Tag Archives: resilience

Episode 20: Overcoming Addiction

Natalie Calkins Rountree
Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction?

When someone suffers from drugs or alcohol addiction their entire family is paying for that terrible choice. Addiction brings about serious damage to families and to relationships. Those who take drugs can experience deadly consequences such as overdoses, crime, traffic accidents, violence and suicide. Children of alcoholic parents are at high risk of mental, physical and sexual abuse. They also suffer from low self esteem, loneliness and fear of abandonment. Sadly, I am one of those children…

In this episode I’m talking to an incredibly intelligent and beautiful lady, Natalie Calkins Rountree, who was kind enough to share with us her epic battle with alcohol addiction and her journey to recovery. Natalie came from a good background but, due to some poor choices, she became addicted to alcohol early on. She lost her self worth, dignity, the custody of her young daughter and almost took her own life. After a 15 years battle with alcoholism she had finally kicked the habit and has been sober for almost a decade. She rebuilt her life, got her daughter back, she’s happily married and has a very successful career.

Resources and Links:
Music Credits

Intro: Don’t Hold Back (Grow and Soar) by KOÄN
2010 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)

Episode 18: To Forgive the Unforgivable

Anthony Sukto“Please help me. My daddy killed me with a knife and I’m gone. Can you please send the army men or the ambulance? I woke up suddenly, uh, my dad he was killing my mom. And then my dad told me to go on the other bed. And then he was like, ‘You’re next’, and then he killed me. And I was still alive. I kind of survived.” – Anthony’s 911 call.

He was 8 years old at the time.

His father brutally murdered his mother. He stabbed Anthony six times in the chest and face. He then left the house not knowing that his son was still alive. Anthony had a punctured liver and was bleeding profusely when he made that 911 call.

Today Anthony is a grown man and an aspiring musician. And after all the pain and suffering he’s been through, this exceptional and courageous young man still finds it in his heart to forgive and love the man that tore his life part.

“Every time I would think of my dad, I would think of hate,” Anthony said. “The only way I could find peace and love within myself was to forgive my father.”

Anthony is sharing his story with us today hoping to inspire and show us that it is possible to leave our past behind, forgive the unforgivable and move on with our lives.

Resources and Links:
Music Credits

Intro: Don’t Hold Back (Grow and Soar) by KOÄN
2010 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)

Episode 17: Defying the Odds

Eric Bailey“When you can put other people’s aspirations and goals a little bit higher on the priority list, then you allow yourself to give more of yourself. And when you can give more of yourself, it’s just a good feeling,” Eric Bailey

Eric was born with a bone disease in his knees. The doctors told him that he would never be able to play sports and would never be normal like other kids. His biological parents didn’t want to take on the responsibility to raise him so they gave him up for adoption. Yet, he defied the odds and became an elite basketball player and NBL legend.

Eric grew up in poverty, in a rough neighbourhood in South Central Los Angeles. His young life was surrounded by crime, drugs and struggle. Today he is a successful entrepreneur, a renown inspirational speaker and world class coach. He was voted as the Top 22 Motivational Speaker in the world.

Resources and Links:
Music Credits
Intro: Don’t Hold Back (Grow and Soar) by KOÄN
2010 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)

Episode 14: Turn Your Pain into Purpose

Marium ZulfiqarResentment will kill you, anger will kill you but if you can turn your pain into love than nothing can touch you.

She was raped and had a miscarriage at the tender age of 12.

She was suicidal, suffering from mental illness and being locked in a psychiatric hospital for a great period of time.

Today Marium Zulfiqar is a happy, healthy 20 years old passionate campaigner and speaker and a mental well being coach. She’s here today sharing her life journey and hoping to raise awareness on mental health issues and ending sexual violence.

Music Credits
Intro: Don’t Hold Back (Grow and Soar) by KOÄN
2010 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)

Episode 12: What is Your Excuse?

Raffi Shirinian“Life is going to be hard but you can get through it. It’s going to be hard not all the time but once in a while. But you know what, at the end of the day life is you, your own person. And don’t be so down about it. Just keep your spirit up.”

This is the message my friend Raffi Shirinian has for us today.

He was born with a serious birth defect called spina bifida which leaves him wheel chair bound, disabled and having speech and learning difficulties. And yet he refuses to allow his circumstance to define him. He’s one of the most active, upbeat and positive being I have ever known. Whenever I’m feeling down I turn to him for inspiration.

I asked Raffi what was the greatest challenge he was facing. To my surprise, given his circumstances, he said winter. Why winter? Listen to our conversation to find out :)

As always I welcome your feedback. Please post your comments online or drop me a line at julia@theuglydaughter.com. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Music Credits
Intro: Don’t Hold Back (Grow and Soar) by KOÄN
2010 – Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)