Welcome to the very first episode of the GroWise Be Well podcast! In this episode, we introduce you to our founder Sarah Southwell, whose empowering story shaped GroWise Be Well’s mission. Sarah shares her journey which begins in 2002 when she decided to kick her addiction to speed. While facing debilitating withdrawal symptoms, Sarah sought out medical help and soon became used to hearing, “nothing is wrong with you.” Instead of giving up, Sarah talks about how she began researching how to cope with her withdrawal, leading her to create a toolbox of healing methods. In the process Sarah learned about the value of people, love, joy, and that she was working towards making the best life that she could imagine. Similar to her challenge with addiction, Sarah discusses how she struggled to find help when coping with postpartum depression, and then later, with supporting her child through sensory processing disorder. By trusting her intuition and diligently researching each issue, Sarah was able to develop an even greater toolbox of healing methods. Everything that Sarah has been through has led her to founding GroWise Be Well — a platform for her to spread love, open up her toolbox, and use her knowledge to help people. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Sarah talks about her experience kicking her drug addiction.
• How unhealthy perceptions about weight led a young Sarah to her speed addiction.
• Sarah’s experiences of withdrawal while on a photography trip to Scotland.
• The lack of available answers to help those struggling through withdrawal. 
• Why using speed made Sarah’s more selfish and the importance of other people. 
• How Sarah built up a toolbox of healing methods that helped her rebuild her life. 
• Sarah's tools for helping her son deal with a sensory processing disorder.
• GroWise Be Well’s mission; use Sarah’s research to help your loved ones. 

Tweetables:

“That fear woke me up, it shook me awake and made me realize that I was an addict.” — Sarah Southwell [0:02:20]

“I recognize that moment as one of the most important moments in my entire life. I was not a good person before I kicked the speed.” — Sarah Southwell [0:07:06]

“When the universe knocks you to your knees, you start to realize how important other people are.” — Sarah Southwell [0:07:59]

“I want you to learn what tools work for you. I want you to believe in yourself. I want you to listen to your intuition.” — Sarah Southwell [0:13:46]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well