Profiles in Comfort with Jen Marr

Today we are talking to Ed DeCosta.

Back in the summer of 2017, for those who know Ed- something very strange happened. He suddenly disappeared. Here was a man who was very much in the public eye, in front of thousands of people, speaking and influencing - training and coaching, and in Ed's way, cracking countless jokes and telling story after story. A man loved and admired by thousands all of a sudden was no longer leading training sessions and posting on his social accounts. What happened?

Today's profile dives into the story of Ed's life with a brain tumor and how he made it through to the other side, all with the love and support of his family and friends, who walked with him step by step out of the valley. 

Today we are talking to Matthew Henry about depression on college campuses.   

A recent study from Boston University showed that 80% of students on college campuses are struggling with their mental health. Matthew is in that 80%. Growing up in Australia, as an Indian American, he felt “less than” all of his classmates. He learned to manage his depression through playing sports. He found that being part of a team helped him feel equal to everyone else. Race didn’t matter.   

Then in middle school everything changed again when his family moved to the United States. Once again feelings of being “less than” resurfaced. And once again, he managed his way through his depression by playing sports. However, before heading to college he fell into a bad place where he felt no value to his family, his friends, his community. Searching to find peace, he wrote a suicide note.  One phone call made all of the difference in Matthew's life, perfectly timed by a friend who cared.   

Because of that friend Matthew is weeks away from graduating from Georgetown University with his MBA. He has given a TedTalk, published two books and is writing his third. He has become a champion in helping others and is known to say “ I URGE to you to reach out to someone who is going through a tough time. By reaching out you could be saving someone’s life - the way someone saved mine.”

I know Matthew's words will inspire you as much as they have me.

Our guest today is Elizabeth.

For all of her life, Elizabeth was healthy and active. An avid runner, she worked as a speech pathologist, was happily married and raising two beautiful children. Then at age 52, life changed dramatically for her as she started to not feel well. She experienced pain in her arms and chest. She struggled to catch her breath. As she was undergoing test after test with no diagnosis, she was in a serious car accident and the pains and symptoms increased. Month after month passed, different symptoms would surface and lead to more questions and more misdiagnosis. Finally, after over six months seeing over 10 different doctors including eight specialists, she was given her diagnosis, a rare and serious disease called AL amyloidosis.

The various treatments Elizabeth went through from chemo to experimental drugs, took a toll. She eventually had to pass her students onto another speech pathologist, which broke her heart as these kids gave her a true sense of purpose. Elizabeth's story is one of courage and grace in the middle of pain and uncertainty. It's also a good reminder for us to open our eyes to those struggling with things we can't see. The signs are there around us every single day. I know Elizabeth's words will inspire you as much as they do me.

Our guest today is Alex Harrington.

In November of 2013, Alex received a phone call from his doctor that the fist sized jump removed from the back of his arm was stage three cancer. After successfully battling that, in 2016, the cancer came back. You might think that living with stage four cancer for over six years would wear one down, but not Alex. His attitude is summed up in a quote he shared with me, from "The Road Less Traveled". 

"Life is difficult- once we truly know that life is difficult- once we truly understand and accept it, then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."

Alex is currently a Senior Special Assistant and Advisor for US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security. His remarkable career has included time as a Marine, a Branch Chief for the GSA, and a Public Affairs Officer in the Army and Navy. He is also the founder of the Federal Career Connections. I know Alex's wisdom and words will inspire you as they have me.

Our guest today is Scarlett Lewis.  

Scarlett lost her beautiful son Jesse on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary. Jesse died bravely trying to lead others to safety. He shouted to his classmates to run on that fateful day and was able to save 9 lives before losing his own. He was 6 years old. Jesse was full of light and love. He brought joy to the world with his radiant smile and was compassionate beyond his years, leaving the words "nurturing, healing and love" written on a chalkboard at home for Scarlett to find after the tragedy. 

Scarlett is honoring Jesse’s beautiful life by founding the nonprofit Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement. She is a passionate advocate for social and emotional learning that teaches children how to manage their emotions, feel connected, and have healthy relationships.

Our guest today is Phillip Tyler. A text received in the afternoon of November 29th, 2017, would reveal the devastating suicide of his son, Devon, and the beginning of his journey with grief and comfort. Phillip shared that anyone who Devon encountered, commented on his infectious smile. Devon never forgot a birthday or Christmas card and his frequent text messages continue to shape Phillip to this day, including one of the last ones he received from Devon after helping someone in need, which said, "We all need that one chance, that one glimpse of support. We are all family, life is chaos, be kind."