Mark Opauszky
Mark Opauszky shares his story of unbelievable resilience in his fight against necrotizing fasciitis.
More Than Our Story
Carol Schulte
Carol candidly shares her story. From her own struggles with mental health, to how she overcame them and in the process created a powerful tool to help others regain control over their own lives. She also talks about the company she founded: The Brave Initiative – which empowers people to step in to the bravest version of themselves. She also talks about her recent cancer diagnosis and how her journey up until this point has helped her become the bravest version of herself.
Highlights
Carol Schulte is a published author of The Brave Healing Journal, an international speaker, mental health advocate, coach, volunteer, and and founder of The Brave Initiative, which is dedicated to empowering leaders to be their bravest selves.
I do a lot of work with leaders and organizations, in order to really tap into the highest potential of their people. And then specifically, I have a program called “Brave Leader” just for high potential female leaders — to help them gain the confidence and the competence that they need to be able to use their voice, and share their ideas, and try new things — and not be afraid to get messy or to get it wrong.
No matter how brilliant of a script that you write... If you're not actually present with the audience, it's not going to have any impact whatsoever. And so don't worry, or get too caught up on your perfect slide or your perfect scripts. Open up and really just be present with the audience and remind yourself that it is about having a conversation, and if you could impact one person in that room and speak to one person, then you're winning.
I spent a lot of time trying (remove first trying before the word ‘time’) to prove and look good, and be perfect, and please, and get the accolades and the validation — because ultimately — I didn't know how to give myself my own validation. I didn't create my own barometer for success, which is one of the big things that I talk about.
Being down and depressed is something that I would not wish on my worst enemy, and I think until it's something that you've experienced yourself, it's really hard to understand. It's really hard to know.
I realized I have to share this eventually, not only because I've been someone who's always been about vulnerability and authenticity and the importance of sharing who you are to connect deeper with other people, but also because I wanted to let other people know that whatever they may be struggling with, it doesn't take away from who they are, it's not their identity.
It's something that they're living with.
Once you're aware of where you're at, and you're honest with yourself... you can then take small steps of consistent action to help build out that brave muscle and build that momentum to keep going so that you can start to realize while a lot of things are out of your control, there are some things that are, and it's those small things that actually make a big difference.
I think having gone through what I'd gone through previously and having these tools helped tremendously. I think we need to take the time to actually acknowledge what's happening as well, and realize that we're not going to just check our email and get on our calendar events right away. We need to take some time to process.
The Brave Initiative
Empowering leaders to be their bravest selves at work and in life.
The Brave Healing Journal
A guided journey to find your brave and empower your life… one day at a time.
Daniel
Daniel is an extremely curious person, a wealth of random knowledge and facts. Extremely passionate about a vast array of interests ranging from health to history, science to athletics, everything culinary and the list goes on. Trust us, you would want to be on his team for Trivial Pursuit.
Daniel is also years into his battle with brain cancer. He experienced a seizure while on a Zoom call at work in late 2020 and quite literally, his life changed within minutes. After his operation he started to talk about his story but had always known it was more than just him. From then, More Than Our Story became a PROJECT that has evolved into the starting point it is today.
Additional Profiles
Brandon Throop
Brandon shares his story, from his diagnosis with non-Hodgkin lymphoma to his aggressive treatment and current remission from the disease. He also talks about his fundraising.
Carol Schulte
Carol shares how her struggles with mental health led to her founding The Brave Initiative and become the bravest version of herself.
Danielle Patrice
Danielle shares her incredible story of survival against domestic violence and how she now advocates and champions for those who have lost their own voice and agency to this evil.
Steve Veasey
Steve Veasey candidly discusses his life, his epilepsy, and how his journey has brought him back full circle to his first love - illustration.
Greg Robertson
Greg Robertson shares about his enthusiasm for triathlon, his ambassadorship for the Somersault race series and his goals for 2023 and beyond.
Joe Tolles
Joe Tolles is a semi-retired, professional hockey player, CrossFit gym owner/operator, organ donor, and inspiration to others.
Needs Improvement Podcast: Daniel Hight
Our founder Daniel Hight joins Nicholas Whitaker on his Needs Improvement podcast to share his thoughts on the impact of physical health on mental wellbeing.
Eric Duplain
Eric Duplain defines generosity, kindness and selflessness, and possesses the sheer determination and talent to master whatever he sets his mind to.
Interview: I Have Cancer, Cancer Doesn’t Have Me
Our founder Daniel Hight is interviewed by Dr. George Ackerman for Together For Sharon on how he navigates life with his cancer diagnosis.
Dr. George Ackerman
Dr. George Ackerman advocates for increased awareness of Parkinson's disease in memory of his late mother who passed from this terrible affliction.
Jillian Best
Jillian Best shares her inspiring journey from liver transplant recipient to becoming a world record holding swimmer and the first transplant recipient to swim across Lake Ontario.
Bob Knuckey
Bob Knuckey, 75-year-young, endurance athlete extraordinaire became a 2-time, age-group IRONMAN world champion this year in Nice, France.
Embracing You Podcast: Daniel Hight
Our founder Daniel Hight joins Eric Pothen on his Embracing You podcast to share his story about his renewed fitness journey and his perception of his body.
Nicholas Whitaker
After his layoff, Nicholas Whitaker co-founded the Changing Work Collective, become a life and career coach and devoted himself to improving workplaces, leaders and work culture.
Ryan Grant Little
Ryan Grant Little shares his story from serial entrepreneur to angel investor and food tech ambassador. He also talks about his ongoing charitable and humanitarian efforts.
Eric Pothen
Eric shares his story from struggling with an eating disorder, to coaching people to help heal their relationship with food and their bodies.
Ruthie Sloan
Ruthie shares her story of courage and determination as she balances motherhood, trail running, and getting diagnosed with cancer during COVID.
Kevin Culliney
Kevin Culliney advocates for cancer awareness and seeking out second opinions and alternatives. He shares his remarkable story of survival, from diagnosis with stage IV cancer.
Kieren O’Hanlon
Kieren opens up about his health challenges, and how he is still perfecting the balance of being a loving husband, father and his well-being.
Dr. Caesar Lim
Dr. Caesar Lim talks about his podcast The Capable Dads, where he and his co-hosts discuss topics related to fatherhood in an open and honest way.
Ryan Stark
Ryan shares his love of being creative, debunks some of the myths surrounding diabetes, and about what it's like living with this condition.
Stephen Glaus
Stephen shares his story of grit and determination of how he battles multiple sclerosis and his journey to becoming a three time IRONMAN.
Ned Phillips
Ned shares his love for ultrarunning and where his mind goes when faced with the immense physical and mental strain that comes along with it.
Michelle de Clair
Michelle juggles many roles with pride: mother, wife, volunteer, her career; yet she maintains a humble, quiet resiliency, as a daily reminder of the dangers of COVID-19.
Daniel Hight
The inaugural profile is none other than Daniel Hight, founder of More Than Our Story.
Nicholas Umali
Nicholas shares his story of persevering through stage 4 cancer and how he views his diagnosis as a blessing that's given him a new perspective on life.