Episode 24: From Trash to Triumph: A Mom's Story of Having a Trans Child in Utah

Talking to Candice Bithell was eye opening. She helped me see things in a new light and different perspective. As an infant, she was thrown in the trash when she was 2 days old, and later grew up in an abusive home. After overcoming her own trials and meeting and marrying her husband, she had to learn to manage kids learning to navigate their identity, her faith, and balancing culture and love all at the same time. She is amazing..

I have so much respect for Megan Phillips. After learning that her younger sister was born without a uterus, she knew she would have a baby for her. After having 4 of her own, including twins, she became the surrogate for her sister and delivered a healthy baby boy. She discusses her journey of loneliness, empowerment, discomfort, selflessness, and JOY. I'm so dang proud of her.

I am so excited to get Jeff on the rotation! He has trained thousands of athletes, CEO's, doctors, and MAMAS! He is a global mental coach and teaches me about the importance of having a Power Phrase. He also explains that if we get comfortable in the struggle, it will benefit us and make us grow. He explains FLOW and how we can achieve peak performance in everything that we do. Take a listen!

https://thompsontough.org/ IG: @erikthompsontough   First of all, I'm SO SORRY about the sound. I forgot my mic and he was soft spoken so I apologize. But it was truly awe-inspiring to be in the presence of Erik Thompson and his wife, Skye. It was a different approach, but I wanted to hear about Erik's story and learn about how Skye has had to deal with it. Erik has turned tragedy into something beautiful. His relationships with his boys, his wife, and his savior have deepened. His testimony has been strengthened, even amidst all the physical and emotional pain. He is the definition of Grit and his wife is right there beside him fully locked and loaded with Grit and Strength. I love them both.

I think it's fitting that TODAY, marks the 5th anniversary of Don Cash's death on Mount Everest.  This episode speaks for itself. Don Cash had no regrets. He held nothing back and literally lived life to its fullest. His daughter Brandi talks about his courage and how he became a better Dad the more he dominated on the mountains, and even in death. She talks about being single for a long time, and having an unmedicated birth at home on her FIRST BABY! She is proud of her Dad, and of the mother she's become and is on her way to inspiring thousands of people everywhere on her new MoonLight Ranch! IG: @brandicashpehr Website: Brandicash.com YouTube: Moonlight Ranch https://youtube.com/@moonlightranch?si=3Dqgy3EaM8ZCF0a3 Podcast: Closer to Christ Meditations on Spotify and apple

Michele Vas-Conselos, otherwise known as "Murph," was the star player in high school and landed a spot on her dream college, BYU. She suffered a torn ACL and wondered if her spot on the team would be jeopardized. When she joined the NWSL and began her professional career, she was injured yet AGAIN and then had an unexpected surprise which made her put the sport on hold and question if her spot would remain. Listen in on how she dealt with the mental side of soccer and what got her through the unpredictable obstacles! @miche_vasconcelos

Joy Davis talks about how her husband knew they would always have a child with disabilities. After Emery was progressing as a toddler, she suffered a stroke in surgery and was never the same. She no longer has the ability to talk, feed herself, walk, or perform regular everyday activities like other young girls. Joy used to hate her name, but she talks about how she grew to love it, how it was meant for her and how Emery has completely shifted her perspective on life and what it means to have a healthy body.

Dr. Julie Valentine is a forensic nurse and mother to 8 children. I was seriously not worthy to be in her presence! She mothered 8 children, and got a PHD with a 2 year old in tow, and thanks to her efforts, the largest state database on sexual assault cases exists in the United States. But it's always about her patients. I was in awe of her capacity to love them, and help them find healing, and she gives a word of warning to those who may be suffering from domestic violence, and don't know it.

I am not sure if I know of someone else who has lost as many loved ones as Kim, in such a short amount of time. After losing her brother in law tragically in a race, she lost two brothers to addiction as well as her Dad shortly after. She has managed to find the joy through it all. While immersing herself in service, she has found joy in the process and helps others to see that joy IS possible. Even in the midst of heartache and devastation.

Des has suffered from seizures for many years and has had 3 brain surgeries to try to curb them. During her last surgery, she suffered a stroke but was not informed by her surgeons until after she fell out of bed in the recovery room without any knowledge that her legs didn't work. She lost function in one of her arms and for the last 8 years has managed to dominate life one-handed, and with a whole lotta humor along the way.