From Survivor to Thriver

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According to statistics, mental health challenges are on the rise, which means it’s more important than ever that we find healing methods that work for us.

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Michael Overlie to discuss the healing power of having pets. There is a strong bond and connection between a man and his dog, and we are exploring how that bond can be a profound healing tool for anyone struggling with their mental health. 

Michael Overlie is the Founder of Save Two, a Colorado-based non-profit whose mission is to save the lives of both Dogs and Men, help them connect deeply to begin to heal their wounds and teach them skills to navigate this world and live better lives.

It all came about through Michael’s individual lived experiences and those shared with his dogs, especially Sage, the loving creature who saved Michael’s life when he was a 12-year-old boy. Today, his days are spent saving lives on both ends of the leash.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• Why the connection between man and dog can be so strong
• The power animals have to sense when you are struggling 
• What energy healing feels like and how animals can be energy healers
• Why dogs bring a sense of belonging and home 
• How dogs can read our energy and nudge us toward necessary change
• The acceptance and nurturing men can receive from dogs 
• Why pets can help us become better versions of ourselves 
• How dogs can be mirrors for us
• Why Michael decided to work with men and dogs 
• The power of speaking up about your mental health 
• How pets can be our familiars (like Erik’s cat that he named after Taylor Swift!)

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Michael! If you’d like to learn more about Save Two, you can find more information on the website. You can also connect with Michael on LinkedIn and check out his book Let Your Dog Lead here. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Michael’s website

Get a copy of Let Your Dog Lead

You can get a copy of the book he co-authored

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Visit our website

Follow us on Facebook

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“Underneath everything that we do, we just have the desire to feel safe and loved, and dogs are just safe.” - Michael 

“I had an animal but I didn’t realize how much healing that animal could provide in the moment.” -Erik 

“The reason we so often have this vision of life is going to be sunshine and rainbows and riding unicorns i

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What if your darkest moment became the source of your greatest strength?

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we spoke with Louise Ashby who experienced a traumatic brain injury that changed the trajectory of her life. 

She’s sharing what happened during and after that fateful day that she got in a car accident and how she learned to take that experience and use it to help others instead of letting it defeat her. 

Louise is a thriver and she embodies the true nature of the human spirit and what we can overcome. 

Louise Ashby is an actress, model, motivational speaker, TEDx speaker, activist, and best-selling author of The Magic of the Mask. At the age of 21, after losing her mother Lynda to cancer, she moved to LA only to see her dreams of an acting career sidelined six weeks later when a near-fatal car accident tore off half of her face and left her with a traumatic brain injury. Not only was she able to endure the 238 metal bolts and plates, 28 reconstructive surgeries, and years of both physical and mental healing work, but she also embraced the new opportunities that came with it. 

She attributes her healing and return to her life to the tools and practices she had to develop in order to do what the doctors said wasn’t possible. Today, Louise believes that everyone has the strength and courage to overcome adversity and achieve their goals.

With her expertise as a Transformational and Mindset mentor, she helps women tap into their true potential and discover the amazing gifts that come with tough times. 

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The traumatic injury that changed Louise’s life
• The power of surrounding yourself with good people when going through challenges
• How this experience impacted Louise’s sense of self and mental health
• Why who you are as a person matters more than anything else 
• How Louise takes her experience and uses it to help others 
• The importance of surrender and acceptance 
• The gift of asking someone for help 
• How your community can help you heal  

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Louise! If you want to learn more, make sure to visit her website and check out her resources there. You can also follow her on social media and get a copy of her book Magic of the Mask. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Louise’s website 

Follow her on LinkedIn

Follow her on Instagram

Get a copy of Magic of the Mask

Visit our website

Follow us on Facebook

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“When you surrender to the situation and you accept it, then you can move on from it. But if you haven't surrendered, then you're fighting it and you can’t move on.” -Louise 

“Who you are as a person altogether is so much more i

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Do you or someone you know struggle with addiction? 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Joe Tlustos to talk about how his mental health struggles turned into multiple addictions that greatly impacted his life.

Joe shares the story of how he learned to slow down, accept himself for who he is, and get the help he needed. Through his journey, he learned that the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, it’s actually connection. He now helps people struggling with addiction connect with someone who can help them slow down and kick the addiction for good. 

Joe Tlustos is a peer coach for Face It TOGETHER, an addiction wellness nonprofit. Joe has extensive personal and coaching experience with addiction and mental health conditions having suffered from multiple addictions (including opioids, alcohol and others) for more than 20 years, mainly due to undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder II, severe depression, anxiety and adult ADHD. 

He voluntarily entered inpatient treatment in November of 2008 and has been in recovery ever since. 

Today, he’s experienced as a coach and a peer in a place where highly creative talent, mental health and addiction intersect.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• What it’s like struggling with mental health issues before people understood them
• The rareness of true authenticity in the mental health space
• Joe’s experience in the radio business and how it impacted his mental health
• When Joe started suffering from multiple addictions
• The moment Joe knew he couldn’t do it by himself anymore and he needed help 
• The honesty it takes to kick an addiction
• The importance of slowing down when you are struggling with your mental health 
• Why the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, it’s connection 
• Why you have to change the way you think if you are ready to find your way out of addiction 
• The power of hope 

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Joe! If you want to learn more from him or get some help, make sure to visit the Face It TOGETHER website. You can also follow them on Instagram.  

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Joe’s website: https://www.wefaceittogether.org 

Follow Face It TOGETHER on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faceittogether/ 

Visit our website: https://fromsurvivortothriver.com/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brushcreekthrivers

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brushcreekthrivers/

Get in touch: [email protected]

Quotes: 

“The first thing I had to do when I wanted to kick the addiction was learn honesty.” -Joe 

“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.” - Joe 

“Mental health journeys are marathons. They aren’t sprints.” - Erik 

“We’re not going to change our behavior and how we feel if we don’t change how we think and operate.” - Marc 

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If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health disorder like anxiety or depression. It can be easy to let that define you, but that is a roadblock to healing. It’s important that we remember that we are more than our diagnoses. 

Our guest Chris Glatis has struggled with anxiety and panic attacks since a young age and tried many things to feel better. In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, he’s sharing his story and how he learned to understand that he is not broken and healing is possible.

Chris Glatis is an award-winning filmmaker and lifelong seeker who was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder soon after entering college. Motivated to overcome what he initially saw as a weakness, Chris devoted himself to learning how humans heal. 

He’s tried it all, from silent meditations on mountaintops to Native American sweat lodges, psychotherapy, men’s groups, yogis, trauma work, and creative projects that explore characters who, despite deep, psycho-spiritual struggles, are ultimately redeemed. 

By sharing his own journey in his book When Your Mind Screams, he demonstrates how what was once his greatest weakness is now his greatest teacher.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• When Chris had his first panic attack and realized he needed help 
• The reality of what it’s like to have a panic attack
• The connection between anxiety and OCD
• The fear of fear and how it can impact your life 
• The shame around anxiety 
• The connection between addictions and mental health issues
• How breathwork can help lower your anxiety 
• The problem with labeling people with mental health disorders
• Why we don’t have to feel happy all the time
• What catastrophizing is and why it’s so hard for people with anxiety to deal with
• The importance of healing your inner child 

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Chris! If you want to learn more from him, you can visit his website, follow him on Instagram, and get a copy of his book When Your Mind Screams.

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Chris’s website 

Follow Chris on Instagram

Get a copy of Chris’s book

Visit our website

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Get in touch: [email protected]

Quotes: 

“We don't necessarily love the idea of the names of a diagnosis, but initially, there can be this incredible comfort in knowing, oh, this isn't just me. This is the thing people have, and it’s just been rattling around in my brain.” -Marc 

“We need to start showing that the message around mental health is one of hopefulness and helpfulness.” -Erik 

“The ability for you to feel your deepest pain is going to allow you to feel your highest joy.” -Chris 

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Domestic abuse can look many different ways, and it's crucial to recognize the different ways it manifests. It goes beyond just physical violence and can include emotional, verbal, sexual, and even financial abuse.

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Michelle, who went through many types of domestic abuse with her husband of 20 years. She’s sharing her experience and when she finally realized what was happening and was brave enough to take her kids and get out. 

Michelle’s story is one of courage and determination. She took her experience and is using it to help other women in her situation find the help they need to get out of abusive relationships and get a fresh start. 

Michelle was married for many years and was a stay-at-home Mom for 2 children. In 2015, Michelle realized that her husband was addicted to drugs. During this time, she experienced financial, emotional and sexual abuse from him, which turned into his sex trafficking her. 

She spent many nights crying on the floor, until one night, with fear running through her body and hope in her heart, she ran for the door and got out.  Since then, she has been healing herself with therapy and other techniques. She has become a strong Mom for her children, in addition to being an advocate and mentor for other women and teens who have suffered any form of trauma and abuse. 

Her story is compelling, heartbreaking, and yet full of hope and reconciliation. She survived for a reason and has now dedicated her life to those needing help in finding their smile again.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The warning signs for Michelle at what her husband truly was
• The differences between grooming and brainwashing
• The backdoor of a life that her husband hid from her for years
• How Michelle was exploited and traffic by people she trusted
• The moment Michelle realized she was being trafficked and it was time to leave
• The organization that helped her get out
• Different types of abuse and why they are all about control
• How Michelle plans to help other women in her position
• How Michelle found the strength to move on after leaving her husband
• Why we shouldn’t ignore our instincts
• The stigma around abuse in our society

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Michelle! If you want to learn more from her, make sure to visit https://fromthefloortothedoor.com. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Michelle’s website: ​​https://fromthefloortothedoor.com 

Visit our website: https://fromsurvivortothriver.com/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brushcreekthrivers

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brushcreekthrivers/

Get in touch: [email protected]

Quotes: 

“I knew that I needed to get a roof over my head so that I could create a safe space for my children.” -Michelle 

“We are all at some point just surviving. And at some point, we have to take charge.” Erik 

“Your boundaries will adjust for certain people in your life. If a person has never had your best interests at heart, your boundaries should never move for that kind of person.” -Marc

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Fear of the unknown can cause a lot of anxiety, but taking steps to prepare yourself can do wonders for your confidence and mental health.

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with John Brewer Jr. to talk about the importance of preparedness and self-defense, not just in terms of physical protection, but also as a philosophy for life. 

John highlights how readiness, mindfulness, self-reliance, and a sense of preparedness can be applied to various aspects of life, from managing stress to developing confidence.

John Brewer, Jr. is an Army Special Forces veteran with more than 10 years of experience enabling those who act to defend life, family, and country. He is the Founder of Mind, Shield & Spear Consulting Group and Author of Fight for Your Best Life, a book on safety and self-defense. 

He uses his experiences from training and working alongside indigenous forces in war-torn countries fighting against terrorism and oppression, to enable and empower individuals who wish to protect themselves and others from becoming victims of violent crime. 

Using a multidisciplinary approach, John acts as a facilitator in guiding others to meet their safety and security needs from building a sturdy foundation, based on their core values and goals, to gaining knowledge, developing skills, and reaching not only their safety goals but also their life's aspirations. 

Knowing firsthand the importance of self-reliance, John has made it his mission to enable and empower others so they may live healthy, thriving lives.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The juxtaposition between self-reliance and built community
• The power of delegating tasks and focusing on what you’re skilled in
• How John took his war experiences and turned it into a program that empowers others
• Being prepared for unexpected circumstances in life
• How being prepared for the unexpected can impact your mental health
• What happens when you have SOPs ready to go for any situation
• How to build a mental health toolkit
• How to use stress to your advantage
• Staying in purpose and alignment when handling stress
• Embracing self-reflection 
• Tips for prioritizing what’s really important in your life 
• The balance of confidence and having a growth mindset 

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with John! If you want to learn more from him, make sure to visit his website and find him on LinkedIn. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit John’s website

Connect with John on LinkedIn

Visit our website

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Get in touch: [email protected]

“The building blocks to confidence is having SOPs for life ready to go.” -John 

“As you go through these experiences you become better equipped at understanding things that work and things that don't work, you start to fill your mental health toolbox up more and more and you become much better at anticipating different scenarios.” -Erik 

“Just thinking your talent is going to be enoug

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What does it take to discover your true purpose for being here? 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Colin Kingsmill who found a tremendous amount of success and wealth only to give it all away and leave that lifestyle behind to honor his mental health. 

Colin shares his story and how he went on a spiritual journey and, through several modalities including meditation and mindfulness practices,  found his crystal clear purpose for being here. 

He also shares the evolution of his relationships and his view of the world since making this profound shift and rediscovering his own humanity. 

In 2001, with an MBA and a successful decade in Swiss banking behind him, Colin Kingsmill decided to make a radical reset, give up most of his possessions and perceived status, and step into the unknown. He had everything he wanted, but it was not fulfilling. 

He really has seen it all, from flying in private jets, sailing on superyachts, mingling with industry titans, meeting Hillary Clinton and Elton John, and hanging out in George Clooney's villa on Lake Como when the Heinz family owned it. However, on the flip side of all the shiny stuff, he has also suffered the hardships of divorce and personal bankruptcy, depression, and crippling anxiety. 

Today, with all this life and work experience behind him, Colin now coaches, advises, and mentors extraordinary individuals making important changes in their personal and professional lives and provides a space for business owners to talk strategically through their pivot plans and fears as they grapple with the challenges of today’s world.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The masks we wear to hide our mental health struggles from the world
• Releasing the trappings of status for your own health
• Why material things don’t prove our self-worth
• What rebirthing is and how it can lead to a past life regression
• The experience that inspired Colin to get rid of all of his material things 
• How Colin got crystal clear on his purpose for being here
• The process of going from shelf-development to self-development
• The evolution of our relationships
• How meditation and mindfulness can help you embody your true self
• The lenses and traumas that we live our lives through
• Reality is only as good as we make it at any given moment

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Colin! If you want to learn more from him, make sure to visit his website and follow him on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links:

Visit Colin’s website

Connect with Colin on LinkedIn

Follow Collin on Instagram

Visit our website

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Get in touch: [email protected]

“In my previous chapters, I was a gladiator for myself. Now I feel like I’m a gladiator for humanity.” -Colin 

“When I finally started to recognize what it was that I needed for the first time, I started lookin

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Suffering from any type of trauma can change your life in an instant. 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Susan Snow, whose life was forever changed on a fateful Halloween night in 1985 when her father, a dedicated LAPD detective, was tragically killed. This led to PTSD, depression, and anxiety for Susan as she struggled to navigate what happened.

She shares the raw and emotional process of how she learned to bulldoze her fear and turned her profound personal trauma into a path of healing and empowerment. 

Susan is passionate about changing the system and getting more support for the kids of fallen officers so they get the mental health support they need.

Susan Snow is the daughter of slain LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, who was ambushed and killed on October 31, 1985, when she was seventeen years old. She is a published author, speaker, and coach. 

Susan's book The Other Side of the Gun was born out of her journey through the trauma she experienced with the death of her father. She wrote it specifically to heal herself and help others heal through her words and experiences. 

These days, Susan works as a Realtor in the Denver Metro area.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• What happened after Susan lost her father and the grief and mental health issues she went through
• How Susan found her passion in making sure that children of fallen officers get the support they need
• Balancing fear when your loved ones work dangerous jobs
• The importance of taking away the stigma of needing help 
• Susans struggle with PTSD, suicidal ideation, depression, and anxiety
• The impact Columbine had on Susan’s mental health
• The conversation that helped Susan finally get the health she needed
• Managing PTSD and the power of journaling
• How Susan bulldozed her fear and found healing 
• The ripple effect trauma can have on those around us

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Susan! We highly recommend you check out her book! You can find it here. If you want to learn more about her, you can visit her website.

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Susan’s website

Get a copy of Susan’s book

Visit our website

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Get in touch: [email protected]

Quotes: 

“My therapist told me that anyone who has gone through a traumatic experience in their life can experience PTSD.  And it was like the sky opened up and rainbows shot out because I finally had answers to what the heck was going on with me.” - Susan 

“We don’t cure mental health issues. What we do is we work with them.” -Erik 

“We think it's just part and parcel that you don't find healing as part of the suffering of the human condition without a community and it all starts with our partners.” -Marc

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While for many the holidays are a time filled with joy and family, for some, it can be the darkest, hardest, or loneliest time of the year. 

In this special episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Ashley Ferris who is a beacon in the dark to anyone struggling with their mental health, especially this time of year.

In 2021, Ashley reached her lowest point and was planning to take her own life after her shift as a police officer. During that shift, Ashley experienced a life-changing incident. 

Ashley nearly died that day, but thanks to the quick action of her fellow officers and the kindness and compassion she experienced following it, she found a new purpose in her life and a will to live. She is now passionate about helping others understand that no matter how dark it is, something amazing could be around the corner. You always have something to live for and you are worthy of any help you might need. 

Ashley Ferris was a law enforcement officer with the Lakewood Police Department in Lakewood, Colorado from January of 2018 to June of 2023. Prior to that, Ashley was an All-Source Intelligence Analyst with the United States Army and a project manager for a Denver area developer. 

During her tenure as an officer, Ashley was appointed to several leadership, mentoring, and instructing positions. Some of those positions included Field Training Officer, Crisis Intervention Coach, Public Information Officer, CPR and Tactical Medical Care Instructor, amongst others.  

In addition to her role at UT as a Training Specialist and her current graduate program studies, Ashley travels around the country to share her experience and lessons learned following her critical incident. Ashley lives and loves to serve the community, her organization, and her friends and peers.   

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The mental health crisis Ashley was in and the incident at work that changed everything
• How you can always get help, no matter how bleak your options seem
• How Ashley found a purpose to live for
• Why the holidays are so challenging for so many people
• Ashley’s passion for crisis intervention
• The signs that someone might be struggling with suicidal ideations
• The unique mental health challenges that first responders face
• Why cops continue to put everyone else first even when they need help 
• The life-saving power of being vulnerable
• Why first responders have to feel safe to get help in order for anything to change

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Ashley! If you want to learn more, make sure to visit the A Fighting Chance website! 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit the A Fighting Chance website

Visit our website

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Get in touch: [email protected]

Quotes: 

“I served a purpose that day I got shot, and now I know that my survival is a guide to someone else. My struggle can help someone else.“ -Ashley 

“Don’t wait for permission. Get right in there and help someone if you think it’s needed.” -Marc

“When it comes to having conversations around mental health,  what often holds so m

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Bullying, particularly in early stages of life, can result in severe consequences.

With the addition of the online space, students are not only exposed to bullying at school, it can come home with them too via things like social media. This can lead to serious mental health problems. With that being said, it’s more important than ever that we do everything that we can to prevent bullying from happening. 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we got to sit down with Caley Rose. Caley experienced extreme bullying herself in middle school and now makes it her mission to work with kids in schools and make sure people know that they’re not alone with her empowering music. 

Caley Rose is a Billboard charting artist & motivational speaker. She is an empowering pop singer & songwriter whose music has been featured on Top 40 radio, TV, commercials & film. After being severely bullied in middle school, Caley dedicated her life to finding her own self-esteem and to empowering women & students to discover their own. 

She created her Music with a Message Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program to bring “confidence tools into schools,” by using the power of music.  

This former Off-Broadway singer has received an Inspiration grant for her work empowering women & students and regularly partners with women’s and children’s charities. 

In her own words, “The future looks so bright today I’m gonna need a bigger pair of shades.”  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• How Caley overcame extreme bullying and depression
• Why the only opinion of you that matters is your own
• The work Caley does in schools using her empowering music
• The reality of bullying in schools
• How Caley goes about writing her songs 
• The negativity bias and how we can overcome it to understand that we’re worth it
• The power we all have to be who we want to be
• The impact of being vulnerable in front of other people
• The differences between anxiety and depression
• Overcoming imposter syndrome

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Caley! If you want to learn more about her, you can visit her website. You can also follow her on Instagram and check her out on Spotify. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Caley’s website

Follow her on Instagram

Check her out on Spotify

Follow Caley on TikTok

Visit our website

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Get in touch: [email protected]

“If you're at a low and you hate yourself, you need to get to appreciating yourself and then to liking yourself. And then you can think about that almighty self-love.” -Caley

“The only opinion of yourself that really matters in your darkest moments is yours.” -Marc 

“Until you actually look inside yourself and figure out w