Fearless Fridays with Maryann Maryann Rivera-Dannert

Ep. 148 In this heartening episode of Fearless Fridays with Maryann we meet Brian Sachetta, an author who turned his battle with anxiety and depression into a literary avenue of support for others. Offering a deep dive into the narrative of someone who has firsthand navigated mental health challenges, the conversation unfolds the making of a self-help journey that many can resonate with.
Initially highlighting a pivotal moment in his life that sparked his determination to confront his mental health issues, Brian recounts the incident that triggered his writing journey. Moving forward, he encapsulates the essence of his two-part book series which addresses anxiety and depression through a pragmatic lens, integrating personal experience with research.
Connect with Brian
https://www.facebook.com/getoutofyourheadbooks
Website: https://getoutofyourhead.com/

Connect with Maryann
Website: https://www.maryannriveradannert.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryannriveradannert/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MRDEmpowermentSolutions
Linkedin: https://www.bit.ly/maryannriveradannert

Key Takeaways:

Brian Sachetta's ten-year battle with mental health issues led him to write the "Get Out of Your Head" book series as a tool for others.

His approach to overcoming anxiety and depression is anchored in a biopsychosocial model and a practical, evidence-based mindset.

Brian shares insights into research such as the Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress protocol and discusses how omnipresent mild stress can lead to a state similar to depression.

Strategies such as rejecting the law of attraction, which didn't work for Brian, and instead focusing on past successes can be more beneficial in managing anxiety.


Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:56 Turning Personal Struggles Into Tools for Helping Others
3:50 Engineering Tactics to Combat Anxiety and Depression
7:42 Chronic Stress and Learned Helplessness in Animals
10:00 Breaking Mental Health Stigmas and Seeking Help
15:08 Debunking the Law of Attraction With Personal Experience
17:56 Embracing Fear and Vulnerability in Public Discourse
19:40 Evolving Self-Help Content and Expanding Digital Reach
22:01 Prioritizing Mental Health in Challenging Times
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Ep. 147 In this episode of Fearless Fridays with Maryann, special guest Patty Cabot shares her 20-year struggle with weight fluctuations and how she discovered that her eating disorder was a result of childhood sexual abuse. Through therapies like EMDR and chiropractic care, Patty embarked on a journey of healing and self-discovery. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and finding a supportive tribe. Patty's memoir, "Not That Girl Anymore," is available for free on her website, where she aims to provide hope and resources for those who have experienced trauma.

The Misconception of Physical Appearance Dictating Love
Patty Cabot's sincere narrative begins with a raw admission of what many individuals struggle with silently—body image and its perceived effect on love and relationships. Her journey mirrors a society that fosters a narrow understanding of attractiveness, which becomes mistakenly synonymous with romantic success. 
Patty reflects, "I found myself unacceptable when I was heavy," a confession that slices through the complex layers of self-esteem. This psychological battle is a climate ripe for eating disorders, often manifesting as coping mechanisms for emotional turbulence. Regardless of Patty's prowess in dieting, the persistent cycles of weight gain and loss signified a deeper, unresolved discord.
Resources:

EMDR Association - Resource for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing 

NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) - nationaleatingdisorders.org 

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) - rainn.org 


Connect with Patty
Book: Not That Girl Anymore
Website: https://www.pattycabot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063599580134

Connect with Maryann
Website: https://www.maryannriveradannert.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryannriveradannert/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MRDEmpowermentSolutions
Linkedin: https://www.bit.ly/maryannriveradannert

Short Bio from Patty Cabot
After gaining and losing 50 to 75 pounds every two years or so since my teens, I decided I needed professional help. In 2005, at the age of 38, I started working with a therapist that specializes in eating disorders, trauma and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). She thought my issues with food and weight were a symptom of a much deeper issue: my childhood sexual abuse.
I was sexually abused by family members until I was 10. For much of my life I would have chosen death before revealing that, so deep was my shame. But I was desperate to find love and believed resolving my weight was key. So began the next 12 years of my life working with my therapist using EMDR, a chiropractor to release trapped fight or flight responses, a sex therapist and group therapy for sexual abuse.

Chapters
0:00 Trigger Warning 
1:27 Patty's Struggle with Weight and Relationships
2:47 Discovering the Root Cause: Sexual Abuse
3:30 Explanation of EMDR Therapy
4:23 Impact of Therapy on Eating Disorders
7:16 Exploring Various Therapies for Healing
10:59 The Role of a Supportive Tribe in Healing
16:36 Living Fearlessly and Looking Forward
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Ep. 146 In this episode of Fearless Fridays with Maryann, Eva Moon shares her inspiring journey of facing a genetic mutation that increased her risk of breast and ovarian cancer. After undergoing a double mastectomy and total hysterectomy, Eva turned to humor and creativity to express her experience, writing and performing a one-woman musical comedy. She also discusses her novel, "Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World," which explores themes of identity and acceptance. Eva's story is a testament to finding strength and purpose in the face of difficult circumstances.

Notable Quotes:

"My mutant superpower was being able to save my own life and change my future."

"I felt like I could, you know, flash you and moon you at the same time."

"If I could use my experience to show them that you can not only survive afterward, you know, in some ways I'm happier than I was before."


About the Guest
Eva Moon is an author, humorist, songwriter, internationally produced playwright, award winning, optioned screenwriter, and performer. She is a former blogger for the Huffington Post. Her plays and musicals have been staged across the US and UK, and her solo musical show, “The Mutant Diaries: Unzipping My Genes” is available streaming on Amazon. Her first novel, which follows the adventures of a grown-up human Pinocchio in fascist Europe between the world wars, was released in March 2023.
Connect with Eva:
Book: Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World
Website: http://evamoon.net

Connect with Maryann
Website: https://www.maryannriveradannert.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryannriveradannert/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MRDEmpowermentSolutions
Linkedin: https://www.bit.ly/maryannriveradannert

Chapters
0:00 Turning Genetic Fate Into a Resilience Story
3:24 Resilience Through Music After Life-Altering Surgeries
7:14 A Husband's Helplessness Against Unstoppable Dragons
8:11 Humor and Creativity in Overcoming Personal Struggles
10:36 Thrills of Tandem Skydiving
12:59 Pinocchio's Human Experience and the Quest for Identity
15:38 Healing Through Support Groups and Creative Expression
19:29 Filling Life's Cup With Positivity and Fearlessness
22:22 Eva Moon Discusses Her Book and Engages with Book Clubs
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Ep. 145 Are you facing a challenging health diagnosis? Learn from Kim Rahir's experience as she navigated her journey with multiple sclerosis and emerged stronger than ever. 
In this thought-provoking episode of Fearless Fridays with Maryann, host Maryann Rivera-Dannert welcomes guest Kim Rahir to share her awe-inspiring journey from being diagnosed with MS to transforming her life through strength training and health advocacy. Kim outlines the integral connection between mental and physical strength in overcoming health challenges, providing illuminating insights into her transformation from a successful journalist to a health coach and competitive weightlifter.
Kim delves into the pivotal moments of her diagnosis and subsequent self-advocacy with medical professionals. She underscores the significance of asking the right questions and understanding one’s treatment options when navigating a chronic illness. Furthermore, Kim highlights her initiative in tailoring a strength training program that fits into a busy lifestyle, promoting a holistic nutrition plan paired with targeted exercises. This episode is rich with encouraging narratives and practical advice for anyone seeking inspiration to take charge of their health.
Key Takeaways:


Empowerment Through Self-Advocacy: Kim Rahir stresses the importance of questioning healthcare providers to fully understand one's medical condition and treatment options.


Strength Training's Role in Healing: Kim attributes part of her recovery from MS to her commitment to becoming physically strong through strength training.


Transitioning Careers: Kim shares her journey from journalism to health coaching, motivated by a calling to impact women’s lives positively.


Accessible Fitness Programs: Kim's 'Fabulous in 15' program exemplifies how women can make significant health progress with just 15 minutes of targeted exercise a day.


Living Fearlessly: Focusing on the present is Kim’s strategy for living fearlessly, taking action in the 'now' rather than worrying about an uncertain future.

Notable Quotes:

"The easiest way to be fearless is to focus on the now."

"By taking those small actions one time after the other, over and over again, that you actually become that different person, you know, that woman who looks after herself."

Resources:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.rahir
Website: https://kimrahir.com/
Free Assessment: Assessment 

Connect with Maryann
Website: https://www.maryannriveradannert.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryannriveradannert/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MRDEmpowermentSolutions
Linkedin: https://www.bit.ly/maryannriveradannert
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Ep. 144 Former Ironman competitor Risa August opens up about how a brain tumor dramatically impacted her athletic ability but opened up a new world of adventures as an author and Gestalt practitioner. Get ready to be moved and inspired. 
Following the life-altering diagnosis, Risa exhibited extraordinary resilience by transforming her lifestyle and embarking on new adventures, including a remarkable bike ride from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific Trail. A newly published author, Risa is on a mission to live life to the fullest and empowers others with her story of overcoming adversity.
Notable Quotes:

"It's not a matter of my time that I have to structure and schedule, it's my energy, like, what's going to fit within the parameters of my energetic ability."

"I started focusing on what I could do, oh my gosh, my whole world opened up."

Resources:

Risa August's book: "The Road Unpaved Border to Border With a Brain Tumor and a Bike" available for purchase on bookshop.org and Amazon 

Risa’s Website: www.risaaugust.com


Movie Mentioned: The Way (2011)


Connect with Risa August

IG: https://www.instagram.com/risaunleashed/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/risaunleashed

Connect with Maryann
Website: https://www.maryannriveradannert.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryannriveradannert/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MRDEmpowermentSolutions
Linkedin: https://www.bit.ly/maryannriveradannert

Chapters:
0:00:00 Introduction to Risa's inspiring story of overcoming adversity
0:02:10 What is a Gestalt practitioner
0:03:21 Risa shares the inspiration behind her book and its title
0:04:51 Decision to embark on a bike ride across the country
0:06:19 Challenges of the bike ride
0:07:17 Current state of health and remaining limitations challenges 
0:09:10 Risa talks about the grieving process and rediscovering herself
0:10:15 Process of writing her book and its healing effect
0:10:52 Risa shares the signs that led her to seek medical attention
0:11:47 Importance of advocating for oneself in the medical system
0:13:09 Physical limitations due to the disease.
0:13:48 Living fearlessly by trying new things without judgment.
0:15:07 Resistance from friends and family
0:16:41 Where to buy the book.
0:17:05 Planning to ride her bike across northern Spain.
0:18:25 Don't let anything limit you, shift your perspective.
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Ep. 143 Meet Virginia Oman, a licensed mental health therapist and life coach, who defied the odds and conquered multiple sclerosis. Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of belief. 
Virginia refused to give in to despair and instead developed her own plan of action, defying the advice of doctors, and successfully regained her ability to walk and even ride a bike. Virginia now uses her experience as a licensed mental health therapist and life coach to empower others to overcome their own obstacles and find joy and fulfilment in their lives.
Key Takeaways:


Persistence and Consistency: Virginia emphasizes the power of daily action and unwavering commitment in achieving seemingly impossible goals, like her journey from a wheelchair to biking.


The Power of Belief: She highlights how sincere belief and visualization of success can propel us toward our objectives, as was her experience in defying her MS prognosis.


Actionable Change Through Movement: A key strategy Virginia shares is the importance of movement and connecting with nature to improve one's emotional state and spark positive action.


Leverage Past Success: Referencing past achievements can be a beacon for navigating current challenges, emphasizing the value of self-recognition in one's capabilities.


Gratitude Focus: Maintaining a focus on gratitude, especially amidst adversity, can significantly elevate one's emotional state and approach to life's challenges.

Notable Quotes:

"Anything that we can vividly imagine, sincerely believe, strongly desire, and take daily action on will come to pass. It's the law of the universe."

"The fastest way to get yourself in a good emotional state is to get up and move. Even if you just go out for a ten-minute walk, look at the sky, connect with nature."

"If I can do this, there's nothing magical about me. If I can do this, you can do whatever it is that you really desire to do. If you have a plan, plan of action, map it out and stick to the plan. You can do it. You can get there."

Resources:

Virginia Oman's personal website: https://virginiaoman.com/


Best Holistic Life Magazine: where Virginia is contributing articles

"Transform Your Life" Masterclass: a program developed by Virginia to help others achieve their goals

 YouTube channel: Transform Your Life with Virginia Oman


Connect with Virginia on Social Media 


Connect with Maryann
Website: https://www.maryannriveradannert.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryannriveradannert/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MRDEmpowermentSolutions
Linkedin: https://www.bit.ly/maryannriveradannert

Chapters
0:00:00 Introduction 
0:02:07 Virginia's diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and her journey of despair
0:03:54 Intuition and decision to overcome challenges
0:05:09 Virginia's determination to ride a two-wheel bicycle again
0:07:02 Overcoming doubts 
0:09:28 The importance of consistency and not giving up
0:11:43 Reflecting on past successes to find strength in current challenges
0:12:48 Reactions of doctors, family, and friends to Virginia's success
0:13:38 Journey and purpose as a mental health counselor and life coach.
0:14:18 Losing hope is the hardest thing, and Virginia aims to help others avoid that despair.
0:14:50 Virginia offers life coaching, individual coaching, and a master class program.
0:15:59 Virginia lives fearlessly by taking risks and trusting in the process.
0:16:55 Get in a good emotional state through movement and gratitude.
0:18:11 Connect with Virginia
0:20:00 Future Plans
0:21:18 Conclusion
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