The Jess Berry Podcast: Stories of Resilience, Leadership & Overcoming Adversity

Jessica Berry l Transformation Coach
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Real stories of resilience and leadership from people who've faced their hardest seasons and came out leading stronger. On The Jess Berry Podcast, U.S. Army veteran, Martial Artist & Transformation Coach Jessica Berry interviews men and women about the adversity they faced, what helped them through it, and where they are now. Honest leadership podcast interviews on emotional resilience, with tools, mindset shifts, and coaching insights you can use. For anyone seeking a resilience or leadership podcast for women or men, ready to turn adversity into victory.

  1. 28 Oct

    Healing After Domestic Abuse & Health Setbacks: Shaun Johnson’s Story of Resilience

    How do you keep moving forward when life seems to throw everything at you? How do you find healing after trauma, overcome serious health challenges, and learn to trust again after experiencing unhealthy relationships? This week, we sit down with Shaun Johnson, an athlete, travel advocate, and entrepreneur whose life is a powerful testament to resilience. Over the past 42 years, Shaun has faced serious health challenges, survived rhabdomyolysis, endured domestic violence and abuse, and navigated relationships that have taught her some difficult lessons about love, trust, and self-worth. In this conversation, we explore Shaun’s journey through adversity, recovery, and personal growth. We discuss how her athletic mindset has helped her push through life’s toughest moments, the lessons she’s learned from both healthy and unhealthy relationships, and what it takes to let go of old identities and embrace a new chapter.  Shaun’s story is a reminder that even after heartbreak, trauma, and unexpected setbacks, healing is possible and there is always room to grow, rebuild, and move forward with purpose. Connect with Shaun on Instagram: @Shauni04

    Healing After Domestic Abuse & Health Setbacks: Shaun Johnson’s Story of Resilience

  2. 15 Oct

    Healing Childhood Trauma, Building Resilience & Reclaiming Your Confidence with Vivian Moyo

    How do you heal from childhood trauma, break free from survival mode, and rebuild your confidence after life's hardest moments? In this powerful episode, I sit down with trauma-informed coach, author, speaker, and founder of Moyo Wellness Therapy, Vivian Moyo, to explore what it really takes to heal emotionally and create a life rooted in self-worth rather than survival. Vivian shares her personal journey of overcoming childhood trauma, the inspiration behind her book The Invisible Girl: Breaking the Silence of Trauma, and the practical tools she now teaches to help others regulate their nervous systems, build emotional resilience, and rediscover their identity. Whether you're a leader navigating pressure, an entrepreneur facing burnout, or someone committed to personal growth and self-development, this conversation offers practical insights and hope for anyone ready to move from merely surviving to truly thriving. In this episode, you'll learn:• How childhood trauma influences adult relationships, leadership, and decision-making• The signs you're living in survival mode—and how to break free• Why nervous system regulation is essential for emotional resilience• How to rebuild self-confidence and self-worth after adversity• Practical steps to begin your healing journey• How healing yourself can transform the way you lead, live, and serve others If you're passionate about leadership, mindset, emotional intelligence, resilience, mental wellness, and personal development, this episode is for you. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today. Connect with Vivian Moyo: Website: https://moyowellnesstherapy.com Book — The Invisible Girl: Breaking the Silence of Trauma: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GW872QG7 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/76edyttlLES02qLHBdHrTH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivianmoyowellness YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoyoWellnessTherapy Email: moyowellnesstherapy@gmail.com

    Healing Childhood Trauma, Building Resilience & Reclaiming Your Confidence with Vivian Moyo

  3. 6 Oct

    From Survivor to Black Belt: Ashley Laiko on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Healing & Resilience

    Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu be a tool for healing? In this resilience podcast interview, BJJ black belt and Netflix fight coordinator Ashley Laiko shares how jiu-jitsu became part of her own healing journey, and how it helps abuse survivors build confidence, strength, and resilience. If you're a woman who wants to try martial arts but feels intimidated by a male-dominated gym, this one's for you. As a fellow BJJ practitioner and fighter, I loved getting real with Ashley about the challenges women face in the BJJ community and what it takes to create safer, more inclusive spaces for women and children. Ashley has more than 13 years of competition experience and is passionate about empowering survivors through martial arts and making the mat a safer place for everyone. In this episode: How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu supports healing after abuse Building confidence and resilience on and off the mat The challenges women face in a male-dominated sport Where to start if martial arts feels intimidating Creating safer, more inclusive gyms for women and kids Connect with Ashley:https://www.instagram.com/ashley_laiko If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7: call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

    From Survivor to Black Belt: Ashley Laiko on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Healing & Resilience

  4. 22 Sept

    Life After the Uniform: A Marine Veteran on Resilience, Isolation & Finding Community with JMach

    Have you ever felt alone after leaving the military? In this resilience podcast interview, USMC veteran Jmach, founder and host of the Jmach Podcast, opens up about his own struggles after military service and how he's building a place where veterans can be heard, understood, and supported. Transitioning out of the military brings challenges most people never see. As a fellow veteran, I know that firsthand. Jmach and I talk about what it takes to find community, open up about the hard stuff, and lead others through it, so no veteran has to face life after the uniform alone. This is a conversation about emotional resilience, vulnerability, connection, and the courage it takes to ask for support. In this episode: The hidden struggles of military-to-civilian transition Why isolation hits so many veterans after service How Jmach turned his own experience into a platform for others What real community and connection look like for veterans Connect with Jmach: YouTube: youtube.com/@jmachpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/jmachpodcast Website: jmachpodcast.org

    Life After the Uniform: A Marine Veteran on Resilience, Isolation & Finding Community with JMach

  5. 14 Sept

    Chronic Illness, Faith & Trauma with Sara Kelsey: A Message on Leadership After Survival

    What does it really take to move from simply surviving to truly thriving—and to build a life rooted in a strong sense of identity and wholeness? In this episode, we sit down with Sara Kelsey to talk about navigating the hard seasons of life, including the challenges of chronic illness, sobriety, parenting, and the physical and spiritual work of becoming stronger. Sara shares how these experiences have shaped her resilience, strengthened her faith, and helped her discover an inner strength she didn’t always know she had. We’ll explore what it looks like to rebuild yourself when life gets difficult, how strength training can shape more than just your body, and how writing and storytelling can help us make sense of our experiences and connect more deeply with who we are. Sara Kelsey is the founder of Booked By Sara, where she helps entrepreneurs and leaders share meaningful stories through podcast and media opportunities. Her work is deeply shaped by lived experience, resilience, and faith. Connect with Sara: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarafitover40?stkn=YW8wODF2NnpkYWI4 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-kelsey-35a472b1/

    Chronic Illness, Faith & Trauma with Sara Kelsey: A Message on Leadership After Survival

  6. 7 Sept

    Leadership and Witavation™ with Sasha R Simmons

    What if the discomfort you feel as a leader isn’t a problem—but an opportunity? Have you ever found yourself questioning your leadership, feeling uncomfortable with the responsibility, or wondering how you’re supposed to take the next step? What if you could take that discomfort and turn it into something powerful? This week, we sit down with Sasha R. Simmons, a leadership keynote speaker, writer, and founder of Witavation™, to explore a different way of thinking about leadership, growth, and transformation. With more than 13 years of experience in communications, leadership development, and organizational strategy, Sasha knows what it takes to connect people, purpose, and performance. In this conversation, she shares what Witavation™ is, why discomfort can be an important part of becoming a better leader, and how we can learn to use those challenging moments to create meaningful growth. Whether you’re leading a company, leading a team, stepping into a leadership role, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on what it really means to lead. So, are you ready to get uncomfortable? Connect with Sasha: http://witavation.com

    Leadership and Witavation™ with Sasha R Simmons

  7. 24 Aug

    Unconventional Healing with Combat Vet Richard Mulder

    Who are you when the mission that defined you is over? Have you ever faced a crisis of identity after a major life change — a divorce, a career ending, a role you built your whole life around suddenly gone? Maybe you've struggled to figure out who you are, where you fit, or what comes next. In this episode of the Jess Berry Podcast, I sit down with Richard Mulder — former Army Captain, West Point graduate, and combat veteran of Afghanistan — to talk about what it really takes to rebuild your identity after military transition and civilian reintegration. Richard opens up about the disorientation of leaving a career that gave him structure, purpose, and rank — and how that loss of identity became the foundation for the next chapter of his life. Today he's an author, entrepreneur, and founder of Apricus Coaching Initiative, where he helps veterans and high-performers navigate major life transitions and rediscover their direction. Whether you're a veteran facing life after service, a high-achieving man in the middle of your own identity crisis, or someone who wants to be ready before the next transition hits, this conversation offers real insight into identity, purpose, and what it means to lead yourself through change. In this episode: Why leaving the military can trigger an identity crisis even after a "successful" careerThe hidden cost of high performance and self-abandonmentHow Richard rebuilt purpose after Afghanistan and West PointPractical steps for navigating any major life transition — divorce, career loss, retirementWhy identity work is different from just "moving on" Connect with Richard Mulder:Website: https://apricuscoaching.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_richmulder Subscribe to the Jess Berry Podcast for more conversations on identity, healing, and leading yourself through transition.

    Unconventional Healing with Combat Vet Richard Mulder

  8. 7 Jun

    Master Your Mind, Master Your Life: Princeton Clark on Leadership Through Adversity

    Can adversity become the foundation for extraordinary leadership? In this powerful episode, leadership coach and self-mastery expert Princeton Clark shares how overcoming childhood trauma and personal adversity led him on a lifelong pursuit of inner mastery. As the founder of Evolved Mastery, Princeton has spent more than 20 years helping entrepreneurs and high performers master their mindset, emotional intelligence, and energy so they can lead with greater purpose and impact. Together, we explore the difference between simply performing for success and truly embodying authentic leadership. Princeton also unpacks the psychology behind faith versus fear, how limiting beliefs shape our reality, and why healing from the inside out is essential for building a meaningful legacy. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, veteran, coach, or someone navigating personal growth, this conversation offers practical wisdom on resilience, emotional mastery, leadership development, and transforming adversity into purpose. In this episode you'll learn: How to overcome trauma without allowing it to define your identity The difference between external success and internal embodiment Why faith and fear cannot coexist—and how belief shapes your future How emotional mastery creates better leaders, relationships, and businesses Practical strategies for leading yourself before leading others If you're ready to stop surviving and start leading from your highest self, this episode is for you. Connect with Princeton: evolvedmastery.com www.instagram.com/princetonclaark

    Master Your Mind, Master Your Life: Princeton Clark on Leadership Through Adversity
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Real stories of resilience and leadership from people who've faced their hardest seasons and came out leading stronger. On The Jess Berry Podcast, U.S. Army veteran, Martial Artist & Transformation Coach Jessica Berry interviews men and women about the adversity they faced, what helped them through it, and where they are now. Honest leadership podcast interviews on emotional resilience, with tools, mindset shifts, and coaching insights you can use. For anyone seeking a resilience or leadership podcast for women or men, ready to turn adversity into victory.

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