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Lay Your BrickLYB | Episode 22: Lucas CullenThis episode is #sponsored by betterhelp.
Link: https://betterhelp.com/LYBCade
This episode I had the pleasure to sit down with Lucas Cullen. Lucas shared his mental health struggles and journey. We dove into the podcast that he started called “Struggle Creates Strength”. Across all his platforms, he creates a space of realism and comfortability when talking about mental health for his audience. Lucas was kind enough to share motivation tactics, tools that helped him along the way, & ways to heal! I hope you enjoy, Stay Curious!
Episodes Resources:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswithlucas/
https://www.instagram.com/strugglecreatesstrength/
Podc...2022-05-021h 26
Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Identify Your ”Why”MINDSET MONDAY IS BACK!! A brand new episode is now live where we talk about identifying your “Why”.
Identifying your “Why” is not just blatantly stating why you do something, but it’s truthfully acknowledging where your “Why” comes from and who it’s actually for. More often than not people’s goals are set in the hopes of being accepted by someone else rather than simply just being happy.
Whatever your goals are or whatever you’re breaking your back to achieve, it’s important you ask yourself who these goals are for and why you are chasing them...2021-11-3011 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 59: Self-love after Self-harm with Cristina DrakeThanks so much for listening to another impactful episode. Cristina is clearly an incredible human and she truly deserves the world and more. Her biggest desire in life truly is to just help as many people as possible, so bringing her on today was incredible. Thank you for your strength and courage Cristina, you are making waves with your voice.
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If you want to reach out to Cristina and have a form of conversation with her then be sure to reach her via:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cristinaperezdelascuevasdk/
*2021-11-262h 00Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 58: The Therapy Effect with David JachettaDavid Jachetta is a man of many traits, talents, and titles. He classifies as a coach, a trainer, and, most of all, an inspiration. David helps individuals create healthy habits both physically and mentally to truly maximize their life.
One of the most envious things about David is his genuine passion for helping others. Who he puts forth via social media is exactly who is at heart. You’ll truly see just how smart, authentic, and passionate David is in this episode.
I highly suggest that everyone listens to this episode in it’...2021-11-052h 15Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 57: Life Behind The Lens with Devan HeadDevan Head is one of the most genuine people I’ve met to date. Bringing him on the podcast was such an exciting opportunity because he has so much value to give.
He lives a creative life mainly wrapped around photography. A staple example of his care for his own happiness and purpose is his yearly trip where he rediscovers himself and fully immerses in nature with only the intent of being pure (both with his photography and life).
Devan brings so much light into life and truly lives one based off of ful...2021-10-301h 57Struggle Creates StrengthThe Purpose Project - A healthy living challenge for self-growth#thepurposeproject
WELCOME to a healthy living challenge for self-growth!!!
‘The Purpose Project’ is an opportunity for you to make improvements in your life and start creating your higher self.
The challenge starts on October 28 (this Thursday) and goes until January 1, 2022. However, feel free to start whenever you choose! The main goal is to finish the year off with PURPOSE. Give the rest of 2021 a PURPOSE.
We are so excited about this challenge and hope you decide to join us.
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Our Socials:
T...2021-10-2729 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 56: Running 121km for Suicide Prevention with Brayden GingrichThis week Brayden Gingrich and I dove deep into our 121km run that we did to advocate suicide prevention. From the second Brayden picked me up at the airport I knew it was going to be a life changing week and indeed it was.
The running allowed us both to discover and grow internally, but the week in its entirety allowed us to see the wisdom that we each carried. We built a connection and constantly fed off of each others perspective on life. Brayden’s wisdom and motivation is something that every person needs to hear!...2021-10-221h 31Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 55: Your World Within with Eddie PineroEddie Pinero is the founder of 'Your World Within,' a podcast and platform that is designed to inspire individuals. His podcast provides daily motivation and insights that are intended to help people, "Conquer their day and live their best life." Eddie has accumulated over 200 million podcast steams across all platforms and has shaped countless lives in the process. His insights on life and overall wisdom are incredibly noteworthy. We were able to dive into several amazing topics and Eddie never failed to do what ahem does best; impact.
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Click to donate to my target...2021-10-0857 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Reroute Towards HappinessWith every situation in life follows an opportunity to choose how we are going to react. The way we respond to each situation will determine the next step in our life. Negative moments arise all the time and we have a choice to make; do we crumble and throw the day away or do grow and create happiness for ourselves? Choosing happiness and growth is a far better option, but that doesn't mean you neglect the negative entirely. It means you grow and learn, so next time you are faced with a similar situation you already know what to...2021-09-2812 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 54: Not Less Of A Woman with Caitlin SkjervemCaitlin Skjervem is an inspirational woman who is truly making her mark in the world by embracing her body and encouraging others to do the same. She empowers woman through her photos and videos that embrace all woman who have a smaller chest and may look down on themselves because of it. Her story stems from her own struggles when it came to fashion and finding outfits that would suit her and her body. After no sign of help to be found, she immediately took action. Caitlin embraced her body and created a movement that has since helped thousands...2021-09-241h 08Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Perfection Is The Enemy Of ActionPerfection may truly be fear. When we stop ourselves from doing what we truly want to do because it's not "perfect" what we are really showing is fear. We become scared of what people will think, how people will react, and most of all, the thought of failing. The ability to fail is far more noteworthy than the inability to start. Stop hiding behind your fears intertwined with imperfection and start embracing them so you can achieve utter happiness faster.
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Donate to my mission of raising $50,000 for Kids Help Phone and Canadian Mental Health Association:2021-09-2114 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 53: Spiritually Awake with Kimberly ClarkOn this weeks episode we welcome Kimberly Clark onto the podcast. Her and I dove directly into the deep end of the spiritual world discussing topics such as death, psychedelics, spiritual awakenings, and so much more. Kimberly's insight on life is utterly incredible. She has found her higher self and continues to discover more as life moves on. Kimberly has had her fair share of mental health struggles, but through her journey of discovery she has found who she is meant to be. She obtains such a beautiful outlook on life which you will definitely see in this episode...2021-09-031h 57Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Being Authentic and TransparentAuthenticity is the most envious yet rare trait that people have on social media today. We always hear how Instagram is only a 1% representation of who someone is and I hate that. I believe we should be our full transparent selves with every post that we make. Be real and authentic about who we are and what we experience. Our lives are not highlight reels 24/7, but we all like to think that certain peoples lives on social media are. We need the bad days to create good days and vice versa. Be authentic, be different, be You.
*2021-08-2425 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Are You Doing Everything You Can?Are you doing everything you possibly can? Are you someone who says you have no time for anything and still turns around and scrolls social media for hours? Are you someone who says you're doing everything you can and then still watches Netflix every night? There's nothing wrong with watching Netflix or looking at social media, but you need to be more mindful of how much time you're truly wasting. You can do more. You can always do more. So, the real question is how much more can you do?
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Donate to my mission of...2021-08-1016 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 52: Anxiety Powers with Leah PellizzariLeah Pellizzari is a 21 year old from Ontario, Canada. Leah is pure soul who aspires to change lives. In this episode you will not only hear her talk about life with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but you will hear how she ultimately got to this point in her life. She's a very intuitive and deep thinker which lead to some incredible conversation throughout the episode. Leah has various passions in life, but the one that stood out most to me was the desire for her to be her fullest self. She shares her overall life journey and dives deep into...2021-08-062h 01Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - You Are Not Owed AnythingNobody owes you anything. You should not expect to be given anything in life. It's important that you work for your success and be grateful when you are fortunate enough to be gifted something that makes your life easier and better. Stop expecting everything to be given to you on a silver platter and start making the silver platter yourself and serve your own success. Start manifesting greatness and success into your life through relentless hard work. Nobody owes you anything, so start taking some action on your life.
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Donate to my mission of raising $50,000...2021-08-0314 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Remember Why You StartedWhy did you start? Why did you choose this path that you're on? It's important to constantly remind ourselves of why we started and where we have the potential to go. The road to success is not easy and quite frankly you'll probably want to quit countless times. BUT, before you take the easy route out and quit, ask yourself why you started. Taking a look back and grounding ourselves with the answer as to why we started is sometimes all it takes to settle ourselves. I encourage everyone to utilize their answer to 'why?' as motivation every...2021-07-2715 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 51: Discovering Gold After Pain with Mari SummersMari Summers is the definition of a teacher and an angel. She is a 65 year old business owner who seeks to heal others with her aromatherapy products. Mari falls into claiming that she has lived two lives, one that was controlled by others and one controlled by her. At age 40 she uprooted her life as she knew it and through herself into the scariest, but most rewarding endeavour. Mari has become financially independent for the first time ever and she holds her head high with pride. Her past struggles have infused her with a tremendous amount of wisdom and...2021-07-231h 04Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - You Are A Reflection Of The People In Your LifeYou are simply a reflection of every person you are surrounded by. Whether you are aware of it or not, the people who are in your life are the ones who are influencing your actions. Not every person in your life will support your goals nor will every person even want to see you succeed. It's important that we fill our circles with people who either support us or push us towards our goals every day. Become the person you strive to be and start attracting like-minded people. Be a reflection that attracts good into your life, not bad...2021-07-2026 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 50: Managing Mental Health with Eric ChoreEric Chore honourably deserves to take the Struggle Creates Strength 50th episode milestone mainly because of the strength he possesses through vulnerability. Eric openly shares his story to not only release his struggles from within, but to also prove to others that there is no shame in expressing our struggles. It comes to no surprise that Eric manages over 300 staff members at 'Earls Kitchen + Bar' and is seen as a leader in each one of their eyes. Any outsider looking in would probably assume that Eric's life is filled to the brim with happiness given his stance in life...2021-07-161h 01Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Are You Happy?Are You Happy?
Can you confidently say that you are happy? Do you experience happiness on a regular basis? Are you spending your time creating a life of happiness or are you just trying to please everyone else?
It's time that you start creating a life that makes you happy and the number one way to do that is by doing what YOU want to do. Do whatever brings you joy and happiness. Follow the path that leads to the most smiles and the most happiness. It will be difficult at times, but the happiness tha...2021-07-1315 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - There's No Better Time Than NowRight now is the only thing we should be focussed on. Life is unpredictable with an indefinite time frame. We all anticipate that we will die of old age and forget that life is not a given. Stating that there is no better time than right now is really just stating the inevitable; you only have present moment. We all die and the longer you set aside your hopes and aspirations, the less time you'll have to experience them. Take action right now and avoid all forms of regret. You get one shot at this life; don't waste it. 2021-07-0620 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 49: In The Middle Of My Struggles with Brody WildemanBrody Wildeman defines strength. He is currently in the toughest part of his struggles as this is being released and he sought out an amazing opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. Brody acknowledges how incredible it is to share our journeys after we've overcome the worst part, but he also knew the power that could come from speaking up while in the middle of them. He has encountered some tough struggles in his life which have mostly stemmed from his Borderline Personality Disorder. Unfortunately, no form of medication has or will work for Brody, so he has...2021-07-021h 08Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - 3 Simple Tips to Maximize Your EnergyI think we can all agree that one of the most frustrating things is when we are EXHAUSTED and still have so many things left to do. And for many of us we can't just drop everything and curl up in bed with a snack and a movie. However, I have 3 simple tips that could rejuvenate your energy and help this problem. Being mindful of your nutrition, physical exercise, and overall recovery are three things that will make the biggest difference. We all know the health benefits of clean eating, yet why do we choose to eat junk? We...2021-06-2920 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 48: Prison Leads To Positivity with Ryan StephensRyan Stephens' is living proof that it does not matter who you were in your past, but what's important is who you become. Ryan started his life of entrepreneurship at a young age and has found great success over the years. Ryan's most memorable and influential endeavour in business happened to be drug dealing. Being a drug dealer was not what he ever anticipated nor wanted to do, but quite frankly it may have been the most influential thing for him. His mindset and overall take on life shifted and transformed him into who he is today. He now...2021-06-251h 46Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Men's Mental Health WeekToday marks the start of men's mental health week and I felt it was important to express the importance of this. We all have men in our life and I'm sure we all know one who is a blue collar "suck it up" type of man. My goal for all men out there is to eliminate the tough guy act and just be true to yourself. Confront and value the struggles in your life and learn how to fix them. It does NOT make you weak to be vulnerable and it sure doesn't change your nature to seek help...2021-06-2224 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 47: Never A Lack In Adventure with Jordan ToddJordan Todd is a man of many traits and I don’t think he will ever settle for just one. He is an athlete, a coach, a skier, a hiker, and an overall adventurer. Jordan was a hockey player for the majority of his life before stepping aside and finding his own path. He is the first one to admit that the road to where he is now was not easy, nor did he figure it out right away. Jordan found himself through repeatedly working hard with a major goal of finding himself. Jordan later found his passion for th...2021-06-1857 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Life's Not That SeriousAt the end of the day we all finish in the same place; buried in the ground or burnt to ashes. Our name will soon disappear from conversation and our ‘legacy’ will only live in the grave. I know this all seems blunt, but it’s true. You stressing about buying a house, having kids by a certain age, getting married, or becoming a millionaire is all pointless! I encourage you to eliminate your daily stress, overthinking, and fear. Strive to live a life that makes YOU happiest and start doing what you desire. If working for a big corpor...2021-06-1527 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 46: From Soldier to Mental Health Ultramarathon Runner with Frankee AuditanoFrankee Auditano is an extraordinary human being. I’m not sugar coating it when I say that she is amazing in every last way and has a story you need to hear! Despite being so young she has so many remarkable achievements and has been able to say that she immersed herself in several different things. Frankee has identified as a soldier, a bodybuilder, an ultramarathon runner, and biggest of all, a mental health advocate. She continues to spread mental health awareness while challenging herself every day. Her accomplishments were earned through relentless hard work and the fact that sh...2021-06-111h 05Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Find Your BalanceFinding balance between work and fun is tough, but it's crucial. It's never easy to see everyone doing something while you're working and it's also never easy to be out when you know you could be working. The main reason why striving to have balance in your life is so important is because at the top you don't want to be alone. Being lonely when you've succeeded can be a very dull and emotionless feeling. I have never personally met someone who was at the top and not surrounded by amazing people. Ask for help along the way, welcome...2021-06-0829 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 45: Embrace Being DifferentI chose to be different this week by hiking to the top of a mountain to film a podcast. I asked myself what would make me happy and this was exactly it. Most people look at the stages of building a podcast and dream of some fancy studio, but I dream of changing the way we approach mental health world wide with people's stories. I dream of chasing unique dreams and building a community that normalizes the topic of mental health. My future will be different than everyone else's because I am different than everyone else. My past and...2021-06-0424 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Consistency CompoundsConsistency is not a once in a blue moon thing; it is constant action being taken at a certain level of performance over a quality of time. Constantly expanding with your work, studying, fitness, content, etc, will compound and lead to great success. Success is earned not given and through consistency you will obtain exactly what you desire. Being consistent is not always easy, but it sure is rewarding. There will be ups and downs, but if you persevere and continue to be consistent you will be rewarded by your actions. You don't lose 20lbs by going to gym...2021-06-0134 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 44: There's No Practicum For Life with Kate FountainKate Fountain claims to have always been a person to embrace her true self and this episode proves exactly that. When I first spoke to Kate I was blown away with her tenacity to share her story especially after only being diagnosed with Bipolar just a few weeks ago. The strength and courage she possesses and showcases in this episode is truly remarkable. Kate shares her story with a smile on her face and pride within her voice, never hesitating to be raw and real. She has encountered hardships in her past, such as the separation from her mother...2021-05-2850 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Stop Comparing Yourself To OthersYour struggles are your struggles. Your dreams are your dreams. Your life is YOUR life. We love to get trapped in the comparison game and compare every last inch of our lives to someone else's. It's so important that we escape self-judgement and give every struggle, every success and every day the credit they deserve. No two people are impacted in the exact same way by struggle and no two people will feel the exact sense of pride from their success. Stop aspiring to live someone else's life and start taking pride in your own. Everyone moves through life...2021-05-2527 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 43: From Hospital Bed to Center Stage with Amy CuthbertsonAmy Cuthbertson is only 16 years old and has already endured more than anyone should ever have to. She has had to fight her fair share of mental health struggles and even attempted to take her own life. Today, she claims her gratitude to the unsuccessful attempt and has began advocating mental health. Amy has a targeted plan to compete in pageants all across Canada while using her story to spread mental health awareness. She has a plan of action which is exactly what the mental health world needs. Her story is remarkable and one that needs to be heard!2021-05-2158 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Be True To YourselfBeing true to yourself is EVERYTHING. In order to take leaps forward in life and be happy with ourselves we must be truthful. Deep down we all know when we are cheating ourselves, when we can do more, and ultimately when we are selling ourselves short. People lie to themselves every day about their effort at work, how hard they are studying, if they actually love someone, etc. It's sad to state how often we lie and sympathize with ourselves, but there's always action to be taken. Be hard on yourself in all situations and don't allow yourself to...2021-05-1830 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 42: Authentic and Real with Emily SlawskiEmily Slawski is as authentic and genuine as they come. Throughout her 24 years she has accomplished some incredible achievements, but also faced several battles. She has fought depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder. Emily openly speaks about and advocates each topic because she wants others to find the strength that she has found. Healing from all forms of mental illnesses and struggles are not easy nor linear. She describes her incredible journey to getting where she is now and emphasizes the time it takes. Emily is such a strong and courageous person who continues to help countless people through...2021-05-1446 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Leave It All On The TableI believe it’s important to leave it all on the table and give everything you have every day. That doesn’t mean running yourself into the ground every day, it just means giving your absolute best every day. Some days your hardest task may be getting out of bed, eating a meal, or taking a shower. Other days it may mean making 20 business calls, running a marathon, or writing a book. Every day what we give our all towards varies, but it’s important that we are constantly doing everything we can so we veer away from regret. Leave...2021-05-1120 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 41: Life Behind Closed Doors // Mikinna KilleenMikinna Killeen always lived a separate life behind closed doors, but today she wears her past on her chest and proudly opens all doors. Mikinna started sharing her story to help normalize the topic of mental health and prove that everyone has the ability to overcome their struggles. She has picked some heavy fights with depression and eating disorders in her life, and can proudly claim victory. Her fights stretched as far as a suicidal attempt, but she fought back even harder and is now KILLING IT!! Mikinna you are an inspiration and someone everyone can envy.
*2021-05-0755 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Visualize Your FutureTo visualize is to make something perceptible to the mind or imagination. When you visualize you are physically allowing yourself to dream with a purpose and you can manifest your life to feed that visualization. You have the ability to create the life you want and chase the dreams you desire. Find your dream life, visualize it, and alter your life to chase that vision. Work hard, never lose sight of your vision, and stay humble when it becomes your reality.
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If you want to reach out to me or are interested in being on...2021-05-0420 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 40: Vulnerable and Viral with Skylar StierwaltThis week Struggle Creates Strength heads over to Nashville, Tennessee where Skylar Stierwalt shares her incredible story. This is not the first time Skylar is sharing her story and, in fact, she continues using Tik Tok to advocate mental health frequently. In 2019 Skylar made the courageous decision to embrace her past struggles and create a viral video that briefly, but powerfully described her past. The feedback she received from the video blew her away and ultimately kickstarted her mental health advocacy. Today, she shares her story with great pride and is in hopes that everyone can realize their worth...2021-04-3057 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Find Your Pain CaveFind your pain cave. Find the cave of pain that seems ultimately impossible to enter and enter it. When you feel as though you can no longer move forward; move forward. Your mind is incredibly powerful and through pain we grow. Through pain we see that we are capable of far more than we tend to limit ourselves to and through discomfort and execution we grow and exceed all limits we thought we had. Enter your pain cave, attack your pain, and watch yourself flourish into the best version of yourself.
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If you want to...2021-04-2729 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 39: Grace Graham Talks Borderline Personality DisorderGrace Graham is back!! Grace made her first appearance on Struggle Creates Strength when she shared her story all the way back on episode 6. Grace has always been a passionate person who never shies away from any fight; especially not her mental health fight. Grace was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder just days after we filmed her last episode and today she shares the ongoing fight that it presents. She is one of the strongest people I know and every day I can't help but be be amazed by the struggles she overcomes without ever complaining. Grace Graham is...2021-04-231h 01Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - "No Bad Days"There’s nothing wrong with having a bad day, but there is everything wrong in labelling a day as bad and not even trying to make it good. There’s great pride in trying your hardest every day and giving full effort towards your own happiness. Not every day is going to be a fantasy to live, but every day has the potential to be. Never give up on a day just because it gets a little challenging. I challenge you to challenge yourself and never write-off a day before it’s truly over.
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If you wa...2021-04-2032 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 38: Embracing Creativity with Edward GrahamEdward Graham doesn't classify himself as an artist, but rather, he classifies as a creative. In talking to him and as you'll see in this episode he is a driven and passionate person who just loves to create. His lifestyle is based off of spontaneity and creativity. Edward claims that being a creative person goes hand-in-hand with being spontaneous. Each day he frees himself from 'reality' and follows a path paved by creativity. Edward is the first one to preach that we that our purpose is not found in one day or on the first try. When finding our...2021-04-1651 minStruggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Hold Yourself AccountableHolding yourself accountable seems so easy on paper, but when it comes time to actually doing so we fail. Why is that? Why can’t we just do what we say we are going to do? There are so many factors that lead to our lack in self accountability and even more excuses that follow afterwards. In this episode I used my own life as an example and talked about my jump away from procrastination. I was always a procrastinator and the king of excuses, but I realized that it was time for me to step up and start ho...2021-04-1334 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 37: High School Dropout Turns Successful Business Owner with David TescuDavid Tescu is a man of many traits and many stories. Most people will probably be most curious on how David became a successful business owner at age 19, and I'm going to spoil it for you; hard work! Plain and simple, he worked as hard as he could. David, after dropping out of school at age 14, claimed that he knew he put himself ten steps behind. But, he also knew the potential he had and decided that it outweighed school. You cannot tell that David was a high school dropout and you can definitely see that he dropped out...2021-04-091h 41Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - The Value Of TimeTime is the most valuable thing to ever exist. You cannot purchase it, you cannot stop it, and you definitely can't get it back. We all tend to claim that we have nothing but time when it comes to living out our dreams, but do we? What if you were told that you had a month to live? What if you were told that you had a day to live? Would you continue doing exactly what you are doing or would you make better use of your TIME? I know, it seems a little on the crazy side, but...2021-04-0637 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 36: Struggle Follows No Script with Yuyu KitamuraSTRUGGLE CREATES STRENGTH IS INTERNATIONAL!! This week we took the podcast all the way to Hong Kong to speak with Yuyu Kitamura. She currently lives in Hong Kong and is an actress, a film maker, a sister, and, most of all, she is an empowering woman that will act as an inspiration to thousands. She has not had a life full of ease, but she's also the last person to express her struggles. My impression on Yuyu is that she wants to be acknowledged for the work she puts forth rather than the struggles she encounters along the way...2021-04-021h 18Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Everything Happens For A ReasonEverything that has happened in your past has brought you to exactly where you are today. It's important to reflect on your past and acknowledge what it has taught you. Success teaches you the effort it takes to achieve your goals. Pain and struggle teach you how to be strong. Heartbreak teaches you self-love and respect. loss teaches you to value time and those around you. Everything in our life teaches us and paves the path of our future. Every situation (good, bad, happy, sad, etc) allows us to grow and learn. Life is meant to throw you obstacles...2021-03-3028 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 35: Music's Magical Powers with Költon WidellKölton Widell has a passion for creativity and a story that needed to be told. Despite only being 19, he has learned how to handle his ego and obtain a strong mindset. As we talk about in the podcast, ego can overtake people's lives in a negative way or it can show people guidance in a positive way. Our ego tends to feed off of emotions and for Költon he has acknowledged these emotions, but even more so when creating music.
Music has the ability to make us feel, heal, and compress so many of our emo...2021-03-261h 06Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Invest In YourselfInvest in YOU! Invest in yourself to create the person you aspire to be. Go get a gym membership, follow a diet, hire a trainer, stop making excuses and invest in your health. Invest in your mental health too. Hire a mentor, hire a life coach, seek professional help, and stop making excuses about money and time because this is YOU and YOUR life. At the end of the day your excuses are a clear indicator of the level of commitment you have towards yourself and your health. You need to sacrifice certain aspects of your life in order...2021-03-2329 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 34: Ego, Ayahuasca, and Life with James McCraeJames McCrae has not always had life figured out and who's to say that any of us ever really do. Life is filled with unpredictable events and right when we think we have everything figured out, another obstacle seems to transform in thin air. Life is a journey and James shares what his journey brought him from being a writer, poet and meme-artist.
In this episode he allows us to gain a deeper understanding of his book "Sh#t Your Ego Says," his experiences with Ayahuasca (Psychedelic Plant Medicine), and hear a piece of his life story. Jam...2021-03-191h 18Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - Kindness Is KeyThe topic of this episode was inspired by a very generous act of kindness on behalf of Jaden Steinke. He did not ask for a podcast episode nor did he know I was dedicating one to him, but it only seemed fitting. When he and I spoke this week about his act of kindness it was very evident that the sole purpose for his kindness was to help ensure that Struggle Creates Strength continues to help those struggling in silence. Kindness is something that takes very minimal effort and it can impact people in substantial ways. A simple act...2021-03-1623 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 33: Anxiety, Loss, and Forgiveness with Mackenzie NethertonMackenzie Netherton, 24 years old, is courageously embracing her story, using her voice, and speaking up about her struggles to prove that it’s okay to experience mental health struggles. Mackenzie openly speaks about her continuous struggles with anxiety stemming from a young age, the abundance of loss she has suffered within her family, and the importance of forgiveness within herself and especially for others. She is such a strong and powerful individual who lifts up others with her contagious smile. Despite encountering various struggles in her life, she still seems find the positive in every situation. Also, I highly en...2021-03-121h 16Struggle Creates StrengthMINDSET MONDAY - It's Never Too LateIt’s never too late. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. It’s never too late to leave a dead end relationship. It’s never too late to travel to that place you’ve always wanted to travel to. You have the ability to accomplish and achieve anything you set your mind to, but it’s a matter of actually doing it! Nobody owes you anything in life, so if you truly want change within your life then you need to be willing to make it happen yourself. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else because the more you c...2021-03-0828 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 32: Chelsea Tansey Runs Away At 16 and Conquers The WorldChelsea Tansey has had a life filled with breaking down barriers and climbing mountains in order to achieve the success she possesses today at age 22. Her entire childhood consisted of verbal abuse and neglect, due to her moms drug addiction she had to live with her dad’s new family, and she battled a serious eating disorder in high school. At age 16, while the majority of kids were concerned about their Snapchat streak ending, Chelsea was figuring out where she was going live. After running away from home, her independence led to maturity and her maturity created confidence. Chelsea was...2021-03-0557 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 31: Abby Wessels Takes on AnxietyAbby Wessels is a 19 year-old who is currently studying Psychology at the University of Victoria. Abby grew up with a well put together family who always loved and cared for her, so when her mental health struggles crept in it came as a surprise. She shares her experiences with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, panic attacks, binging and purging, and a dreadful call to her mom which revealed her battle with depression. Despite encountering some heavy hearted years, she has absorbed various strategies and mechanisms to identify her anxiety and acknowledge when a panic attack is approaching. She also openly speaks...2021-02-261h 13
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 30: Jenna MaychosJenna Maychos is 19 years-old and currently attends the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta. It’s no fluke that Jenna is achieving great accomplishments, but I think she can be the first to admit that the road to her success has not been a smooth one. Jenna talks a lot about being diagnosed with CPTSD, her mother’s journey with alcohol addiction, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and the extent of her past mental health struggles. Despite having a life with various bumps in the road, she does not ignore the strength that she has gained from her past. She has cont...2021-02-191h 01
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 29: Kevin RempelKevin Rempel is 38 years old and has always been one for defying the odds. In 2006 Kevin was in a freestyle motocross accident which left him as an incomplete paraplegic. Most would take the news and give up, but Kevin saw the word “incomplete” and ran with it. Through hard work and his resilient attitude, he found himself on the podium at the 2014 Sochi Paralympics, becoming a keynote speaker all across Canada, and walking again. Kevin continues to prove his notable achievements and sharing his story is just another way he proves that you can do anything you put your mind...2021-02-1247 minStruggle Creates StrengthEpisode 28: What My Struggles Have Taught MeWhat have my struggles taught me? This is a question that has been lingering in my mind for so long and after analyzing my life I discovered that my struggles have taught me EVERYTHING. In this podcast I speak about expectations, love, relationships, travelling, hockey and ultimately how my struggles have added insight into these topics. I don't know what my future will hold nor do I know what tomorrow will bring me, but one that I do know is that any struggles that come my way will be another learning curve that will better my future. Life can...2021-02-051h 15
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 27: Kaia KristianKaia Kristian is 16 years old, but possesses more knowledge and wisdom than the mass majority of people her age. Unfortunately, her wisdom came from a troubled past and has left her in a constant battle with CPTSD. CPTSD differs from PTSD in the sense that it does not stem from a lone traumatic experience, but it rather comes from various different traumatic experiences. Kaia describes her past traumatic experiences and the ways that she revealed her last struggles through her CPTSD therapy. Often times a person with CPTSD cannot pinpoint or even recall the root causes of their trauma...2021-01-291h 08
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 26: Keith ErringtonKeith Errington is a 25 year old fitness and mindset coach currently living in Victoria, BC. He has a personality that instantly draws you in and is a person you want to be associated with. The energy and passion he sustains day in and day out make it so hard to believe that he ever struggled, but he truly proves the statement, “EVERYONE has a story.” In Keith’s episode he mostly talks most about his past party lifestyle and when he decided it was time to change. He uprooted his life in Kelowna to pursue his passions of being a fitn...2021-01-221h 23
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 25: Lauren McnairnLauren Mcnairn, 16 years-old, is taking a leap and making a difference with her story. She started acknowledging that a piece of her was different from a very young age which led to her finding out she had autism. Following her diagnosis came a misconception from herself and others ultimately leading to severe bullying and a constant feeling of loneliness. Over time Lauren was able to accept and understand her diagnosis better, but mental health struggles still continued to knock on her door step. Lauren found herself in depressive states which led to a suicidal attempt and pushed her into...2021-01-1758 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 24: Kailee MoreiraKailee Moreira, 21 years-old, has experienced several struggles in her life, but she has also proven that they have only shaped her life in positive ways. Kailee has faced her battles with depression, self-harm, anxiety, and Atypical Anorexia. It’s never easy being someone who struggles with depression and for Kailee she essentially felt a second form of depression from her eating disorder. You need to eat to have energy to fuel your body to complete every day tasks, but Kailee rationed her food intake to extremities that ultimate led to her Atypical Anorexia diagnosis. With no energy and depression pi...2021-01-0858 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 23: Live Therapy Session with Blaise KennedySTRUGGLE CREATES STRENGTH EPISODES ARE BACK!! We are kicking off 2021 with one of the most vulnerable things I have ever done and by far the most unique thing I’ve been apart of. Today’s podcast features a live Somatic Therapy session run by Blaise Kennedy. Blaise ran me through a number of different exercises which challenged myself to take a step back and acknowledge my state of awareness. Somatic Therapy was completely new to myself, but definitely something I thoroughly enjoyed. I did this for my self benefit, but also to prove that it’s okay to seek profes...2021-01-051h 53
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 22: Holidays and Mental HealthHappy Holidays everyone!! Today’s podcast features myself talking about mental health during the holiday season, how Covid-19 is impacting us all through the Holidays, and mental health as a whole. Between now and January 4th I will only be posting one podcast each week. Out of respect for every person who shares their story, I felt it’d be best if I waited until after the chaos of the holidays to post their stories. Sharing the most vulnerable side of yourself is never easy and that is why I believe it is so important to give these strong indi...2020-12-2243 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 21: Morgan SkinnerMorgan Skinner is 22 years old and has a handful of accomplishments under her belt. She played for Team BC on a few accounts, played on a national platform, and played collegiate hockey for Lindenwood University. Almost any hockey player would love to have the opportunities she has, but she describes the mental health struggles that came with her lifestyle. Constant stress, constant anxiety, and an endless number of standards that had to be met. Being a high level athlete is not always as glamorous as it may seem and Morgan shares how that was also the case for her...2020-12-181h 22
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 20: Rachel GareauRachel Gareau is a strong and admirable 20 year old, but she admits that making it 20 took her by surprise. After being sexually assaulted at age 14, her life changed forever. Rachel attempted to take her own life and has continued to have her struggles with depression. Rachel’s constant battle with depression has not been easy and she talks about how she’s found ways to manage pain. Most recently Rachel put her mental health in the hands of a professional and was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder. She learned a lot about bipolar 2 disorder from Episode 3 featuring Karlee Appel and she...2020-12-151h 55
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 19: Josh McLoughlinJosh McLoughlin is only 17 years-old, but has the wisdom of someone far beyond his years. His mental health struggles began at age 11 when his step brother took his life. As years passed he started to find himself battling within his own mental health struggles. Anxiety and depression started to consume his life and ultimately take over. His family experienced another great loss when his other step brother other took his life as well. For all Okanagan locals these two suicides shook up several lives and the father of the two teens, Josh’s step-dad, Tom Budd became a massive na...2020-12-111h 08
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 18: Sadie TwidaleSadie Twidale, 19 years-old, has a unique story and one that she ultimately can’t escape nor change on her lonesome. Her situation began when she was born into a household with a firefighter for a father. A rare topic of discussion when speaking on firefighters is the PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) that comes from being in the first responder field. Firefighters are first responders to the majority of scenes, but most tend to forget that. Sadie understands the traumatic experiences that firefighters encounter and she unfortunately has seen how it can effect their families as well. She has to...2020-12-081h 26
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 17: Michaela JacobsenMichaela 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...2020-12-041h 23Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 16: Luke ShieldsLuke 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 t...2020-12-011h 17
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 15: Aiden TaylorAiden 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...2020-11-271h 43
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 14: Tyler SmithTyler 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 suffe...2020-11-2443 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 13: Katherine PinedaKatherine 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 li...2020-11-201h 58
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 12: Billy CawthornBilly 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...2020-11-171h 02
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 11: Katie MacDonaldKatie 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...2020-11-1338 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 10: Marshall WittmannMarshall 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...2020-11-1055 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 9: You Are CollectiveMichael 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...2020-11-0654 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 8: Paige McLarenPaige 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 mo...2020-10-301h 07
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 7: Brandon BergadoBrandon Bergado is not your average 22 year-old living in California. He has experienced unexpected struggles, but he is the first one to say that his struggles formed him into the man he is today. Brandon started his path of self-betterment two years ago when he was forced to isolate for 5 months due to severe concussions. No phone, no Netflix, no screens, but a dark room and an abundance of thoughts. Brandon is not like most, he knew that he could either look at the next 5 months as a blessing or a curse; he chose blessing. He devoted his days...2020-10-2750 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 6: Grace GrahamGrace Graham is a 21 year-old with the mindset of a 40 year-old. Her wisdom and maturity came from a life filled with abuse, suicidal attempts and behaviours, absent parents, and severe bullying. Despite encountering these negative aspects of life, she persevered and continues to grow. Grace is currently working two jobs and has taken time off school, but she embraces it and recently moved into her dream place. Grace is a smart, kind, strong girl who does not let her past define her future. She is hopeful that people will listen to her story and discover that they are not a...2020-10-241h 09
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 5: Josiah BrearsJosiah Brears’ mental health struggles began at the age of 13 when his parents kept their divorce a secret from him and his siblings. Life never got easier, but in fact it got exceptionally worse. Josiah resorted to taking a shot or two before bed for a total of a year by the time he was 15 years-old. He also experienced depersonalization, out of body experiences, because of his severe anxiety and panic attacks. His near future plans were uprooted because of Covid-19, but he has not let any of his past struggles define him. Josiah Brears is a strong individual wh...2020-10-201h 02
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 4: Tristen NielsenTristen Nielsen is 20 years-old from Fort St. John, BC and currently playing hockey for the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League. Tristen talks about the mental stressors that come along with playing at such a high level of hockey. He uprooted his life and left the majority of his family behind in Fort St John to pursue his passion of making hockey his career. Tristen knows better than most about what it takes to make it to the next level and the sacrifices that need to be made in order to achieve his goals. Despite his continued success...2020-10-1847 min
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 3: Karlee AppelKarlee Appel is a 21 year-old attending Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. She's wise, beautiful, kind, and ultimately seems to have live a life that most can only dream of. But, as Karlee explains in this episode, what you see on the outside is not always the same as what's on the inside. Karlee was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder when she was in her first year of university. She experienced episodes of extreme hypomanic episodes and also suffered from severe depression. She encountered several months of ups and downs and a stage of utter euphoria prior to being diagnosed with...2020-10-141h 00
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode 2: Erik WrightErik Wright was sexually assaulted when he was a young boy and at 10, he attempted to take his own life. Erik, who is now 26, has suffered the loss of several friends to suicide. But Erik knows he was put on this earth for a reason and despite his mental health struggles, he has courageously shared his story in an effort to help others. I was instantly moved by Erik the first time I had a FaceTime call with him and since then we have become close friends who talk on a daily basis. We have built a deep connection t...2020-10-091h 19
Struggle Creates StrengthEpisode1: My StoryI wanted to post my story first to not only show everyone the struggles I have encountered in my life, but to also exemplify a platform of support and encouragement. In my podcast I touched on self-harm, suicidal thoughts/attempts, mental health in hockey, and relationships of all forms. My life has not been easy despite my fortune of having a supportive family, caring friends, and endless opportunities to follow my passions.
For as long as I can remember, I constantly wore a smile on my face to mask the deep depression and the severe anxiety I was encountering. Holding...2020-10-022h 27