Real Stories. Real People.

As an infant, Paul Forchione was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and his mother was told he would never be able to walk. His mom refused to take that for an answer and after months of searching was able to find someone who could help.  Paul learned how to walk and eventually made the varsity baseball team. Tune in to hear Paul share his inspiring story as he discusses how to rewrite your story.

Connect with Paul Forchione

• Paul's Website | acalltoaction.coach
• Instagram | @acalltoaction80

Connect with Our Nonprofit

• Website | itcouldvebeenme.org  
• Facebook | @couldvebeenme 
• Instagram | @it.couldve.been.me 

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Today we have Andy Grant talking about why men hide their feelings by sharing his personal story. Andy is a suicide attempt survivor, a transformational energy coach, the founder of Real Men Feel, and an Amazon best-selling author. 

Andy is also a husband, world traveler, actor, speaker, teacher, lifelong learner and suicide prevention activist. Andy believes in living a life you love and creates books, workshops, and programs supporting that. Andy can be found at theandygrant.com.

There's lots to cover, so tune in, and hang on, because here we go.

Connect with Andy Grant

• Andy's Website | theandygrant.com
• Instagram | @andy_grant
• Facebook | @afgrant

Connect with Our Nonprofit

• Website | itcouldvebeenme.org  
• Facebook | @couldvebeenme 
• Instagram | @it.couldve.been.me 

Support the show

At the age of 20, Jenessa MacKenzie became a mom. Ready or not, she was forced to tackle everything that came along with motherhood. She did everything necessary to survive and provide for her daughter - living on state aid, clipping coupons, and asking for help.

After some time with her daughter, she started dating and got married. Eventually, she found herself in the midst of narcissistic abuse avoiding an inevitable divorce. 

Over time, Jenessa has been able to heal and discover her life's purpose. She now uses her experience to help others and has the unique gift of being able to mix the woo with the do and use her  tangible, aligned action, results driven, leadership to help others. 

There's lots to cover, so tune in, and hang on, because here we go.

Connect with Jenessa MacKenzie

• Jenessa's Website | theelevatedentrepreneur.net 
• Instagram | @the_elevated_entrepreneur 
• Facebook | @jenessamackenziecoaching

Connect with Our Nonprofit

• Website | itcouldvebeenme.org  
• Facebook | @couldvebeenme 
• Instagram | @it.couldve.been.me 

Support the show

Join Sam and Mandi for a discussion surrounding the stories of Carly Israel, Charlene Gethons, Kawan Glover, and Samantha Laycock. Throughout this After the Show, they discuss: 

• The impact of social media on mental health
• How recovery impacts everyone involved
• Sitting with your problems
• The misconceptions surrounding mindfulness
• The common elements in each of the stories

There's lots to cover, so tune in, and hang on, because here we go. 

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Being a survivor of sexual assault, Samantha’s story is painful, raw, and heartbreaking. In 2014, Samantha reached a breaking point in her life. She was depressed and lonely despite the fact that she put a smile on her face every day and pretended everything was okay. By sharing the story of her sexual assault through a blog post, Samantha embarked on a journey filled with self-growth, self-healing, and self-love. 

Now, as an avid blogger, Samantha helps women share their stories through blogging to embark on their own healing journey while creating their own support community. She owns Samantha Laycock Blogging at https://www.samanthalaycock.com/. 

Samantha’s story covers the topic of sexual assault. If this is something you may find difficult to hear, please feel free to sit this one out. 

Episode 28, tune in, and hang on, because here we go 

Episode Resources

• RAINN |  rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence 

Connect with Samantha Laycock

• Samantha's Website | samanthalaycock.com
• Instagram | @samanthalaycockblogging

Connect with Could've Been Me, Our Nonprofit

• Website | itcouldvebeenme.org  
• Facebook | @couldvebeenme 
• Instagram | @it.couldve.been.me 

Support the show

Kawan Glover is many things, but the word survivor is definitely at the top of the list. He survived a stroke, opioid addiction, multiple brain surgeries, and a battle with depression. Throughout the process of it all, Kawan found his life’s purpose. Kawan now an author and life coach who uses his story to inspire others and transform them from victim to victor. 

Kawan detailed his transformative journey in a book called Favor: How Stroke Struggle and Surgery Helped Me Find My Life's Purpose. Today, he shares his life story with us, and there’s lots to cover, so tune in, and hang on, because here we go.

Episode Resources

• Kawan's Book | Favor: How Stroke Struggle and Surgery Helped Me Find My Life's Purpose | Amazon

Connect with Kawan Glover

• Kawan's Website | kawanglover.com
• Instagram | @kawanglover
• Facebook Group | @OvercomeAdversityWithKawan

Connect with Could've Been Me, Our Nonprofit

• Website | itcouldvebeenme.org  
• Facebook | @couldvebeenme 
• Instagram | @it.couldve.been.me 

Support the show

About eight years ago, Charlene was hit by a bus. Yes, a real bus, an actual bus, like the phrase so many of us use, “I feel like I was hit by a bus.” Well, Charlene actually was. So, before you say that phrase again, think about Charlene and Charlene’s story. 

Being hit by a bus fractured Charlene's skull and caused significant brain swelling. This led to four neurosurgeries, a bone infection, and a chronic non-healing wound. Being left with a traumatic brain injury, Charlene embarked on a healing journey that is truly incredible - a journey we'll share today. Tune in, and hang on, because here we go. 

Episode Disclaimer

This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

Connect with Charlene

• Website | themindfulnessjourney.com
• Instagram | @themindfulnessjourney

Connect with Our Nonprofit 

• Website | itcouldvebeenme.org  
• Facebook | @couldvebeenme 
• Instagram | @it.couldve.been.me 

Support the show

Carly Israel is the author of Seconds and Inches and founder of the podcasts Must Love Self, In Your Corner Divorce, and Northstar Big Book. In addition to her book, she has written about parenting, divorce, and recovery. Carly is an executive relationship and divorce coach, mother of three boys, seeker, and lover of life.

Throughout the episode Carly discusses what it was like growing up with two alcoholic parents, how she found recovery, the difficulties of divorce, and what life has been like with an ill child.

There's a lot to take in, so here we go!

Episode Disclaimer
This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show.

Episode Resources

• Alcoholics Anonymous | aa.org

Connect with Carly

• Website | carlyisrael.com
• Instagram | @carlyisrael1279

Connect with Our Nonprofit

• Website | itcouldvebeenme.org
• Facebook | @couldvebeenme
• Instagram | @it.couldve.been.me
• Purchase Official Merchandise | bonfire.com/store/couldve-been-me

Support the show

Kevin Nahai is a public speaker and personal coach who focuses his work on dating and relationships, anxiety management, and self-respect and confidence. Kevin’s personal experience being diagnosed with a chronic incurable disease, struggling with anorexia, and combatting suicidal ideations allows him to be an excellent mentor. Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear Kevin share how he found his purpose in life and is now helping others with some of the same struggles he has had.

Episode Resources

• Kevin's Instagram | @kevinnahai
• Could've Been Me Merch Store | bonfire.com/store/couldve-been-me/

Show Disclaimer
This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

Support the show

Dana Hansen and her two siblings Kasey and Bryce experienced a traditional midwest upbringing being raised by their parents on the family farm. Dana's childhood memories include 4-H, watching Saturday Nebraska Cornhuskers football games, and helping her mom prepare for family gatherings.

Their family bond continued well into adulthood. In fact, Dana and Kasey even lived together for a while and shared a love of sports, Netflix, and dogs. One day in 2017, their families lives changed forever when Dana's sister Kasey had a heart attack. The days that followed Kasey's heart attack came with a whirlwind of emotions and decisions for the family, and they were devastated when Kasey passed away.

Today, they do everything they can to keep Kasey's legacy moving forward.  Dana's mother and cousin even started Kasey's Kindness Acts on Facebook where people do and share random acts of kindness in memory of Kasey.

Tune in, and hang on, because here we go!

Show Disclaimer
This show covers a wide variety of topics related to mental health and life in general. These topics can be difficult for some people so use your best judgement when listening to the show. We are not therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. Information shared on this show is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice because of something you heard on this show. 

Support the show