Episodes

Mark’s passion and mission is to raise global awareness on ataxia, a neurological/movement disorder which affects the nervous system. When he was in his 30s, he noticed that he slurred his words, had brain fog and was losing his balance. Mark was diagnosed with ataxia. Initially, he was severely depressed and wanted to stay in bed. Later, Mark felt this presented him with a challenge with two options. He could either believe the words of his martial arts instructors, where he was taught that he can do anything he puts his mind to. Alternatively, Mark could believe the doctors and feel that there’s no hope. He chose the former. Mark feels that the disease is just another sparing partner opponent and he doesn’t know how he’s going to do it. However, he knows he must believe that winning is a possibility. Mark shares the following nuggets of life wisdom:
– humor is often our best tool in our arsenal
– remain open and flexible
– be willing to adapt and adjust
– challenges can feel isolating, so find others like you
– form your own journey and story
– believe that winning is a possibility

https://hopeforataxia.org 

https://www.facebook.com/hopeforataxia

https://www.instagram.com/hopeforataxia 

tags:  Mark, Desa, Hope, for, Ataxia, personal, trainer, martial, arts, coach, story, stories, that, empower, empowering, empowerment, inspire, inspiring, inspiration, encourage, encouraging, encouragement, hope, light, podcast, Sean, https://storiesthatempower.wordpress.com

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Valerie’s story is one of survival. Her extraordinary and well-developed survival instinct helped her navigate a life filled with turmoil, such as parents divorcing before she was a year old, being abandoned by her mother to the neighbors who became her foster parents and having an abusive, alcoholic step father. Valerie does not consider herself a victim nor in denial. Her ability to compartmentalize her life helped her to stay afloat and be a survivor. Valerie shares the following nuggets of life wisdom:
– you can get through it and get to the other side
– accept what you can and cannot control
– accept responsibility for things that are in our control
– go forward with your life
– there’s nothing stronger than a broken woman, who has rebuilt herself
– seek therapy
– it’s good to talk with someone who’s unbiased

https://valerietaylorauthor.com 
valmtaylor@gmail.com 

tags: Valerie, Taylor, writer, author, What’s, Not, Said, What’s, Not, True, story, stories, that, empower, empowering, empowerment, inspire, inspiring, inspiration, encourage, encouraging, encouragement, hope, light, podcast, Sean, https://storiesthatempower.wordpress.com

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Phil is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. When he was between 10-12 years old, his older brother molested him, then the abuse stopped. Phil pretended it didn’t happen, didn’t tell anyone, carried it deep down and masked the pain. With the help of therapist, he told his fiance and his parents, who believed him. Phil decided to go public about the abuse, which is helping him to work through the trauma. He hopes that his book can serve as a healing tool for others and shows them that there’s someone who understands their experience. Phil shares the following nuggets of life wisdom:
– it’s ok to speak out
– you can heal
– allow you to live your true, authentic self
– silence about abuse only perpetuates more abuse
– it’s an act of bravery to speak up
– there’s so many different facets to trauma
– forgive yourself for not speaking up
– find a trauma informed therapist
– you are not alone
– it’s nothing to be ashamed of
– it’s ok to tell someone you trust

https://www.philagoldstein.com

https://www.stillhousepress.org/stillhouse-store/how-to-bury-a-boy-at-sea

tags: Phil, Goldstein, poet, journalist, content, marketer, childhood, sexual, abuse, survivor, How, to, Bury, a, Boy, at, Sea, story, stories, that, empower, empowering, empowerment, inspire, inspiring, inspiration, encourage, encouraging, encouragement, hope, light, podcast, Sean
https://storiesthatempower.wordpress.com 

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