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This week I have a very transparent and real conversation with Becky Johnson.

In 1997, she had to make the heart-wrenching decision to quit her senior year as a college swimmer due to a debilitating condition that caused her neck to involuntarily pull to the right. Despite intensive therapy and support from trainers, her performance declined, and she ultimately left the sport. This issue persisted even after transitioning to triathlons, where she continued to struggle with her condition.

In August 2022, after starting her role as a social-emotional teacher, she faced a severe migraine that led her to the ER, where she learned she had Cervical Dystonia, a condition that runs in her family. Following a series of treatments, including Botox and consultations with specialists, she prioritized her mental health and began exploring cognitive therapies and nutrition, which significantly improved her well-being. The support from her current medical team of holistic and medical doctors has been invaluable in managing her condition.

Now, she is preparing for an Olympic distance swim/bike duathlon in July to raise awareness for dystonia, motivated by her desire to connect with others and support those facing similar challenges. She is collaborating with ‘Beat Dystonia,’ a non-profit organization, to gather donations and share her journey, aiming to foster understanding and compassion for those living with this condition.

Listen in on the wonderful conversation where Becky discusses her symptoms, how she was diagnosed with Dystonia and what life has been like for her. She shares how she has focused on her mental health and the importance of finding the right people who are in your corner. That makes all the difference.

She even shares how she feels she lives in more JOY now then she did before.

Contact information for Becky Johnson:

Email: 813therapiesllc@gmail.com

If anybody is looking for care from a chronic illness or anxiety from a high school or collegiate sport, please check out my website, https://www.813therapies.com/ I'd love to have a brief conversation with you.

Drive-A-Logue link: https://drivealogue.com/?sca_ref=4141865.xLTkWKLvJW Put NJT in the coupon box for a 20% discount!

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: lauren@dailyjoy.us
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond

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My guest today is Michelle Ruddell. Michelle is a speaker, author, and semi-retired teacher who lives in Central Texas. She speaks to women's groups about how to find joy in the middle of tough circumstances. her book, "Welcome to the Club, I'm Sorry You're Here", was written to offer hope to grieving parents.

Michelle shares with us the story of losing her 5-year-old child over 30 years ago, how a neighbor told her she would never be happy again, and how she has consciously learned to find and choose joy in the midst of grief and hardship. This is an inspiring story to offer hope to parents out there who have lost a child.

We also hear tools she uses personally to tap into JOY; gratitude, taking care of yourself and serving others. Listen to how she serves others by helping them find joy during difficult life events.

Connect with Michelle:

Email: michelle@michelleruddell.com
Website: michelleruddell.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071241318194

IG: https://www.instagram.com/michelleruddell_speaker/

Drive-A-Logue link: https://drivealogue.com/?sca_ref=4141865.xLTkWKLvJW Put NJT in the coupon box for a 20% discount!

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: lauren@dailyjoy.us
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond

Send us a text

In this episode, I have the privilege of talking to Tanya Hackney. Tanya graduated with a B.A. from Middlebury College in 1997, where she majored in English and double-minored in French and Education. She married her high school sweetheart and taught kindergarten in Atlanta, Georgia before transitioning to homeschooling her own five children aboard sailing vessel Take Two. She’s lived aboard, traveled, and written for the Take Two Sailing blog for the last fifteen years. She has always had a bad case of wanderlust, having taken countless road trips as a child, spent a semester in Paris during college, and honeymooned in Mexico. In 2021, she published an award-winning memoir, Leaving the Safe Harbor: the Risks and Rewards of Raising a Family on a Boat. In her free time, she plays the ukulele, paints landscapes, and kayaks

Our conversation is about life raising a family on a boat and how her family has found a way to find JOY among the difficulties of sailing and living on the sea.

Tanya also shares with us a wonderful story about her Mother-in-Law, Mary who lost her life to cancer. She shares how her family and friends celebrated with Mary during a "Death Day" party...before Mary passed and how they all felt JOY during a time of deep grief.

Finally, Tanya shares the important of gratitude and how that has helped her tap into JOY even during life's massive challenges.


How to find Tanya:

Blog- www.taketwosailing.com
Book- https://ingeniumbooks.com/LTSH
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/tanya.hackney.71
https://www.facebook.com/TakeTwoSailing/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/taketwosailing/
Pinterest- https://www.pinterest.com/tanyataketwo/

Drive-A-Logue link: https://drivealogue.com/?sca_ref=4141865.xLTkWKLvJW Put NJT in the coupon box for a 20% discount!

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: lauren@dailyjoy.us
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond