Champaign gal and fellow Central grad was feeling adventurous. She emailed me on a whim before visiting her folks over the holiday break. This now Austin resident prepped me with the chapters that made up her story, making my job easy and relaxed.

Listen as this friendly, self-actualized, trained social worker talks relatably about the challenges that have put her on a path of healing today. Traumatic pediatric bone cancer, adult ADHD diagnosis, job burnout and the pressure of having to coach clients through Covid when she was scared herself, led Leeann to an adulthood of uncertainty. Leeann also talks about the therapies that she has tried to improve her state of mind. These include typical anti-depressants, stimulants, art therapy and most recently, Ketamine therapy. When the weather looms cold and cloudy, Leeann is a great example that the sun can shine again—you just have to put in the work. Helping others through non-profits is one of the many ways Leeann uses her education and gifts to give back—subsequently feel better.

Emily Harrington, here! Mom, wife, retired communications liaison and host of the HyperLocal(s) Podcast. Each week I bring you a pod where townies and transplants share their tales of tears and triumphs, losses and wins. In an effort to provide a way for those that don’t want a public podcast, but still have a story to tell friends and family, I’ve created, In Retrospect: A HyperLocal(s) Project, a private podcast. Visit hyperlocalscu.com/in-retrospect

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