Juxtaposition is the best description of Mark Matthews’ early childhood. His mother smothered with love and protection. And his parents were managing hell on earth. They had one son in prison for a violent crime. Another was 100% disabled with cerebral palsy. And they were both rotting in the bowels of addiction.

But when he was nine his mom died. As Mark coped with his status change, he now fended for himself. His childhood died the day she died. Witness the brilliance and depth of human adaptability as Mark describes his identity transformation after his mother’s passing.

Bio

Mark Matthews forged an identity of self-acceptance, growth, and self-transcendent goals as a result of embracing the lessons he learned through exceptional childhood adversity. Mark was born into a family with generations of drug and alcohol addiction, as well devastating mental health challenges. At the age of 9, losing his mother, his protector, and looking upon his broken family, he felt completely lost, alone, and unlike everyone around him.

Through this identity crisis, he came to believe that it doesn't matter whether you fit in, it matters whether you care about who is there, including yourself. Mark has navigated a host of identity threats -- being orphaned, romantic infidelity, oppressive religious customs, and more -- finding greater levels of growth, empathy, and purpose along the way. "To have the courage to ask the questions that might launch you into identity crisis is to have faith that you can and will evolve into someone better, for something better."

Julie’s Info.

https://linkedin.com/in/julie-browne-courage-ignite

https://instagram.com/juliebrownecourageignite

https://facebook.com/juliebrownecourageignite

Podcast — https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/eeedNo9Bftb

Website — https://www.courage-ignite.com

Email — [email protected]

Music - Happy African Village by John Bartmann