Speaking Style
My public speaking talks focus on honest, open discussions on the topics of addiction, overdose prevention, harm reduction strategies, recovery, and wellness. Through my own lived experiences of a complex childhood full of family divorce, mental illness, suicide, eating disorders, lack of communication, chaos, addiction and more, I draw from a combination of my childhood, my personal story, and a great desire to help others overcome similar struggles, and possibly avoid them all together.
A person with double-digit recovery, I continue to share my story with a message of hope, while challenging audiences to rethink how they view the disease of addiction. So often the focus of addiction involves harsh shame and stigmas, and an emphasis on the “how”.
How did this happen? How could he/she do this? How did he/she end up like this? My focus is more on breaking stigmas and shame reduction, while defining the “why” – why did he/she pick up that first drink/drug? Drug and alcohol prevention starts long before the first drink or drug.
By sharing my story there is strength in my struggle that people of all ages should hear it. Kids and adults alike benefit from hearing how dark and desperate it gets in active addiction and how incredibly liberating a life without drugs and alcohol can be. Obviously my public speaking is adapted appropriately to the demographics of my audience. The shame and stigma around addiction keeps people suffering in silence. The labels of “addict, junkie, and alcoholic” keep people stuck in the mindset that they are somehow morally corrupt, bad, less than, and undeserving –that just isn't the truth!
My message works to break negative stereotypes and dispel myths, so individuals and communities start talking out loud about addiction, substance use prevention, harm reduction strategies, overdose awareness, and the road to mental, physical and spiritual wellness. My energetic and powerful personal message resonates with all age groups. Whether I am speaking to a middle or high school, church group, or hosting a forum or workshop,