On this #SurvivorStories series episode, our guest is Sarah Strong, a protective parent and survivor of domestic violence and coercive control, a fitness instructor, a power lifter, and a health advocate. Sarah talks about her whirlwind romance with her ex-husband whom she met in March 2016, married three months later in June 2016, and divorced in early 2018. Today, Sarah shares with us her story of how her appeals for help from the courts and the military during her marriage and divorce has transformed her thinking about relationships, parenting and her body. Sarah offers her story as both a cautionary tale of what to look for and what to avoid in a relationship and in a parenting partner, and how to recover when your choices lead you astray. We will also talk about the role that power lifting has had in helping Sarah to manage the ongoing stress in her life.

Throughout our conversation, Sarah references examples of #abusertactics, #signsofabuse, trauma bonding, and #upstandertips. If you think you are in an abusive relationship, please contact your local domestic violence provider for help.

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