Struggle Creates Strength

Michaela Jacobsen is 20 years old and has chosen the brave and vulnerable choice to share her story. Michaela has always been seen with a smile on her face and a life that rather perceived pure happiness. She is the first one to say and admit that what you see on the outside is not always the case on the inside. Michaela has several things to be proud of and be happy about in her life, but in her story she explains the hardships she also encountered. She found herself in a deep depressive state contemplating and creating a plan to take her own life. Every night for two months she talked about her constant thoughts and desires to take her own life. On top of all of her suicidal thoughts, she was also trying to manage her ADHD and severe anxiety. It’s never easy being someone who struggles with mental health and Michaela also describes the role that University has played in some of her struggles. Sharing her story was not an easy task for her but she has proven that she is brave, strong, and beyond inspiring with aspirations of helping others. Thank you Michaela and I encourage everyone to take a page out her book and speak up about your mental health struggles because you are not alone! 

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If you want to talk to Michaela and have some vulnerable conversations with her, you can reach her via: 

Instagram: michaela.jacobsen

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If you want to reach out to me or are interested in being on the podcast you can reach me via: 

Instagram: strugglecreatesstrength

Website: www.StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Thanks so much for listening to another episode of Struggle Creates Strength and just remember that EVERYONE has a story. 

Luke Shields, 18 years-old, has seen and been through things that nobody should every have to, but he acknowledges the fact that he couldn’t have changed the outcome of what he’s encountered. At a very young age he was introduced to the effects that PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) can have on a person and a family because of having a father who served in the army. Luke also encountered the loss of his sister due to suicide, witnessed and was first on the scene to a double fatality car accident, and helped pull a young kid out of the lake who drowned. He’s seen what it is like to have life leave someone’s body and he is sharing his story to help prevent the loss of someone struggling. He knows how difficult life can be, but he willingly opens up with tips of advice to manage mental health struggles and ultimately what he did to change his overall outlook on life. He possessed great strength and courage by talking about unspoken struggles all in the hopes of helping someone else. You truly never know what someone has encountered in their life and Like Shields fully exemplifies that EVERYONE has a story. 

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If you want to talk to Luke and have some vulnerable conversations with him, you can reach him via: 

Instagram: photos_from.luke

Phone: 2508951360

Email: [email protected]

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If you want to reach out to me or are interested in being on the podcast you can reach me via: 

Instagram: strugglecreatesstrength

Website: www.StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Thanks so much for listening to another episode of Struggle Creates Strength and just remember that EVERYONE has a story. 

Aiden Taylor, 21 years-old, is currently playing Varsity soccer at the University of Victoria. From a very young age he was dedicated to the sport. He and his family sacrificed a lot to allow him to get to the level he is at now. Aiden speaks on how his struggles associated with being the best soccer player he could be did not compare to the struggles he encountered away from the field. He comes from a hardworking blue-collar family where men are taught to be tough and essentially disregard their emotional side. As any athlete knows, sometimes parents can get the best of your mental health by being harder on you than your coaches. Parents will coach from home or solely focus on the flaws within your play rather than acknowledging the good things. Aiden experienced several mental warfare’s through a constant standard he was expected to meet, but he also experienced excessive loneliness, anxiety, and for a lack of better words, fear. He has learnt from his past and channeled it into great courage by sharing his story. Aiden’s story is one that is worth hearing and it truly goes to show that EVERYONE has a story. 

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If you want to reach out to Aiden and have a conversation with him, you can reach him via: 

Instagram: aidenjacktaylor

Phone: +1 (807) 464-3956

Email: [email protected]

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If you want to reach me or come on the podcast, I’m always available via: 

Instagram: StruggleCreatesStrength

Website: www.StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Email: [email protected]

Thanks so much for listening to another episode of Struggle Creates Strength. All podcast are posted on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Facebook. Just remember EVERYONE has a story. 

Tyler Smith is a 22 year-old man who has figuratively been put through hell, but has taken his struggles and used them to make the world a better place. Tyler is 1 of 13 people who lives to tell the gruesome story of April 6, 2018. He was on the Humboldt Broncos hockey team when their bus struck a semi-truck head on. The crash stopped everyone in their tracks and formed an indescribable support system for the players and families effected by the crash. To this day we constantly hear the phrase, “Humboldt Strong” and Tyler Smith exemplifies  this by sharing his story. Tyler suffered several physical injuries during the crash and has almost fully recovered from them over time, but one thing that will never heal is the loss of 16 members of his Humboldt family. He possesses courage, vulnerability, and endless strength proven by sharing his story. Tyler continues to share his story with the world to ultimately help others realize that it’s okay to speak up and it’s okay to not be okay. He has created sweaters, hoodies, and shirts reading “Not Alone” and “It’s okay to not be okay.” His brand strikes vulnerable conversations and allows people to wear two powerful messages on their chest proving strength and acceptance. Tyler’s strength to be able to share his story exemplifies that there’s always a way find light in the life you’re living.  

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If you want to reach Tyler and show him your support you can reach him via: 

Instagram: smitty269

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If you want to reach out to me or would like to be on the podcast you can reach me via: 

Instagram: StruggleCreatesStrength

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Website: www.StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening and remember EVERYONE has a story. No two stories are the same, but every story has the potential to help someone else. 

Katherine Pineda is only 17 years old, but she has persevered through more struggles than most could comprehend. From being caught in the middle of her parents divorce at a young age, life continued to throw her more obstacles than she anticipated. Katherine encountered several family feuds, homelessness at age 15, and multiple abusive relationships. She encountered depression, severe anxiety and excessive troubles to focus. Her schooling started to get away from her, but as anyone’s would in her situation. During her high school years not only did she battle homelessness, but she also discovered one of her sisters was living on the streets and addicted to hard drugs. Katherine is constantly desired to fixing people and their problems, so despite how she’s been treated or how big someone’s problems are, she tries to fix them. She tried to fix her sister and she’s tried to fix people who are broken, but she realized she needs to fix herself up first. She has now self-funded moving to Victoria, she has started a business that will embrace women and their body confidence, and now she continues to pursue her studies. She courageously shares her story and proves that you never know what someone’s story may be. Katherine defines that EVERYONE has a story. 

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If you want to reach out to Katherine and show her the support she deserves you can reach her via: 

Instagram: katherinepineda._

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If you want to reach out to me or come on the podcast I’m always available via: 

Instagram: StruggleCreatesStrength

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Website: www.StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening and remember, EVERYONE has a story. 

Billy Cawthorn is a 22 year-old from Vernon, BC. Billy did not have a typical upbringing, and by no means was it an easy one. At age 15 Billy was forced move out because of his moms abuse of alcohol and live with multiple different families in Vernon. In his teenage years he found himself falling into a similar lifestyle by abusing his use of alcohol and other recreational drugs, but he hit a turning point when he chose to play college hockey and pursue Christianity. He realized some of the mistakes he made in the past, but even more so he learnt from them. Billy has reflected on his past and instead of resenting his mom for some of the mistakes she made, he realized the sacrifices she made to allow him to pursue his passion of hockey and put a roof over his head. In the past 7 years, he has rebuilt a strong relationship with his mom and now possesses a sense of maturity and wisdom that very few people have. He continues to expand his beliefs in Christianity and live out his dream as a hockey player. Billy transparently shared his story in hopes of helping someone who has gone through or is going through something similar to his past. He acknowledges the importance of being vulnerable about your mental health struggles, but not letting them define who you are. 

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If you want to reach out to Billy and show him the support he deserves or want to have a vulnerable conversation with him, you can message him via: 

Instagram: Billy Cawthorn

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If you want to talk to me or potentially come on the podcast you can reach me via:

Instagram: StruggleCreatesStrength

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Website: www.StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Email: [email protected]

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If you want to purchase a Struggle Creates Strength T-Shirt you can go to www.Raincoastclothing.com 100% of proceeds are donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Katie MacDonald, 24 years-old, is from Merritt, BC and has a story you need to hear. Her story stems from the age of 4 when she suffered her first of 18 concussions. Her extensive number of concussions forced her to quit the sport she had always and will always love; hockey. Being forced out of hockey kickstarted her mental health struggles, but it wasn’t the end of it. In school she was bullied to the point where her only option was to move to multiple schools in multiple towns. Her depression and anxiety kicked into overdrive, but it got the worst at age 19. Katie was sexually abused by someone who she considered her uncle and it forced her to shut down completely. She didn’t talk about it, didn’t seek help, and ultimately shut out out the world for over a year. When she finally spoke up and leaned on her support system it began her journey of strengthening her mental health. Now, she is here sharing her story and embracing vulnerability. She has the hopes of helping as many people as possible with her story, but she claims, "As long as I help one person, then I have done my job." She is a selfless and caring individual who is trying to help others with her story. It truly goes to show that EVERYONE has a story and you never know what someone may be going through.

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If you want to reach out to Katie, show her the support she deserves, or seek help from her wisdom then you can reach her on Instagram: _katiemacdonald

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If you want to reach me or are interested in coming on the podcast you can do so via:

Instagram: StruggleCreatesStrength

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Website: www.StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Marshall Wittmann is an 18 year-old currently living Calgary, Alberta. Marshall courageously allowed us to take a look into his past and the traumatic experience he encountered. Stemming from age 14 depression and mental health struggles played a large factor in his life and he is the first to admit that his coping mechanisms took a turn for the worst. He began with an opioid prescription and transitioned into marijuana, magic mushrooms, LSD, and alcohol. His habits led to addictions and ultimately led him to a point where he didn’t live a second without chasing a high. He became reliant on psychedelics and admits that he felt more normal on the drugs than not. Marshall encountered the biggest wake up call of his life when found himself overdosing and having a heart attack at age 17. His incident forced him into a state of reflection and made him realize that change needed to happen. He transitioned his drug addiction into a golf addiction and now rather than spending his days chasing a high, he spends the chasing a low score. He is inspiring, motivating, and for a lot of people, he will he the wake up call they need. I hope everyone enjoys Marshall’s story and shows him the support he deserves for sharing his story.

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If you want to reach out to Marshall you can go to his Instagram at : _marshallwittmann

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If you want to reach me or want to share your story you can go to:

Instagram: StruggleCreatesStrength

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Website: StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Michael Nolan and Rebecca Steinhubl are the founders of ‘You Are Collective’ and they have made their mark on the community. Their mental health advocacy began upon arriving in Kelowna, BC from Spruce Grove, AB back in 2016. Both have dealt with mental health struggles in their life, but they have courageously channeled their struggles and transformed them into creating a their mental health platform. They have created a campaign within You Are Collective called the ‘1 Million Campaign’ which provides one million counselling sessions to people struggling with with mental health. Both, Rebecca and Michael, have created such a successful platform die to being transparent with their mental health struggles and taking action on pursuing the crucial change to end the stigma surrounding mental health. In the podcast they speak up about their personal mental health struggles and they also give valued tips on ways to help your own mental health. They are both very wise and sustain hearts of purity. Thank you Rebecca and Michael for sharing your story and embracing vulnerability. Remember, EVERYONE has a story!! 

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If you want to reach out to Rebecca and Michael you can message them on Instagram: You Are Collective

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If you want to reach out to me and share your story you can reach me via Instagram: Struggle Creates Strength

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Website: www.StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Paige McLaren, 28 years-old, has not had an easy life in the slightest, but she is the first one to say that her past was the teacher which helped her get to where she is today. Paige courageously narrowed in on topics such as living with a mother addicted to drugs, sexual abuse, toxic relationships, suicidal thoughts, and self-confidence. Her mother’s addiction forced her family to move countless times and attend 13 different schools. On top of moving around all the time, her mothers boyfriend was also sexually abusing her. When she was 13 she brought the sexual abuse to her mother’s attention, but she shrugged it off and left Paige in a state of hopelessness. When she was just 17 she was forced to leave her house and find her way in the world. Unfortunately, she was stuck in another toxic relationship with the boyfriend she moved in with. Fortunately, at 19 her life changed forever and gave her a fighting chance to a better life, her daughter was born. Paige explains how her daughter has been her saving Grace and biggest motive to keep her mental health in check! I highly suggest that everyone goes and listens to her story, but even more so show her the support she deserves! It’s not easy to be vulnerable and speak up, but those that do are helping everyone around them. Just remember, EVERYONE has a story!!

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If you want to reach out to Paige and show her the support she deserves you can reach her via Instagram : Paige McLaren

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If you want to share your story on the podcast or just need someone to talk to you can reach me anytime on: 

Instagram :Struggle Creates Strength

Facebook: Struggle Creates Strength

Website: www.StruggleCreatesStrength.com

Email: [email protected]