From Survivor to Thriver

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Scott, an author, podcaster and Army veteran, having served six years with the Army National Guard, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, struggled with coping with the stresses of combat, losing his younger brother who was killed in action on August 22, 2010, and adjusting back to civilian life. While he was exhibiting all the signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), he didn’t want to admit it as he thought that would show weakness and defeat. Through the help of his wife and his therapist, he practiced prolonged exposure therapy, which became the foundation of his healing and helped him to re-integrate into everyday life. Today, through his “Drive On Podcast”, he interviews both veterans and civilians to discuss personal triumphs, life experiences, and emotional hardships with the goal of giving hope and strength to the military community. Connect with Scott at driveonpodcast.com.Contact Us:Email: [email protected]: @brushcreekthriversFacebook: From Survivor to Thriver

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Lisa, a mom, parenting author, nationally syndicated humor columnist, and a podcast host, is also a survivor of suicide loss, having lost her father when she was ten. She grieved the loss of her father twice, as she was told at age ten that he had died of a heart attack only to learn the truth in her mid-40’s. This revelation led her to understanding a new narrative around the topic of suicide and to her work as an advocate of suicide prevention. She is also both a long-time advocate for and a very proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, having come out as pansexual in June 2021. Today, she walks around as the most authentic human being that she can be in all aspects of her life. Connect with Lisa at lisasugarman.comContact Us:Email: [email protected]: @brushcreekthriversFacebook: From Survivor to Thriver

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Katie, the author of Cake Pops and Coffee: A New Conversation About Trauma, a speaker and trauma survivor coach, is changing the way we talk about sexual assault and redefining how the trauma journey is told. Her mission is to share her very real (and frequently awkward) stories of navigating healing from 18 years of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her parents so that others feel comfortable laughing about, loving and sharing their own stories. While she began telling herself at age 14 that something wasn’t right, it wasn’t until she was drowning in triggers and trauma at college that she realized everything she was both told and experienced as a child was a lie. Today, she believes that we can discuss trauma with laughter and approachability instead of heaviness and discomfort, all while feeling supported and safe. Connect with Katie at katiemaloneycoaching.com.Contact Us:Email: [email protected]: @brushcreekthriversFacebook: From Survivor to Thriver

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Alicia, a sociologist and creative nonfiction writer, also serves as Vice President of Client Loyalty at a Fortune 500 company and is a 25-year trauma survivor. In 1995, while completing her 3rd year as an undergraduate student, she was sexually assaulted by a physician at the student health center during a routine gynecological visit. Traumatized and confused, she remained quiet for decades until 2019 when an unexpected notification on her cell phone led her on journey of discovery to find both her assailant and eventually her heart. These days, she is speaking out on the importance of listening to your inner voice, managing mindset and moving forward with confidence. Alicia believes in giving a voice to one’s core values through thoughtful word choice, purposeful messaging and the sharing of powerful life stories. Connect with Alicia at firsteditioncoaching.com.Contact Us:Email: [email protected]: @brushcreekthriversFacebook: From Survivor to Thriver

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Mike, an executive coach, speaker and author of the book “The Myth-Guided Mind: Unleash Your God-Given Genius at Work and at Home,” was walking around in the world really stiff, really frightened and not willing to admit it to anyone. During his two decades as a psychotherapist, he saw flaws and “came to believe that there were problems with the way ‘the system’ thinks about mental illness and mental health.” These days, business owners, executives and creatives seek out his coaching because of its power and simplicity. Mike’s overarching belief is that one of the keys to shifting the mental health conversation is through both kind connections and engaging in “radically candid conversations” about the topic and the way people are feeling. Connect with Mike at michaelhynes.ca.Contact Us:Email: [email protected]: @brushcreekthriversFacebook: From Survivor to Thriver

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Dani Cipolla: Love yourself Dani Cipolla, an ex-NYC model, grew up in nearly every part of the city and is a diehard New Yorker. She started modeling at the age of 17 and quickly found herself struggling with body dysmorphia and a severe eating disorder, bulimia, which became her way of controlling a life over which she no longer had control. She experienced an even darker side of the industry, the over-sexualization of young girls, when she herself was sexually assaulted during a photo shoot. After ending her contract and exiting the industry, Dani finally fell in love with her body at the age of 26 and continues to heal herself from both the physical and mental damage from her earlier years. Today, she has built a broadcasting company of women’s voices, is the host of three amazing podcasts and loves having conversations with people to show that you can leave one life and start a new one. Connect with Dani at dugoutbroadcasting.com and on Instagram @dani_cipolla. Contact Us: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @brushcreekthrivers Facebook: From Survivor to Thriver

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Eric is the owner, operator and CEO of Rogers Fitness Academy. A natural born leader and entrepreneur, he has persevered through some of the worst things a person can endure: homelessness, addiction, violence, abuse, mental health disorders, incarceration and more. During his darkest moment, with a loaded gun in his mouth, Eric almost ended his own life, which is when he decided to pursue a disciplined life and focus on fitness and nutrition. Today, after battling and conquering some enormous challenges, Eric is now a devoted family man, successful businessman and mentor to others who are struggling and striving to become the best they can be. Connect with Eric on Instagram @thereal_ericrogers Contact Us: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @brushcreekthrivers Facebook: From Survivor to Thriver

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Tara is the host of the podcast “Addicted to Recovery: The Interactive Memoir,” which is based on her own true story and is part memoir and part exploration of her experience with alcoholism, recovery and mental illness. From her first drink at the age of 12, she was in and out of rehab 12 times, with hospitals, detoxes and other interventions, and was a full-time professional patient and student of addiction and mental health. After 15 years of harrowing alcoholism and now three years into successful recovery, she has become a mental health and addiction recovery advocate for those in need. These days, she’s had a lot of time to collect insights about recovery, and, to stay sober, and has had to be as obsessed with getting better as she was with staying sick. You can connect with Tara through her email at [email protected] and find her podcast at addictedtorecovery.caContact Us:Email: [email protected]: @brushcreekthriversFacebook: From Survivor to Thriver

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Sara is a full-time Breathwork Guide, Female Sexuality Specialist and Aura Photographer who never imagined her life path would lead her here, but realized there is no sense in fighting what brings you joy. She experienced a “tumultuous childhood” that included anxiety and depression and later found herself in the throes of full-blown alcoholism by age 20. Realizing she needed to change her life path, Sara became sober at the age of 22 and entered the corporate world, where she was successful, but after a few years succumbed to feelings of burnout from the New York City financial industry. Four years ago, after a life changing stay in Bali, she transitioned to working in the wellness field and now helps people find more balance in their lives through the transformative powers of breathwork, sexuality and energy healing. You can connect with Sara at sarasil.com. Contact Us: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @brushcreekthrivers Facebook: From Survivor to Thriver

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Ganel-Lyn Condie: You need to start with youGanel-Lyn is a well-known motivational speaker and author who inspires others with her unique honesty, authenticity and spirit. She is a regular television/radio guest and hosts the popular shows REAL TALK CFM and THE MIDDLE. Her talks, appearances and books have reached and encouraged thousands of people globally. Since the heart-breaking suicide of her 40-year-old sister Meg eight years ago, Ganel-Lyn constantly works towards prevention through community and promotes her belief that therapy should be celebrated like education. Today, she lives with an open heart and wishes for a world in which we talk about mental health as commonly and normally as we talk about sports, food and TV shows. You can connect with Ganel-Lyn at ganellyn.com.Contact Us:Email: [email protected]: @brushcreekthriversFacebook: From Survivor to Thriver