Overcomers Approach

Nichol Ellis-McGregor

“The Overcomers Approach” podcast showcases stories of resilience, where individuals transcend challenges to achieve personal and professional success. With a focus on spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and financial growth, the podcast inspires listeners to embrace their potential and thrive in all areas of life. Join us to learn how overcoming adversity can lead to evolution, healing, and lasting success. 

  1. 13h ago

    30 Days of Yes: Saying Yes to Yourself and Your Next Chapter

    Send us fan mail. We love to hear from you! Success can be the very thing that hides your next chapter. Nichol Ellis- McGregor sits down with Anouk Brumfield a former IBM executive vice president and senior partner, to talk about what happens when you’ve “made it” and still hear a louder call to grow, serve, and lead differently. We get honest about the fear behind major career transitions, the tension of walking away from predictable paychecks, and why reinvention often starts with obedience and one small step you take before you feel ready. We unpack what reinvention looks like in real life: taking a hard look in the mirror, admitting where you feel stuck, and choosing growth over comfort. Anouk shares the heart behind her book “30 Days of Yes,” including why so many high achievers say yes to everyone else while quietly neglecting themselves. We talk self-worth, boundaries, journaling and reflection, and the daily practices that help you rebuild confidence with clarity and courage. Then we shift into leadership and legacy. Anouk breaks down lessons from 32 years in corporate America, including why being an original beats being a copy and how people-first leadership changes outcomes. We also explore the mindset shift that makes change possible: believe you deserve better, act with intention, and stay consistent long enough for the small steps to add up. If you’re navigating a career pivot, personal transformation, or leadership growth, this one will meet you where you are and push you forward. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s stuck, and leave a review with the biggest “yes” you’re making right now. More or Anouk Brumfield at https://www.instagram.com/therealanouk1/ https://www.facebook.com/anouk002 Support the show Nichol Ellis-McGregor, MHS | LinkedIn Facebook Mrs. Nichol (@mrs.nichol_7) | TikTok Nichol Ellis-McGregor (@mrs_nichol) • Instagram photos and videos HOME | Nichol-Empowerment Life Coach (nicholkellis-mcgregor.com) Thank you for listening!

  2. 21h ago

    From Rock Bottom to Redemption: When God Rewrites Your Story

    Send us fan mail. We love to hear from you! If you're struggling with your past, addiction, shame, fear, or wondering whether God can still use your life, this conversation is for you. Your broken places don't disqualify you. Your past doesn't have to define you. God can redeem what you thought was beyond repair. Rock bottom has a way of telling you the truth, and sometimes it also becomes the place where God rewrites your story. I’m Nichol Ellis-McGregor, and I’m joined by Kristin Kurtz a life coach, speaker, and entrepreneur who shares how she went from addiction, partying, and deep hopelessness to an unmistakable encounter with God that changed everything. Her transformation isn’t presented as a polished highlight reel. It’s honest, specific, and anchored in the life-changing power of redemption. Kristin walks us through the surprising chain of moments that led her to church, what she felt when she first stepped into a room full of “happy people,” and why she believes deliverance is real and still happening. We dig into identity in Christ, the shame that keeps people stuck, and how healing can be both immediate and also a long sanctification process. She shares vivid metaphors that stick, including kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, and the “pickle jar” reminder that we often need outside voices to help us see our own gifts clearly. We also talk about her role as a “spiritual midwife,” helping women get clear on calling and stop self-aborting purpose through fear, comparison, or the lie of “not enough.” If you’re navigating Christian addiction recovery, faith-based life coaching, obedience to God, or learning how to forgive yourself and take the next right step, this conversation offers practical traction and hope. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. More on Kristin at https://www.newwingscoaching.net/ Support the show Nichol Ellis-McGregor, MHS | LinkedIn Facebook Mrs. Nichol (@mrs.nichol_7) | TikTok Nichol Ellis-McGregor (@mrs_nichol) • Instagram photos and videos HOME | Nichol-Empowerment Life Coach (nicholkellis-mcgregor.com) Thank you for listening!

  3. Aug 5

    Your Trauma Is Not Your Identity: Finding Hope After Sexual Assault

    Send us fan mail. We love to hear from you! Healing after sexual assault and rape is not a single breakthrough moment, it is a long recovery journey that reshapes identity, relationships, and even the way you live in your own body. On the Overcomer’s Approach podcast, Nichol Ellis-McGregor talks with author and advocate Amy McKiernan about moving from victim to survivor to overcomer, and why language matters when you are rebuilding your life after trauma. Amy shares how a steady support system, especially her parents, helped her challenge the “new normal” of shutdown, low self-worth, and accepting poor treatment. The episode reinforces a core truth for trauma healing: everyone deserves a village, even if your village looks different than someone else’s. A major turning point in Amy’s story is deciding to let people in and to give her experience a voice. That choice eventually leads to writing her book, a practical resource for survivors and the people who love them. She explains that the writing process is not quick or tidy. A first attempt may stay on the surface, but revisiting the story can reveal where you are still stuck, what triggers still control the narrative, and what beliefs about yourself were formed in the aftermath. Amy also highlights the mental health impact of COVID as a catalyst that pushed her to write more seriously, turning personal pain into purpose through advocacy, podcast conversations, and public speaking. One of the most useful parts of the conversation is Amy’s “eight keys” framework for healing from trauma, paired with reflective journaling exercises. The keys are intentionally simple and attainable, but not easy, because real change takes commitment and repetition. She emphasizes there is no fixed order, because each survivor’s healing journey is different, and progress is not linear. Two standout tools are “understanding the impact” and “putting things where they belong.” Amy uses the memorable “trauma sweater” metaphor: when trauma becomes familiar, you may wear it every day as if it is part of you. Healing can mean taking it off, storing it gently, and choosing when to engage with it, creating a healthier relationship with your story rather than letting it define you. The episode also speaks directly to shame and silence, and to the moment when doing the work gets uncomfortable. Amy’s guidance centers on small, sustainable choices: call one safe person, schedule a therapy appointment, join a support group, write it down, set one boundary, or choose one caring action for yourself. Those small wins build momentum and restore agency, especially when power was taken from you. She adds a second metaphor, internal gardening: if you only snip the top of a weed, it grows back and can choke out everything beautiful. Trauma recovery often requires gentle, patient root work, supported by community and professional help. For listeners seeking resources, Amy points to her website, her book, and her advocacy work with Campus Outreach Services and Take Back the Night, reminding survivors that healing and hope are real, reachable, and worth choosing again tomorrow. More on Amy at https://amymckiernan.com/ Thank you for listening! Support the show Nichol Ellis-McGregor, MHS | LinkedIn Facebook Mrs. Nichol (@mrs.nichol_7) | TikTok Nichol Ellis-McGregor (@mrs_nichol) • Instagram photos and videos HOME | Nichol-Empowerment Life Coach (nicholkellis-mcgregor.com) Thank you for listening!

  4. Aug 4

    Pain Has a Purpose: How One Man Refused to Let Cancer Define Him. "Cancer Couldn't Break His Spirit."

    Send us fan mail. We love to hear from you! What would you do if you were told your time was running out? Most people would slow down. Jim Logan sped up. After years of building a successful business, competing in IRONMAN triathlons, and enduring countless cancer treatments, Jim received devastating news—a terminal stage 4 cancer diagnosis. But instead of allowing fear to define his future, he made a life-changing decision: to live with greater purpose, deeper faith, and unwavering courage. In this powerful episode of the Overcomers Approach Podcast, Jim shares with host Nichol Ellis-McGregor and the audience how discipline became his foundation, suffering became his teacher, and hope became stronger than fear. Through his personal philosophy Jim reveals why life's greatest struggles often uncover our greatest purpose. A terminal diagnosis has a brutal way of stripping life down to what’s real. On The Overcomer’s Approach, Jim Logan explains how stage four cancer didn’t just interrupt his plans, it rewrote his definition of success. Before cancer, success looked like building a business, staying busy, and stacking achievements like Ironman triathlons. After chemo, radiation, and major surgeries, he measures success in relationships, service, and impact. His message lands because it’s practical: meaning isn’t a future milestone, it’s the way you spend today with the people who matter. Jim’s core mindset shift is simple and hard at the same time: stop living for comfort and start living for purpose. He talks openly about the early months of depression and fear, and how he had to grow into hope instead of pretending to be positive. A key resilience strategy is focusing on small goals rather than the overwhelming big picture. He describes how consistent miniature wins compound over time, whether you’re dealing with cancer treatment, fatigue, nausea, or a life transition. That “one day at a time”  The conversation gets honest about marriage, vulnerability, and receiving support, especially when you’re used to being the strong one. Jim shares how faith, hope, and love guide his decisions, and why he believes you can’t just hope for a better day, you have to work for it. If you’ve been feeling complacent, overwhelmed, or stuck in “why me,” this will help you reframe the struggle and focus on what truly matters. This conversation is more than a story about cancer. It's about resilience when life doesn't go as planned, choosing courage over comfort, finding joy in the middle of hardship, and discovering what truly matters when every day becomes a gift. Whether you're facing illness, loss, adversity, or simply searching for renewed purpose, Jim's journey will challenge you to rethink your limits and inspire you to live more intentionally. His story is ultimately a call to live now: pursue big goals, love people well, and just keep trying. This is an unforgettable conversation about perseverance, faith, grit, and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. You won't want to miss it. Send this to someone who needs encouragement and leave a review, if desired. So more people can find it. More on James Logan at https://justkeeptri-ing.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/stage42025/ Support the show Nichol Ellis-McGregor, MHS | LinkedIn Facebook Mrs. Nichol (@mrs.nichol_7) | TikTok Nichol Ellis-McGregor (@mrs_nichol) • Instagram photos and videos HOME | Nichol-Empowerment Life Coach (nicholkellis-mcgregor.com) Thank you for listening!

  5. Jul 28

    Human Trafficking Isn't What You Think: The Hidden Truths Everyone Needs to Know

    Send us fan mail. We love to hear from you! Human trafficking and sex trafficking often get framed as something that happens “somewhere else,” committed by obvious monsters in dark alleys. Nichol Ellis-McGregor and survivor leader Jennisue Jessen challenge that comfort story with lived experience and clear data points that matter for real prevention. Jenny describes being trafficked as a child by a family member, then later encountering exploitation in plain sight while living in Thailand. The takeaway is unsettling but useful: trafficking hides behind normal routines, respected roles, and relationships that look trustworthy, which is exactly why human trafficking awareness has to include our own communities. A major theme is how survivor advocacy can begin without a perfect plan. Jenny explains that her anti-trafficking nonprofit, Compass31, was essentially “born breech” when a government shutdown forced immediate placement for exploited teen mothers and their babies. With no funding, no facility, and no polished strategy, her family opened their home. That story matters for people searching for tangible ways to help, because it reframes leadership development as responsiveness: listening, acting with care, and building a trauma-informed response around what survivors actually need, not what makes outsiders feel heroic. The conversation also targets misconceptions that directly impact sex trafficking prevention. Trafficking is frequently initiated online through grooming, not kidnapping by a stranger. Many victims are first trafficked by a family member or intimate partner, and a significant portion of traffickers are women, which challenges biased “profile” thinking. Jennisue highlights a disturbing trend where popular high school students coerce younger kids using substances, images, and threats. Understanding these patterns improves safety planning for parents, educators, faith communities, and public safety professionals by shifting attention to trust, access, and coercion rather than stereotypes. Listeners also get practical guidance for intervention. If something feels off at a gas station, restaurant, or along a travel corridor, the goal is to gather information safely, not escalate danger. Note descriptions, vehicles, and license plates when possible, and contact trained investigators through the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Alongside that action step is a deeper hope: trauma healing is real. Jenny emphasizes that recovery is possible and supported by a belief that the mind and spirit move toward healing, especially when survivors are met with gentleness, dignity, and a safe path back to their own voice. If this conversation expands your view, subscribe for more stories of resilience, share this episode with someone who needs it. If you suspect human trafficking: Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger. National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 Text 233733 (Text HELP or INFO) Or use the confidential 24/7 online chat at humantraffickinghotline.org. Remember: • Do not intervene. Never confront a suspected trafficker or buyer. • Do not alert the victim. This may increase the danger. • Observe and report. Safely note physical descriptions, vehicle information, license plate numbers, locations, and times, then share that information with law enforcement. Together, we can recognize the signs, protect the vulnerable, and bring hope to those who need it most. More on Jenniesue at the following, https://www.facebook.com/jenni.jessen https://compass31.org/ Support the show Nichol Ellis-McGregor, MHS | LinkedIn Facebook Mrs. Nichol (@mrs.nichol_7) | TikTok Nichol Ellis-McGregor (@mrs_nichol) • Instagram photos and videos HOME | Nichol-Empowerment Life Coach (nicholkellis-mcgregor.com) Thank you for listening!

  6. Jul 7

    Your Voice Belongs in the Room: Stop Shrinking and Start Leading Reclaim your confidence, set boundaries, and own your seat at the table.

    Send us fan mail. We love to hear from you! You can be invited into the room for a reason and still feel your voice disappear the moment you walk through the door. Nichol Ellis-McGregor sits down with leadership and workforce development expert Paula Matthias to get honest about what happens when women shrink in high-stakes spaces, especially in male-dominated industries, and how to reclaim career agency without becoming someone you don’t recognize. Paula shares the boardroom moment that flipped a switch for her: a new promotion, a table full of men, and a split-second choice to make herself small. From there, we dig into the roots of people pleasing, the pressure to keep everyone comfortable, and why saying yes too quickly can quietly crowd out your priorities. If you’ve ever done the behind-the-scenes work while someone else gets the credit, this conversation will feel familiar and also freeing. Then we get practical. Paula walks us through her Yes Test framework for decision making and boundary setting: Is it yours, is it essential, is it sustainable. We talk about the “office snacks” trap, how resentment builds when invisible tasks pile up, and why a “no for now” can be a healthy, values-based choice. You’ll also hear simple speaking up at work tools, including a calm way to stop interrupters using clear language and nonverbal communication, plus a realistic approach to boundaries that doesn’t require a dramatic announcement. If you want more confidence, better time management, and a cleaner yes that matches the life you’re trying to build, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What would change first if you trusted your next no? More on Paula at https://paulamathias.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamathiasfryer/ Thank you for listening! Support the show Nichol Ellis-McGregor, MHS | LinkedIn Facebook Mrs. Nichol (@mrs.nichol_7) | TikTok Nichol Ellis-McGregor (@mrs_nichol) • Instagram photos and videos HOME | Nichol-Empowerment Life Coach (nicholkellis-mcgregor.com) Thank you for listening!

  7. Jul 1

    The Hidden Wounds Men Carry: Breaking Free from Trauma, Shame & Survival Mode

    Send us fan mail. We love to hear from you! Disclaimer: This episode is intended for educational and informational purposes only and reflects the personal experiences and opinions of the guest. The discussion of psychedelic-assisted therapy, including MDMA-assisted therapy, is not an endorsement or recommendation to use these substances. The legal status and availability of psychedelic-assisted therapies vary by country, state, and jurisdiction. Listeners are responsible for understanding the laws where they live. If you are considering any mental health treatment, please consult a qualified, licensed healthcare professional to determine what is appropriate for your individual circumstances. The Overcomers Approach Podcast does not provide medical, legal, or mental health advice. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek immediate assistance from a licensed mental health professional or call or text 988 the national crisis line for crisis support or suicide prevention.  Your life can look “successful” on paper and still feel unbearable on the inside. Steve Saporn knows that gap firsthand. He’s a former hedge fund manager and the host of the Neuro's Journey Podcast, and he joins us to talk plainly about childhood trauma, addiction, shame, and the moment he realized his nervous system was running the show. We dig into men’s mental health and masculinity in a way that actually helps families. Steve shares why a well-run men’s group can be a game-changer, how vulnerability builds trust faster than any tough persona, and what it felt like to finally say the quiet belief underneath everything: “Deep down inside, I feel like a bad man.” From there, we talk about repairing relationships, owning your mistakes, and learning to regulate instead of leaking pain onto the people you love. We also get practical about trauma recovery tools and neuroscience-based healing."Steve shares his personal experience with psychedelic-assisted therapy, including MDMA-assisted therapy for trauma where legally available, and discusses the importance of professional guidance and integration following treatment.". We discuss neurofeedback as a way to treat trauma like an injury you can measure and train, plus daily practices like breathwork, meditation, and journaling that support nervous system regulation. We close with identity-based habit change, small wins, and how to stop defining yourself by your past. If you’ve been stuck in survival mode, listen through and pick one next step you can take this week. Feel free to leave a review, if you were impacted. More or Steve at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-neuros-journey/id1854154199 and https://theneurosjourney.com/ Thank you for listening! Support the show Nichol Ellis-McGregor, MHS | LinkedIn Facebook Mrs. Nichol (@mrs.nichol_7) | TikTok Nichol Ellis-McGregor (@mrs_nichol) • Instagram photos and videos HOME | Nichol-Empowerment Life Coach (nicholkellis-mcgregor.com) Thank you for listening!

  8. Jun 16

    Running on Empty: When Success Isn't Enough With Angie Karber on breaking free from people-pleasing and finding your inner glow

    Send us fan mail. We love to hear from you! Your life can look successful on paper and still feel like you are running on fumes. We sit down with Angie Hawkins, inner glow coach and author of Running in Slippers, to unpack how people pleasing and perfectionism often trace back to one painful root belief: “I don’t deserve to be loved.” Angie shares her origin story, the grief that cracked everything open, and why changing your zip code cannot heal what you carry inside your body and nervous system. We get practical about what creates real identity transformation. Angie breaks down why general self-help advice can fall short, how coaching differs from therapy for some people, and why behavior change can reshape beliefs faster than repeating affirmations for years. We talk boundaries in real life: saying no, protecting your time, and letting yourself feel the guilt without letting it control you. We also connect the dots between mental health and physical health, including how chronic stress, anxiety, and self-abandonment can show up in the body. You will hear tools you can use immediately: do one joy-filled thing daily, regulate your nervous system in ways that fit you, and strengthen intuition as the highest form of self-trust. We also tackle social media comparison, discernment, and how to stay grounded when the internet is loud and your self-worth feels tender. If you are ready to stop performing for love and start shining from the inside, press play, share this with a friend who overgives, and subscribe, rate, and review so more people can find these conversations. What boundary do you need to set this week? More or Angie Karber at https://letsgetnakedpodcast.com/ Thank you for listening! Support the show Nichol Ellis-McGregor, MHS | LinkedIn Facebook Mrs. Nichol (@mrs.nichol_7) | TikTok Nichol Ellis-McGregor (@mrs_nichol) • Instagram photos and videos HOME | Nichol-Empowerment Life Coach (nicholkellis-mcgregor.com) Thank you for listening!

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

“The Overcomers Approach” podcast showcases stories of resilience, where individuals transcend challenges to achieve personal and professional success. With a focus on spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and financial growth, the podcast inspires listeners to embrace their potential and thrive in all areas of life. Join us to learn how overcoming adversity can lead to evolution, healing, and lasting success.