Suddenly Stronger

"I'm no longer shrinking to be digestible. You can choke."Roxanne shared this powerful quote (source unknown) on her Facebook page, and she takes it to heart. She is bold, outspoken, and so much fun to talk to.She never met her birth father. She was abused by her stepdad. Manipulated and humiliated by her church. Her toxic marriage ultimately led to abuse and hearing loss. She reached a breaking point, escaped the toxic marriage, started a new life on her terms, and now her future is looking brighter than ever. Tune in and be inspired as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. Guest: RoxanneIntro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)Highlights  ✨02:13The Disconnected Marriage03:36The Little Pieces of Truth05:06The Eccentric Art Pieces08:05The Amicable Agreement10:13The Divorce Decree and Agreements11:54The Loss of Hearing Mishap13:24The Legally Blind Driver14:50The Promotion of Disability Awareness17:57The Adapt or Die Season19:45The Open and Affirming Church23:07The Real Trauma Therapist25:25The Trauma from Stepdad26:26The EMDR Therapy27:41The Stupid Statistics29:14The Feminist Mom31:50The Kids’ Undivided Attention34:14The Financial Worth of an Hour’s Time36:34The Financial Expert38:55The Chesapeake Experience40:18The Breaking Point45:05The Excited Detective48:00The Late Cop Incident50:21The Broken System55:15The Lucky Parts of the Story58:41The Domestic Violence Victim’s Wisdom1:00:01The Good Memories1:01:13The Life After the Divorce1:03:59The Schedule of Activities1:05:18The Sexy Moments1:06:50The Adjustments1:08:19The Healthy Relationship1:12:54The PMDD Diagnosis1:16:13The Misconception on Being Legally Blind1:18:38The Missed Diagnosis1:20:27The Effects of COVID in Business1:22:52The Easy Freezy Freezer Meals1:25:59The Name by Choice1:27:07The Birth Father Mystery1:28:42The Hidden Middle Name1:30:45The Hassle of Changing Names1:33:57The Parenting Strategy for Teenagers1:36:07The Life Lessons1:40:18The Uncomfortable ConversationsThank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Nicki - The Tenacious Fighter

A toxic home environment. Rape. Rape AGAIN. Loss of an eye after a freak accident. Losing a parent to suicide. Nicki's early years were traumatic and she very easily could've ended up on a different path. Her perspective is unexpected. Her tenacity is inspiring. And she tells her story in a way that will leave you feeling shocked, encouraged, and ready to take on the world. Tune in and be inspired by her strength and grit as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. Guest: NickiIntro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)Highlights  ✨01:16The Synopsis02:17The Fast Forward Realizations03:54The First Sexual Assault 06:27The School Rumor07:44The Gang Rape12:12The After Effects12:58The Sudden Accident15:20The Shocking Reaction16:45The Panicky Intern Doctor18:28The Emergency Eye Surgery19:21The Loss of an Eye21:13The Look in the Mirror23:10The Series of Surgeries25:57The Afterthoughts27:34The Pill Addiction29:07The Life After-Plan30:33The Appearance Matters33:11The Boyfriend and Relationships33:30The Suicide of Her Father33:49The Sibling Twins34:10The Breakdown of Her Mom35:15The Nervous Breakdown of Her Own36:05The Wrong Marriage37:38The Present Relationship With Her Daughter40:26The Series of Therapies41:10The EMDR Therapy44:55The Inside Healing Journey47:23The Passing of Her Sister48:36The Reason For Everything49:24The Next Steps52:09The Words of WisdomThank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Brandi - The Resilient Widow

When her husband took his life with no warning, Brandi and her two sons were blindsided and left to pick up the pieces. They all handled their grief in different ways: Brandi entered the world of bodybuilding, and her sons headed down two very different paths. Brandi has found strength and healing by sharing her story, and has learned to communicate more directly with her loved ones. She sheds light on this topic that is seen by many as shameful and taboo, and shares how those in similar situations can help their friends or family members who may be struggling or have lost a loved one to suicide.Tune in and be inspired by her strength of spirit as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. Guest: BrandiIntro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)Highlights  ✨01:08The Day of Madness07:14The Chaos08:42The New Man of the House09:35The Thoughts of Suicide10:38The Son’s Battle Against Addiction12:48The Impact14:15The Husband’s Battle Beside Depression17:30The Loss of a Family19:06The Changes in Communication20:49The Open Therapy21:47The Search for Answers23:51The Statistics on Suicidal Incidents25:14The Life Insurance Plan25:33The Allegations28:27The Watch29:38The Bodybuilding Training Plans34:24The Healing Journey37:45The Dating Phase After38:35The Search for the Right Relationship42:21The Confident Boyfriend43:57The Bolder Brandi45:22The Strong & Authentic Ties Made46:45The Take-Away MessageThank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Melinda H - The Young Widow

By the time Melinda was 20, she was already married with a six-month-old baby. Two weeks before their first anniversary, her husband was killed in a car accident, leaving her to raise their baby on her own. Though coping with his death was incredibly difficult, she knew she had to be present for her son, provide for him, and try to serve both parental roles. Twenty years and several hardships later, she views things with a surprising perspective.Tune in to be inspired by her strength as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. Guest: Melinda H.Intro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)Highlights  ✨01:02The Persistent Suitor02:25The Wedding and a Baby!02:45The Surprise Party03:25The Car Accident07:45The Doctor’s Confirmation08:20The Horrible Nurse11:11The Single Motherhood Journey14:23The Supportive Women in Her Life15:50The Gratitude17:15The Helicopter Mom20:25The Reunion with Parents25:20The Insightful Moment26:15The Epiphany 31:07The Hardships of a Child34:15The Difficult In-Laws37:28The Second Marriage39:34The Birth of Her Mini-Me version43:27The Nursing School Experience56:20The Present Supportive Husband57:00The Loss of Her Mom58:40The Death of a Father1:08:32The Lesson of a Single Mom1:10:05The Adjustments into a Normal Marriage1:12:40The Step Children (Moving onto a New Family!)Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Tara - The Unyielding Competitor

When Tara's third aunt developed breast cancer, she knew something was up. She decided to  be proactive with her health and get tested for the BRCA gene, a genetic mutation that drastically increases chances of developing breast cancer. When the test came back positive, she made a quick decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy and removal of her Fallopian tubes. She was determined to prevent cancer so she could continue to be present for her family. Little did she know that a year later, she would be diagnosed with a different type of cancer that would put her through physical and emotional agony. Through it all, her competitor's mindset prevailed. Tune in and be inspired by her strength and drive as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. Guest: Tara Ramos (Check out her Instagram here!)Intro / Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)Highlights  ✨01:22 The BRCA Mutation01:57 The Light Bulb Moment02:20 The Genetic Test Results03:40 The Quick Decision06:40 The Empowered Tara09:35 The Headache (How It All Started)13:08 The Theory for Oral Cancer15:20 The First Diagnosis18:45 The Initial Surgery19:23 The Pathology Report (More Operations!)22:00 The Support System24:00 The “Fight or Flight” Lessons in Action26:45 The Motivation to Show Up Every Day27:30 The Lung Tumor31:00 The YOLO Attitude!32:30 The Big Surgery33:48 The Scary Chemo Decision 37:00 The Changes38:50 The Coping Process41:05 The Company of a Good Friend45:08 The Continuous Battle47:08 The Healing process (Mind and Body)50:20 The Lingering Effects52:10 The Long-Term Outcome53:20 The Biggest Takeaway56:28 The Focus on HealingThank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration and hope in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Tracey - The Deceived Fiancée

Tracey was newly divorced and not looking for love; but it found her. What she didn't know is that her new love would lead her down a path of unexpected twists and turns, lies, sacrifices, and deception. When she found out that her fiance had been diagnosed with leukemia, her competitive spirit kicked in and she was determined to stand by her man and help him beat cancer for the third time. She had no idea what the future held, and what she started to uncover was shocking. Tune in as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. Tune in and be inspired by her strength and grace. Guest: TraceyIntro: Stronger by Les ThomasHighlights ✨ 01:50 The Meet-Up 05:40 The Diagnosis  13:35 The Proposal 14:55 The First Lie 20:00 The Stem Cell Replacement  (How did he fake it?) 23:12 The Silent Auction (A whooping $70,000 fundraiser!) 24:26 The Huge Fight 35:50 The Second Chance 39:10 The Beginning of the End 45:00 The Final Plan 50:25 The Aftermath 58:08 The Decision to go Public  1:01:50 The Dark Times 1:07:15 The Lessons 1:15:25 The TakeawayThank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please subscribe so you never miss an episode! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to Suddenly Stronger, please share with them!Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here: MELINDA K - THE SCARRED SISTER

Her brother’s obsession with her body began when she was too young to understand what was happening. Being violated at such a young age led to self harm, eating disorders, and suicidal tendencies. But Melinda K was a force to be reckoned with. She became an advocate for her own mental and physical health, using therapy, faith, and her passion for writing as her strongest weapons. Guest: Melinda Kelley. (Guest is using a pseudonym and prefers to stay anonymous.)Intro / Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!) Used with permission.Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration and hope in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!

With a deck stacked against him, he could’ve been a statistic, continuing down the wrong path, making poor choices and maybe even ending up in prison. Instead, my dear friend Les Thomas made a choice to rise above his circumstances. He intentionally surrounded himself with people who would lift him up and lovingly speak truth to him. He became a successful hip-hop artist, university sports hype man, respected military member, and a unifying force in his community. But Les didn’t just rise up alone. He has invested in local youth, bringing up others alongside him. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing. When his beloved mother lost her battle with cancer, bitterness threatened to take a strong grip on his heart. He had a decision to make: let it consume him or face the pain and use it to further propel him to greatness.   During this episode of Suddenly Stronger, Les and I talk about his early years, losing his mom to cancer, and we have a compelling discussion about some inflammatory topics.Guest: Les Thomas (Check out his inspiring "One Minute or Les" Instagram account!)Intro / Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!) Used with permission.Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration and hope in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!

When Ky's son Jacob was brutally murdered at age 19, she was left to pick up the pieces and figure out how to carry on with her husband and her surviving son, Jacob's twin brother.The audio of the people I interview is unedited to preserve the integrity of their stories. Each story unfolds as a natural conversation, often in chronological order beginning with the backstory. To skip the backstory in this episode, skip ahead to 30:14.Guest: Ky CrockettIntro / Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!) Used with permission.Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration and hope in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!