Shellie Willis: Finding Purpose After Service

After 25 years in the Army, Shellie Willis faced an unexpected challenge: figuring out who she was beyond military service. In this Veterans Day conversation, the founder of Redefining You Foundation talks with Kelly Koopmans about navigating the transition to civilian life, processing emotions, and creating support for women veterans and military spouses. Her message: make space for your own needs and purpose, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Connect with Kelly Koopmans, Kelly talks with Zed Dhalla about facing colorectal cancer at 35, the symptoms that were initially dismissed and the importance of advocating for your health. Dhalla shares how his experience inspired him to help create an at-home screening test, and reflects on resilience, loss and finding ways to help others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a candid conversation with Kelly, Shay shares how being kidnapped and trafficked at 17 led to years of trauma and addiction, and how she found her way to recovery. Today, she uses her experience to support women facing similar struggles on Seattle’s Aurora Avenue. Shay talks about sobriety, the people who helped her, and why she believes recovery is possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seattle Storm head coach Sonia Raman joins Kelly Koopmans to talk about the unexpected turns that led her from playing soccer and basketball as a kid to coaching in the WNBA. She shares how a serious car accident helped set her on the coaching path, what she learned coaching in the NBA, and her hopes for the Storm’s young team. Raman also reflects on being a trailblazer and the people who helped her along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the heels of the botched execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee and the suggestion of livestreaming the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, on this week's episode of Connect with Kelly Koopmans, Kelly sits down with Dick Morgan. Morgan is a third generation corrections officer who served as the Director of Prisons in Washington. Morgan participated in two executions and attended another in 2001. Since his retirement, Morgan has publicly spoken out against the death penalty. In this episode, Morgan discusses what goes into making an execution happen and why he says the death penalty is far from certain justice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than eight years after former WSU Quarterback Tyler Hilinski died by suicide, his family's mission to expand protections for student athlete mental health is as strong as ever. In this week's episode of Connect with Kelly Koopmans, Tyler's mother, Kym Hilinski, talks about her personal journey as a grieving mother and advocate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful episode of Connect With Kelly Koopmans, Kelly sits down with the survivor of a brutal random attack on a trail at Tacoma's Point Defiance Park. Victoria Nizzoli shares her story of survival, the long road of physical and emotional recovery, and what it took to face the man convicted of trying to kill her. It is an honest conversation about trauma, resilience, justice, and finding the courage to reclaim your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Martinez was a Washington State University freshman when he died from acute alcohol poisoning in November 2019.He had been attending a fraternity event at Alpha Tau Omega and was found unconscious the following morning by fellow students. Sam's mother, Jolayne Houtz, tells KOMO Anchor and podcast host Kelly Koopmans how she turned her grief into action by bringing transparency to hazing on college campuses across the country. On this episode of Connect with Kelly Koopmans, Jolayne details how she has navigated the grief of losing Sam and discusses her steadfast dedication to saving other kids from falling victim to hazing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every person has a story. Sometimes it begins with a headline. Sometimes it begins quietly, in a moment that changes everything.  I’m Kelly Koopmans, and this is Connect With Kelly Koopmans.  Each week, I’ll sit down with the people who make our region what it is… community leaders, neighbors, innovators, survivors, and people whose experiences can teach us something about ourselves.  We’ll go beyond the surface for honest conversations about resilience, purpose, loss, hope, and the connections that bring us together.  This is a place to listen, to learn, and to meet the people behind the stories.  Subscribe now to Connect With Kelly Koopmans where the Pacific Northwest comes together, one conversation at a time.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices