Defying the Odds

Dr. Michelle Mras:

Defying the Impossible

Dr. Michelle Mras faced a traumatic brain injury that changed her life forever. Through resilience and unwavering determination, she overcame immense challenges to redefine what’s possible.

Bio

Michelle is a survivor of multiple life challenges to include a Traumatic Brain Injury and Breast Cancer. She guides others to recognize the innate gifts within them, stop apologizing for what they are not and step into who they truly are… Unapologetically.

She accomplishes this through one-on-one and group coaching, Training events, Keynote talks, her books, talk shows and through song.

Michelle earned her PhD in Entreprenology and has graced the TEDX stage. She was awarded the first Survivor’s Award from NOW, the Inspirational Women of Excellence Award from the Women Economic Forum, New Delhi, India; the John Maxwell Team Culture Award for Positive Attitude; Winner of the Ultimate Speaker Competition and has speaking parts in a few SyFy movies check the IMDB.com database for her; has been featured on hundreds of Podcasts, radio programs, magazines, quoted in books and has a habit of breaking out into song. She released her music album in November 2023. She was nominated and recognized within the top two Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Filipina Women Network, 2024.

Michelle’s driving thought is that every day is a gift. Tomorrow is never promised. Every moment is an opportunity to be the best version of you… Unapologetically!

Titles:

CEO Mras Inc, Global Award-Winning Keynote & TEDx Speaker, Executive Speaker Coach, co-host of two podcasts: Denim & Pearls and Amplifluence. Host of the Livestream TV show MentalShift on The New Channel (TNC), Philippines. Actress and Recording Artist.

She’s a multiple Best-Selling Author and co-founder of Amplifuence – Amplifying the influence of Coaches, Authors, and Speakers as well as the Story Advisor for Perfect Publishing.

Topics

  • Overcoming adversity after a traumatic brain injury
  • Building resilience in the face of physical and mental challenges
  • Strategies for adapting to life-changing circumstances
  • Finding new strengths through personal struggles
  • The power of mindset in recovery and growth
  • Defeating self-doubt and embracing confidence
  • Turning obstacles into opportunities
  • How to inspire others through your own journey
  • Balancing personal and professional life after TBI
  • Embracing change and reinventing oneself

Guiding Questions

  • What was the biggest challenge you faced after your traumatic brain injury?
  • How did you find the strength to keep pushing forward despite the odds?
  • What role did resilience play in your recovery journey?
  • Can you share a moment when you realized you were capable of more than you thought?
  • How did your perspective on life change after your injury?
  • What strategies helped you adapt to the changes in your daily life?
  • What advice would you give to others facing unexpected challenges?
  • How do you stay motivated when things feel overwhelming?
  • What misconceptions do people have about living with a traumatic brain injury?
  • How has your journey influenced your career and personal growth?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Saying Yes to Change

Dr. Amy Novotny:

Saying Yes to Change

Saying yes to an unusual request, Dr. Amy Novotny left everything behind and embarked on a journey that redefined her career and personal fulfillment.

Bio

Dr. Amy Novotny founded the PABR® Institute with the mission to provide pain, stress, and anxiety relief to those who seek a naturalistic form of treatment when other treatment methods have fallen short. Her unique approach comes from her experience treating in a variety of settings and with a wide range of patient populations over the past 15 years.

Her background in orthopedics, sports, geriatrics, balance disorders, nerve injuries, and most recently, chronic pain; and influences from coursework at the Postural Restoration Institute gave her the foundation to develop this treatment method to address a wide variety of painful and restrictive conditions. Her methods have helped countless people reduce and eliminate pain, stress, anxiety, orthopedic surgeries, sleep issues, and the need for medications. She co-authored two Amazon #1 Best-Selling books Don’t Quit: Stories of Persistence, Courage and Faith and Success Habits of Super Achievers, which share her journey on how and why she developed the PABR® Method. She also co-authored Wall Street Journal Best Seller, From WTF to OMG, With a Little LOL: Unpacking Entrepreneurs’ Hidden Lessons.

Her ability to speak French and Spanish has allowed her to communicate with and help various clients from all around the world, including France, Mexico, Central America, and South America. She has a variety of interests including running 40+ marathons, running 10 ultra marathons (including two 100 milers), completing an Ironman triathlon, and photographing wildlife and landscapes all over the world that has led to several of her images being chosen as Photos of the Day, most notably National Geographic Your Shot World Top Photo of the Day.

Visit her photography portfolio at http://www.amysimpressions.com!

Topics

  • How Nervous System Regulation Can Transform Chronic Pain Management
  • The Courage to Leave Stability for an Unknown Future
  • Lessons from Traveling the World While Healing Others
  • Redefining Success Through Entrepreneurship and Healing
  • The Intersection of Wellness and Entrepreneurship
  • Why Saying Yes Can Change Your Life
  • From Hustle to Work-Life Balance: Building a Sustainable Business
  • Helping High-Performers Avoid Surgery Through Alternative Techniques
  • Navigating Self-Doubt When Pursuing a New Career Path
  • Empowering Clients to Take Control of Their Own Healing Journey

Guiding Questions

  • What was your initial reaction when the photographer asked you to travel with him?
  • What made you confident enough to leave your traditional career behind?
  • How does your process for pain relief differ from traditional methods?
  • What was the most surprising lesson you learned while traveling?
  • How did you transition from working as a physical therapist to becoming an entrepreneur?
  • Can you share a pivotal moment that convinced you entrepreneurship was the right path?
  • How do you balance work and personal life after making such a big shift?
  • What advice do you have for people considering leaving a secure job for something unknown?
  • How did you build a client base after starting your business?
  • What role did your global experiences play in shaping your approach to healing?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Building Through Adversity

Kathleen Celmins:

Building Through Adversity

Juggling personal grief and business responsibilities, Kathleen Celmins transformed her career challenges into an opportunity to innovate. Her journey of perseverance led to the birth of Glow Social, a powerful marketing tool for entrepreneurs.

Bio

Kathleen spends most of her time with her two young kids and in a yoga studio. When she’s not doing those, she’s helping subject-matter experts uncover their groundbreaking ideas and turning them into lucrative revenue streams (often helping them find those kinds of revenue streams they hadn’t yet considered).

She believes that every entrepreneur is sitting on at least $100K per year of revenue they aren’t yet aware of (simply because they’re too close to their own business to see those gaps) and she helps them find them through a transformational group mastermind.

Topics

  • Navigating career pivots after personal loss
  • Entrepreneurship and resilience during challenging times
  • The evolution of digital marketing strategies
  • The journey of creating Glow Social
  • Overcoming self-doubt in business transitions
  • Leveraging AI for marketing automation
  • Work-life balance in the face of adversity
  • The impact of personal growth on professional success
  • Lessons learned from bootstrapping a software startup
  • Finding purpose through entrepreneurship

Guiding Questions

  • What inspired you to pivot your career after your father’s passing?
  • How did you balance grieving with running your business?
  • What was the biggest challenge in developing Glow Social?
  • How did your marketing background influence your new business model?
  • What lessons did you learn about resilience through this journey?
  • How do you see AI transforming the future of marketing?
  • What advice would you give to entrepreneurs facing personal setbacks?
  • What mindset shifts were necessary for you to succeed?
  • How do you ensure authenticity while automating social media?
  • What’s next for you and Glow Social?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Finding Love Through Faith

Casper Stockham:

Finding Love Through Faith

Casper’s search for love took a spiritual turn, and through faith, he not only found his wife but also discovered his true calling in marriage coaching.

Bio

Just released a new book called Mastering Adam. When we fix the male alignment in society we will fix the family and the world.

Topics

  • How faith can guide relationships
  • Overcoming past relationship failures
  • The role of patience in love
  • Building a marriage on shared purpose
  • Practical steps for stronger communication
  • Identifying and addressing hidden relationship issues
  • Why respect and appreciation matter in marriage
  • Navigating relationships with faith-based values
  • The journey from brokenness to fulfillment
  • Lessons learned from coaching other couples

Guiding Questions

  • What led you to the moment of surrendering your search for love to God?
  • How did you know Cheryl was “the one” so quickly?
  • What were the biggest lessons you learned from past relationship failures?
  • Can you share the key values that sustain your marriage today?
  • What role does faith play in overcoming relationship struggles?
  • How did your journey inspire you to start marriage coaching?
  • What are the most common challenges couples face that you coach?
  • What advice would you give to someone feeling hopeless in their search for love?
  • How do you balance personal growth with relationship growth?
  • What’s the one thing every couple should work on consistently?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Finding Answers in Faith

Steven Parker:

Finding Answers in Faith

After experiencing profound personal loss, Steven Parker set out on a journey to find the truth about life and spirituality. What he discovered challenged his beliefs and reshaped his understanding.

Bio

Steven Parker is a U.S. Navy Veteran (Chief Petty Officer, E-7) with over 22 years of leadership and technical expertise in aviation electronics, operations, and maintenance management. He has managed aviation maintenance operations, trained hundreds of personnel, and contributed to mission-critical programs while honing his skills managing large teams in high-pressure environments, including combat missions and research and development programs. His leadership style is rooted in mentorship and servant leadership, and fostering cohesive, high-functioning teams, which has earned him multiple Navy Achievement Medals for exceptional performance.

In the civilian sector, Steven has applied his expertise to roles in maintenance, manufacturing, and facilities management, implementing cost-saving initiatives and improving operational efficiency. An advocate for lifelong learning, he holds a BS in Business Management, an MBA, and is skilled in CMMS implementation, continuous improvement, and Lean manufacturing. His ability to streamline processes, reduce costs, and foster a culture of safety and efficiency has made him a standout leader in maintenance, manufacturing, and operations.

Topics

  • Overcoming doubt and seeking spiritual truth
  • Coping with loss through faith and understanding
  • How personal loss shapes our search for meaning
  • Exploring different faiths in pursuit of answers
  • The moment of spiritual confirmation
  • Challenges faced in embracing a new belief system
  • The role of questioning in spiritual growth
  • Lessons learned through seeking truth
  • Navigating relationships after a spiritual transformation
  • How faith continues to shape his daily life

Guiding Questions

  • What initially sparked your search for deeper truth in life?
  • How did losing your loved ones influence your spiritual journey?
  • Were there moments of doubt along the way?
  • What was it about this particular faith that resonated with you?
  • How did your experience in the Navy shape your search for meaning?
  • What was the turning point in your journey that solidified your faith?
  • How did your perceptions of faith evolve through the process?
  • What role did your friend play in guiding your spiritual path?
  • How has your perspective on life changed since your discovery?
  • What advice would you give to others seeking their own truth?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Bought the Haunted Farm

Rebecca Williamson:

Bought the Haunted Farm

In the midst of grief, Rebecca took a bold step to preserve her family’s legacy. Little did she know that this decision would lead to a thriving business—and a few ghostly surprises.

Bio

Rebecca Williamson is the owner of Cambre House and Farm, a haunted wedding venue outside of Nauvoo Illinois. Rebecca has her grandmother and husband passed away with in two weeks of each other in 2015.

Rebecca bought the Cambre House from her Grandparent’s estate in 2016 and hosts weddings and paranormal investigations there.

Find out more here.

Topics

  • Navigating grief while making life-changing decisions
  • Turning a historic property into a thriving business
  • Marketing challenges of a rural wedding venue
  • Paranormal experiences and their impact on business
  • Lessons in entrepreneurship from unexpected places
  • The emotional journey of preserving a family legacy
  • Finding purpose through unexpected opportunities
  • How to balance multiple business streams
  • Overcoming self-doubt and learning new skills
  • The power of resilience in rebuilding life

Guiding Questions

  • What inspired you to buy the farm during such a difficult time?
  • How did you transition from grief to entrepreneurship?
  • What were the biggest challenges in starting a wedding venue?
  • Can you share some of the most memorable paranormal experiences at the farm?
  • How did you market a remote wedding venue with no foot traffic?
  • What did you learn about yourself through this journey?
  • How do you balance running a wedding venue with ghost tours?
  • What advice would you give to someone considering buying historic property?
  • How did the support of your community help you through this transition?
  • What’s next for the Cambry Place and your business journey?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Rebuilding After Betrayal

Juli Madacey:

Rebuilding After Betrayal

When Juli’s marriage ended abruptly, she was left to rebuild from the ground up—emotionally and financially. Through resilience and bold new experiences, she discovered the strength she never knew she had.

Bio

Juli Madacey is the Co-Founder of Fabulous Beyond 40, where she and her business partner, James Ellis, inspire women over 40 to navigate a healthier menopause journey so they can get their sparkle back and feel like themselves again.

Juli is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Master Health Coach, Menopause Coaching Specialist, and Certified Personal Trainer dedicated to empowering women in their health journeys. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges women face, Juli combines her expertise with a compassionate, client-centered approach.

Juli’s path to becoming a health coach stemmed from her personal struggles with weight and health. Disenchanted with one-size-fits-all diets and misleading health advice, she embarked on a quest for knowledge. This journey led her to holistic methods that embrace the complexity of individual health, moving beyond mere weight loss to a comprehensive understanding of well-being.

At the heart of Juli’s philosophy is the belief that mindset is a powerful catalyst for physical transformation. Through small, manageable daily practices, she guides her clients in redefining their relationship with their bodies and food. Her approach is not about quick fixes, but sustainable, personal health journeys.

Known for her humour and empathy, Juli’s clients often describe her as their “Personal GPS” — a testament to her skill in navigating the intricate pathways of health and wellness. She believes in making health a joyous journey, not a rigid goal.

Juli’s question to you: “What kind of life do you want to live?” She invites you to explore this with her, as you journey towards a healthier, happier you.

You can connect with Juli through her website, on Facebook, on LinkedIn, and on Instagram

Topics

  • Overcoming financial hardship after divorce
  • Finding resilience in unexpected challenges
  • Redefining independence and self-worth
  • Letting go of societal expectations in relationships
  • Learning to put yourself first after years of people-pleasing
  • The emotional journey of rebuilding life from scratch
  • Solo adventures and their impact on self-discovery
  • Breaking free from traditional gender roles and expectations
  • The healing power of pursuing personal goals
  • Embracing confidence and authenticity later in life

Guiding Questions

  • What was your initial reaction when your husband left, and how did you find the strength to move forward?
  • How did you tackle the financial challenges left in the wake of your divorce?
  • What were some of the pivotal moments that helped you rebuild your confidence?
  • Looking back, what role did self-discovery play in your journey?
  • How did you break free from the people-pleasing tendencies instilled in you from childhood?
  • What inspired you to take on adventures like skydiving and marathons?
  • How did your relationships with friends and family evolve through your journey?
  • What advice would you give to someone facing an unexpected life upheaval?
  • In what ways did turning 40 shift your mindset about life and independence?
  • What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself during this period?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Overcoming Medical Gaslighting

Juli Madacey:

Overcoming Medical Gaslighting

When the medical system failed her, Juli Madacey turned frustration into empowerment—taking charge of her health and helping other women do the same.

Bio

Juli Madacey is the Co-Founder of Fabulous Beyond 40, where she and her business partner, James Ellis, inspire women over 40 to navigate a healthier menopause journey so they can get their sparkle back and feel like themselves again.

Juli is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Master Health Coach, Menopause Coaching Specialist, and Certified Personal Trainer dedicated to empowering women in their health journeys. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges women face, Juli combines her expertise with a compassionate, client-centered approach.

Juli’s path to becoming a health coach stemmed from her personal struggles with weight and health. Disenchanted with one-size-fits-all diets and misleading health advice, she embarked on a quest for knowledge. This journey led her to holistic methods that embrace the complexity of individual health, moving beyond mere weight loss to a comprehensive understanding of well-being.

At the heart of Juli’s philosophy is the belief that mindset is a powerful catalyst for physical transformation. Through small, manageable daily practices, she guides her clients in redefining their relationship with their bodies and food. Her approach is not about quick fixes, but sustainable, personal health journeys.

Known for her humour and empathy, Juli’s clients often describe her as their “Personal GPS” — a testament to her skill in navigating the intricate pathways of health and wellness. She believes in making health a joyous journey, not a rigid goal.

Juli’s question to you: “What kind of life do you want to live?” She invites you to explore this with her, as you journey towards a healthier, happier you.

You can connect with Juli through her website, on Facebook, on LinkedIn, and on Instagram

Topics

  • The importance of self-advocacy in healthcare
  • Overcoming medical gaslighting and trusting your instincts
  • Transitioning from corporate life to a holistic health career
  • Navigating menopause and the lack of support in healthcare
  • The holistic approach to midlife wellness
  • Breaking free from limiting beliefs around health and wellness
  • How stress impacts weight and overall health
  • The connection between mindset and physical health
  • Practical steps to become your own health advocate
  • How to embrace midlife as a new beginning

Guiding Questions

  • What led you to realize that you needed to take control of your own health?
  • How did your past experiences influence your decision to pursue holistic health?
  • What were the biggest challenges you faced when doctors dismissed your concerns?
  • Can you share how your health struggles ultimately became a blessing in disguise?
  • What advice would you give to women who feel unheard by their doctors?
  • How has your approach to health changed since becoming a holistic health coach?
  • What misconceptions about menopause do you frequently encounter?
  • How do you help women navigate the emotional aspects of midlife transitions?
  • What role does mindset play in achieving better health outcomes?
  • Looking back, what would you have done differently on your health journey?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Defying Death, Embracing Life

Stephanie Lewis:

Defying Death, Embracing Life

After years of debilitating illness and ineffective medical interventions, Stephanie Lewis found herself at a crossroads—either surrender to her condition or fight back with everything she had. She chose to fight.

Bio

Stephanie is a transformational coach, certified hypnotherapist, and Precision Nutrition coach passionate about helping people over 35 reclaim their health, build resilience, and thrive—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

With expertise in fitness training, root cause nutrition, self-hypnosis, meditation, and NLP, Stephanie creates personalized programs that empower clients to lose weight, reduce pain, improve mobility, and avoid surgery. She is also an affiliate marketer, and is passionate about AI and its possibilities along with the best ways to automate our businesses.

As someone with autism and ADHD, Stephanie understands the challenges of executive dysfunction, stress management, and habit formation. She combines behavioral strategies, post-hypnotic suggestions, and functional fitness techniques to help clients break through barriers and create lasting change.

Whether she’s coaching one-on-one, creating motivational content, or sharing insights on her blog, Stephanie’s mission is clear—to guide people toward living healthier, happier, and more intentional lives.

Connect with Stephanie:

Topics

  • The importance of self-advocacy in healthcare
  • Mindset and its role in physical healing
  • Alternative healing approaches beyond traditional medicine
  • The journey from chronic illness to full remission
  • Overcoming the mental and emotional toll of illness
  • Nutrition and its impact on chronic disease
  • How personal beliefs shape health outcomes
  • Lessons learned from facing death
  • Navigating the healthcare system with complex conditions
  • Building resilience through adversity

Guiding Questions

  • What was the turning point that made you take control of your health?
  • How did your mindset shift contribute to your recovery?
  • What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your healing journey?
  • Can you walk us through your experience with the carnivore diet?
  • What advice would you give to others struggling with chronic illness?
  • How did your experiences shape the way you approach health coaching now?
  • What role did your support system play in your recovery?
  • How did you navigate the skepticism of doctors and medical professionals?
  • What are some of the biggest misconceptions about healing from chronic conditions?
  • Looking back, what would you have done differently in your health journey?

Interested in this guest’s story?

Jungle Survival at Sixteen

Henry Woodman:

Jungle Survival at Sixteen

A teenager’s quest for a legendary lost city becomes a life-changing journey of survival in one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Bio

Henry Woodman is a graduate of the University of Arizona for his bachelor’s and Nova Southeaster for his MBA and speaks three languages.

In 1984, Woodman and his partner formed WoodMark Productions to purse two of his passions — film production and travel. After a decade of travels, he settled in Santiago, Chile for two years to produce Machos, a local game show for the younger demographic.

In 1997 he founded World Travelvision (WTV), a content provider for Internet Travel and Tourism, that morphed into ICE Portal a technology that helps hotels and resorts, manage, and deliver their visuals to 1000s of online travel-related websites.

Woodman’s commitment found its roots in television and film production and earned him four local area Emmy nominations. Woodman just published The Reincarnation of Marie in June 2024 and he now plans to develop it into a series for TV.

More information on the project can be found at Marie The Story.

Other Highlights:

  1. 1976 – As a teenager, he went in search of a lost city in the jungles of Honduras
  2. 1980 – Built a business in college, setting up video game machines in laundromats
  3. 1984-93 – Produced travel films and then developed a hit game show in Chile
  4. 1996-2019 – Bootstrapped and scaled global tech platform that sold for 8 figures
  5. Present – Going full circle to produce a TV series from the book The Reincarnation of Marie

Topics

  • How unexpected adversity shapes personal perspectives.
  • The power of gratitude after hardship.
  • Myths and legends of the “Lost White City” in Honduras.
  • Exploring uncharted territories as a teenager.
  • Lessons learned from life-threatening adventures.

Guiding Questions

  • What inspired your father to send you and your brother on this expedition?
  • Can you describe the moment when you realized you were truly in a survival situation?
  • How did the trip shape your view of gratitude and everyday life?
  • Were there any specific encounters with wildlife that stood out?
  • What was the biggest misconception you had before embarking on this journey?
  • How has this experience influenced your approach to challenges today?

Interested in this guest’s story?