As we approach the Christmas holiday this week, it brings about feelings of hope, love, perhaps even miracles and I’m very happy to share a story that emcompasses all of that with todays guests.

My guests today are Bill and Sheri Vondran who share of their journey of being parents of a child with a drug addiction. Bill and Sheri are Christians who raised their children in a loving home with a good upbringing. In January 2013, they began to notice a change in their daughter and picked up on signs that things were not good, in fact it was the start of a deep dark 5 year journey.

As parents they did all they could to help their daughter and leaned on the support of their pastors and friends and their prayer with God. They recognized they could not do it all by themselves. Sheri shares the 3 C’s that she and Bill learned and adopted as part of their journey in drug abuse- Cause, Cure, Control:

You didn’t Cause it

You can’t Cure it

You can’t control it

When a child goes through something like drug abuse and addiction, there can be quite a bit of judgement that goes with it from others. By putting judgement aside, it’s important to remember those who go through something difficult such as drug abuse, are people. They have people who love them so it’s so important to have compassion for others

Thank you for listening and be sure to check out my website www.chooseyourjourney.co to hear other episodes of inspiration!

My guest today is Emily Snedden, who shares her inspirational journey of living with diabetes. Her diagnonsis was the result of a routine life insurance check. In really a moments time she went from living a normal life to navigating a new normal with food, lifestyle and insulin to maintain the diabetes. Emily opens up about diabetes burnout and I love what she shares about chunking out your day when it seems to be going bad. I love her mantra too of “you have to keep going, you can’t quit”. Emily is full of life and love and time with her was very motivating to me and I hope you feel that way too!

Thank you for listening and be sure to check out my website www.chooseyourjourney.co to hear other episodes of inspiration

My guest today is Jenny Arnold. Jenny first started experiencing severe migraines in college. Her mom and grandma suffered from headaches as well so Jenny thought this is something she just has to deal with.

She started to take notice how her body responded to certain scents, cleaning products, and foods. As a result she didn’t settle for taking more medication but rather choose to be an advocate for her health, which mattered all the more as she determined her children and husband had food allergies as well.

Jenny’s motto is “live for today” and having the mindset that she can choose to feel good and find a normal way of life that works for her!

I took so many good points away from Jenny’s story and I hope you do to!

Thank you for listening and be sure to check out my website www.chooseyourjourney.co to hear other episodes of inspiration!

You can follow Jenny on social media:

www.instagram.com/intelligentmovepilatesstudio 

www.facebook.com/intelligentmovepilatesstuio

My guest today is Lee Ann Smith who shares about her and her family's hardship from the loss of their home. November 24, 2018 ,the day after Thanksgiving, they had a house fire that resulted in a total loss. Lee Ann shares what withstood the fire and my friends it will give you goose bumps, it did for me!

Lee Ann shares her perspective that “everything happens for a reason” and while the loss of their home was devastating, it also allowed them to create a new chapter in their lives, which involved once again navigating through unexpected circumstances- cancer and covid.

Lee Ann along with her family tackled their challenges with having a positive attitude!

I was so inspired hearing from Lee Ann and I hope you are too!

Thank you for listening and be sure to check out my website www.chooseyourjourney.co to hear other episodes of inspiration!

My guests today are Austin Bain and Jacklyn Vondran who share their incredible life journey with me. Starting in their teenage years, as a result of trauma in their lives, they turned to drug use specifically with heroin. The heroin use numbed the pain, helped them to take on a "no one can hurt me" feeling, brought them together as a couple and took them on a drug addiction life style.

Pivotal moments take place for both Austin and Jacklyn, which they share within the episode that started their process to wanting to end their drug use and seek a road of recovery.

This episode is raw – it’s real – it’s inspiring because honestly it’s a miracle for both people in the relationship who use together to get clean together.

This episode is launching the week of Thanksgiving a time when we especially recognize those moments in life we are thankful and grateful for. Their reflection in being thankful for not giving up and making the choice to choose life is something we can be reminded of in our own daily lives.

American Addiction centers offers free and confidential guidance to those suffering from addiction. Their number is 888-970-3743.

Thank you for listening and be sure to check out my website www.chooseyourjourney.co to hear other episodes of inspiration!

My guests today are Austin Bain and Jacklyn Vondran who share their incredible life journey with me. Starting in their teenage years, as a result of trauma in their lives, they turned to drug use specifically with heroin. The heroin use numbed the pain, helped them to take on a "no one can hurt me" feeling, brought them together as a couple and took them on a drug addiction life style.

Pivotal moments take place for both Austin and Jacklyn, which they share within the episode that started their process to wanting to end their drug use and seek a road of recovery.

This episode is raw – it’s real – it’s inspiring because honestly it’s a miracle for both people in the relationship who use together to get clean together.

This episode is launching the week of Thanksgiving a time when we especially recognize those moments in life we are thankful and grateful for. Their reflection in being thankful for not giving up and making the choice to choose life is something we can be reminded of in our own daily lives.

American Addiction centers offers free and confidential guidance to those suffering from addiction. Their number is 888-970-3743.

Thank you for listening and be sure to check out my website www.chooseyourjourney.co to hear other episodes of inspiration!

My guest today is Erika Hermsen, creator and small business owner of Sweat Inspire Sisterhood, who shares about her hardship in losing her dad to cancer and the profound life changing effect it had on her!

Many people face a health journey hardship and Erika had such a desire and to be an advocate for preventable health focus!

This is an inspiring story of how one person’s life and legacy resulted in an opportunity to help others focus on their health and fitness!

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Thank you for listening and be sure to check out my website www.chooseyourjourney.co to hear other episodes of inspiration!

To check out Erika's program offering of the Sweat Inspire Sisterhood, visit www.sweatinspiresisterhood.com . 

To follow Erika Hermsen, check her out on facebook at www.facebook.com/sweatinspiresisterhood or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/sweat.inspire.sisterhood. 

My guest today is Jacey Stanbro. Jacey shares of her journey with a detiorating health condition which included dizzy spells, mini strokes, migraines and seizures and a turning point that resulted in her growing closer in her faith with God and Jesus.

Jacey’s openness is very endearing and her reminder to give people grace is something we can hold onto and lean into.

My guest today is Tracy Berning-Birkbeck. Tracy shares of her journey of love and loss with her late husband Evan Berning, who succomed to cancer and their life motto in choosing to live. Tracy and her late husband took on a perspective to "say yes"! Think back for yourself, when’s the last time you did something for the first time?

This interview is incredibly moving and left me speechless and I took so much from the conversation with Tracy. I hope this touches your heart and has you thinking about that Say yes perspective too!

Thank you for listening and be sure to check out my website www.chooseyourjourney.co to hear other episodes of inspiration

My guest today is Eryka Cook who shares of her journey of being bullied as a child which resulted in becoming active in karate and receiving her black belt.  Through karate she gained confidence not only for herself but for sticking up for others. Her self defense interest continued into college and her passion continued to grow and over time and offerings of classes, she created her business Empowermental.

Eryka made a statement during our conversation that was riveting. “You have the power to take it back”. Sometimes in life we find ourselves in situations that aren’t suiting or can be harmful and it’s finding the courage within to know that you have the power to take it back. I had the opportunity to take classes with Eryka along with my young daughters. It’s empowering yet scary to step out of your comfort zone. Eryka offers self defense training at her studio which is located in Dubuque.

Thank you for listening and be sure to check out my website www.chooseyourjourney.co to hear other episodes of inspiration!