Suddenly Stronger

"I'm no longer shrinking to be digestible. You can choke."

Roxanne shared this powerful quote (source unknown) on her Facebook page, and she takes it to heart. She is bold, outspoken, and so much fun to talk to.

She never met her birth father. She was abused by her stepdad. Manipulated and humiliated by her church. Her toxic marriage ultimately led to abuse and hearing loss. She reached a breaking point, escaped the toxic marriage, started a new life on her terms, and now her future is looking brighter than ever. Tune in and be inspired as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 

Guest: Roxanne

Intro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)

Highlights  ✨

02:13The Disconnected Marriage

03:36The Little Pieces of Truth

05:06The Eccentric Art Pieces

08:05The Amicable Agreement

10:13The Divorce Decree and Agreements

11:54The Loss of Hearing Mishap

13:24The Legally Blind Driver

14:50The Promotion of Disability Awareness

17:57The Adapt or Die Season

19:45The Open and Affirming Church

23:07The Real Trauma Therapist

25:25The Trauma from Stepdad

26:26The EMDR Therapy

27:41The Stupid Statistics

29:14The Feminist Mom

31:50The Kids’ Undivided Attention

34:14The Financial Worth of an Hour’s Time

36:34The Financial Expert

38:55The Chesapeake Experience

40:18The Breaking Point

45:05The Excited Detective

48:00The Late Cop Incident

50:21The Broken System

55:15The Lucky Parts of the Story

58:41The Domestic Violence Victim’s Wisdom

1:00:01The Good Memories

1:01:13The Life After the Divorce

1:03:59The Schedule of Activities

1:05:18The Sexy Moments

1:06:50The Adjustments

1:08:19The Healthy Relationship

1:12:54The PMDD Diagnosis

1:16:13The Misconception on Being Legally Blind

1:18:38The Missed Diagnosis

1:20:27The Effects of COVID in Business

1:22:52The Easy Freezy Freezer Meals

1:25:59The Name by Choice

1:27:07The Birth Father Mystery

1:28:42The Hidden Middle Name

1:30:45The Hassle of Changing Names

1:33:57The Parenting Strategy for Teenagers

1:36:07The Life Lessons

1:40:18The Uncomfortable Conversations

Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!

Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Nicki - The Tenacious Fighter

A toxic home environment. Rape. Rape AGAIN. Loss of an eye after a freak accident. Losing a parent to suicide. Nicki's early years were traumatic and she very easily could've ended up on a different path. 

Her perspective is unexpected. Her tenacity is inspiring. And she tells her story in a way that will leave you feeling shocked, encouraged, and ready to take on the world. 

Tune in and be inspired by her strength and grit as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 

Guest: Nicki

Intro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)

Highlights  ✨

01:16The Synopsis

02:17The Fast Forward Realizations

03:54The First Sexual Assault 

06:27The School Rumor

07:44The Gang Rape

12:12The After Effects

12:58The Sudden Accident

15:20The Shocking Reaction

16:45The Panicky Intern Doctor

18:28The Emergency Eye Surgery

19:21The Loss of an Eye

21:13The Look in the Mirror

23:10The Series of Surgeries

25:57The Afterthoughts

27:34The Pill Addiction

29:07The Life After-Plan

30:33The Appearance Matters

33:11The Boyfriend and Relationships

33:30The Suicide of Her Father

33:49The Sibling Twins

34:10The Breakdown of Her Mom

35:15The Nervous Breakdown of Her Own

36:05The Wrong Marriage

37:38The Present Relationship With Her Daughter

40:26The Series of Therapies

41:10The EMDR Therapy

44:55The Inside Healing Journey

47:23The Passing of Her Sister

48:36The Reason For Everything

49:24The Next Steps

52:09The Words of Wisdom

Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!

Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Brandi - The Resilient Widow

When her husband took his life with no warning, Brandi and her two sons were blindsided and left to pick up the pieces. They all handled their grief in different ways: Brandi entered the world of bodybuilding, and her sons headed down two very different paths. Brandi has found strength and healing by sharing her story, and has learned to communicate more directly with her loved ones. She sheds light on this topic that is seen by many as shameful and taboo, and shares how those in similar situations can help their friends or family members who may be struggling or have lost a loved one to suicide.

Tune in and be inspired by her strength of spirit as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 

Guest: Brandi

Intro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)

Highlights  ✨

01:08The Day of Madness

07:14The Chaos

08:42The New Man of the House

09:35The Thoughts of Suicide

10:38The Son’s Battle Against Addiction

12:48The Impact

14:15The Husband’s Battle Beside Depression

17:30The Loss of a Family

19:06The Changes in Communication

20:49The Open Therapy

21:47The Search for Answers

23:51The Statistics on Suicidal Incidents

25:14The Life Insurance Plan

25:33The Allegations

28:27The Watch

29:38The Bodybuilding Training Plans

34:24The Healing Journey

37:45The Dating Phase After

38:35The Search for the Right Relationship

42:21The Confident Boyfriend

43:57The Bolder Brandi

45:22The Strong & Authentic Ties Made

46:45The Take-Away Message

Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!

Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Melinda H - The Young Widow

By the time Melinda was 20, she was already married with a six-month-old baby. Two weeks before their first anniversary, her husband was killed in a car accident, leaving her to raise their baby on her own. Though coping with his death was incredibly difficult, she knew she had to be present for her son, provide for him, and try to serve both parental roles. Twenty years and several hardships later, she views things with a surprising perspective.

Tune in to be inspired by her strength as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 

Guest: Melinda H.

Intro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)

Highlights  ✨

01:02The Persistent Suitor

02:25The Wedding and a Baby!

02:45The Surprise Party

03:25The Car Accident

07:45The Doctor’s Confirmation

08:20The Horrible Nurse

11:11The Single Motherhood Journey

14:23The Supportive Women in Her Life

15:50The Gratitude

17:15The Helicopter Mom

20:25The Reunion with Parents

25:20The Insightful Moment

26:15The Epiphany 

31:07The Hardships of a Child

34:15The Difficult In-Laws

37:28The Second Marriage

39:34The Birth of Her Mini-Me version

43:27The Nursing School Experience

56:20The Present Supportive Husband

57:00The Loss of Her Mom

58:40The Death of a Father

1:08:32The Lesson of a Single Mom

1:10:05The Adjustments into a Normal Marriage

1:12:40The Step Children (Moving onto a New Family!)

Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!

Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Tara - The Unyielding Competitor

When Tara's third aunt developed breast cancer, she knew something was up. She decided to  be proactive with her health and get tested for the BRCA gene, a genetic mutation that drastically increases chances of developing breast cancer. When the test came back positive, she made a quick decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy and removal of her Fallopian tubes. She was determined to prevent cancer so she could continue to be present for her family. Little did she know that a year later, she would be diagnosed with a different type of cancer that would put her through physical and emotional agony. Through it all, her competitor's mindset prevailed. 

Tune in and be inspired by her strength and drive as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 

Guest: Tara Ramos (Check out her Instagram here!)

Intro / Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)

Highlights  ✨

01:22 The BRCA Mutation

01:57 The Light Bulb Moment

02:20 The Genetic Test Results

03:40 The Quick Decision

06:40 The Empowered Tara

09:35 The Headache (How It All Started)

13:08 The Theory for Oral Cancer

15:20 The First Diagnosis

18:45 The Initial Surgery

19:23 The Pathology Report (More Operations!)

22:00 The Support System

24:00 The “Fight or Flight” Lessons in Action

26:45 The Motivation to Show Up Every Day

27:30 The Lung Tumor

31:00 The YOLO Attitude!

32:30 The Big Surgery

33:48 The Scary Chemo Decision 

37:00 The Changes

38:50 The Coping Process

41:05 The Company of a Good Friend

45:08 The Continuous Battle

47:08 The Healing process (Mind and Body)

50:20 The Lingering Effects

52:10 The Long-Term Outcome

53:20 The Biggest Takeaway

56:28 The Focus on Healing

Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration and hope in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!

Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Tracey - The Deceived Fiancée

Tracey was newly divorced and not looking for love; but it found her. What she didn't know is that her new love would lead her down a path of unexpected twists and turns, lies, sacrifices, and deception. When she found out that her fiance had been diagnosed with leukemia, her competitive spirit kicked in and she was determined to stand by her man and help him beat cancer for the third time. She had no idea what the future held, and what she started to uncover was shocking.

Tune in as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. Tune in and be inspired by her strength and grace.

Guest: Tracey
Intro: Stronger by Les Thomas

Highlights ✨
 01:50 The Meet-Up
 05:40 The Diagnosis
 13:35 The Proposal
 14:55 The First Lie
 20:00 The Stem Cell Replacement  (How did he fake it?)
 23:12 The Silent Auction (A whooping $70,000 fundraiser!)
 24:26 The Huge Fight
 35:50 The Second Chance
 39:10 The Beginning of the End
 45:00 The Final Plan
 50:25 The Aftermath
 58:08 The Decision to go Public
 1:01:50 The Dark Times
 1:07:15 The Lessons
 1:15:25 The Takeaway

Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please subscribe so you never miss an episode! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to Suddenly Stronger, please share with them!

Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here: MELINDA K - THE SCARRED SISTER

Her brother’s obsession with her body began when she was too young to understand what was happening. Being violated at such a young age led to self harm, eating disorders, and suicidal tendencies. But Melinda K was a force to be reckoned with. She became an advocate for her own mental and physical health, using therapy, faith, and her passion for writing as her strongest weapons.

Guest: Melinda Kelley. (Guest is using a pseudonym and prefers to stay anonymous.)

Intro / Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!) Used with permission.

Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration and hope in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!

With a deck stacked against him, he could’ve been a statistic, continuing down the wrong path, making poor choices and maybe even ending up in prison. Instead, my dear friend Les Thomas made a choice to rise above his circumstances. He intentionally surrounded himself with people who would lift him up and lovingly speak truth to him. He became a successful hip-hop artist, university sports hype man, respected military member, and a unifying force in his community. But Les didn’t just rise up alone. He has invested in local youth, bringing up others alongside him.

But it hasn't all been smooth sailing. When his beloved mother lost her battle with cancer, bitterness threatened to take a strong grip on his heart. He had a decision to make: let it consume him or face the pain and use it to further propel him to greatness.   During this episode of Suddenly Stronger, Les and I talk about his early years, losing his mom to cancer, and we have a compelling discussion about some inflammatory topics.

Guest: Les Thomas (Check out his inspiring "One Minute or Les" Instagram account!)
Intro / Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!) Used with permission.

Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration and hope in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!

When Ky's son Jacob was brutally murdered at age 19, she was left to pick up the pieces and figure out how to carry on with her husband and her surviving son, Jacob's twin brother.

The audio of the people I interview is unedited to preserve the integrity of their stories. Each story unfolds as a natural conversation, often in chronological order beginning with the backstory. To skip the backstory in this episode, skip ahead to 30:14.


Guest: Ky Crockett
Intro / Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!) Used with permission.

Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration and hope in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!