Today’s interview takes place backstage at the famed Aspire Entrepreneurial Summit, where our host, Jamie, snagged the powerhouse that is Dr. Sonja Stribling just after she had finished inspiring the crowd of thousands. When this gorgeous powerhouse removed her blazer on-stage to reveal a sporty leather corset, her “guns” reveled that of the male speakers on the agenda that day, David Goggins and Hulk Hogan.

At 17 years old, Sonja Stribling didn’t realize her whole life was about to change in an instant. It was a normal Saturday night out on the town. She promised her mother she would be at church the following morning, but she never made it. Instead, she found herself at the hospital. It was the type that could derail a person for the rest of their life… but Sonja Stribling is not just “any” person. She is a warrior.

Through sheer determination and a deep desire to help others, she took her experiences and turned them into a $28 million business designed to empower women and help them reclaim their lives.

Seeing her today, you’d never know what Sonja has been through… but her resilience is a testament to the fact that when gratitude is at the forefront, anything is possible.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:20] Dr. Sonja begins discussing her experience growing up and being the baby of twelve kids

[4:25] Dr. Sonja speaks about having a child at 15 and the support she had from her mother

[5:30] Dr. Sonja recounts the incident when she was 17 and everything changed for her

[7:04] Dr. Sonja reflects on forgiving the man who hurt her and the impact forgiveness has had on her

[9:15] Dr. Sonja tells how she decided to go into the army and the desire she had to get out of her small town 

[11:00] Dr. Sonja explains a day in the life of an active military personnel and the pressure of being a mom during this time. 

[13:10] Dr. Sonja elaborates on the discipline learned in the army and the impact the training had on her life 

[15:50] Dr. Sonja talks about being in Iraq and the mental and emotional toll this put on her, resulting in PTSD

[17:20] Dr. Sonja explains how her body came home but her mind did not and the mental health struggles she was facing

[19:12] Dr. Sonja open up about her marriage ended and the divorce she had to go through

[21:02] Dr. Sonja discusses the turning point of when she decided to take control of her mental health and how her coaching journey began 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

[24:50] Dr. Sonja talks about how she shares her life story to help others and in turn was able to create a 28 million dollar business from this 

[28:00] Dr. Sonja gives advice on how to turn your life experience into a business and take action in your own life 

[33:35] Dr. Sonja recaps how she has shared her story in order to help others and pave forward the path for her family so they do not have to grow up the way she did  

Show Notes:

(Full episode release October 7, 2024) 

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Make sure to follow Jamie @jamiehess on Instagram for news & updates, and visit our companion Instagram account @gratitudeology for a sneak peek into the personal moments discussed on the show.

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Thank you to Dr. Sonja Stribling for sharing her internal and external battles. Follow Dr. Sonja on Instagram: @iamdrsonja

Check out more about Dr. Sonja: https://drsonjabrands.com/

Purchase Dr. Sonja’s book: From The Battlefield To The Boardroom

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The Gratitudeology Podcast theme music is by HYLLS, performed by Nadia Ali @thenadiaali 

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