From Rock Bottom to Rockin' It

At the age of 24, Brandi Benson bravely served her country by enlisting as an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army. She deployed to Iraq in 2008, but her military career was cut short due to her Ewing Sarcoma diagnosis. Brandi continues to lead a life of service and enjoys working with other veterans. She is also a semi-finalist for Ms. Veteran America 2020.

Brandi is also an accomplished author. Her debut memoir, The Enemy Inside Me: A Young Soldier’s Unexpected Battle With Cancer, tells the powerful story of her 2009 Ewing Sarcoma diagnosis during her deployment in Iraq and her ensuing mental and physical battle to triumph over cancer. Over the years, Brandi has also published numerous articles about wellness, cancer and business. 

Brandi currently lives in South Florida with a Jack Russell/Yorkie named Maddie and enjoys speaking to audiences across the country.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: war veteran, middle east, iraq, amputee, solider, us army

Amy Palmiero-Winters is a professional athlete, career-woman, mother and the founder of the One Step Ahead Foundation. After losing her left leg below the knee due to a motorcycle accident that occurred in 1994, Amy compiled a tremendous portfolio of world records and firsts for a female amputee in marathons, ultramarathons, triathlons, and ultra-triathlons. As she attained more and more achievements, she found herself in the position of being a role model, especially for young people with physical disabilities of their own. She soon found herself working extensively with children, introducing them to sports and athletics as a way of helping them overcome their physical limitations. After several years, Amy founded the One Step Ahead Foundation in order to provide even more opportunities for children with physical disabilities. 

Amy currently holds eleven world records in various track events. In 2010, she was awarded the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States and the ESPN ESPY Award as the top female athlete with a disability in the world.  Also in 2010, Amy received the Women’s Sports Foundation Wilma Rudolph Courage Award, the Challenges Athletes Foundation Trail Blazer Award, the Huffington Post Game Changer Award and the USA Strength Award. 

In 2011, Amy became the first female amputee to finish the Badwater Ultramarathon, which is described as “the world’s toughest foot race”. It is a 135-mile course starting at 282 feet below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California’s Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney.  She had a finish time of 41:26:42.   In 2011, Amy was the first amputee to run the Reykjavik, Iceland Marathon.  During her time in Iceland, Amy was honored with the 2011 Ossur Ultimate Athlete Award.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: television, hispanic, support, family, tragedy, focus, radio, show, syndication, latin, america, disruption, passion, accomplished, hustle, freedom

Josh Dahling arrived in Canada from apartheid South Africa when he was still very young. He survived physical and sexual abuse while navigating the daily struggles of poverty and undiagnosed dyslexia. He was introduced to alcohol and cocaine in his childhood, and struggled with addictions from this very early age. While still in his adolescence, he found himself living homeless and addicted on Vancouver’s downtown eastside. 

At just 20 – after several near-fatal overdoses, the death of his father and the birth of his first child – Josh found sobriety. An intensive drug and alcohol treatment program helped Josh recover his life, and inspired him to become active in the recovery community. Even twenty years later, Josh continues to face health challenges resulting from his early struggles, including fibromyalgia, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Despite these diagnoses, Josh was driven to improve himself for the benefit of both his family and community. He completed high school and a degree in social work while working three part time jobs, and supporting his three children as a single parent. 

Since 2009, Josh has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of Camp Kerry Society in support of families coping with grief and loss. He is now the Director of Operations, and Director of the Society’s Youth Services, while also continuing his role as a Youth Counselor. In addition to dedicating his professional life to improving the lives of youth and families, Josh has volunteered thousands of hours as an inspirational speaker, clothing drive organizer, and as an advocate for bereavement care – all in selfless support of people – especially youth – struggling with bereavement and addictions.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: television, hispanic, support, family, tragedy, focus, radio, show, syndication, latin, america, disruption, passion, accomplished, hustle, freedom

"So what's your story and what did you learn from it?" is Alberto Sardiñas' most important question to people everywhere he goes. Alberto is the host of “Íntimo”, a leading syndicated radio show in the U.S. Hispanic market broadcasted by Univision Radio. Each night, Alberto receives phone calls from listeners looking to share their stories and receive a friendly opinion. Thousands of people listen to him nightly, and watch him as a contributor on network television shows such as “Despierta América” and “Tu Desayuno Alegre”. Most recently he was featured on Univision’s award-winning journalistic newsmagazine “Aquí y Ahora”. 

Alberto actively participates as keynote speaker for various organizations in the U.S. and Latin America, presenting topics on personal and professional growth. As the author of “El Poder de TU Historia” (The Power of YOUR Story), published by Santillana U.S.A., he compiled 40 true, short stories portraying life lessons told to him by his listeners. Alberto shares weekly articles and videos on his blog, www.albertosardiñas.com, and his columns are frequently published in leading magazines and blogs.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: television, hispanic, support, family, tragedy, focus, radio, show, syndication, latin, america, disruption, passion, accomplished, hustle, freedom

Bernard Callebaut is a renowned Master Chocolatier, with four generations of experience behind him. Focused always on the balance of taste and style, fellow chocolatiers, chefs and gastronomes around the world revere him. Having brought worldwide recognition to his craft, many accolades have been bestowed upon him, such as: Winner for ‘Best Milk Chocolate Bar’ – 2013 International Chocolate Salon Awards in Los Angeles; Winner for ‘Best Chocolate Boutique’ – 2013 Top Choice Awards in Calgary; Silver Award – 2015 International Academy of Chocolate Awards in London. 

Bernard was the first North American to be bestowed the honour of “l’Ordre Internationale de la Gastronomie Francaise”, recognized by the French Government for outstanding contribution to the culinary arts. As the founder of Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut, he ran the organization for over 27 years. As Calgary’s very own father of chocolate, Bernard is now proud to present his offerings and newest creations.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: family, happy, lifestyle, help, support, entrepreneur, chocolate, legacy, top, choice, business

A devastating car crash left 18-year-old Harriet Ronaghan with a traumatic brain injury. Given just a 5% chance to live, this vibrant young ballerina survived surgery but remained in a coma for over three months. To recover from her type of injury, she had to build new pathways to control her basic functions. After waking from her coma, she had to relearn how to blink, swallow, talk, walk, and care for herself – skills doctors told her she might never reclaim.

Robbed of her independence, mobility, and many friends (overwhelmed by the gravity of her injury), Harriet refused to let this accident take more from her. One grueling step at a time, she began to recover. Uplifted by the love of her family and her own characteristic strength and determination, Harriet was walking without assistance after just 16 months. Three months later, she went on her first date with the man she would later marry on the 9th anniversary of her accident. Last year, they celebrated the birth of their first child, Charlie. 

Early in her recovery, Harriet helped the father of a young man in a coma simply by sharing her story. Determined to amplify her message of hope, just 10 months after the accident she began typing – with her one working finger – a manuscript for her book, You are my Sunshine: The Journey Through my Recovery with a Traumatic Brain Injury. To inspire those affected by trauma, she continues to share her story through media, presentations, and personal connections. Just as Harriet forged new pathways in her brain, she has redefined the path to her bright future, transforming the people and community around her.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: mobility, car, wreck, young, surgery, coma, survivor, love, determination, strength, independence, mother, strength

Sister Lucy Kurien is the Founder and Director of Maher, a community and interfaith organization for abused and destitute women and children, headquartered in Pune, India.

Maher in the Marathi language means "Mother's Home" - a haven of hope, belonging and understanding. Their mission is to help destitute women, children and men from all over India exercise their right to a higher quality of life, irrespective of gender, caste, creed or religion.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: faith, sister, murderous, fire, interfaith, religion, hope, triumph, homes, help, love

Andrew Jensen is a professional golfer and mental health Bell Let’s Talk Ambassador. In his teens, Andrew began to suffer with depression, culminating in a suicide attempt at 16 years old. In those difficult teenage years, golf was his refuge and the one place he felt meaning and purpose. It wasn’t until having to deal with the immense stress and pressure of professional golf that the game became his undoing. 

After struggling through an extremely difficult rookie campaign in 2008, being dropped by his sponsors in 2009, and finally an injury in 2010, Andrew’s poor play and off course struggles re-opened the door for his depression and suicidal thoughts to enter his life. His 2011 season was his worst to date, forcing him to retire and give up on the game he loved for so many years. In the fall of 2011, two failed suicide attempts in a 3-week span had Andrew hospitalized. Most importantly, he was finally ready to get help and walk a road of recovery towards better health. 

Returning to professional golf in 2013, Andrew gained status PGA Tour Canada. Though his starts were sparse, the Tour took it upon themselves to share Andrew’s story of strength and courage on the PGA Tour Canada TV show and YouTube channel. The response Andrew received helped him fully realize his place as an advocate for mental health across Canada. 

Andrew now finds himself at the forefront of the dialogue on mental health overall and as a Bell Let’s Talk Ambassador, and the effort to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health as a public speaker traveling the country and sharing his story with charities, schools, associations, and corporate Canada.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: pro, golfer, canadian, suicide, attempt, mental, health, pga, ambassador, stress, support, professional, sports, relief

Kevin Hines is a best-selling author, global public speaker, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. In the Year 2000, Kevin attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Many factors contributed to his miraculous survival including a sea lion which kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. Kevin now travels the world sharing his story of hope, healing, and recovery while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness & the ability to survive pain with true resilience.

Kevin’s will to live and stay mentally well has inspired people worldwide. His compelling story has touched diverse, global audiences within colleges and universities, high schools, corporations, clergy, military, clinicians, health and medical communities, law enforcement organizations, and various industries. Thousands have communicated to Hines that his story helped save their lives. He has reached millions with his story. His story was featured in the 2006 film The Bridge by the film director and producer Eric Steel.

Currently, Kevin is in pre-production of his new Documentary Series The Journey, and is working on a comic book version of his life in cosmic & supernatural form called Hope Dealers. His fight has been long and arduous, but he is determined to remain committed to life until its natural end.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: black, lives, matter, best, selling, author, golden, gate, bridge, film, feature, hope, healing, murder, racial, crimes, survivorship, free, falling

Seven-time Olympic Medalist, Shannon Miller is the only female athlete to be inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame – Twice! [Individual (2006) and Team (2008)]. Shannon has won an astounding 59 International and 49 National competition medals. Over half of these have been gold. In 1993/94 Shannon became the first US gymnast to ever win back-to-back World All-Around Titles, and she is the first American female to medal in the individual all-around of a non-boycotted Olympics. Her tally of five medals (two silver, three bronze) at the ’92 Olympics was the most medals won by a US athlete in any sport. At the ’96 Games, she led the “Magnificent Seven” to the US Women’s first ever Team Gold and for the first time for any American gymnast, she captured Gold on the Balance Beam. She is the first American gymnast to win an individual gold medal at a fully-attended summer games and cemented her place as the most accomplished gymnast, male or female, in U.S. Olympic history. 

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit my website: EricGilbertWilliams.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email ([email protected]), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

EP Tags: olympics, gold, medalist, b2b, gymnast, hard, work, magnificent, seven, history, gymnastics, team