The Julie Jeppson Podcast Gritty Mamas and More

Michele Vas-Conselos, otherwise known as "Murph," was the star player in high school and landed a spot on her dream college, BYU. She suffered a torn ACL and wondered if her spot on the team would be jeopardized. When she joined the NWSL and began her professional career, she was injured yet AGAIN and then had an unexpected surprise which made her put the sport on hold and question if her spot would remain. Listen in on how she dealt with the mental side of soccer and what got her through the unpredictable obstacles!

@miche_vasconcelos

Joy Davis talks about how her husband knew they would always have a child with disabilities. After Emery was progressing as a toddler, she suffered a stroke in surgery and was never the same. She no longer has the ability to talk, feed herself, walk, or perform regular everyday activities like other young girls. Joy used to hate her name, but she talks about how she grew to love it, how it was meant for her and how Emery has completely shifted her perspective on life and what it means to have a healthy body.

Dr. Julie Valentine is a forensic nurse and mother to 8 children. I was seriously not worthy to be in her presence! She mothered 8 children, and got a PHD with a 2 year old in tow, and thanks to her efforts, the largest state database on sexual assault cases exists in the United States. But it's always about her patients. I was in awe of her capacity to love them, and help them find healing, and she gives a word of warning to those who may be suffering from domestic violence, and don't know it.

I am not sure if I know of someone else who has lost as many loved ones as Kim, in such a short amount of time. After losing her brother in law tragically in a race, she lost two brothers to addiction as well as her Dad shortly after. She has managed to find the joy through it all. While immersing herself in service, she has found joy in the process and helps others to see that joy IS possible. Even in the midst of heartache and devastation.

Des has suffered from seizures for many years and has had 3 brain surgeries to try to curb them. During her last surgery, she suffered a stroke but was not informed by her surgeons until after she fell out of bed in the recovery room without any knowledge that her legs didn't work. She lost function in one of her arms and for the last 8 years has managed to dominate life one-handed, and with a whole lotta humor along the way.

Jenedy Paige is an accomplished oil painter, and competitive Ninja Warrior. After reviving her son from drowning in a pool, he suffered sympathetic storming and passed away. Jenedy then trained to be on the hit TV show "American Ninja Warrior" where she has competed on 4 seasons now. She now coaches ninja classes, painting classes, and journals everyday, where she is able to see the tender mercies of God all throughout her life. She is an inspiration.