Blue Sky Christina Menkemeller on Facing Adversity, Finding Purpose in Suffering, and Lifting the Lives of Others
At a time in her life that should have been one of her happiest – just prior to her wedding – Christina Menkemeller developed frightening symptoms and was given a devastating diagnosis. In the wake of this news, Christina’s fiancé Cardin never wavered in his commitment and the newlywed couple decided to take a yearlong trip that would change the course of their lives. After facing the understandable “why me” moments, Christina was buoyed by her faith and a sense of gratitude and decided to launch a nonprofit – called Being Positioned – to help others with conditions like hers go on their own dream trips. She describes this organization as a sort of “Make-A-Wish for adults” and it’s already making a huge impact and helping her find purpose in her suffering.
Chapters:
02:11 Meet Christina Menkemeller Bill welcomes Christina, his first cousin once removed, and expresses excitement about their family connection. She shares her journey leading up to a life-changing diagnosis that altered her path.
03:00 Facing a Life-Altering Diagnosis Christina recounts the frightening onset of her symptoms just before her wedding, leading to a diagnosis of a rare, debilitating disease. She discusses the emotional turmoil of receiving such news at a critical moment in her life.
07:01 The ‘Why Me?’ Moment Christina reflects on the devastating moment of her diagnosis and the fear of losing her hearing. She shares how her husband, Cardin, provided unwavering support during this challenging time.
10:24 A Bold Decision to Travel After grappling with Christina’s diagnosis, Cardin suggests they quit their jobs and travel the world. This chapter explores the couple’s decision-making process and the motivation behind their adventurous leap.
14:28 Transformative Travels Christina describes how their year-long trip changed her outlook on life, helping her regain confidence and joy.
19:08 A Newfound Courage Midway through their travels, she begins to shed her fears and embrace life more fully.
20:07 The Birth of a Nonprofit Upon returning home, Christina feels inspired to create a nonprofit, ‘Being Positioned,’ aimed at helping others with rare genetic disorders. She discusses the motivation behind this initiative and its mission to provide unforgettable travel experiences.
25:20 Empowering Others Through Travel Christina explains how ‘Being Positioned’ facilitates dream trips for adults facing life-altering health conditions.
30:13 The Power of Community She discusses the emotional support she receives from her partner and the importance of community in facing challenges.
31:41 Finding Purpose in Suffering In this chapter, Christina shares her journey of finding meaning in her suffering and how it has transformed her outlook on life. She emphasizes the significance of therapy and the importance of recognizing the impact of her struggles on others.
33:05 From Idea to Reality: Creating ‘Being Positioned’ Christina recounts her journey from a moment of inspiration to the creation of her ambitious nonprofit. She highlights the importance of optimism in entrepreneurship and how her experiences fueled her desire to help others.
37:01 Empathy Born from Experience This chapter explores how Christina’s diagnosis has deepened her empathy for others facing similar struggles. She shares a poignant moment of connection with a fellow patient, illustrating the power of shared experiences.
40:41 Choosing Gratitude Amidst Hardship Christina offers valuable advice on cultivating gratitude during difficult times, emphasizing the importance of recognizing small moments of joy. She shares her personal practice of journaling gratitude and how it helps her navigate her challenges.
43:53 A Message of Hope and Inspiration Christina reflects on her journey and the strength she draws from her faith and gratitude. The conversation wraps up with a heartfelt acknowledgment of her resilience and the positive impact she aims to create through her work.