"It wasn't until my 40's that I began to understand the seeds of trauma that drove my belief systems, choices & patterns… I am not what happened to me. I am how I overcame tragedy & trauma to live a life whole with joy."

"I knew I needed help. I was hospitalized for my eating disorder - that was my worst day… I am resilient, confident, compassionate & determined and I love my heart."

"I've always struggled with finding my self worth. But helping others helps me… Success is doing what you love despite what others say."

"Sure I wish I never got this diagnosis and I wouldn't wish it on anyone in this world, but as backwards as it sounds, I am happier than I've ever been in life… I am strong. I am Blessed. I WILL BEAT THIS."

"I battle with anxiety and thinking I'm not going to make it… Happiness comes from doing good for others. I believe love is the answer.”

"I worry about my future, my ability to have children & be a good mom… We only have one life & we should do as much good as we can while we are here.”

"My worst day was when I had to admit my young son to a juvenile mental hospital for over 2 weeks. I am proud that I never accept that my story is complete."

"(My nana's) passing trumped all my other tough days including my Mom's death, when I was raped at 12 by 3 older neighborhood "kids" and my cancer diagnosis… I love my heart - I know how genuine it is. There's no makeup, hair color or fancy clothes that can make it look any different. It's loyal and raw.”

"I'd tell a 12 year old me to follow her dreams and not to let others' words define her… The worst day of my life was losing my mom to brain cancer this past summer."

"Managing the anorexia took years of therapy, psychologist visits & nutrition counseling to finally accept food as medicine… Now people see me as a fearless leader, a take-controller and a light in the workplace - I believe I am all those things."

"At 23 I had a stroke. That was my ah-ha moment. I believe it is through my faith that endless miracles have occurred.”

"It's overwhelming being completely out of shape and going down a dark path emotionally & physically…I feel most alive when I’m experiencing adventures through my children’s eyes.”

"I've held onto an old story that I'm never going to find someone to love all of me - that I'm unworthy and unlovable. My new story is that I am more than enough! I am sexy and smart and ambitious."

"I wasn't safe but I stayed to protect a mother who didn't care if I lived or died - she told me daily that she hated me…I'm Alex and I'm proud of how far I've come. I'm proud of my drive and resiliency."

"I'd tell a 12 year old me that she is fabulous and to remember that; also to be kinder to those around her because everyone could use some more kindness…I also have very little patience for myself. I don't allow myself many mistakes and am hard on myself."

"I had a very rough upbringing that I'm forever scarred from - I want to be sure he has a better childhood than I had… I want my son to be proud of me. I want him to say “My Mom made it, she overcame.”

"I have abruptly become a single mom who has to split her time between work, nursing school, and kids… For the first time in my adult life I'm figuring out who I am and what makes me happy.”

"I fear mental illness taking over as it has for many women in my family… Happiness is finding joy in all things; hard, easy and small."

"I've walked through my life with paralyzing fear of what other people think & of disappointing them … I trust myself and know that no ones actions are a reflection of my character - ever."

"At 16 I was sexually assaulted by a man a little older than I was who I believed I could trust … I'm proud of my ability to overcome great obstacles and the fact that I never crumble."