Living Courageously Exposed

It's been 1462 days since I found my voice, grew my wings, and learned to laugh.

We're back with our friend Melissa Benson whose first episode shared her story of losing her sight in her early 20's and the challenges she got to overcome. In part 2, Melissa once again shows off her spunky attitude and freely shares her infectious laugh as she shares a darker side of her story.   Through sharing her experience of domestic violence and how she was able to remove herself from the situation, Melissa reminds us to believe in ourselves, ask for help, and to shine as brightly as you are intended. Since our first podcast conversation Melissa is really coming into her own and stepping more into the disabilities world and sharing her talents and stories  in various venues. Sharing her story of domestic abuse is one of those area she is learning to shed light on and we give a huge thank you for her courage to start sharing her story right here on the Living Courageously Exposed podcast.  Melissa's new words of wisdom are to Upgrade your life every 6 months, know that weak spots happen,  all wounds heal, and Laugh. 

What would you do if you were given one week to live?

Meet Carol Sevy...a mom, a wife, a blogger, and amongst other things...A happy girl! 

Carol is on a mission to let older adults know that just because you're older doesn't mean it's time to stop. She strongly feels that it's time to keep reaching for the "gold medals" you wanted to attain as a younger person and she is proving this for herself.  As a child, Carol was shy and clever and learned how to get what she wanted, although maybe not always in the healthiest ways. She didn't attend college because she didn't want to fail and be embarrassed.  As an adult she would learn of her dyslexia and would become and amazing reader as she home schooled her children.

In 2015, Carol would be faced with her biggest challenger! This challenger would cause her to experience many bald headed moments, which she would later use for the title of her TEDx Rexburg presentation. Carol would truly discover the gifts of being a happy girl and how it can heal.  She realized that everything she did mattered and learned how to provide extreme self-care. Carol reminds us to Learn Forever and Don't Give Up! Keep reaching for the gold. Then the next one. And the next...

You can find and share your own "bald headed moments" on Carol's Instagram...Bald Headed Moments

You can also read her blog titled, "I'm a happy Girl" at https://iamahappygirl.com/wp/

TEDx Rexburg: I choose to be a happy girl and you can too...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nV54vKhavg

Shayna is a self-described Lover of all things chocolate and sleeping in, is the mom of four energetic and beautiful kiddos as well as the co-founder of Women in Pants.  She also happens to be wickedly funny, caring and a copywriter for Adventure Writers.  Shayna has a depth of talent she is ready to start tapping into and developing  and in doing so, realized that our communities have a real issue...work history gap. 

In this episode you will learn more about work history gap and the solutions that Women in Pants provides to women, and men, who find themselves in such circumstances. WIP empowers women to take their place in the workforce in a way that works for them, allows them to feel satisfied and successful, knowing they are deserving and capable. Online courses will be available in things like resume building, social media, balancing family and career, and interview skills.  

Women in Pants is being created so anyone can be involved, whether you are in need of their services or you have available resources and services you would like to share. Your personal stories of work gap history will also be valuable in the funding process and growth of the organization. Please visit https://WomenInPants.com to share your story, take classes or to volunteer.   You can also reach them with questions at office@WomenInPants.com.  Now is the time to make a difference!

Rolinda is a bright eyed, full of life creatrix, who is out making her mark and creating a legacy. Whether she knew it or not, art was in her from the time she made her first pudding painting in kindergarten. When life threw a curve ball Rolinda answered the call and found the artist within, put brush to canvas and started creating.  Her art now hangs in fine art galleries and on walls all over the world. In her process she learned to ask the question, "What can I do?"  Then...she listened! And...answered the call! Rolinda will share her steps for getting out of paralization and how she used these steps to create the movement Orchid Stories. You will learn the story behind the movement and how you can be involved and share your own Orchid Story. You can't help but be drawn to this beautiful soul and what she has to share.

To purchase the book, or a box of them, visit https://OrchidStories.com.

Michelle was not a dreamer but rather a peacemaker as a child. She loved art and had the gift of Mr. Jacquay, her art teacher, who saw her potential and encouraged her. Michelle learned early, the value of connection and wondered what she could do make a difference in the world. Finally in her early 30's she felt life was finally going great...and then September 12th happened. Her nightmare happened when the trunk opened and when fear, denial and anger became her best friends.

Michelle would have to learn to know and love herself and used journaling and learning to walk through her fear, as a few of the tools, that would eventually end the nightmare.

Michelle is now the assistant director of Prevail, a victim awareness and support program she has been part of for 18 years. Michelle also uses her experience to lift others as a speaker across the nation. To contact Michelle visit michellecorrao.com or find her on Facebook.  When you contact her, please tell her hi from Jennifer Saunders.  

Just like his last name, which means rabbit in Portuguese, Bruno is wise and hopping into his next adventure.  He is at the cross roads of selling, coaching and making an impact. Bruno is a mutli-passionate individual who is ready to assist you in selling your information. As a shy young boy, Bruno learned to stay out of bullies hands and instead got in their heads...and helped them start passing classes and moving on. In this conversation we'll discuss creating a list of things you love vs a to-do list, what makes the best teachers, embracing the grey area and more.  Bruno reminds us that life's lessons are about remembering the stuff we already know. Bruno will draw you in with his smooth voice and beautiful accent as well as his honesty about how he masters his life and his desires to assist you in doing the same.

To enroll in a course go to IAmBrunoCoelho.com/courses and use code JENCOURAGE for a 20%discount.

You can also go to Udemy and use code JENALIVE. The first 15 peeps will receive a 20% discount. All thereafter, will receive a 10% discount.

If you are need a giggle, Melissa is your gal. Full of life experiences that would knock a person down and possibly stay down. Not Melissa! Instead she has become a motivational speaker speaking on life's significant challenges and how she rises above them. Melissa shares her infectious laugh often in conversations and shows her zest for life and all it has to offer. 

Melissa reminds us to ask for help when it is needed. To trust ourselves and to give ourselves a chance first before we make decisions.  You will enjoy listening to this bubbly soul from down under and can't help but laugh along as she speaks.

 It's hard not to fall in love with Patti as you listen to her and how she implements a Personal Humanity Code. Patti is a dreamer, a creative, a painter and also happens to be a closet geek who loves IT, systems, and all the technical stuff but chooses to keep her focus on the people who run the systems.  She sends a huge reminder of people over programs. Patti is a master at organizational development and change management. She gets excited at what emotion can being to the world and to a business.  Listen in as she shares insights about: How can I love this, appreciating others, Curio cabinet of ills, how she uses a journal, the "dying" process, how you can help find your truth about you, and more.  This will be an hour well spent with several nuggets of learning you can start applying now. 

If you are interested in having Patti and her team assist your business, please contact me.