This Is Actually Happening 375: What if you had to fight your way out of the jungle?
Sep 16, 2025
Brenda Coffee, author of the gripping memoir MAYA BLUE: A Memoir of Survival, shares her harrowing tale of love and survival after the death of her husband. She recounts being captured in Guatemala, navigating a perilous escape from the jungle, and the profound impact of trauma on her life. As she reflects on her journey, Brenda emphasizes the power of resilience and healing, highlighting her experiences with self-hypnosis and group therapy. Her story is a striking blend of adventure and personal growth that inspires listeners to embrace their inner strength.
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Raised To Be Unbreakable
- Brenda describes being raised like a boarding student and becoming her mother's caretaker at 12, which forced her to abandon childhood.
- She learned to be self-reliant early and suppressed fear to hold the family together.
Meeting A Brilliant Partner
- Brenda met Philip Ray at Datapoint and left her job to be with him, quickly moving in together.
- Their relationship launched a life of adventure, science, and high-stakes innovation.
Home Lab To Product Patent
- Philip built an at-home chemistry lab and invented a smokeless cigarette while exploring cocaine synthesis as a scientific puzzle.
- Their creations drew attention and led them into patenting, product trials, and early vape development.
