9 episodes

When life changes in an instant, you have two choices: Retreat or Rise Up. These are the stories of people who chose to triumph over trauma.

Suddenly Stronger Rachel Flint

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 10 Ratings

When life changes in an instant, you have two choices: Retreat or Rise Up. These are the stories of people who chose to triumph over trauma.

    Roxanne - The Unshrinking Woman

    Roxanne - The Unshrinking Woman

    "I'm no longer shrinking to be digestible. You can choke."

    Roxanne shared this powerful quote (source unknown) on her Facebook page, and she takes it to heart. She is bold, outspoken, and so much fun to talk to.

    She never met her birth father. She was abused by her stepdad. Manipulated and humiliated by her church. Her toxic marriage ultimately led to abuse and hearing loss. She reached a breaking point, escaped the toxic marriage, started a new life on her terms, and now her future is looking brighter than ever. Tune in and be inspired as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 


    Guest: Roxanne
    Intro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)


    Highlights  ✨


    02:13The Disconnected Marriage
    03:36The Little Pieces of Truth
    05:06The Eccentric Art Pieces
    08:05The Amicable Agreement
    10:13The Divorce Decree and Agreements
    11:54The Loss of Hearing Mishap
    13:24The Legally Blind Driver
    14:50The Promotion of Disability Awareness
    17:57The Adapt or Die Season
    19:45The Open and Affirming Church
    23:07The Real Trauma Therapist
    25:25The Trauma from Stepdad
    26:26The EMDR Therapy
    27:41The Stupid Statistics
    29:14The Feminist Mom
    31:50The Kids’ Undivided Attention
    34:14The Financial Worth of an Hour’s Time
    36:34The Financial Expert
    38:55The Chesapeake Experience
    40:18The Breaking Point
    45:05The Excited Detective
    48:00The Late Cop Incident
    50:21The Broken System
    55:15The Lucky Parts of the Story
    58:41The Domestic Violence Victim’s Wisdom
    1:00:01The Good Memories
    1:01:13The Life After the Divorce
    1:03:59The Schedule of Activities
    1:05:18The Sexy Moments
    1:06:50The Adjustments
    1:08:19The Healthy Relationship
    1:12:54The PMDD Diagnosis
    1:16:13The Misconception on Being Legally Blind
    1:18:38The Missed Diagnosis
    1:20:27The Effects of COVID in Business
    1:22:52The Easy Freezy Freezer Meals
    1:25:59The Name by Choice
    1:27:07The Birth Father Mystery
    1:28:42The Hidden Middle Name
    1:30:45The Hassle of Changing Names
    1:33:57The Parenting Strategy for Teenagers
    1:36:07The Life Lessons
    1:40:18The Uncomfortable Conversations



    Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!



    Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Nicki - The Tenacious Fighter

    • 1 hr 47 min
    Nicki - The Tenacious Fighter

    Nicki - The Tenacious Fighter

    A toxic home environment. Rape. Rape AGAIN. Loss of an eye after a freak accident. Losing a parent to suicide. Nicki's early years were traumatic and she very easily could've ended up on a different path. 

    Her perspective is unexpected. Her tenacity is inspiring. And she tells her story in a way that will leave you feeling shocked, encouraged, and ready to take on the world. 
    Tune in and be inspired by her strength and grit as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 


    Guest: Nicki
    Intro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)


    Highlights  ✨


    01:16The Synopsis
    02:17The Fast Forward Realizations
    03:54The First Sexual Assault 
    06:27The School Rumor
    07:44The Gang Rape
    12:12The After Effects
    12:58The Sudden Accident
    15:20The Shocking Reaction
    16:45The Panicky Intern Doctor
    18:28The Emergency Eye Surgery
    19:21The Loss of an Eye
    21:13The Look in the Mirror
    23:10The Series of Surgeries
    25:57The Afterthoughts
    27:34The Pill Addiction
    29:07The Life After-Plan
    30:33The Appearance Matters
    33:11The Boyfriend and Relationships
    33:30The Suicide of Her Father
    33:49The Sibling Twins
    34:10The Breakdown of Her Mom
    35:15The Nervous Breakdown of Her Own
    36:05The Wrong Marriage
    37:38The Present Relationship With Her Daughter
    40:26The Series of Therapies
    41:10The EMDR Therapy
    44:55The Inside Healing Journey
    47:23The Passing of Her Sister
    48:36The Reason For Everything
    49:24The Next Steps
    52:09The Words of Wisdom


    Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!


    Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Brandi - The Resilient Widow

    • 53 min
    Brandi - The Resilient Widow

    Brandi - The Resilient Widow

    When her husband took his life with no warning, Brandi and her two sons were blindsided and left to pick up the pieces. They all handled their grief in different ways: Brandi entered the world of bodybuilding, and her sons headed down two very different paths. Brandi has found strength and healing by sharing her story, and has learned to communicate more directly with her loved ones. She sheds light on this topic that is seen by many as shameful and taboo, and shares how those in similar situations can help their friends or family members who may be struggling or have lost a loved one to suicide.


    Tune in and be inspired by her strength of spirit as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 


    Guest: Brandi
    Intro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)


    Highlights  ✨


    01:08The Day of Madness
    07:14The Chaos
    08:42The New Man of the House
    09:35The Thoughts of Suicide
    10:38The Son’s Battle Against Addiction
    12:48The Impact
    14:15The Husband’s Battle Beside Depression
    17:30The Loss of a Family
    19:06The Changes in Communication
    20:49The Open Therapy
    21:47The Search for Answers
    23:51The Statistics on Suicidal Incidents
    25:14The Life Insurance Plan
    25:33The Allegations
    28:27The Watch
    29:38The Bodybuilding Training Plans
    34:24The Healing Journey
    37:45The Dating Phase After
    38:35The Search for the Right Relationship
    42:21The Confident Boyfriend
    43:57The Bolder Brandi
    45:22The Strong & Authentic Ties Made
    46:45The Take-Away Message



    Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!



    Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Melinda H - The Young Widow

    • 49 min
    Melinda H - The Young Widow

    Melinda H - The Young Widow

    By the time Melinda was 20, she was already married with a six-month-old baby. Two weeks before their first anniversary, her husband was killed in a car accident, leaving her to raise their baby on her own. Though coping with his death was incredibly difficult, she knew she had to be present for her son, provide for him, and try to serve both parental roles. Twenty years and several hardships later, she views things with a surprising perspective.
    Tune in to be inspired by her strength as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 


    Guest: Melinda H.
    Intro/ Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)


    Highlights  ✨
    01:02The Persistent Suitor
    02:25The Wedding and a Baby!
    02:45The Surprise Party
    03:25The Car Accident
    07:45The Doctor’s Confirmation
    08:20The Horrible Nurse
    11:11The Single Motherhood Journey
    14:23The Supportive Women in Her Life
    15:50The Gratitude
    17:15The Helicopter Mom
    20:25The Reunion with Parents
    25:20The Insightful Moment
    26:15The Epiphany 
    31:07The Hardships of a Child
    34:15The Difficult In-Laws
    37:28The Second Marriage
    39:34The Birth of Her Mini-Me version
    43:27The Nursing School Experience
    56:20The Present Supportive Husband
    57:00The Loss of Her Mom
    58:40The Death of a Father
    1:08:32The Lesson of a Single Mom
    1:10:05The Adjustments into a Normal Marriage
    1:12:40The Step Children (Moving onto a New Family!)


    Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!


    Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Tara - The Unyielding Competitor

    • 1 hr 16 min
    Tara - The Unyielding Competitor

    Tara - The Unyielding Competitor

    When Tara's third aunt developed breast cancer, she knew something was up. She decided to  be proactive with her health and get tested for the BRCA gene, a genetic mutation that drastically increases chances of developing breast cancer. When the test came back positive, she made a quick decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy and removal of her Fallopian tubes. She was determined to prevent cancer so she could continue to be present for her family. Little did she know that a year later, she would be diagnosed with a different type of cancer that would put her through physical and emotional agony. Through it all, her competitor's mindset prevailed. 
    Tune in and be inspired by her strength and drive as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. 
    Guest: Tara Ramos (Check out her Instagram here!)
    Intro / Outro: Stronger by Les Thomas (Check him out on YouTube and Instagram!)


    Highlights  ✨


    01:22 The BRCA Mutation
    01:57 The Light Bulb Moment
    02:20 The Genetic Test Results
    03:40 The Quick Decision
    06:40 The Empowered Tara
    09:35 The Headache (How It All Started)
    13:08 The Theory for Oral Cancer
    15:20 The First Diagnosis
    18:45 The Initial Surgery
    19:23 The Pathology Report (More Operations!)
    22:00 The Support System
    24:00 The “Fight or Flight” Lessons in Action
    26:45 The Motivation to Show Up Every Day
    27:30 The Lung Tumor
    31:00 The YOLO Attitude!
    32:30 The Big Surgery
    33:48 The Scary Chemo Decision 
    37:00 The Changes
    38:50 The Coping Process
    41:05 The Company of a Good Friend
    45:08 The Continuous Battle
    47:08 The Healing process (Mind and Body)
    50:20 The Lingering Effects
    52:10 The Long-Term Outcome
    53:20 The Biggest Takeaway
    56:28 The Focus on Healing


    Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration and hope in this episode, please SUBSCRIBE so you’ll never miss out! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to SUDDENLY STRONGER, please share this with them!


    Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here 🡪  Tracey - The Deceived Fiancée

    • 59 min
    Tracey - The Deceived Fiancee

    Tracey - The Deceived Fiancee

    Tracey was newly divorced and not looking for love; but it found her. What she didn't know is that her new love would lead her down a path of unexpected twists and turns, lies, sacrifices, and deception. When she found out that her fiance had been diagnosed with leukemia, her competitive spirit kicked in and she was determined to stand by her man and help him beat cancer for the third time. She had no idea what the future held, and what she started to uncover was shocking.

    Tune in as she shares her story on this episode of Suddenly Stronger. Tune in and be inspired by her strength and grace.

    Guest: Tracey
    Intro: Stronger by Les Thomas

    Highlights ✨
     01:50 The Meet-Up
     05:40 The Diagnosis
     13:35 The Proposal
     14:55 The First Lie
     20:00 The Stem Cell Replacement  (How did he fake it?)
     23:12 The Silent Auction (A whooping $70,000 fundraiser!)
     24:26 The Huge Fight
     35:50 The Second Chance
     39:10 The Beginning of the End
     45:00 The Final Plan
     50:25 The Aftermath
     58:08 The Decision to go Public
     1:01:50 The Dark Times
     1:07:15 The Lessons
     1:15:25 The Takeaway

    Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode. If you’ve found inspiration in this episode, please subscribe so you never miss an episode! If you know someone who can be inspired or encouraged by listening to Suddenly Stronger, please share with them!

    Missed the previous episode? Listen to it here: MELINDA K - THE SCARRED SISTER

    • 1 hr 24 min

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