585: The Woman Who Raised Me - My Mom's Incredible Mindset with Julie Wilson

May 7, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Julie Wilson, the mother of Hal Elrod, shares her incredible story of resilience and positivity. Having navigated immense loss, including the death of her daughter and facing her own health challenges, Julie emphasizes the power of laughter and faith in overcoming adversity. She reflects on her journey of parenting and how a focus on gratitude helped shape Hal's mindset. Listeners will find inspiration in her wise insights on maintaining joy and strength even during life's toughest moments.

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ANECDOTE

Amory's Story and Passing

Julie's daughter Amory had a rare form of dwarfism and an undiagnosed heart defect.
Amory passed peacefully at 16 months, an event that deeply impacted Julie and her family.

ANECDOTE

Turning Grief into Purpose

Julie turned the loss of Amory into a mission by starting a local Compassionate Friends group.
Helping others heal helped her process her own grief.

ANECDOTE

Support During Hal's Car Crash

Hal's near-fatal car accident shocked Julie and her family, but she stayed hopeful and strong.
She never left Hal alone during his 7 weeks in the hospital, showing unwavering support.

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This episode is incredibly long overdue but the stars aligned, and I had the chance to interview someone who has been instrumental in helping me become the man I am today. That person is none other than my mom, Julie Wilson. I can’t wait for you to hear her story and mine from her perspective.

You’ve heard me talk about many of the difficult chapters in my life—losing my sister, surviving a near-fatal car crash, battling cancer—but today, you’ll hear those stories through the eyes of the woman who lived them right alongside me. And when I say literally, I mean literally beside me.

My mom has been through more than most: the heartbreaking loss of a daughter (my sister), raising a rebellious teen (yep, that was me), watching me fight for my life multiple times, and most recently, surviving a serious fall that shattered her heel and broke her wrist. And yet, she remains one of the most joyful, optimistic, and resilient people I know. Her strength doesn’t come from avoiding hardship—it comes from choosing laughter, faith, and service in the face of it.

Whether you’re a parent, a child, or someone simply navigating a tough season with life’s curveballs, this episode is packed with love, wisdom, and great perspective. You’ll learn how the positive mindset that I have today started when I was very young, why my family chooses to focus on the good things and not on the things that are out of our control, and how my mom lives with unshakable joy, even when life gets tough.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

How the words “Can’t Change It” is more than a phrase—it’s our way of life
How my mom turned the loss of her daughter into a mission of healing for others
Why giving tough love is necessary sometimes, especially when raising teenagers
The positive mindset my mom had after a devastating fall from a ladder
Her simple advice on true happiness and feeling young at heart
That it’s better to give than to receive and why my mom is compelled to help others

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To get full access to today's show notes, including audio, transcript, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit MiracleMorning.com/585

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