from it or leave a comment so I know to continue to create more content around these subjects. Thank you for spending time here, I love ya!

Mel Robbins' Episode on Confidence: https://www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-173

Jamie Kern Lima's book Worthy with bonus gifts:

https://worthybook.com/#gifts

Everyone has had an experience doing something brand new while having the fear of failure, being judged, and/or experiencing imposter syndrome.

My sincere hope for this episode is to encourage you to try that thing you've been wanting to or to go all in and bet on yourself. You can do and/or try any damn thing you want to in this life and it's okay to be a beginner. You can fake it until you make it because everyone was in your shoes at some point.

You're a beginner until you're not so what's worse - being a beginner to the regret of never going for it in the first place?

Who else is a chronic procrastinator? I have my hand raised high on this one but 2024 is the year of MASSIVE change and my procrastination habits are getting kicked to the curb.

Discover the reasons why we procrastinate, the negative health effects it causes, and some ways to defeat it. It doesn't have to define you for the rest of your life! Join me in making some healthier and happier changes this year, and overcoming procrastination is a big one for me!

McLean Hospital Study:

https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/procrastination

Science Behind Procrastination:

https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/why-wait-the-science-behind-procrastination

Benefits of Procrastination Article (that I don't agree with):

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-path-passionate-happiness/201511/6-reasons-why-procrastination-can-be-good-you

There is SO MUCH opportunity to resolve regrets that are still present in your life. We talk about everything from changing your mindset about the things you can't change and not wasting another day changing the things that you can.

So many people have regrets revolving around lost relationships with people who are STILL ALIVE! My sincere hope is that after listening to this episode you gain the courage to reach out to them TODAY before it's too late.

Resources:

https://www.saybrook.edu/unbound/90-percent-us-have-big-regrets-dealing-it-crucial-skill-healthy-living/

https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/researchers-collected-15000-regrets-from-around-world-their-no-1-lesson-is-just-3-words-long.html

I am SO EXCITED about this conversation - Mara Ahmadi is a beautiful soul who has been through the depths of hell and back from an awful heroin addiction. She's here to discuss when it first started, her struggles with homelessness, being in and out of rehab, and how she beat the odds and stayed clean for over eight years and counting! She wants to share her story of success, bring awareness to the disease, and provide tips for those who might be struggling.

This episode is also for those who love an addict because addiction spreads FAR and wide around the globe. We discuss the importance of educating ourselves about the disease, the misguided perceptions of addicts, and suggestions on how to help those struggling with addiction. Addicts are human beings just like the rest of us, they are trying to figure it out just like the rest of us, and they need love and support...just like the rest of us.

PLEASE leave a review and subscribe/follow this podcast, it truly helps podcasters everywhere!!!!

Footprints to Recovery Article:

https://footprintstorecovery.com/blog/heroin-relapse/