To get started today, I would like to share a personal story about my daughter, Olivia. Olivia’s story relates to our theme of setbacks and using them as stepping stones.

You may not know this, but Olivia was born was a hair condition that limits hair growth. Olivia is gorgeous exactly as God made her, but as she is getting older, she asked me for a hair piece so she can have longer hair. Olivia’s request scared me, and I wondered if this was too soon (she’s 7) and we needed to wait. 

Yet, Olivia persisted. She asked me for a hairpiece for months and months. I finally said ok and took her to get the partial wig. When she wore the hairpiece to school the first day, it was really challenging and scary. It was so scary that Olivia decided to take off the wig. This represents her setback. 

But this isn’t the end of the story. Olivia faced her fear and setback and did something with it. She took a few hours to gather her strength and then put the wig on herself. In front of her friends and peers. When I asked her what made her put the wig on, she said her heart told her so. 

I share that because that’s what we’re talking about. You can use a setback as a springboard for growth. My guest, Athena Brownson, knows all about this in her own life.

During our discussion, Athena and I chatted about:

1. How she kept going after extensive skiing injuries
2. Her diagnosis with Lyme Disease
3. The modalities she used to support her healing
4. What resilience means to Athena and how she used her setback as a springboard for growth
5. Her advice for women who are experiencing their own personal challenges and setbacks

Here is more about Athena:

Athena Brownson is a living testament to the power of resilience and reinvention. A former professional skier who endured nine knee

surgeries and two neck operations, Athena’s greatest challenge came when she was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease—a debilitating condition that left her bedridden for months. Yet, instead of letting these

setbacks define her, Athena used them to fuel her purpose, transforming pain into strength and obstacles into opportunities.

Now a thriving entrepreneur and advocate for resilience, Athena empowers audiences to navigate life’s challenges with grit, authenticity, and purpose. She teaches how to embrace change, build balance, and align your career and life with your values. Drawing from her journey, Athena inspires others to redefine success, build their "why," and cultivate the mindset needed to overcome adversity and achieve meaningful growth.

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