From Rock Bottom to Rockin' It

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25: Suicide Attempt Survivor to Comedy Star & Meditation Teacher // The Story of Sarah Taylor Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

Sarah Taylor is an award-winning actor, writer, and standup comedian based in Los Angeles. She has worked as a meditation teacher, energy healing practitioner, and awakening guide for nearly fifteen years and has helped people find their authentic well-being.

Having gone through her own radical transformation, often known as non-dual awakening, and in working as a mentor and energy healer for many years, Sarah is gathering her wisdom and wit and writing The Divine Mess: How To Be A Nobody In Hollywood. It's a humorous and helpful book for anyone who yearns to find what spiritual seekers have sought for centuries, or for people who just want to take a deep breath and sleep better at night.

At The Hollywood Improv she has produced Cosmic Joke and now Weird Advice with Sarah Taylor & Friends in the Lab. Sarah takes The Divine Mess Show on tour, which is a one-of-a-kind experience that includes Sarah's comedy with its unique point of view.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

Feedback? Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you! Contact me at us via: Email (eric@ericgilbertwilliams.com), LinkedIn (@ericgilbertwilliams), Twitter (@ericgilbertw), or Instagram (@ericgilbertwilliams).

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24: Frauded $100,000 to Catching his Thief & Serving Justice // The Story of Johnathan Walton Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

Johnathan Walton is a driven and enterprising vigilante who has dedicated his life to hunting down con artists and bringing them to justice.

Johnathan is a reality TV producer. He has worked on shows like American Ninja Warrior for NBC and Shark Tank for ABC. But the most spectacular reality show he's ever been a part of had no cameras shooting it and no network airing it. Just a devious con artist secretly plying her craft in the shadows and dozens of unsuspecting victims like himself, quietly falling prey.

You can visit Johnathan's website, JohnathanWalton.com to learn more about the complete story of how he and several other victims were conned by Marianne Elizabeth Smyth and how he was able to finally get justice and put the con artist behind bars.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

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23: Pilot & Veteran, to Paraplegic, to a Second Chance with Life // The Story of Jim Ryan Aug 24, 2020

Show notes

On March 30th, 2016, Jim Ryan had a terrible accident while on vacation in Maui, Hawaii. He suffered a spinal cord injury that left him a C-4 complete quadriplegic. His life changed forever in the blink of an eye. Jim's story of survival and recovery has inspired hundreds of men and women to shift perspective, choose gratitude, and to keep moving forward through challenges.

He now works as an Ambassador to the Rick Hansen Foundation by sharing stories of his new life and educating the public on accessibility issues. He is also a certified accessibility specialist and works to ensure buildings are accessible to all.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

EP Tags: war veteran, middle east, iraq, amputee, solider, us army

22: War Veteran & Amputee Cancer Survivor to Javelin Athlete & Author // The Story of Brandi Benson Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

At the age of 24, Brandi Benson bravely served her country by enlisting as an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army. She deployed to Iraq in 2008, but her military career was cut short due to her Ewing Sarcoma diagnosis. Brandi continues to lead a life of service and enjoys working with other veterans. She is also a semi-finalist for Ms. Veteran America 2020.

Brandi is also an accomplished author. Her debut memoir, The Enemy Inside Me: A Young Soldier's Unexpected Battle With Cancer, tells the powerful story of her 2009 Ewing Sarcoma diagnosis during her deployment in Iraq and her ensuing mental and physical battle to triumph over cancer. Over the years, Brandi has also published numerous articles about wellness, cancer and business.

Brandi currently lives in South Florida with a Jack Russell/Yorkie named Maddie and enjoys speaking to audiences across the country.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

EP Tags: war veteran, middle east, iraq, amputee, solider, us army

21: Crash Amputee to 12 Time World Record Holder // The Story of Amy Palmiero-Winters Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

Amy Palmiero-Winters is a professional athlete, career-woman, mother and the founder of the One Step Ahead Foundation. After losing her left leg below the knee due to a motorcycle accident that occurred in 1994, Amy compiled a tremendous portfolio of world records and firsts for a female amputee in marathons, ultramarathons, triathlons, and ultra-triathlons. As she attained more and more achievements, she found herself in the position of being a role model, especially for young people with physical disabilities of their own. She soon found herself working extensively with children, introducing them to sports and athletics as a way of helping them overcome their physical limitations. After several years, Amy founded the One Step Ahead Foundation in order to provide even more opportunities for children with physical disabilities.

Amy currently holds eleven world records in various track events. In 2010, she was awarded the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States and the ESPN ESPY Award as the top female athlete with a disability in the world. Also in 2010, Amy received the Women's Sports Foundation Wilma Rudolph Courage Award, the Challenges Athletes Foundation Trail Blazer Award, the Huffington Post Game Changer Award and the USA Strength Award.

In 2011, Amy became the first female amputee to finish the Badwater Ultramarathon, which is described as "the world's toughest foot race". It is a 135-mile course starting at 282 feet below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney. She had a finish time of 41:26:42. In 2011, Amy was the first amputee to run the Reykjavik, Iceland Marathon. During her time in Iceland, Amy was honored with the 2011 Ossur Ultimate Athlete Award.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

EP Tags: television, hispanic, support, family, tragedy, focus, radio, show, syndication, latin, america, disruption, passion, accomplished, hustle, freedom

20: Near-Death Drug Addiction to Winning the Courage to Come Back Award and Founding Camp Kerry // The Story of Josh Dahling Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

Josh Dahling arrived in Canada from apartheid South Africa when he was still very young. He survived physical and sexual abuse while navigating the daily struggles of poverty and undiagnosed dyslexia. He was introduced to alcohol and cocaine in his childhood, and struggled with addictions from this very early age. While still in his adolescence, he found himself living homeless and addicted on Vancouver's downtown eastside.

At just 20 – after several near-fatal overdoses, the death of his father and the birth of his first child – Josh found sobriety. An intensive drug and alcohol treatment program helped Josh recover his life, and inspired him to become active in the recovery community. Even twenty years later, Josh continues to face health challenges resulting from his early struggles, including fibromyalgia, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Despite these diagnoses, Josh was driven to improve himself for the benefit of both his family and community. He completed high school and a degree in social work while working three part time jobs, and supporting his three children as a single parent.

Since 2009, Josh has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of Camp Kerry Society in support of families coping with grief and loss. He is now the Director of Operations, and Director of the Society's Youth Services, while also continuing his role as a Youth Counselor. In addition to dedicating his professional life to improving the lives of youth and families, Josh has volunteered thousands of hours as an inspirational speaker, clothing drive organizer, and as an advocate for bereavement care – all in selfless support of people – especially youth – struggling with bereavement and addictions.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

EP Tags: television, hispanic, support, family, tragedy, focus, radio, show, syndication, latin, america, disruption, passion, accomplished, hustle, freedom

19: Family Tragedy to Latin Radio Star & TV Announcer // The Story of Alberto Sardiñas Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

"So what's your story and what did you learn from it?" is Alberto Sardiñas' most important question to people everywhere he goes. Alberto is the host of "Íntimo", a leading syndicated radio show in the U.S. Hispanic market broadcasted by Univision Radio. Each night, Alberto receives phone calls from listeners looking to share their stories and receive a friendly opinion. Thousands of people listen to him nightly, and watch him as a contributor on network television shows such as "Despierta América" and "Tu Desayuno Alegre". Most recently he was featured on Univision's award-winning journalistic newsmagazine "Aquí y Ahora".

Alberto actively participates as keynote speaker for various organizations in the U.S. and Latin America, presenting topics on personal and professional growth. As the author of "El Poder de TU Historia" (The Power of YOUR Story), published by Santillana U.S.A., he compiled 40 true, short stories portraying life lessons told to him by his listeners. Alberto shares weekly articles and videos on his blog, www.albertosardiñas.com, and his columns are frequently published in leading magazines and blogs.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

EP Tags: television, hispanic, support, family, tragedy, focus, radio, show, syndication, latin, america, disruption, passion, accomplished, hustle, freedom

18: $20 Million Business Bankruptcy to Passionate Happy Lifestyle // The Story of Bernard Callebaut Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

Bernard Callebaut is a renowned Master Chocolatier, with four generations of experience behind him. Focused always on the balance of taste and style, fellow chocolatiers, chefs and gastronomes around the world revere him. Having brought worldwide recognition to his craft, many accolades have been bestowed upon him, such as: Winner for 'Best Milk Chocolate Bar' – 2013 International Chocolate Salon Awards in Los Angeles; Winner for 'Best Chocolate Boutique' – 2013 Top Choice Awards in Calgary; Silver Award – 2015 International Academy of Chocolate Awards in London.

Bernard was the first North American to be bestowed the honour of "l'Ordre Internationale de la Gastronomie Francaise", recognized by the French Government for outstanding contribution to the culinary arts. As the founder of Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut, he ran the organization for over 27 years. As Calgary's very own father of chocolate, Bernard is now proud to present his offerings and newest creations.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

EP Tags: family, happy, lifestyle, help, support, entrepreneur, chocolate, legacy, top, choice, business

17: Coma Inducing Car Crash with a 5% Chance of Recovery to Happy Loving Family // The Story of Harriet Ronaghan Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

A devastating car crash left 18-year-old Harriet Ronaghan with a traumatic brain injury. Given just a 5% chance to live, this vibrant young ballerina survived surgery but remained in a coma for over three months. To recover from her type of injury, she had to build new pathways to control her basic functions. After waking from her coma, she had to relearn how to blink, swallow, talk, walk, and care for herself – skills doctors told her she might never reclaim.

Robbed of her independence, mobility, and many friends (overwhelmed by the gravity of her injury), Harriet refused to let this accident take more from her. One grueling step at a time, she began to recover. Uplifted by the love of her family and her own characteristic strength and determination, Harriet was walking without assistance after just 16 months. Three months later, she went on her first date with the man she would later marry on the 9th anniversary of her accident. Last year, they celebrated the birth of their first child, Charlie.

Early in her recovery, Harriet helped the father of a young man in a coma simply by sharing her story. Determined to amplify her message of hope, just 10 months after the accident she began typing – with her one working finger – a manuscript for her book, You are my Sunshine: The Journey Through my Recovery with a Traumatic Brain Injury. To inspire those affected by trauma, she continues to share her story through media, presentations, and personal connections. Just as Harriet forged new pathways in her brain, she has redefined the path to her bright future, transforming the people and community around her.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

EP Tags: mobility, car, wreck, young, surgery, coma, survivor, love, determination, strength, independence, mother, strength

16: Witnessing A Murderous Fire To Helping 38,000 People By Building 49 Interfaith, Caste-Free Homes // The Story Of Sister Lucy Kurien Jul 07, 2020

Show notes

Sister Lucy Kurien is the Founder and Director of Maher, a community and interfaith organization for abused and destitute women and children, headquartered in Pune, India.

Maher in the Marathi language means "Mother's Home" - a haven of hope, belonging and understanding. Their mission is to help destitute women, children and men from all over India exercise their right to a higher quality of life, irrespective of gender, caste, creed or religion.

*** For Show Notes, Key Points, Contact Info, Resources Mentioned, & More on this episode please visit our website: RockBottom2RockinIt.com. ***

EP Tags: faith, sister, murderous, fire, interfaith, religion, hope, triumph, homes, help, love

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