Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tina Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Tina, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
“You talk funny!”
“Stop making kids laugh! What do you think you are a Comedian?”
“Don’t ever write again!”
“You shouldn’t go to college, just pursue sports!”
“You’re a waste!”
As a survivor of childhood trauma, rape, domestic violence that led me to not speaking until I was 3 years old only to discover a horrible speech impairment, speech therapy was necessary for me to learn how to properly speak. I found refuge in writing. While struggling with learning disabilities and ADHD, I quickly learned if I made others laugh with me, they wouldn’t laugh at me. An English teacher told me in high school “Don’t ever write again!” By the age of 19, I was addicted to alcohol and drugs, failing out of college, and I wanted to end it all.
By the grace of God, I got sober at 23 years old, graduated from college, and pursued Social Work.
Today, I am a professional National Speaker, Author of 5 books, past TV and Radio Show Host, Comedian, and have opened 3 sober schools.
Life isn’t about who said what and what happened to you. Life is what you tell yourself no matter what your circumstances. Keep Showing Up For you.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I quit my state government job in July 2020 to start a non-profit organization in August 2020. In April 2021, I opened the first Sober School in Tampa Bay, the second sober school in August 2023 and the third in August 2024.
We provide Mental Health Services, Recovery Support, and an Education to ages 14-19 with substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders. We have created a safe, healing centered environment for our students where they learn to be successful sober!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Resiliency: the ability to bounce back from heartbreak, failure, and sickness.
Faith: I understand and accept I was created by a perfect creation, I trust Him, His ways, and His plan for me and my life.
Sense of humor: I had to learn to laugh at myself, my faults and failures. In order to create laughter, you have to discover the light side of the heaviness of this world. Helping people find laughter is truly my gift.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
First and foremost, I breathe. Sometimes we forget to breathe in times of trial.
Write a gratitude list, journal feelings, or just doodle.
Reach out and talk to someone: a friend, a counselor, or a family member.
Move a muscle, change a thought: take a walk, exercise, or dance. Just put on your favorite music and move to it.
Ground yourself, reset your vagus nerve, and calm down by regulating your emotions.
A rational mind will think rationally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tinatalkstruth.com
- Instagram: Tina Talks Truth
- Facebook: Florida Recovery Schools of Tampa Bay
Image Credits
Tina Miller
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