My first story was when I was very young. At five I was molested. I didn’t even know what that word meant at that time. All I knew was that an older boy did something to me a few times and I told my cousin nonchalantly in one of our conversations. I remembered she immediately told my sister. My sister started crying and she told my dad. My dad asked me who hurt me? Terrified, I answered “Bryan.” Bryan was my next-door neighbor. Instantly I became overwhelmed with many emotions. I was confused about why my dad was yelling at Bryan’s dad and why his dad was angry. I was even more confused when the cops came to my house. I remember feeling guilt that someone was going to get in trouble. I felt all the cussing and fighting around me were because of me. Going through counseling was extremely awkward. I remembered demonstrating what Bryan did to me by using two Raggedy Ann dolls. However, despite the awkwardness and embarrassment, I wasn’t prepared to face the torment from his younger sisters at school. I felt scared, ashamed, and completely isolated. No one was talking to me. No one helped me understand what was going on.
Yes, my childhood was rough, yes I was overwhelmed with the lack of attention. But I turned it around. I learned- When you break down, you breakthrough. Or, as the great Japanese proverb says: “Fall down Seven times, Get up Eight! All my struggles lead to my life’s work, as a trainer and coach. My passion is to infuse people with confidence. I do this by always listening to my clients’ needs and fears. I learned the hard way that everyone needs support and encouragement. For everyone, there is help out there, you just have to take that first step to find it.
