“After every storm, there is a rainbow. If you have eyes, you will find it. If you have wisdom, you will create it. If you have love for yourself and others, you won’t need it.” – Shannon L. Alder
Some of the most successful folks in our community thrive despite experiencing mental health challenges. We are inspired by their strength and honored that they would share their stories with us below.
Harrison Friedman
Exercise! Repetition is everything. However people say the definition is insanity is doing something over and over again is insanity I disagree. If you’re good at something or want to get good at it. You keep doing it. Failure and being too hard on yourself is a slippery slope when it comes to mental health. Read More>>
Gina Martirano
Mental health has been a deeply personal part of my journey—one that continues to evolve. After launching my business, Shop Empathic, four years ago, I experienced a wave of depression and heightened anxiety. The weight of potential failure, the constant unknowns, and the pressure of turning my passion into something sustainable hit hard. I found myself in a dark place, unsure if I could keep going—not just with the business, but emotionally and mentally. Read More>>
Ashley Flores
Mental health has been a lifelong struggle for me. I’ve dealt with severe anxiety and depression since I was a kid. As early as elementary school, I remember constantly overthinking, isolating myself, and feeling overwhelmed by things that seemed so easy for others. Now, as an adult and the owner of a small business, those feelings haven’t magically disappeared. If anything, running a one woman show where I’m responsible for every decision, every event, every interaction has added a new level of challenge. Read More>>
Jaci Terjeson
Some people might feel like a diagnosis is a prison sentence. All of the sudden the bars come down and their limits are set. My diagnosis with ADHD felt the complete opposite. I had struggled my whole life to be organized, remember important details, and trying everything I could to keep up with everyone around me. I was constantly drowning in a sea of brain fog and self degradation. As a standup comedian, I couldn’t figure out how to organize my career because I couldn’t focus on a specific path I wanted to follow. Read More>>
