Sucker Punched

18 years ago, Jim Bradford befriended a small boy with cerebral palsy. HK Derryberry had lost his vision and had several other physical disabilities when he was born premature as a result of a car crash that killed his mother. Being a preemie, blind, and prone to seizures would discourage most people, but HK is resilient and worked hard to earn his high school diploma.

HK says he loved that Jim is like a father to him and makes him feel normal. Jim loves that HK is always so positive.

Get your copy of HK and Jim's book!

Advice from HK and Jim:

• HK says a positive attitude is essential to accomplishing your goals.
• Jim encourages everyone to approach people even if it's awkward. If it's awkward the first time, it won't be the second time.

HK's answers to the fun questions:

• What are you loving right now? Doing motivational speaking and traveling with Jim • What's your favorite food/meal/snack? The #1 from Chick-fil-A • What are you doing to take care of yourself? Walking and eating healthy

HK's answers to the fun questions:

• What are you loving right now? Speaking with HK • What's your favorite food/meal/snack? Veggies and fresh food • What are you doing to take care of yourself? Moderate exercise • What are you doing to be brave? Speaking to surprising groups

Don't forget to check out Sudio's headphones and get 15% off your purchase with code 'SUCKERPUNCHED15' at BeckyLMcCoy.com/sudio.

Connect with HK & Jim:BLOG: hkderryberry.comFACEBOOK: facebook.com/hk.derryberry TWITTER: twitter.com/hkderryberry

Connect with Becky: BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace

Rachel Scott of Better Than Blended works with couples who are blending families together after divorce, death, and adoption. Rachel knows from experience (from growing up in a blended family and being a parent of one) that it takes a lot of intention and humility to go from brokenness to unity. It's easy to feel rejected by step-kids, but as she learned to focus on the kids' needs instead of what her role as step-mom "should" be, she found that trust began to develop. She has seen laughter in her new family and they take regular family days to continue to invest in relationships. She encourages families in the process of blending to pursue authenticity, keep their marriage the priority, and remember that these challenges are temporary.

Rachel's answers to the fun questions: • What are you loving right now? Getting to do the everyday things with the kids (and without exhaustion) because she gets to work from home • What's your favorite food/meal/snack? Sweet potato pie • What are you doing to take care of yourself? Reading. Specifically, The Magnolia Story and Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus • What are you doing to be brave? Connecting with people she wouldn't normally talk to

Don't forget to check out Sudio's headphones and get 15% off your purchase with code 'SUCKERPUNCHED15' at BeckyLMcCoy.com/sudio.

Connect with Rachel: BLOG: betterthanblended.comFACEBOOK: facebook.com/betterthanblended TWITTER: twitter.com/betterthanblend INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/betterthanblended

Connect with Becky: BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace

When Sarah's oldest was nine months old, she started showing signs of food allergies. At first it was only hives, but on her 5th birthday, Sarah's daughter had her first anaphylactic reaction. Through allergy testing, Sarah and her husband discovered their child was facing seven severe food allergies. Sarah's anxiety levels skyrocketed as they began learning to navigate the realities of life threatening allergies. The biggest struggle was learning how to manage her own fears without projecting them onto her children. In the years since her daughter's diagnosis, Sarah has developed a strong community with other allergy families and is amazed at how her daughter has learned to see and embrace differences in other children. Sarah strongly encourages families of kids with food allergies to find a community of people who understand the specific challenges and that it's okay to be neurotic. 

Sarah's answers to the fun questions:
• What are you loving right now? Embroidery
• What's your favorite food/meal/snack? Lots of new baking recipes
• What are you doing to take care of yourself? Not much, but trying to get the toddler to sleep earlier (see Becky's Pinterest board for self care ideas)
• What are you doing to be brave? Parenting three kids and learning to be a wife to a husband who travels for work

Ready to step up your headphone game? Check out Sudio's headphones and get 15% off your purchase with code 'SUCKERPUNCHED15' at BeckyLMcCoy.com/sudio.

Connect with Becky:
BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy
TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy
NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email 

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace

Heather was diagnosed with Vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, the same autoimmune disease her mom died from. Heather began to grieve the loss of the life she expected to live and was afraid of how the disease will impact her family, but realized she had the opportunity to make sustainable choices and manage her disease. As her perspective shifted, she started exploring what it means to live with courage. Heather says we need to talk about, "the type of courage when you put two feet on the floor on a morning when you don't like your story."

Heather's answers to the fun questions:
• What are you loving right now? Chocolate chip cookie dough paired with fruit - bananas or apples:)
• What's your favorite food/meal/snack? My grandma's chicken and pastry and the 14 vegetables that go with it
• What are you doing to take care of yourself? Daily power naps or at least daily resting moments 
• What are you doing to be brave? Conquering my fear of facebook live, lol!

Connect with Heather:
BLOG: therescuedletters.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/rescuedletters
TWITTER: twitter.com/rescuedletters
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/rescuedletters

Connect with Becky:
BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy
TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy
NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email 

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace

Gretchen's older son was struggling in school due to a learning disability and her younger son was making incredibly rebellious choices. Gretchen was overwhelmed with worry, stress, and fear for her boys as she and her husband had to make hard choices for their family. She was determined to trust God for the outcome and be vulnerable and honest with their friends. A gratitude journal helped keep her focused on the most important things during that difficult moment in their family.

Gretchen's answers to the fun questions:
• What are you loving right now? Being empty nesters in their new city apartment
• What's your favorite food/meal/snack? Pepperoni and vegetable pizza and the food trucks!
• What are you doing to take care of yourself? walking everywhere for exercise
• What are you doing to be brave? Leaving a comfortable and familiar community

Connect with Gretchen:
BLOG: gretchenfleming.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011015433541&fref=ts
TWITTER: twitter.com/Followinghard
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/Gretchenfollowinghard
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/followinghard

Connect with Becky:
BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy
TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy
NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email 

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace

Lauren started having panic attacks in high school, but didn't fully realize she had chronic anxiety until her 20s. Around the same time, Lauren was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which comes with a lot of chronic pain. 

Lauren hosts the podcast Finding Joy. Find her and leave some love! 

Lauren's answers to the fun questions:

• What are you loving right now? So many things! Living in North Carolina!
• What's your favorite food/meal/snack? Indian Chicken Saag, Dark Chocolate, Peanut and Almond Butter
• What are you doing to take care of yourself? Being okay with doing nothing.
• What are you doing to be brave? Hosting an eight city tour with Finding Joy Ladies Night Out.

Connect with Lauren:
BLOG: laurengaskillinspires.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/lauren.gaskill.inspires
TWITTER: twitter.com/lauren_inspires
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/lauren_inspires/
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/lauren_inspires/

Connect with Becky:
BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy
TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy
NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email 

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace

When Elli was diagnosed with postpartum depression, she realized she'd been struggling with anxiety and depression most of her adult life. "I just thought I was a really weak person because I wasn't able to cope." She was anxiety, paranoid, barely managing parenting, and having panic attacks. It wasn't until she started creating space in her schedule, anti-depression medication, counseling, exercise, and mediation that she finally started finding relief. In the dark place, Elli says, "you feel like a failure and that things are never going to get better, but those are both lies."

Elli's Answers To The Fun Questions:

• What are you loving right now? Peaky Blinders, Parks & Rec, and Catastrophe on TV. Wearing dungarees (overalls) and striped shirts
• What's your favorite food/meal/snack? Tapas and anything salty (olives and blue cheese) with red wine
• What are you doing to take care of yourself? Canceling plans and scheduling a spa hair cut
• What are you doing to be brave? Trying to monetize her writing and meeting a publisher

Connect with Elli:
BLOG: thehippochronicles.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/thehippochronicles
TWITTER: twitter.com/MrsElliJohnson
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/ellijohnson

Connect with Becky:
BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy
TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy
NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email 

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace

Amanda, a counselor and mental illness advocate, struggled with grief and suicidal ideations. She was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and thought maybe her struggles were over. Yet, she continued to face numbness and found any passion she once had was gone. Eventually, she was diagnosed with Bipolar Type 2 (also known as hypomania); the more accurate diagnosis, medication, and counseling finally began to give her some relief. Amanda encourages anyone struggling with mental illness or other hard life moments to be honest with people and allow them to help. "It's okay to struggle," she says.

Amanda's Answers To The Fun Questions:

• What are you loving right now? Diet Coke and blasting live folk music (especially the Avett Brothers)
• What's your favorite food/meal/snack? Chicken burrito, no pico, all rice on the side
• What are you doing to take care of yourself? Slowing down: less work, more music.
• What are you doing to be brave? A TED Talk proposal

Connect with Amanda:
WEBSITE: helloamandaphillips.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/helloamandaphillips
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/helloamandaphillips

Connect with Becky:
BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy
TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy
NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email 

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace

When Vidhi's son was an infant, he had severe allergies and sensitive skin. She found herself restless, panicky, and crying more often than normal. Her husband noticed the change in her behavior and encouraged her to go to the doctor. Vidhi was diagnosed with Postpartum Anxiety and began her journey of finding healing and relief. She wants other women who are struggling with Postpartum Anxiety or Depression to know "you are not alone. This is a very normal thing...It's not your fault."

Check out Vidhi's organic baby products at Panchhi.

Vidhi's Answers To The Fun Questions:

• What are you loving right now? Her business (her second baby!)
• What's your favorite food/meal/snack? Fruit, especially kiwi and watermelon
• What are you doing to take care of yourself? Intentionally being happy and enjoying every moment
• What are you doing to be brave? Being herself and not worry about others' opinions

Connect with Vidhi:
WEBSITE: www.panchhi.ca
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/mypanchhi
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/mypanchhi

Connect with Becky:
BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy
TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy
NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email 

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace

When Katie was pregnant with her first child, she was diagnosed with OCD and signed herself in to an inpatient treatment program. Her OCD was mostly triggered by her career as a nurse (although in hindsight she can see signs of it in childhood memories) and the symptoms were completely incapacitating. Katie says that even though she hates having OCD, she's thankful that she can connect with other people who are suffering and that having a diagnosis gives her hope that she won't ever go to the uncontrolled dark place again.

Join me at the Brave Together Virtual Retreat 9/9! Get tickets: BeckyLMcCoy.com/BraveTogetherVirtualRetreat

Connect with Becky:
BLOG: BeckyLMcCoy.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/BeckyLMcCoy
TWITTER: twitter.com/BeckyLMcCoy
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/BeckyLMcCoy
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/BeckyLMcCoy
NEWSLETTER: BeckyLMcCoy.com/email 

Share your Sucker Punched story at BeckyLMcCoy.com/Submissions

Please subscribe to and rate this podcast to help others find Sucker Punched.

NOTE: Sucker Punched is the podcast formerly known as Stories of Unfolding Grace