In this episode, we bring you an inspiring conversation with Jen, a Gold Star wife, who has endured the most personal hardships imaginable. Jen is the epitome of the never-quit mentality.
When her brother committed suicide, Jen had to deal with the sudden, unbelievable impact on her life. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she dealt with a grapefruit-sized cyst on her ovaries, was at a close friends home when a knock on the door came and military reps arrived to notify her of her husband’s death in a helicopter crash while on a mission in Afghanistan, then lost her own husband in a helicopter crash while on a different mission. Later, she learned she had Stage 3 Breast Cancer and had subsequent chemotherapy, radiation and a double mastectomy.
Yet, despite the multiple tragic events, Jen has the uncanny ability to find the silver lining in every single thing and turning her negative experiences into being a help to others, including helping other cancer survivors.
Jen also found a renewed drive to work out, make a good life for her daughter, and move fast forward with life.
You will come away inspired by hearing Jen’s compelling accounts of these events and her never-ending pursuit of service to others.
In this episode you will hear:
- Getting hit by a car while jogging can ruin your day.
- You have to find the silver lining in every negative event.
- You can still get along with people who hold opposing views.
- Demonstrate to friends and family that you can be counted on.
- We’re not promised life forever.
- A group of friends can help one another in times of trouble. They help you deal with it.
- You can actually be a better person after you’ve dealt with tragedy.
- There is no A to Z formula for handling grief.
- Giving back to the community is a valuable thing.
- Your kids are watching your every move.
- There is no such thing as a coincidence.
- There is a bigger plan. Put your crap aside.
- Volunteer. It matters.
- You don’t need to know why you go through things. It’s probably to help people.
- Take the trip. Spend the money. Take the kids to Disney. Make memories.
