Find Your Voice, Change Your Life

Today, I interview Mitra Manesh, the youngest of three children who grew up in Iran. Mitra learned to fend for herself and figure out her own way. She was intelligent and well-behaved, never getting into trouble and becoming a source of comfort and stability in the room. These things earned her the nickname, "the wise child" from a very young age. But was this a good thing or not?Mitra took this as part of her identity the more and more adults would say it to her. She became strong and serious and didn't spend much time playing and being silly - very important things for children. Mitra was in the U.S. for school in the seventies. Then she returned home, but because of the conflict, the borders were closed and she was unable to come back. Then she went to Turkey and France, and now lives in California. Through all of the unrest, Mitra had an epiphany. She had been looking for stability in the world, and as she so perfectly puts it, as her "inner world was forming, the outer world was in complete chaos." She was just beginning to discover herself and come alive, and all of her surroundings were falling apart. She experienced so much loss. The "anchor" she sought in family, friends, academia, and home could really only be found within herself. So she accepted what she calls an "invitation" to dig deep within herself to find clarity and meaning. She realized that she had to find and create her own voice, because if she was "given" her voice from someone, that could just be taken away. She learned to only rely on herself. Her journey into Turkey was quite a turning point in her life. She left everyone and everything behind and crossed the border with little more than the clothes on her back. But without all the other voices in her ear, she slowly began to work forward, starting over and waiting for no one. She realized that only she could give herself the power she'd been looking for. These days, Mitra flows through life in a state of mindfulness. She accepts the reality of situations, does her best to be truly present, and enjoys the spontaneity of not taking anything for granted. _________ Mitra Manesh is the creator of the Mindful Attentionist Coaching (M.A.C.) program, an inside-out program for deep training of global mindful coaches. She is also the founder of “innermap”, an innovative new mindfulness App, and the host of “Lights on”, a podcast offering support for a mindful life. She is a mindfulness thought leader, storyteller, and educator with almost 4 decades of experience helping people of all ages and many different cultures to live, love, and lead more consciously at home and at work. Find Mitra here: https://www.mitramanesh.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mitramanesh_/?hl=en https://www.clubhouse.com/@mitramanesh?utm_medium=ch_profile&utm_campaign=PG4DiiEsePKU2l1IRDbm4Q-218317 Join her free 1 Hour Class to learn "What’s your most valuable asset in life & how can you benefit from it?": https://www.mitramanesh.com/ ___________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com. Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Dr. John Gray. In John's family there were lots of siblings, and there was lots of love. However, his mother clearly had a sweet spot for John and favored him a little. In turn, his siblings expressed their jealousy by picking on and torturing him. He learned to stay alert, but this meant he was always on edge and quite afraid. John's fear wasn't really recognized or discussed in his family until a concerned aunt pointed it out to him when he was still pretty young. So he became aware that he had an issue with fear but didn't yet understand how to work through it. John felt very loved by his parents. He says that by the time he came along, his parents realized that things like spankings and other punishments hadn't worked on his older siblings. They decided not to punish him in the same way and just to "leave him in the hands of God." This added to the growing jealousy of his siblings, and their anger was another source of intimidation, keeping John from building - or even using - his voice. On the other hand, John's mother supported all of his ideas and encouraged him to keep learning and figuring out life. She would later add a wing onto her bookstore to house and sell all of the books he would write. At the age of 19, John became the youngest teacher of Transcendental Meditation. During his first lecture, he was so nervous he fainted. But he was so passionate about TM, he decided to keep working at it, trying to overcome his anxiety. Then he found Improv. Instead of focusing on a speech and feeling like everyone was there to judge any misstep, he felt like a cloud lifted when his improv peers supported him and cheered him on for his creativity. In this welcome and safe space, he was able to begin to release his fears and move forward. Today, his thoughts and ideas are known internationally, and his voice has changed the lives of thousands. _________ Dr. Gray has written over 20 books. His most recent book is Beyond Mars and Venus: Relationship Skills for Our Complex Modern World. His Mars/Venus book series has changed the way men and women view their relationships. John helps men and women better understand and respect their differences in both personal and professional relationships. His approach combines specific communication techniques with healthy, nutritional choices that create the brain and body chemistry for lasting health, happiness, and romance. His many books, blogs, and free online workshops at MarsVenus.com provide practical insights to improve relationships at all stages of life and love. An advocate of health and optimal brain function, he also provides natural solutions for overcoming depression, anxiety, and stress to support increased energy, libido, hormonal balance, and better sleep. He has appeared repeatedly on Oprah, as well as on The Dr. Oz Show, TODAY, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, and others. He has been profiled in Time, Forbes, USA Today, and People. He was also the subject of a three-hour special hosted by Barbara Walters. John Gray lives in Northern California where for 34 years he happily shared his life with his beautiful wife, Bonnie, until her passing in 2018. They have three grown daughters and four grandchildren. He is an avid follower of his own health and relationship advice. Find John here: https://www.marsvenus.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsvenus/ https://www.facebook.com/Mars.Venus.John.Gray https://www.instagram.com/johngraymarsvenus_official/ https://twitter.com/MarsVenus ______________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find theiSupport the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Joey Chandler, a good friend for years. This story takes place in the middle of a transformative phase in his more current journey, rather than walking back through his childhood. Joey went through a very rough period over the past couple years where he was struggling with COVID, going through a separation, and dealing with shifts in his business. He was frustrated and feeling a little lost. After all the work he'd done in the past, studying and teaching about purpose, he felt a deep longing to get to the roots of his own identity. He believed that if he could figure out who he truly was, he'd begin to find the answers to the other questions that were presenting themselves in his life. And what he has learned about himself is that he's all about love: courage, connection, and commitment. After peeling back the layers, he slowly but surely realized that these things were the key to renewing his sense of purpose. Joey explains further, saying that we'll always have problems, or obstacles, or challenges that can give us anxiety or fear. Those things never change. But when we bring more and more and more of ourselves to the situation, our own presence diminishes the issue, and our perspective becomes less about fear and more about confidence and feeling equipped. We have courage. In learning more about connection with others, a friend pointed out to him that who we are and what we value are two very different things, and it's important to personify love to people. Finally, Joey talks about commitment. He says that who we really are is just beneath the surface waiting to emerge. Finding your true self takes commitment, which is a daily investment of time, practice, and trust. But when you commit to something true and good, rooted in love, it can be the surest footing of your life. _______________ Joey Chandler is a purpose-based relationship coach and host of the Love Launch Podcast. He works with entrepreneurs, executives, coaches, and consultants to make their purpose part of their relationships and everyday life. He has been coaching and leading transformational workshops for 20 years and his purpose is about people loving their life. He lives in northern California, is an avid skier, and recently published his first book - "Thrones of Wisdom - 99 ways to get off the pot while on the pot." Joey offers a quick survey on his website where you can create your own Core Statement, which helps you to "describe who you are in everyday language". Find Joey here: https://joeychandler.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeychandler70/ https://www.facebook.com/jchandler1 https://www.instagram.com/joeychandler70/ https://twitter.com/joeychandler70 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCALXDtSL66nZrwPuJx9vwDQ _________________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com. Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Melissa Reilly whose life began in rural upstate New York with her parents and two sisters. Then one of her sisters became severely ill, and she and the other sister were often dropped off with anyone who could take them, so that their parents could take their ill sister for treatments. Melissa was shy with new people and began keeping her voice to herself, learning to observe people and read situations by their behavior. Her sweet sister died a couple years later, and the family went through a tremendous grieving process. Her parents eventually split up. Her mother began to struggle in many areas, and as Melissa grew up and went off to college and entered a graduate program, the miscommunication and frustration between them eventually led to a falling out. Melissa's mother suddenly died eight months later, and it broke her heart that they hadn't been able to reconcile their relationship beforehand. And just seven months after that, her other sister also passed away suddenly after a long struggle with her mental and physical health. Melissa waited 12 years before feeling ready to start a family of her own. She experienced infertility and losses but finally had a son. Wishing for the support of her mother, she realized that she was finally allowing herself to grieve her mom's loss for the first time. She had no mentor, and she felt like something was wrong with her and that she didn't have a voice. She had a successful career, but becoming a mother broke her. Melissa took a step back and it occurred to her that she wasn't alone after all. She shifted her work, feeling the passion to encourage her community of fellow moms without moms that motherhood is hard but rewarding, and that mothers can lean on each other to ask questions and find the support they need to believe in themselves. ___________ Melissa Reilly, Psy.D. is a mom of two boys, clinical psychologist, and mom coach passionate about helping moms separated from their mother by physical distance, estrangement, or death, move from feelings of insecurity, isolation, and overwhelm to a place of resilience. Through her personal and professional experience, she has come to recognize that Moms without a mom experience grief as part of their motherhood experience, even if they don’t realize it. The relationship moms have had (or didn’t have) with their mothers impacts how they see themselves but doesn’t define them. She believes it isn’t knowledge and skills that create resilience, but rather it is born through overcoming hardship, having a community, and living by one’s values. Melissa is honored to walk with moms on their journey to becoming the mom they always wanted to be. Her psychological practice, Shoudt & Reilly Psychological Services, serves residents of Berks County, Pennsylvania. She is now expanding her services to include parent coaching, focusing on Moms Without a Mom, which can be accessed by women all over the world through her website.Find Dr. Melissa here: https://www.momswithoutamom.com/ https://www.instagram.com/momswithoutamom/ https://www.facebook.com/Dr.MelissaReilly https://www.tiktok.com/@momswithoutamom Enjoy Being a Mom Again Quick Guide: https://www.momswithoutamom.com/enjoy-motherhood-again-guide Care For Yourself While You Care For Your Baby Guide: https://melissareillypsyd.lpages.co/bonding-with-baby-while-caring-for-yourself-opt-in Schedule a complimentary coaching call: https://MelissaReillyPsyDMomsWithoutAMom.as.me/free-coaching-call ___________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Ann Hince whose story certainly has a unique beginning. She was adopted as a newborn into a family who had just had to give up a foster daughter, so in some ways she started her life by filling in another one's shoes. There was a lot of moving and traveling when Ann was a child, and somehow her birth mother kept track of her location all along. Ann experienced some traumatic experiences as a young child. She told her parents her room was on fire and they didn't believe her. So from day one her voice was quieted. Among many places they'd lived was Hong Kong, and while her family lived there she was sent away to England to attend her brother's boarding school-- a boys-only institution-- which would be yet another confusing and scary experience on a list of many that had suppressed her voice. Through the years her dad also tormented her. He made her record herself speaking on cassette, something to be mailed to the grandparents, but would also chime in, mocking and ridiculing her for how her voice sounded. He also repeated the same teasing that Ann said she was receiving from the boys at her school. So her fear grew and she continued to hide within herself, tired of the constant humiliation. When she reached 21, she left that life behind and headed for California, where she had a family and pursued a career in software engineering. She was confronted by some disagreement from some fellow coworkers and it absolutely tormented her. A few days later, she'd processed the incident and realized that she shouldn't have had such a strong reaction-- that there was unresolved trauma and she could do something about it. So she did. Ann went on an amazing journey and found emotional freedom. Today, she encourages others to allow themselves to fully experience what they're feeling and work through it, rather than suppressing it. She helps them to be present and acknowledge the moment so they can move past their fear and pain. ___________ When Ann was 19, she woke one morning to find her mother dead in her bathroom. Twenty years later the tears from that trauma were still just under the surface. Ann found a simple technique that helped her release these emotions - but she went further and can now put her awareness inside her body - and has changed the bone structure of her skull and grown ½ an inch at age 55. Ann has found that seeking out our truth, what we truly feel, and accepting those feelings, is the key to inner peace. Find Ann here: https://annhince.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AnnHinceWisdom https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTc4hb7ZKvih1LlRHK0cUjg Book: A Pathway to Insight on Amazon___________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.  Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Paul Hood who describes his childhood household as "quiet, non-controversial, and easy". Maintaining privacy and avoiding conflict were the M.O. His father was a CPA and introduced him to a colleague who was both a CPA and a lawyer, and at age ten Paul decided that this was the combination he would strive for. He graduated with a master's in tax law and was mentored in estate planning, in which he landed a successful job at a great firm. At age 38, he was nationally nominated for an ACTEC fellowship-- something unheard of for someone so young-- and became a reputable speaker. Then, he stood his ground in a disagreement within a social organization for which he was treasurer. He lost the battle and was blacklisted in the community. Not long after, his wife of ten years decided she wanted a divorce. Paul loved his work, but he was experiencing burnout. He would later be diagnosed as bipolar. Then, after some deception by his clients regarding an estate matter, the tables turned and Paul's handling of the case was regarded as unethical, and he eventually received a suspension from the bar. His friends and colleagues abandoned him, he was struggling with his custody battle, and after much anxiety, he'd become addicted to Xanax. And finally, after a heartbreaking misunderstanding with his family, an altercation went terribly wrong. His world was crumbling and he attempted suicide. He realized that "suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem." He was determined to climb out of the empty hole his life had become. He has completed rehabilitation and worked to be reinstated. He encourages others never to stop believing in themselves, and that when we don't have anyone in our corner, we have to be our own strength. He believes his inner voice carried him through. __________________ A native of Louisiana (and a double LSU Tiger), Paul Hood obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University and an LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center before settling down to practice tax and estate planning law in the New Orleans area. Paul has taught at the University of New Orleans, Northeastern University, The University of Toledo College of Law, and Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law. Paul has authored or co-authored nine books and over 500 professional articles on estate, charitable and tax planning, and business valuation. Paul’s ninth book, Yours, Mine & Ours: Estate Planning for People in Blended or StepFamilies, is now out. A “recovering tax lawyer” and frequent contributor to Leimberg Information Services since its inception, Paul is a highly sought-after speaker and consultant because of his innate ability to see through the complexity and explain difficult and even boring subjects in understandable and entertaining language with his insightful and biting sense of humor, and he minces no words in doing so. Along the way, Paul’s been a father, husband, uncle, Godfather, lawyer, trustee, member, director, president, partner, trust protector, director of planned giving, expert witness, agent, professor, judge, juror, respondent, and a defendant, and he uses his experience in these myriad roles to guide others. Paul is an author, speaker, and consultant on tax, estate, and charitable planning. He also is a Vice-President with Thompson & Associates, a charitable estate planning firm.___________________ Find Paul here: paul@paulhoodservices.com https://paulhoodservices.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-hood-9b51a49/___________________ I'm your podcast host, Dr. DoreenSupport the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Lesley Evans who as the youngest of three children and the only girl, received plenty of attention as a child. Her voice didn't begin to fade until her teenage years. Her parents divorced and she focused on comforting her mother, and from there she naturally fell into a caretaker role, giving her friends advice and being the supporter for anyone who needed it. As a young adult, Lesley lived her life according to a checklist: get a degree, find a job, get married, buy a house, have children. She was busy all the time, getting things done and checking them off her list. But somewhere along the line, she lost herself. She was so preoccupied with accomplishing everything on the list, and with taking care of people and meeting their needs, that she completely forgot about herself. In this interview, Lesley also mentions her sudden realization that her voice was also silenced because of her work in the nursing/therapy field-- that often times nurses and therapists put in the most time and labor, yet the doctor is the only one who can "sign off" on things and have the final say. In a precious revelation, Lesley saw the need for change when she saw her own habits mirrored in her daughter. As she encouraged her daughter not to diminish herself for anyone, she sensed that a shift needed to be made. She worked to break the cycle of putting herself last so that she could set a better example for her children. Lesley did a deep spiritual dive, learning to understand her life and her energy better. She was able to use all the losses and changes along the way to transform herself and find her own healing. Today, she uses alternative therapies to help others achieve physical and emotional balance, form healthy habits, and rewire their thinking in a more positive way. __________________ Lesley is an International Best-Selling Author of DeFUNK YourSELF. She has developed a perfect blend of ​modern and magical ​therapies to empower the overwhelmed by teaching how to shed the guilt, find your passion, and live an inspired life. Lesley has thirty years of experience as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse Therapist. She is a Certified Soul C​are Practitioner and Reiki Master. She brings new purpose and passion for raising awareness, gaining new perspectives, and teaching others to Shine Their Light​. ​She believes, like The Rising Phoenix, that everyone can rise from the ashes of their old lives and build themselves stronger to shine their light into the world. Click the link to get Lesley's Tips to Fit Mindfulness Into Everyday Life: https://mailchi.mp/3d7acc782623/everydaymindfulness Find Lesley here: lesley@riseofthephoenix.org https://www.riseofthephoenix.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-evans-49a779203/ https://www.facebook.com/RiseUpwithRiseOfThePhoenix https://www.facebook.com/lesleytevans __________________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com. Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Doug Brown who was raised by two very hardworking parents. He was encouraged to persevere and accomplish as much as he could, but that put a lot of emphasis on performance and left less time for self-reflection. There wasn't much room for slowing down to connect. He says that throughout his various experiences and occupations, he's never had a fear of the microphone. He never felt anxious about delivering a message and getting the job done. But truly letting himself be seen and revealing his vulnerable side was a completely foreign idea for him. Doug continued onto what would become a very long and successful career built around fortifying businesses and rescuing and repairing issues for business owners. He worked extremely hard-- so hard, in fact, that he wasn't taking care of himself. He was becoming more and more empty, and his own needs weren't being met. He fell into extreme burnout and finally knew he needed to make some urgent changes when he started experiencing panic attacks. After heeding advice of coaches and mentors to explore mindfulness, Doug became attuned to his own place in the world, putting thought into how he wanted his life to look and how he wanted to represent himself. He wanted to thrive, and he was ready to make the necessary changes. Now in his interactions with people, he truly values taking the time to really connect. He believes we accomplish more as humans when we share ourselves with others. That's what makes the most meaningful difference. __________________ Doug is an executive coach and consultant who helps high-performing CEOs, business owners, lawyers, and other professionals maximize their business growth and leadership success so they can have the freedom to live a fulfilled life. Doug's story of finding his voice is tied to his career and life journey from the child of small business owners through being a lawyer and into his own journey into the corporate world and becoming an entrepreneur, business builder, and fixer. And over the last 25 years, he's helped transform multiple seven and eight-figure businesses, from large corporations to family businesses, professional practices, not-for-profits, and professional associations. Find Doug here: doug@summit-success.com https://www.summit-success.com/lawyerhttps://summit-success.com/author/doug-brown/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglasbrown/ https://www.facebook.com/summitsuccessllc https://www.facebook.com/dougbrownspeaks___________________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.  Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Peleg Top who was bullied as a child growing up in Israel. He knew who he was, and he had things to say, but he felt that no one wanted to hear them.  As a gay young child he was teased and felt that he never fit in. Eventually he began to believe those lies and would later require some inner work to rediscover his love for himself. Throughout his teenage years, the bullying continued. And he hid more and more of his true self, eventually feeling as though life was a mindless act and he was just going through the motions. Peleg points out that as innocent children, we exist as pure love and joy. When he was finally able to do the inner work required to heal, the result was coming full circle back to himself-- back to that place of existing as love and joy. He's realized that it's okay to say what he wants,  to say and share what's in his heart with people, and that it's also okay if people didn't agree with what he has to say. And that is so empowering! Peleg naturally protects his creativity and uses his knowledge and spirituality to protect his true self-- the true self he fought so hard to reclaim. Today, he's a creative coach and spiritual director who studies and teaches about transformation, change, and building healthy habits. __________________ Peleg Top comes to us from Santa Fe, in the land of enchantment in New Mexico. He is the founder of the "Creative High Growth Method" a soul awakening process that helps people at a crossroads find their purpose and authentic voice. Peleg wears many creative hats. He is a trained spiritual director, an entrepreneur, an artist, a trained chef, a graphic designer, and a recovering overachiever Find Peleg here: hello@pelegtop.com https://www.pelegtop.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pelegtop/ https://www.facebook.com/withpelegtop https://twitter.com/pelegtop __________________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com. Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Ray Bourcier who was five when he experienced the beginnings of what would become a major conflict within his family. Aunts and uncles in disagreement with his own parents led to a complete falling out by the time he'd reached age eight. Ray was excluded from activities with his cousins based on the adults disliking each other, and so began the inner turmoil and lack of self-worth for such a little guy. What's more, a troubling mental health diagnosis for his mother led to no peace for Ray. The discord and resentment continued in the family, and Ray says he spent the next two decades basically "in survival mode". He didn't feel safe. He didn't feel like he fit in anywhere. And he didn't have a true sense of his own identity. He had no motivation in school, was bullied, and felt very left behind. He ended up giving up on college to care for his mother. Eventually, he decided to give life one more try. He re-enrolled in hopes of studying Environmental Science. Then, a shocking incident would change his life forever. A SWAT team burst into his apartment in full force and scared the life out of him. Officers left after realizing they'd hit the wrong apartment, but Ray was terrified and completely paralyzed by the whole event. He failed his exams and lost focus. But he later realized that he had the opportunity to view life with a different perspective. He challenged the odds and completed his degree. But it was time to reevaluate his struggling marriage and make a change before his child was to be born. He made a conscious choice to heal from his past and to prevent the same toxicity from impacting his child's life. He made it to the other side and now uses his company and his podcast to encourage other people (his heart is for parents & kids) to embrace change, have an open mind, build their strength, and never give up. __________________ From the age of five and for the next 20-plus years, Ray struggled through severe anxiety and depression before starting his journey of overcoming his struggles. Ray is now a father, author, podcaster, and mentor. His goal is to help transform the lives and impact the worlds of 11 million parents by helping them to break the cycle so it doesn't get passed on to their kids, their relationships, and their dreams. Captivate featured his podcast "From Surviving To Thriving" only six weeks after its launching. Find Ray here: http://empowerup.info/tribe empoweruptransform@gmail.com http://www.worldsbest.support/ https://www.facebook.com/empowerup.transformation https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-bourcier-44b9a31b2/ https://www.fromsurvivingtothrivingpodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/myempowerup/ https://twitter.com/EmpowerUp__________________ I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.  Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.