Amy Thackeray | On Resilience After Trauma

Have you ever met somebody that you thought maybe could actually be an angel? Not like a "really nice person" type angel, but the kind of angel that has a bigger purpose than you or I might have? The kind of angel that has so much to offer that even being around this person just brings joy to your heart? Becky Anderson seems like that kind of an angel to me. Becky has a heart of gold and a personality of fire. She's that kind of person that wraps you in and makes you her best friend after just 5 minutes of knowing her. "Inspiring" doesn't really do justice to what Becky is. But we'll start with that... Becky is an inspiration and an example of pure kindness and selfless love. You're going to love this conversation about her non-profit group "Anything For A Friend". Becky aims to create ways for families and friends to rally together and support those that are fighting hard. GET TO KNOW BECKY: www.anythingforafriend.comGET TO KNOW US: @carriebrinton@simplyamazingpodcastGET TO KNOW OUR SPONSORS:@elasespas | elase.com@nimanow | nima.edu 

From a very young age, Lillian Bradley has been passionate about huge issues like trafficking and child labor. She started a non-profit as a teenager, aimed at educating other teens about how to recognize the signs that those around you may be vulnerable to these scary situations. She has traveled the world addressing youth groups helping to educate kids on questions like: - How do you recognize a situation of abuse- How and when to intervene- What can you do to avoid becoming a victim- How do you create helpful conversations Lillian is a great example of how to see a need and do what you can to help, no matter your age, no matter your background, no matter your resources. Even as a student pursuing a master's degree and a busy mom of 3 little kids, Lillian makes time to make an impact on global issues. GET TO KNOW LILLIAN@_LILLIANBRADLEYGET TO KNOW US@CARRIEBRINTON@SIMPLYAMAZINGPODCASTGET TO KNOW OUR SPONSORS@ELASESPAS@NIMANOW

You know all of those products that you love at Elase.... BOTOX, Juvederm, and CoolSculpting, well today, I had the privilege of sitting down with the woman that leads the 2000+ people who make those brands happen. Carrie Strom is the first female President of Allergan Global Aesthetics, the company behind the most iconic brands in the billion-dollar beauty industry. I admire what Carrie has accomplished both professionally and personally. Our conversation is all about, how she manages to grow a billion-dollar company and still be the mom that gets her kids off to school and sends in treats for the Halloween party. Carrie is humble, brilliant, energetic, and realistic about what it takes to create the path that she is on. GET TO KNOW US: @elasespas | elase.com@nimanow | nima.edu@simplyamazingpodcast

A great discussion with Life Coach Zil Eiler. Zil has an incredible story of growing up in Brazil, finding her way to America, caring for ill family members, and eventually turning her life lessons into a successful coaching career. We chat with Zil about all those little things that hold us back from fulfilling the amazing potential we have. - Not trying to fix everyone around us- Letting go of control- Allowing "negative emotions" to teach us to strengthen us- Recognizing that we deserve abundance in lifeAnd so much more. I think you'll appreciate Zil's practical and pragmatic approach to life. She's got lots of great tips for all of us. GET TO KNOW ZIL@zileilercoachGET TO KNOW US: @elasespas | elase.com@nimanow | nima.edu@simplyamazingpodcast

Perhaps one of the most challenging stories you will hear on this podcast. Elizabeth Frazier tells us her story of being trafficked by her parents from the age of 4 until she was an adult. So much about Elizabeth's story will be shocking and heartbreaking. But what may surprise you the most is that Elizabeth was from a neighborhood just like yours, from a family just like yours and led a life that on the outside probably looked a lot like yours. Sex trafficking and pornography are two of the fastest growing plagues in our world today. And they aren't relegated to the seedy edges of another country, state or even city. What can we do about it. Elizabeth's advice is for us to all just be that safe place for somebody. Be that person that offers a smile and hope and light. The best part of this story is Elizabeth herself. Although she endured over 20 years of abuse at the hands of her parents, she has gone on to have a happy marriage, beautiful children, and a successful career. Her organization @hero_bands provides inspiration to people all over the world and uses its success to support other organizations that fight trafficking and porn. Elizabeth is an inspiration and proof that you can overcome trauma, you are in charge of your future and you can create beauty out of the ugliest of situations. GET TO KNOW ELIZABETH@hero_bandsGET TO KNOW US: @elasespas | elase.com@nimanow | nima.edu@simplyamazingpodcast

Sarah is a member of the golf team, a cheer leader and active with her friends. The summer before her senior year in high school her life dramatically changed when she lost both her legs in a car accident. Going into this conversation, I assumed that it would be a story of how to pull yourself out of the sadness and despair that seems inevitable in a tragedy like this. I assumed Sarah would talk about the months of painful recovery and how she went about rebuilding a new life after mourning the loss of her old one. But when I asked Sarah what her first reaction was when she came out of sedation and learned both her legs had been amputated, her answer literally left me speechless. Her perspective and attitude about her circumstances left no doubt that she has a mission here on earth. There is no doubt that she was prepared for this her whole life. There is no doubt that she has a powerful message to share that will impact us all. This is an incredible conversation with Sarah and her parents that I am very grateful for. Just a few of the messages Sarah shares in this episode:- Accept your body and your self AS YOU ARE- Loving your self should not be based on what you can do- There is always something to be grateful for, it just depends on what you are looking for- Be grateful for the angels you have around you- There is always a way... it might just have to be different than what you already knowGET TO KNOW SARAH: @strong.like.sarah@_sarahfrei_GET TO KNOW US: @elasespas | elase.com@nimanow | nima.edu@simplyamazingpodcast

After struggling to get pregnant for the first time, Jessica was thrilled to make it to week 28. She celebrated every moment. And then she received a tragic diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer. A very aggressive form of cancer that required treatment while pregnant. While the baby came out healthy, she continued on through 11 rounds of chemo and a double mastectomy. After getting the "all is well" diagnosis, on a routine trip to the dermatologist, she was diagnosed with stage 1 melanoma. She had it removed pretty easily, but just two weeks later, she got the third strike; a brain tumor. `Jessica agreed to do this interview about a year after she had been given the all-clear for the third time. Then just 2 weeks prior to our conversation, Jessica was given yet another devastating diagnosis; her brain cancer has returned and even more aggressively. When I asked if she wanted to cancel, she insisted that she is going to keep fighting and keep spreading her message of joy. This conversation is powerful coming from a woman who has conquered struggles but is also still in the heart of her hardest struggle yet. To me, Jessica is an example for all of us on how to enjoy not just the journey, but also enjoy the trials. She is vulnerable and raw and inspiring.Jessica's mantra "This is just a setback to my ultimate comeback."Get To Know Jessica: @sudden_storm12Get To Know Us: @carriebrinton@simplyamazingpodcast@nimanow@elasespas 

Fun Fabulous Beauty Tips are BONUS episodes where we feature quick inside tips from industry experts.These BONUS episodes are for YOU!  We want to talk about what YOU are interested in.  So shoot us an email with your questions or ideas at:[email protected] GET TO KNOW US: @elasespas | elase.com@nimanow | nima.edu@simplyamazingpodcast

Amy is one of those athletes that make you go... "Seriously, I can't even imagine. I could never." But she started just like any other ultra-marathoner, puking at the end of a 5k. What makes her journey even that much more impressive is that Amy has accomplished all of this while dealing with chronic auto-immune diseases that end up with hospitalization on a regular basis. On top of her physical challenges, Amy has also spent much of her adult life trying to process and overcome a traumatic childhood that involved abandonment and abuse. Resilience has been her mantra - telling herself that she can survive anything and continue to push forward with purpose. She credits her spirituality, her husband, and her children for being the foundation that helped her heal and thrive. Her message is that we all have the resilience to thrive through more than we know. GET TO KNOW AMY: @resiliencerunnerwww.runningonresilience.comGET TO KNOW US: @elasespas | elase.com@nimanow | nima.edu@simplyamazingpodcast@carriebrinton

Desange Kuenihira is the epitome of strength. At the age of two, she and her siblings fled from the Congo to become refugees in a new country. Life in the refugee camp was challenging. For seven years they lived as outcasts, struggling to find work, food and adequate housing. Finally, she and her siblings were chosen to be relocated to America. After arriving in Utah, life took on a whole new set of challenges. Desange was separated from her siblings and placed in a foster home, with a new language, a new culture and a new set of religious expectations. Although many times, we think that "coming to America" is the final victory of all those who fight to get here, it truly is the beginning of a whole new set of obstacles to take on. Some that are even more daunting than life in a refugee camp. Desange found her way in America. She found family and community and is now thriving as a student at the University of Utah. She has decided to take her life experience of feeling like a "worthless girl" and turn it into inspiration for other young women that are having similar experiences. Her Speak Undefeated foundation, and her public speaking, help her spread her new message that you are worthy, you are strong and you are able to determine your own destiny. GET TO KNOW [email protected] TO KNOW US: @elasespas | elase.com@nimanow | nima.edu@carriebrinton@simplyamazingpodcast