Sometimes it is the experiences that matter most. For Marla Berger, a tough loss in her teens stayed with her almost a decade before it led her down her journey of pursuing a career in mental health. Through experiential therapy, she serves her clients through their personal struggles by giving them the opportunity to “practice” taking action instead of traditional talk therapy. These experiences utilize art, nature, and even horses. Marla, the founder of Berger Counseling Services, joins us in this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories.

There’s nothing more important than taking care of our bodies. But when everyday activities like cooking (yes – cooking) in our kitchens have the potential to be harmful, we must listen and learn how to form better, and healthier habits. (Trust me – so much in this conversation came as a BIG shock to me!) That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome Udo Erasmus for a mindblowing episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories to educate us about the healthy and harmful fats we’re consuming, and the damaging practice most of us are using in our kitchens. As a leader in a billion dollar industry, Udo is a co-founder, author, health and wellness educator who is passionate about helping us all take our health into our own hands one fat at a time. 

This week on Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we’re joined by a best-selling mother-daughter duo who’s teaching us about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and making it accessible for all. Healing Herbal Soups authors Rose Cheung and Genevieve Wong used their time in the pandemic for good - writing a cookbook full of healing recipes inspired by and passed down from TCM doctors. In this episode, the pair share their favorite recipes, the impact TCM has had on them and others, and the health benefits you may start to see yourself with some of their tips.

We’re kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month with an important conversation surrounding stigma, mental health challenges, and resources that are saving lives. Joined by Jarrod Strickland, Executive Director of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Florida, this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories discusses Jarrod’s own mental health past that led him into the field of helping others, and the impact of the work he now does with NAMI Florida.

This week we’re taking a look below the surface, just in time for Earth Day. On Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories we welcome Rachel Shanker, the Conservation Liaison & Educator at Manatee Lagoon. Manatee Lagoon is a free Palm Beach County educational attraction with a dedicated area to view manatees up close. In this episode, Rachel educates us about the eco-discovery center, why the Manatees come to hang out there, how we all can protect them, and other sustainable practices we need to keep in mind for the betterment of our planet. 

After a life-altering concussion, Shelly Burton’s life changed direction. When the varsity athlete tried to fight through her injury, the symptoms became too much to ignore. She not only felt her own pain, but had a heightened sense of awareness, extreme empathy, and felt the pain of others she came in contact with. She was forced to listen to her intuition for the first time. In this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Shelly shares how she tapped into her inner voice and began pursuing her passion in energy medicine. Shelly shares how to know if energy healing is right for you and what it means to rewire your subconscious mind.

Our skin is our largest organ, so how we take care of it (and what we put on it) matters. When three close friends were diagnosed with breast cancer, Ira Green was inspired to make a change. It started as a reset for the products she was using in her life, opting for natural products where she could trust every ingredient. When she saw a gap in the market for a natural deodorant that actually worked, she left her job in finance to found Freedom All-Natural Deodorant. This week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories includes Ira’s story through entrepreneurship, what she learned from her research of topical products we use every day, and how she is handling her own breast cancer diagnosis with strength.

Amber Laign found inspiration in one of life’s biggest challenges. When her partner was diagnosed with breast cancer, Amber was faced with the emotional challenges that come with stepping up as caregiver. Between the symptoms her partner – Robin Roberts of Good Morning America – faced post-treatment and the toll the experience took on Amber herself, she found solutions in essential oils. Inspired by her background in massage therapy, Amber’s deep dive into the benefits of essential oils turned into a business, Plant Juice Oils, when her product using Broad Spectrum CBD + essential oils started producing results in her community. Listen to this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories for more details about Amber’s wellness journey, meeting her business partner, and the work they’ve done during five years in business.

There are 35 million pediatric visits to the ER each year, but not all are treated the same. In communities across the country, there are health disparities putting children at risk. This week we welcome Dr. Alana J. Arnold to Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories who is the CEO and founder of Premier Pediatric Solutions, LLC. Their passion for improving pediatric emergency medicine care in communities throughout South Florida is at the forefront of their work. In this episode we discuss the need that inspired it all, and the huge impact they make through education and training.

It’s Black History Month! We’re kicking off with a conversation all about D.E.I.B. (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging), why it’s important, and the actionable steps we can all take towards creating inclusivity. Roslyn Rutledge-Rice brings her diversity expertise to Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories as a diversity practitioner, speaker, bestselling author, and co-founder of DPI, LLC, a high-impact business consulting firm. Roslyn went from being laid off to creating a space to let others find their voice, and in this week’s episode she walks us through what got her here. 

Some of the most passionate entrepreneurs are those who build a business out of a need. That’s how Senior Proof came to life. Sydney Hughes was taking care of her aging father when he had a fall, a common yet dangerous possibility many older people face. Even with her background in the construction industry, Sydney could not find a resource to quickly and expertly senior-proof his home and make it a safer space to age in. So, instead she made it happen herself. In this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Sydney tells the story of building a business as a full time mom and caregiver, with a passion for making homes safer for one of our most vulnerable communities. 

Are you getting enough of it? Are you prioritizing it? Can you go without it? This week on Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories we’re finally diving into a subject everyone can relate to: SLEEP. Joined by sleep expert Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, we discuss common FAQs about sleep, like how many hours we really need and how to get it. With the holiday stress in the rearview mirror and a flurry of new year's resolutions now top of mind, listen in for tips on taking back control of your sleep and feeling your best self. 

Not extreme, but consistent. That’s the key that Carla Duenas emphasizes for keeping healthy habits during and after the holidays. As this week’s Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories guest, the Baptist Health Dietician walks us through actionable advice for navigating holiday dinners with intention and the best ways to kick off the new year with health and fitness goals. This episode is packed with tips from planning advice and common pitfalls, to a template you can use for building a plate in any setting. 

‘Tis the season to “smash snowglobes”! This attention grabbing phrase is one of the ways Urban Youth Impact refers to their mission. When disadvantaged communities are just minutes away from their wealthy neighbors, yet don’t have the resources to grow their own wealth and opportunity, it can be a lot like looking out of a snowglobe – you can see another world, but you can’t obtain it. Anthony Savine joins us this week on Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories as Urban Youth Impact’s Director of Advancement, where he shares exactly how they are “smashing snowglobes” in the Palm Beach Community, starting with the kids that need it most.

Lionel Moise is an Emmy award-winning journalist, an actor, a vegan food entrepreneur (featuring his Haitian culture), and an advocate for destigmatizing HIV. December 1 is recognized as World AIDS Day, and also the day one year ago that Lionel revealed his HIV+ status on his social media platforms – something many of his close friends and family members had no clue about. On episode 112  of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Lionel shares the ups and downs of the last decade, why it is important for him to speak up on his personal and professional challenges, and also how health is a key component to maintaining it all even through the roadblocks. 

One million pounds lost! That’s the impact Fit Body Bootcamp has had on their clients across all of their locations. They’ve seen this huge success among their clients thanks to their alternative look at workout sessions, their community mindset, and the passion for their business that goes on behind the scenes. On this episode, we’re joined by one of their passionate leaders, CEO Bryce Henson, who tells us more about the intention of Fit Body Bootcamp. He also dives into his personal fitness story, one that didn’t start until he was 21 and he shares his big transformation over the last 15 years.

Through performing arts, This is My Brave is breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse. Hosting performances across the country, the nonprofit equips ordinary people to join their cast, tell their stories, and feel empowered in their hardships. Their research has shown the direct impact of their work- a reduction of self-stigma and an increase in confidence and sense of belonging. Simply put, their storytelling platform saves lives. This week Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories is joined by Erin Gallagher, This is My Brave’s Interim Executive Director. She shares what drew her to This is My Brave and why a devastating family loss led her to becoming a mental health advocate. 

Angelica Sweeting is the first Black woman to hold a utility patent in the toy industry, an accomplishment she’s proud to wear today – but one that did not come without a lot of ups and downs along her winding entrepreneurial journey. One of those highs was being featured on Shark Tank in 2017 and snagging a deal with shark, Daymond John, but shortly after the lows became very low. For the first time in 5 years, Angelica is able to discuss her Shark Tank deal gone bad, and how she’s bounced back from the hardest period in her life. As Angelica says, “Failure and mistakes are part of the process.” On this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, get a first look at her new business, My Mella Magic, the first doll with interchangeable hair, and why she says her mission is to empower young girls to use their voice.

If you fuel your body with good food, your brain will run well. This advice comes from Manny L., this week’s Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories guest and Heaven’s Pantry co-founder. After experiencing the all-too-familiar corporate burnout, Manny came to realize just how important it is to give your body the food and drinks that keep you going – in the right way. Inspired by his needs mid-burnout and advice his father gave him as a young boy, Manny (along with his co-founder Rob) created ExcaliBars. Manny shares with us the unlikely connections between our bodies and his full-time career in automation, what his goals are with Heaven’s Pantry, and his personal habits that keeps him healthy. 

Alyson Seligman is reminding us that there is so much more than what meets the eye. This week’s guest of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, had a 30th birthday that changed the course of her entire life. When her unknown invisible illness suddenly made her paralyzed and sent her to the hospital, Alyson started a journey of recovery and managing her symptoms. It took getting diagnosed with an invisible illness for Alyson to learn what that phrase even meant, and today, 12 years later, she’s passionate about educating others on everything she’s learned about invisible illnesses. One of the ways she’s doing this – educating workplaces about how to create a compassionate workplace, and empowering women to take on challenges with strength. 

Have you ever wondered what your doctors do when they get sick? Dr. Bevan Choate is shedding light on what happens when doctor becomes patient. After suffering a stroke in his 30s, Dr. Choate’s perspective on what it means to live a good life is forever changed. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we walk through Dr. Choate’s experience adding stroke survivor, author, artist, and more to his name. 

“If we could only get more people to meditate, the world could be a better place.” - Ariel Garten This belief of Ariel Garten’s is the driving force behind her business, Muse. As a lifelong creative with an entrepreneurial streak, Ariel used her talents as a neuroscientist, psychotherapist, and fashion designer to create her budding business. Today, as the co-founder of Muse, she’s using technology to make meditation and better sleep easier for people around the world. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Ariel shares the inspiration behind the technology and the power meditation can have on your life.  

Today we’re diving into the details of our health and learning all about Insulin Resistance - what it is, what it means, and how we can all prevent it. We’re joined by Pascual De Santis, M.D., an endocrinologist with Baptist Health Medical Group, for this eye opening episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. Dr. De Santis breaks down the answer to common questions you might already have, while leaving you with healthy habits you can start today. 

Sometimes it’s not about the challenge, but about how you choose to respond. This advice comes from Patricia Monica Ojeda, a Sr. Management Consultant, NLP practitioner, meditation trainer, leadership energy consultant, certified executive and business coach, mindset expert, networker & connector. (No, she’s not busy at all!) With such a background, Patricia holds 26 certifications, but most recently she added to the list “cancer free”. As today’s guest on Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Patricia talks recovery, mindset, and what beating cancer taught her about her professional career. 

Are functional mushrooms the next great health secret? Earth and Star are doing their part in letting the secret out. They’re pairing the family-friendly mushroom extracts with everyday products to bring health benefits to anyone, even “mushroom haters”. Two-time entrepreneurs and founders Zoe and Erica join us on today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories to shed light on the science behind functional mushrooms and the challenges they faced to make their products widely approachable. 

The convenience of ride sharing has taken over major cities across the country and the world. However, with increased use comes increased safety concerns. Each year, hundreds of riders and drivers are reporting experiences of sexual assault, a problem that mainly impacts women. On today’s first episode back with Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we’re joined by Trips4Women spokesperson Anna Prince who’s stepping up to keep women safe. Trips4Women is a new women-only rideshare app with a mission to keep women safer and prevent sexual assault.    

Episode 100! We made it to triple digits here on Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. After two years of recording, we are proud of the 100 stories we’ve had the opportunity to share as an award-winning podcast. To celebrate, Tamika sat down for another solo episode reflecting on the past 100 episodes and broke down some of the health and happiness lessons she’s learned and implemented.

No one expects a cancer diagnosis, especially not before turning 30. This life-changing news was especially tough for Liya Shuster-Bier when it came just a short time after helping her mother undergo the same tough cancer treatments she had ahead of her. Luckily Liya had the positive attitude needed to overcome it, and see the silver lining in a cancer diagnosis: creating a digital health resource making cancer less lonely for people around the world. Liya didn’t get to that point without challenges along the way, and she shares her story from cancer diagnosis to CEO on this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories.

There’s magic in being in the right place at the right time. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories we are talking about just that. Though our guest’s career journey was not a lateral one (but who’s is?), she gives credit to being in the right place and following her passion. Kathie Klarreich tells us her story of going from botany to global journalism, to founding Exchange for Change – which teaches individuals in prison how to share their stories. Something we couldn’t love more! Listen in to find just how she navigated these accomplishments and the vast impact she has made.

Could you survive harsh environments, with no food, water or shelter, and rely purely on your survival know-how? After years of watching one of her favorite shows, Naked and Afraid, Tamika is thrilled to host this episode’s guests for a chat on survivalism and entrepreneurship. Brooke and Matt Wright have not only challenged themselves on Discovery’s Naked and Afraid many times, but they’ve also built a thriving business sharing their expertise with others across the country through their business Extreme Instinct. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, get a glimpse into what prompted their passion for survivalism, and leave with actionable steps to increase your survival skills – no matter your skill level.

On this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we’re talking everything breast health, the methods of cancer prevention, and the powers of plant-based eating. Our guest Dr. Kristi Funk is a wealth of knowledge, known for her work as a board-certified physician, TV personality, author, and celebrity physician. In this episode, Dr. Funk tells the story of her path towards advocating for the breast health of women around the world, and provides actionable advice for breast cancer prevention.

There’s no better way to enjoy yourself than with an event created for anyone, ages 2 to 80, to feel good and have a great time. That’s exactly the goal entrepreneur David Graziano had when he created Art with Me, an International Arts, Music, and Cultural Experience. With its six pillars, Art with Me brings to life David’s dream to build a positive and enjoyable experience around the world. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we hear from David about the inspiration behind the events and where he hopes to bring them next.

Tal Zlotnitsky is helping you love more and love better. After two failed marriages, the serial entrepreneur had a realization – he didn’t know what it meant to “do” love well. And if he was having that problem, he knew there were others struggling in the same way. He took to his instincts and created Our.Love, a business helping us all love better. This episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories is all about the impact better love has on us all, the seven critical love skills, and Tal’s story that led to the app’s launch.

Do you know what it takes to live a fabulous life? According to John Frederick, you only need two things: eagerness and willingness. After years of addiction and illness, John hit rock bottom. His only choice - to get back up and fight for a better life. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories John shares his journey from hopelessness to finding his way through community, spirituality, and positive thinking.

According to Jen Bricker-Bauer, everything is possible. It’s not often that you know your purpose from childhood, but Jen has made her dreams come true. Today’s Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories guest doesn’t just identify with being born without legs, being adopted as a baby, or growing up as a natural athlete. Instead, Jen identifies as an inspiration and is here to change the world, despite the challenges she faces. Tune in to hear how she does it, what the future brings for her, and why “can’t” isn’t in her vocabulary.Also hear the incredible story of the Olympic gold medalist she idolized as a kid, and their unlikely connection that came years later. (Hint: They ended up being related!)

Jonathon de Potter is bringing awareness to the health and wellness benefits of plant medicine therapy. After years of corporate hustle leading him right to burnout, Jonathon took a year off that changed his life more than he could have imagined. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, our guest tells his story from corporate consultant to the Founder and CEO of Behold Retreats.

No matter our age, location, or background, there is one thing that ties us all together: the authentic human experience. Our stories and our emotions make us unique, but for Tricia-Noël Burke they also bring us together. This week’s Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories guest is a new author who combined her passion for storytelling with her love for dance and created her first book Black Moon. She approached her writing by turning challenges into vulnerability and connected the movement of dance positions to stories from women around the world.  

This Black History Month we are lucky to be joined by guests who are positively impacting the lives of the Black community. Today we are joined by Dr. Inaki Bent, an attending physician with Jackson Health System who has made it his life’s work to make healthcare not only accessible, but proportionate to the level of care the white community has already come to expect. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Dr. Inaki Bent shares his story as an immigrant-born, Miami-raised doctor who has come full circle, providing medical care (and education) to his hometown and beyond. Listen in to learn more from Dr. Bent on the unaddressed healthcare disparities that have been prevalent for decades and how the Black community can take their power back.  

We’re feeling the love with two guests on today’s Valentine’s Day episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. Our first guest is Ali Nyman, a social worker who partners with Unicorn Children’s Foundation to teach classes to adults with autism all about love, dating, and relationships. Alongside Ali is Katie Santoro, a twenty-something self-described “oversharer” who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 24. Together they sit down with our host, Tamika, to discuss the importance of relationships for people of all abilities.

From weight loss content creator to the first Black, female-owned wellness brand to launch in Vitamin Shoppe, Samia Gore is breaking ground in a competitive space. We’re joined today by the entrepreneur for this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. In Episode 87 we uncover the steps Samia took that led her to founding BodyCompleteRx, with over 18 products that are plant-based and created with people of color in mind. 

University of Miami football player turned nonprofit founder is spending his days showing young men their worth. We’re kicking off Black History Month at Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories by welcoming Demetrius Jackson, a guest who has a big passion for giving back. From organizing turkey drives in his college days to directly impacting young men in South Florida, Demetrius is dedicated to giving back to the community he was raised in.

You might want to be standing for today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. Why? Because our guest Dean Karnazes spends most of his life doing just that! Not only does Dean stand for almost his entire day, but he’s accomplished a lot more. The author is best known for being an ultramarathon runner, inspirational speaker, and was voted Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world. In today’s episode, Dean shares with us the turning point that took him from a “non-runner” to running 100 miles at a time, and more. 

A home is more than a house -- it’s where your story begins. That’s the motto of Domes for Humanity, a nonprofit with the mission to help communities build disaster-resistant homes and shelters. On today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we’re joined by Domes for Humanity Founder Daniella Gruenthal who shares her story and how Domes for Humanity came to be. Quite literally a dream come true, Daniella and Domes for Humanity are providing people and communities more than just a shelter. 

We’re getting you ready for 2022 and talking all things marketing on Episode 83 of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories: Marketing Strategies To Implement in 2022 For Big Business Growth! In an ever-changing marketing landscape that’s been tossed upside down by a global pandemic, data privacy concerns, and artificial intelligence – the need to adapt and grow online is more important than ever. Host Tamika Bickham sits down for a solo episode, to break down her tips you should implement this year to continue your growth no matter the size of your business or brand. 

Angela Cruz, a former TV reporter and news anchor turned weight loss blogger, has struggled with weight loss and binge eating for much of her life. It’s impacted her confidence, relationships, and her ability to earn money. In fact, studies show that women who are overweight earn less in the workplace than thin women. On the flipside, Angela’s journey has helped her grow and monetize a YouTube Channel.In Episode 83, Angela shares her personal story of binge eating, yo-yo dieting, and where she is now in her journey. She’s also offering her advice on growing a YouTube channel and what worked for her, in this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Balanced Not Bingeing: From TV Anchor To Weight Loss Blogger.

What started in 1989 as a volunteer opportunity is now Brad Bessey’s passion, career, and purpose. As the Head of Communications and Telerelations for nonprofit Project Angel Food, Brad Bessey spends his days supporting an organization that delivers over 1 million Medically Tailored Meals each year. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Brad tells his story of how he got involved with Project Angel Food and never looked back. With a background in television producing, a career in the not-for-profit world was not always in the plans – but Brad shares the inspiration behind his change and why you should learn to follow your gut too.

We’ve shared dozens of inspiring health stories over 80 episodes, but this week’s podcast guest is truly special – and a big inspiration behind Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Brooke Goldner, a board-certified medical doctor, author, and founder of Goodbye Lupus. She is sharing her story of reversing her Lupus diagnosis through lifestyle adjustments. She inspired Tamika’s personal health recovery and the idea behind this podcast - that sharing inspiring health stories can make a difference in the lives of others. Tune in to hear Dr. Goldner’s story of living with an “incurable” autoimmune disease, how an accidental lifestyle shift led her to living over 16 years Lupus free, and how she’s using her proven protocol to help others heal. 

Craig Ramsay has set out to make fitness not only fun, but inviting to us all. Who else could combine wine tasting and stretching into one unforgettable class -- but someone who has made movement a part of his life since the very beginning? In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we are joined by Craig Ramsay who shares his story of movement, balance, and determination to prove that anyone can have a fitness journey catered just for them. 

Note: Beginning at 16:34 sensitive topics like sexual abuse and addiction are discussed.In just a few short years, Chris Rackliffe went from a corporate career in the New York City entertainment industry to becoming an author, anxious attachment style coach, mental health advocate, and his true authentic self. It took an unexpected layoff from People Magazine to force Chris into months of self-reflection, but with those months came realizations that have not only helped Chris’ emotional healing, but thousands of others on and offline. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we are touched with an example of Chris’ incredible storytelling as he walks us through his journey to where he is today, and the importance of change.  

What did you learn during the pandemic? For Sophie Schillaci, she learned just how important it was to keep her two young kids occupied when the world was locked down, for their sanity -- and hers. In this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Sophie joins us to share her story of being an entertainment journalist turned entrepreneur, founding Mom Needs a Minute, and selling sensory-based busy boxes to busy moms across the country. 

When it comes to positivity and perseverance, Ashley Lyn Olson is a clear example of finding the best in a difficult situation. At the age of 14, today’s Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories guest became paralyzed in a car wreck. The same wreck took her father’s life, disabled her mother, injured her younger sister, and changed Ashley’s life forever. Not letting her accident slow her down, Ashley found passion in empowering people with limited mobility. Through her writing, educational speaking, and website wheelchairtraveling.com – she’s spreading the message that no one should miss out on adventure, travel, and leisure. 

Kristen DeAndrade is using her story to change lives. The author, speaker, and advocate joins us as this week’s guest on Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, telling her journey through health challenges, mental health struggles, and the highs and lows of living with little legs and a big heart. From being born with dwarfism and undergoing surgery at a young age, to a health scare that turned her perspective on life around – Kristen is making the most of the hand she was dealt with and educating and inspiring those around her. 

Have you ever wondered what life looks like after the Olympics for some of the top athletes in the country? In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories we are joined by Lauryn Williams, Olympic athlete turned financial planner, author, podcaster, motivational speaker, and volunteer. While her journey through sports was an incredible experience, Lauryn shares her story of the challenges she faced post-Olympics and the drive she needed to be prepared for life off the field.  

There’s a lot to celebrate in today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories! Host Tamika Bickham sits down for another solo episode, to celebrate 3 years full-time in her business and her birthday! Over the last 3 years of building the TB Media brand, Tamika reflects on the good, the bad, and the lessons learned. Looking back, would she do it all again? 

If you're a fan of Dancing with the Stars or Entertainment Tonight, chances are you’ll recognize today’s Emmy Award-winning Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories guest. You might know Samantha Harris for her career as journalist and national television host, but what she’s working on today is even more impactful. Today, Samantha joins us to share her story of journalist and TV personality -- turned Holistic Health Coach and Certified Fitness Trainer, all because of a major health challenge that changed her perspective for good. 

Sometimes the best ideas come as a result of creative problem solving. For Michael Malkin, he turned busy Apple Store shifts and an excess of restless energy into his business Calm Strips – and the rest is history. What may seem like a simple product proved to be a stand-out option for anyone looking for a discrete fidget tool. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, the entrepreneur is joined by team member Luce Fuller as they share the story of how Calm Strips grew from an idea, to a product, to a growing business all in the span of just over a year. 

What if we told you your water may not be hydrating you? Some say it’s no wonder up to 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Jovē is doing things differently, clinically proven to provide proper hydration for cellular health, all with joy and love. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories we sit down with two of the Jovē team members, Tammy Hobbs and Elizabeth Lucey, to dive into why Jovē is so groundbreaking, and the years of work that went into building this brand. 

Entertainment reporter turned mindfulness, meditation, and metaphysical teacher Laura Saltman joins us for this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. When two sudden losses in her family caused her to reflect on the life she had created for herself, she realized it was time for a new path. Through trial and error, Laura found her new calling. She now works in a space where she’s not only able to heal herself, but shows up daily to help others heal and grow as well. Today she is a four-time author, meditation host, and healer encouraging people to pursue their dreams. 

Entrepreneurship is in Maghan Morin’s DNA. From being raised by an entrepreneur to starting her first company in college, Maghan is no stranger to working hard to make her dreams come true. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Maghan tells her story that led her to her latest business endeavor: Melanated Beauty Spa. After over a decade of struggling with her own skin and experiencing first-hand how traditional spas were not able to always provide her the customer service she deserved, Maghan knew what she needed to do. 

Three-time world dance champion and emmy-nominated choreographer Louis van Amstel joins Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories to share his life story – from starting dance at 10 years old, through the highs and lows of working on Dancing with the Stars, to building an online business that undeniably adds the value of dance and health & fitness into his client’s lives.  

Almost 400 medical professionals die by suicide per year, and that was before the pandemic. Medical professionals, like today’s Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories guest Dr. Naomi Jean-Baptiste, are experiencing something many haven’t before -- and as a result are under unimaginable stress. Dr. JB has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic since day one, and she identified needs that weren’t being met -- mental wellness support for her peers, access to medical information for the public, and a need to reduce burnout rates in the medical profession. In today’s episode, Dr. JB tells her story of becoming an Emergency Medicine Physician, how the pandemic has impacted her, and why she founded Hope4Med.

“The biggest difference we can make comes down to the sum of the small things we do for others each day.” - Megan SneddenThis quote by today’s podcast guest, Megan, captures her philosophy about creating a life filled with purpose through random acts of kindness. What started as a viral video on Facebook led Megan to creating The Kind Effect, a movement where Megan travels the world performing good deeds for strangers. In this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Megan shares the origin of her random acts of kindness, the science behind a kind act, and how her kind acts changed over the pandemic (there may have been a dinosaur involved!). 

Trauma can impact anyone, and at some point in our lives, it likely affects all of us. The Surfside building collapse. A second large earthquake in Haiti. The 20th anniversary of 9/11. A global pandemic. These are just a few examples that have taken place in 2021 alone. Let’s face it, traumatic events are all around us.Luckily professionals like Jennifer Tomko, a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in treating trauma, are here to help clients find growth through their trauma. In episode 64 of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Jennifer shares her journey of how a mid-life crisis and cross-country move led her to finding her bigger purpose: helping trauma survivors find their own meaning. 

The Bold Beauty Project has been shattering beauty standards since 2016. In the latest episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Shelly Baer shares her journey of breaking the stigma that comes with disability. After a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis at the age of three, Shelly never let it slow her down -- but she did struggle to fully accept her identity as a disabled woman. Decades later, Shelly founded and co-directed a photography exhibit, Bold Beauty Project, that changed her life and also the perception others had about people with disabilities.

Jaimie Hilfiger is a model, actress, beauty mogul, and self-made entrepreneur -- yes, with a famous last name too. BUT that is only one small fraction of her story. She’s opening up about her skincare struggles with type 2 rosacea -- and how it led her to launch a skincare line, break into the beauty industry, and help others cultivate confidence through self-care. “Never be afraid to be yourself” is her mantra. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Jaimie tells her story of early success, letting go of insecurities, and embracing inner and outer beauty. 

This week on Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories we are celebrating Miami Spa Month with Marizza Contreras, founder of K’Alma Spa. Marizza became a self-made entrepreneur in 2004, but she brought a new wellness retreat to life with the start of K’Alma Spa in 2018, combining her background in the wellness industry with her passion for changing the lives of her clients. The shift in her approach to wellness took place after her own life-changing event.“I never thought this was my path until I had a stroke,” Marizza said.Today, she’s created K’Alma’s services to be truly unique. They incorporate Marizza’s Peruvian culture with elements of crystal healing, guided meditation, and shamans. It is a spiritual space to work not only on your body, but on your soul. 

I’m baaaaaack for a solo episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. As the host of a podcast all about sharing entrepreneurship stories, and the owner of a business that does the same… something I’ve heard too often from business owners is “I just don’t like talking about myself.” If you want to market your small business, you MUST tell YOUR small business stories. Today, I sit down to discuss the four stories your small business needs to be telling, and how that leads to building authentic connections.

Seven years ago, Meg Daly had a crazy idea. With two broken arms from a recent bike accident and a new lens for how she looked at the world, Meg walked below Miami’s Metrorail and saw nothing but potential. Space that to anyone else would be considered dirty, dangerous, and not worth a second look, but Meg saw an opportunity for a chance to bring more green into Miami - specifically in an underutilized space. Her vision slowly started to come to life in 2014, and today The Underline is open to the public.

Does everyone need healing? According to Shameka and Isaac Collins, the answer is a big yes. Together, the married mental health counselors have worked with people from all walks of life who want to better themselves. Their love for people and motto of “Do it Together” led them towards opening Collins & Collins Clinical Services in 2019 where they restore families and relationships as a team. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, the couple shares more about their practice today and how their personal growth contributes to their success with clients. 

From fighting for her life, to serving the greater good, Jaclyn Strauss’ entrepreneurial journey started with an experience she never would have imagined. She almost died during the birth of her second child.Death during childbirth is something we don’t frequently talk about, but is very much a reality. It was Jaclyn’s wakeup call. Not only would her family have the grief of losing her, but they would have had the burden of untangling household matters that only lived inside her own head.  This sparked something in Jaclyn, and she created My Macro Memoir so that she, and other users, never needed to worry about this again.  

Lifelong fighter Diego De Vera is living his entrepreneurial dream. Shortly after his move to Miami, the Argentina-native founded his very own gym, KO Zone, and fulfilled his life-long goal. Over the last 15 years KO Zone has grown to be the number one Martial Arts Gym in South Florida, according to Diego. It’s not just the expert training that brings people back to the gym each week, but the community you experience right as you walk through the doors.

Almost 40% of all food produced in the US is wasted. In addition, 10% of people in the US are food insecure - which means the food wasted could feed those who are in need and there would still be food left over.These stats, while shocking, are not hard to believe when you consider the potential for waste at restaurants, grocery stores, and even in our own homes. This is what shocked Rafael Garrido and his wife Monica into action, together creating a digital marketplace dedicated to helping food retailers earn revenue and new clients by selling their food before it is wasted. Their app LOVVETT is taking South Florida by storm.

Jennifer Jones has over a decade of experience in health and wellness. Specifically she’s found success in holistic nutrition, and so have her clients. She doesn’t focus on the calories, diet trends, food, or exercise alone – but looks at the whole individual. After implementing a holistic approach to nutrition in her own life, Jennifer saw dramatic results that included relief from debilitating menstrual cycles. Now, as the CEO of JENuine nutrition, she teaches her clients (with a 100% success rate) how to eat for life, to help naturally reduce stress, balance hormones, and lose weight.  

One day at a time, nonprofit Be Strong International, is making South Florida a better place for individuals and families. At the helm is CEO Michelle Shirley, who began her career with the organization out of college, thinking it was a “stepping stone” to other opportunities. Little did she know, she would grow dramatically personally and professionally through her work with Be Strong International. Passion. Purpose. Happiness. These are all things she found in her own life through her work at the nonprofit and witnesses the healing nature of their programs, in the lives of those they serve.

We’ve all got goals, but there is nothing worse than feeling stuck in pursuit of them. Even harder? Avoiding burnout in today’s society, where “success” becomes the synonym to busy. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, our guest Keshawn Hughes talks about it all: how you can recognize the signs of burnout, how you can avoid it, and the resources available to beat it. The Neurocoach also shares how burnout has impacted her life, and how it eventually led to finding her passion of helping others help themselves.

From anger-management problems to co-founding a nonprofit grounded in kindness, Kemy Joseph changed his life with positivity. Today, he is on a mission to help millions of others see how positivity can change theirs too. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we have the pleasure of hearing his journey through entrepreneurship, finding positivity during hard times, and making the impossible, possible.

We made it! Today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories is a special one. To celebrate episode 50 (and nearly a year of podcasting!), Tamika sits down for another solo episode to reflect on the past 49 stories we’ve heard from guests and share some of her favorites. 

The year 2020 was a difficult one for many, but for Iliana Perez-Ruiz, each month brought a new life-changing challenge. On top of a global pandemic, Iliana underwent a sudden divorce, lost her job, and was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. Even with so much thrown at her, Iliana showed her strength. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Iliana tells her story of how she overcame each and every curveball 2020 threw her way, and how just a year later, she’s cancer-free, a successful business owner, and happier than ever.

Somy Ali spends 7 days a week saving the lives of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking victims. As the founder of No More Tears, she has helped over 30,000 men, women, and children find freedom from lives of abuse. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Somy tells her story, from what her present day looks like as a not-for-profit founder all the way back to where the passion for this cause came from. 

Food justice is social justice, and Asha Walker is doing her part to bring healthy food options to Miami communities. With a mission that was inspired by the direct need surrounding her, Asha Founded Health in the Hood to bring vibrant vegetable gardens (and other wellness programs) to underserved communities. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Asha shares the story of Health in the Hood from day one, the impact they make today, and her goals for growth in the coming years. 

Every body is beautiful to Cynthia Fleischmann, who has captured this in her art since 2009. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Cynthia tells her story of being a body paint artist, the special connection between people and place, and how a life-changing accident (causing her to lose her leg) hasn’t stopped her from living a life she loves. 

Nine months ago, the visceral images of George Floyd’s murder spread like wildfire around the world, sparking an international movement. Floyd’s cousin, Thomas McLaurin, his family, and millions of others’ lives changed as a result. They were forced to see something they now couldn’t unsee.As we round out Black History Month (although we’ll keep sharing Black stories all year long on this podcast), we welcome Thomas McLaurin to Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories to share his story, as the cousin of George Floyd and the CEO and President of the George Floyd Memorial Center, a registered 501(c)3. This candid conversation looks back at our country’s history and how it led us here. Tamika and Thomas also discuss where the movement stands today, and how the Floyd family plans to reclaim the narrative, leaving a positive legacy in George Floyd’s name while also giving back. 

Fail fast, fix it, and move on. Those are the wise words of Nate Wilkins, co-creator of Ageless Workout and today’s guest of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. It took an unexpected health scare and weeks in the hospital for Nate to find his calling -- aiding aging adults in taking their lives back one healthy habit at a time, just as he had to learn to do for himself. 

Thanks to Mindy Scheier, the world is becoming more accessible to people with disabilities. During her 20 years in the fashion industry, it never occurred to Mindy (or her peers) that there was a huge demographic of people missing out on having clothes made with their needs in mind. Like many Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories guests, it took a life-changing event for Mindy to find her new passion. Mindy had her “ah-ha” moment when her 8-year-old son (who was born with Muscular Dystrophy) wanted to dress like everyone else, despite his disability. 

Is it okay to have more than one dream in life? If you were to ask Kaleb Thornhill, the answer would be an astounding yes. The NFL Professional (and guest on this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories) challenges individuals daily to keep raising the bar. Everyone’s purpose can be ever-evolving, just like his. 

After a 30-year bodybuilding career, Yaxeni Oriquen is no stranger to discipline. The Venezuelan former model has earned herself titles as prestigious as Ms. Olympia, and knows how to capture a stage. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories we learn Yaxeni’s story, from her first moments at a gym to founding her own. 

Are you living your 10? Chances are, you are not. Cory Chadwick believes that as individuals we have so much more potential than we know. The proud father and husband founded The Mental Gym – a new type of personal training, teaching people to think differently, shift thinking patterns, and show up living their best self. You’re already working out your body each week, why not work out your mind? 

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month – and today on Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Betty Lara of Glory House is sharing the nonprofit’s mission of supporting human tracking survivors. On Episode 39, Betty shares path towards bringing Glory House to life, the incredible work they do, the things you may not even know about human trafficking in America, and most importantly, the ways you can help. On January 11, Human Trafficking Awareness Day, you can join Glory House in the nationwide Darkness into Light event, bringing light to horrific crimes happening all across the country and world. 

Torre Washington is changing the perception of bodybuilders as we know them. As a vegan for the last 22 years (and vegetarian since birth), Torre has mastered what it means to build muscle on a plant-based diet. On today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Torre walks us through his journey to plant-based eating, bodybuilding, and educating people around the globe on the importance of a vegan lifestyle. 

This year, 2020, has left us all with one thing in common – the shared trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic. This trauma, among so many other hardships, have led to a decline in the mental health of thousands. Luckily, doctors like Dr. Delvena Thomas are pushing forward on breaking the stigma of mental health, providing treatment, and even spreading awareness of preventative measures. The mother, physician, scientist, and soldier added entrepreneur to her resume when she opened her private practice and business DRT Wellness Spa, where she uses her mental health expertise to impact lives daily. 

What if we told you there was a way to live a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing some of your favorite treats? Thanks to Cristie Besu, that has become a reality. Helping people end the choice between health and delicious, Cristie founded Eat Me Guilt Free. What started as a passion project grew significantly, and she continues to grow today as the demand for her protein-packed, low-carb brownies spreads across the nation.  

I’m back for a solo episode to celebrate my 5th anniversary in business -- as the Founder & Chief Storyteller of TB Media Group. This special occasion calls for something, well, special….A GIVEAWAY! For the first time ever, I decided to do a giveaway of not one, but two things that my audience has been asking for! In this episode, you’ll find out what they are and how to sign up for them.I’m also taking a moment to reflect on this 5th year in business, a wild 2020 to say the least, and share the 5 highs and the 5 lows that have come with it.

Heather Geronemus has turned her most devastating life experience into an opportunity to spread awareness of the impact of impaired driving. By day, Heather works as the Director of Corporate Affairs at UKG, Ultimate Kronos Group, and spends her free-time volunteering with many charitable organizations. One closest to her heart is Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), where she is currently the Chair on the National Board of Directors. This month, National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we welcome Heather to Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories to share her personal experience as a victim of drunk driving and the work she does today to spread awareness.She’s also breaking down how Covid-19 and “staying at home guidelines” are impacting impaired driving. Don’t miss her message this holiday season. 

Every now and again, you just have to have a dance party in your living room. That’s just some of the happiness advice Matt Howard shares in today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories. For Matt, music is always essential. Currently working as the Principal Percussionist with the LA Philharmonic, Matt shares his story on how his path led him to his dream job so quickly. Even during a pandemic when he can’t perform live, Matt still finds a way to bring music into his life – and the lives of others. Matt still pinches himself when he is reminded that he is living his dream playing music for a living. Growing up, Matt recalls that there was always music playing around the house. From oldies to modern rock, he found himself drawn to the artists his parents would play. When they saw he caught the music bug, they helped him pursue his passion. Matt learned how to play the drums and other percussion instruments and attended a high school music program.  As a senior in high school, Matt didn’t think that he wanted to have music as his life-long profession. But when an accident left him temporarily unable to play - he knew he had to do something after graduation. Time attending community college, led Matt back to becoming obsessed with percussion. “If you want to get good at something, you have to obsess over it,” says Matt.  Today, Matt lives out his days continuing to find happiness in music. While Matt isn’t performing any live shows in the near future, he still is bringing his passion and his music world-wide, through his social media presence and master classes.  What else can you expect in this episode?A behind the scenes look inside the percussion room in the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The many types of percussion instruments Matt has played.How Matt has tried to make the most of 2020 and the curveball the year has thrown. Matt’s feeling on the digital era, and the impact sharing online has brought to his industry.Why Matt misses live performances.Stories of some of the most notable shows he has played in the past. 

John Lewis has been vegan for 15 years. It’s his passion for uplifting others and a healthy lifestyle that catapulted him into his role as an international public speaker, serial entrepreneur, author, film producer. When asked, “What Do You Do?”. His answer is, “What Don’t I Do?”. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, John shares his story. From being an overweight teen to watching the health struggles of his mother due to meat and processed foods, all signs guided John towards his life passion of health and fitness. John, also known as Bad Ass Vegan, spends his days educating others on the positive benefits that a plant-based lifestyle has on your body, your community, and on the world. 

When was the last time you were vulnerable? According to today’s Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories guest, that vulnerability is going to be your key to success. Coach Hector Peñate, or Coach HP, is an expert at finding happiness, being vulnerable, and getting outside of your comfort zone. After spending years figuring out his own identity, Coach HP learned just how important it was for him to see the silver lining in everything and manifest his happiness. Today, he speaks to professionals, parents, kids, and everyone in between on the importance of a positive mindset. 

If Jean Paul Laurent’s smile looks familiar, that might be because you’ve seen him at your local grocery store. His smile is one of the handful featured on Lay’s Smiles for Miles of Aisles campaign. The reason – his years of impact on keeping smiles healthy for people around the world.  As an award-winning social entrepreneur, Jean Paul makes his difference as the founder and CEO of Unspoken Smiles. They are dedicated to solving the oral health crisis globally, a hardship impacting over 3.5 billion people worldwide. 

Your host, Tamika Bickham, is back for a solo episode to celebrate, not one but two things to kick off November 2020! This podcast is turning 6 months old! ...and it’s Tamika’s 33rd birthday this week (actually, on Election Day)! Hey, birthdays are always a reason to celebrate, right?! In this episode, she breaks down three reasons WHY she started this video podcast and what she’s learned about people, business, and marketing, over the last six months. Episode 29 is titled 6 Things I’ve Learned From 6 Months of Podcasting.Tamika here. I wanted to share what I’ve learned since I launched this podcast in April 2020 in hopes that it will enlighten or even help you on your storytelling and content marketing journey! Hey, maybe that’s your very own podcast.We all have different reasons for starting our shows. I’ll start with my WHY.Why Did I Start The Video Podcast Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories?Creativity - It’s my creative outlet. As a former, local TV news journalist, I was always performing on camera. I stayed curious and asked questions. I always crafted stories and shared them with my audience. Creating content and sharing stories on my terms, was a long time coming.Business Development - This show puts me in front of people I want to meet. What a better way to break the ice and meet virtually during a pandemic, then on my podcast?Marketing / Business Development - I wanted to attract more brands in the health/wellness and happiness industries. So, I started creating content that showcases entrepreneurs and business owners in this space.I set goals. Started something new. Here’s what I learned and how it worked for my business.The 6 Things I’ve Learned In 6 Months of Podcasting:People Don’t Like Vulnerability. Vulnerability is a winning strategy. More vulnerability in business = more success in business.Everyone Has Challenges or Difficult Life Experiences That They Face. People are resilient. Successful people embrace their challenges and let them shape what they do, who they serve, and why.When You Share Stories, You Build Connection. Even moreso, you build fans...also known as a community. Focus on the story instead of the sale. You build fans by giving and not asking for anything.The potential clients who reach out to TB Media Group now are mainly in the health and happiness space. 80%-90% of my leads fall into this category. Why? Because this is the content I create and share. It’s happened because of this show.Building an Inbound Sales Pipeline. This is a slow, but worthwhile way to grow. Creating content built this pipeline for me.Health & Happiness are essential for everyone. We’ve all been forced to think about that in 2020. It’s relevant to every single one of us at every stage of our lives.What did you think about this episode? Will you let me know what you think by leaving me a review on Apple Podcasts? Also, send me an email if you have a recommendation for a guest or topic for the show!

Kevin Minter is called “uncle” by his teammates in his NFL locker room. His 8 year career as an NFL linebacker, currently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is considered a lifetime in the pro football world. That is in stark contrast to what Kevin jokes “NFL” also stands for -- Not For Long. So, he’s turning his lifelong career and passion into a new business venture as a franchisee and regional developer of The Joint Chiropractic, along with his business partners, Walter Booth Jr. and Murray Hollis. Today, Kevin owns two Joint Chiropractic franchises in his hometown of Atlanta, and is in the process of opening a third in Miramar, Florida. But why is chiropractic medicine so important? He’s breaking that down and how it has been a key part of his life and career, in Episode 28: NFL Star Invests In Chiropractic & Wellness.

Despite her credentials, Dr. Nzinga Harrison prides herself on being a “regular ol’ person who loves regular ol’ people”. While Nzinga wears many hats, you can find her spending her days as the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Eleanor Health – her outpatient treatment provider she started in 2019. Ever since she was young, Nzinga has had a heart for activism and advocacy, which comes out in her work at Eleanor Health. Her passion falls with people who've had their lives impacted by addiction and making sure they know how much their lives are worth. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we hear from Nzinga’s story from the moment she knew she wanted to pursue medicine, to finding her place to make a change. 

Haley Moss is a speaker, educator, scholar, artist, advocate, author, and the first documented openly autistic attorney admitted to the Florida Bar. After making international headlines, Haley uses her voice and story to amplify disability rights each and every day. Haley didn’t always plan to pursue fighting for disability rights, but after discovering the diversified culture and history of people with disabilities, she was drawn to making much-needed progress in this space. 

Since 1979, Paula Norris Mestayer, M.Ed., LPC, FAPA has been passionate about mental health and helping people navigate their mental health conditions. It was not until 20 years ago, when she had a breakthrough with her method that she developed the pioneering work she continues to do today. Paula says her groundbreaking development of American protocols for using NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is effective in treating addiction and other brain disorders. In today’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Paula shares the story of the first time she witnessed success with NAD (through her teenage daughter’s addiction) and how she has helped thousands more, successfully break the rehab and relapse cycle.  

In 2013, 23-year-old Cody Byrns was considered dead after he was involved in a tragic car accident. It wasn’t until first responders saw the slightest movement of his hand to rush him to the hospital, where he fought for his life and eventually made a full recovery. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Cody shares his story of the accident, his recovery, and the lessons he learned from the experience. As an International Speaker, Bestselling Author, and Nonprofit Founder, Cody uses his story to connect with people around the world. He empowers others to break free of yesterday’s scars and motivate themselves in the future. Born and raised in a small Indiana town, from a young age Cody was motivated to inspire. Part of a family who loved to have fun, Cody got his start in “Clown Ministry”, where he used comedy to break down barriers among his audience and deliver a message of hope. He later transitioned into a role as a children’s pastor with a talent for juggling, and traveled the country to speak at kid’s camps. Then, in May of 2013, his life took a different path. While sitting at a red light, Cody was rear ended by a truck, and his vehicle blew up on impact. He suffered burns on 40% of his body, and many other injuries, which left Cody fighting towards a full recovery for the next three years. During this experience, Cody started to wonder, “Why me?”. Luckily his community was there to motivate him and give him perspective that he will walk away from the experience stronger. It is the hardest moments in life that help us find our purpose, according to Cody.He lives by the quote, “The key to success is playing the hand you were dealt, like it was the hand you wanted.” Today, Cody has chosen to not allow his scars to keep him bound in bitterness and defeat. Instead, he uses his story to uplift others. As an award-winning speaker and best-selling author, Cody has touched thousands of people through his story and outlook on life. Cody also spreads his mission through his nonprofit The Cody Byrns Foundation for Burn Survivors and his Podcast, Scar Release 2.  

JP Aramouni, and his co-founder and Alex Ciklik, are combining water and wellness and creating a new business model. Founders of Blue Space, JP and Alex saw that even though their coastal communities were surrounded by water, the marinas were not reaching their full potential. Through their discovery of the concept of Blue Mind, they launched their business to provide an elevated wellness experience in Miami. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we sit down with JP to talk about his past career, life abroad, and how he is pursuing his passion through Blue Space. JP Aramouni grew up by the ocean. As he grew older, he found himself in a career working with technology businesses to scale their operations. For companies like Uber and Uber Eats, he would travel the world from one country to the next, building their operations from the ground up. JP moved to a new country every two to three months and throughout that experience, he started to get more in touch with himself. After changing jobs and settling for a few years in Asia, JP took advantage of a unique opportunity and signed up for a 10-day silent retreat. He wanted to reflect and reassess his life, because he did not want to end up living the rest of it in the passenger seat. He felt he was letting his career guide his every move. After the first few challenging days, JP eventually found a flow and gained clarity during the retreat. He spent so long building other people’s companies; it was now time for him to build his own. The year following the retreat JP moved back to the US and chased many ideas, and it wasn’t until he stumbled across the concept of “Blue Mind” that he found the idea that felt right -- aligned with his purpose. He and his co-founder Alex, a former coworker at Uber, began to develop the concept of Blue Space and eventually brought it to life. Today, Blue Space offers those in Miami a chance to disconnect from the daily grind and recharge by connecting them to the healing elements of the water. 

Sometimes saying “yes” can open up doors you never thought possible, and for Sam Reynolds it led to finding her purpose in life. A wellness advocate, handstand enthusiast, writer and adventurer- Sam spends her days using yoga to transform lives. Once law school bound, Sam found herself saying yes to experiences that led her to living aboard, trying yoga for the first time, and becoming a wellness leader.While finishing her master’s in international administration at the University of Miami, Sam was approached with an invitation to study abroad. With law school ahead, she thought the 3-month program would be a great chance to learn beyond herself. Little did she know that 3-month program turned into 6 years of living away from home. She began working in Czech Republic and spent her last year abroad in a contract position in Rwanda. There she taught history and loved working with students in the tight knit community she became a part of. When that contract position ended, she decided it was time for her to return to South Florida, the place she once called home. Her move back was challenging, because upon returning she felt like an outsider. She was grieving the culture and community she became so attached to, so one day, to help her clear her mind, her mom invited her to a yoga class. Sam had never practiced yoga (or attended any group fitness class before), but as she learned before, saying yes can lead to great things. Picking up yoga led her to better taking care of herself, through exercise and watching the food she put into her body. She learned the power of staying accountable and building strength both inside and out. After participating in her first yoga class, she wanted to learn more about the practice of yoga and she was presented with an opportunity to become a yoga teacher. Sam’s new life path was forged. Sam went on to grow her business offering classes, workshops, mentoring sessions, and retreats to facilitate personal transformation. Sam teaches power vinyasa, restorative, yin, and meditation. She did not give up her passion of human rights and empowerment, holding monthly classes to benefit a local environmental non-profit at the Kampong Botanical Gardens, and an annual benefit class to raise genocide awareness. Sam is also the creator of Cafe Namaste - a lifestyle and wellness community to inspire connection through wellness, service, learning, and fun. Cafe Namaste offers events, workshops, classes, and retreats - and was on track to expand into two cities with major sponsors, pre-pandemic. Sam breaks down the drastic changes that have happened since then.

“Have the courage to be bad at something new.” That’s the advice from this week’s podcast guest Asante Cleveland -- a podcast host, speaker, and retired NFL player. He had a 4-year career in the NFL that took him abruptly from the San Francisco 49ers to the New England Patriots, before ending his career with the Chargers, due to an injury. After losing the only career he ever knew, he was left in the midst of an identity crisis. Asante had a tough time, dealing with depression while seeking a new path and finding himself, but he made it to the other side.It wasn’t always Asante’s dream to play football, but after picking up the sport in high school he realized that he had his sights set on the NFL. When the college offers rolled in, he attended the University of Miami to continue his football journey. By his senior year, he hustled to make a name for himself, earned time on the field, and was eventually signed by the 49ers. This was just the beginning of his NFL journey. During his first year in the NFL, Asante learned the business side of football, and just how quickly change happens. One day he was headed to practice with the 49ers and instead he was told he was being traded. He immediately moved across the country and joined a team he knew nothing about -- the Patriots. While the change was abrupt, he had the chance to learn from some of the best in the league, and he was excited. It was in New England where he learned about staying accountable and staying calm when things keep moving around you.When his NFL career came to an end, due to an injury, Asante felt lost. In his own words, he was in the middle of an identity crisis. Instead of letting the uncertainty discourage him, he took a moment to reflect on the power in the process. He put himself out there and tried different career paths from real estate to broadcasting. None of them were a fit.Today, he is motivated by sharing his story to a generation of young individuals who might be going through similar experiences (or emotions) that he once was. Through his podcast, The White Tiger, he interviews entrepreneurs about working through transition and overcoming adversity. Asante believes that the journey of finding yourself is a never ending one, but for now finds fulfilment in inspiring others through self-discovery. 

One man’s lifelong weight loss battle turned into the creation of a supportive Facebook community, then a podcast, and monetized content. He’s sharing his health story and detailing how that led to becoming a paid content creator.Jay Casale is a lifelong performer and educator who lost almost 200 pounds after having bariatric surgery in 2018. After struggling with his weight for most of his life, Jay sought out an online community designed for those who were dealing with the same weight loss issues. When his experience with Facebook groups was less than great, he started his own Facebook Group, The Lighter Side of Weight Loss with Jay, where anyone struggling with weight loss can find everything but judgement. Today, Jay’s group has grown to over 20,000 members, his daily Podcast just reached 100 episodes in 100 days, and he’s turned his personal journey into monetized content.  

Dr. Katie Dabrowski is passionate about blending the worlds of injury prevention, training, rehabilitation, and recovery to promote an all-encompassing approach to physical therapy. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, the Old Bull Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation co-founder is changing the game of physical therapy. Truly living her dream, Katie is making it known that anyone can benefit from the help of physical therapy. Her practice combines training and therapy, and focuses on building healthy habits for continued strength.

“The love that I have for bodybuilding is big, but it’s not as big as the love I have for competing,” says Alex “Fello” Cambronero.Alex is the ultimate competitor and he will tell you so. He reached the “pinnacle” of his bodybuilding career this year - winning the 2020 Arnold Classic and now preparing for the Olympia, a long way from where he started at just 134 pounds. An avid thrill seeker and athlete, Alex has always strived to be the best. In episode 18 of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Alex motivates with every passionate word spoken as he talks goal setting, purpose, and working for what you want.

When Adrian Molina moved to Miami, yoga changed his life. Now, he has found his passion -- using yoga to have the same impact on others. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Adrian shares his story of becoming a yoga teacher, and how it led him towards the opportunity to make a change in his community. As the founder of Warrior Flow Foundation, Adrian provides access to yoga in underserved communities across South Florida. He is committed to making yoga accessible to more people and educating them on the benefits yoga has.

In this week’s episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Susie Levan tells the chilling tale of how she and her family nearly lost their lives. One night in 1988, Susie and her new husband returned home to the unimaginable – three gunmen waiting for them in their home. From that moment on, their lives changed forever. Susie was kidnapped along with her young daughter and spent hours held hostage in a trunk, convinced they were not going to survive. What happens next is a harrowing and traumatic tale to say the least, but she recovered and turned that trauma into action. Since that day, Susie has lived out her divine purpose with a life dedicated to empowering other women to live their best lives. She poured her passion into her nonprofit Work-Life Balance Institute for Women, her bimonthly Women’s Wisdom Circle, and her book Getting to Forgiveness. She also is a certified non-denominational pastoral counselor, hypnotherapist, teacher of meditation, life coach, and Reiki master. 

“Everybody knew a street pharmacist. Nobody knew a therapist,” is how Jeff Rocker described his upbringing in his South Florida community.In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Jeff very candidly describes how he “lost his way” as a young teen in high school, was kicked off the basketball team, and found himself slipping into deep depression. But as a young man from a Haitian family, he was told to “man up” and that he would “be okay”. His experience talking to a high school counselor taught him a lot about coping with his own emotions, but also opened his eyes to just how much his community was missing out on valuable emotional support. Today, Jeff is a licensed mental health counselor and nonprofit founder, helping the same kids he once was.

When you spend your life training to be a champion, you develop great habits along the way. When that training leads to becoming a professional athlete at the age of 14, the habits you build have the potential to set you up for a lifetime of success.Danielle Mills is a retired professional tennis player turned entrepreneur. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Danielle shares the events that led to her becoming the founder and CEO of HEADSTRONG, a coaching company created to help women reach their fullest potential by creating a champion's mindset. When her lifelong tennis career came to an end in her early 20s, Danielle went from being terrified of finding a new passion to using her skills to help build other women up. 

When it comes to making lemonade out of a sour situation, Frankie Telfort proves that embracing the uncomfortable can open up life-changing opportunities. In this episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Frankie shares his background as a highly sought-after South Florida high school football star whose career ended before his first college game. Disappointed but not broken, he didn’t let that slow him down, and instead built up an impressive resume - NFL coach by age 22, a top trainer at a high-end gym, and founder of Old Bull Athletics by the age of 23. 

Opening a new business comes with challenges of its own, but Carla Joseph and her husband were really put to the test when they started their new restaurant venture weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States -- followed by mandatory stay at home orders. In Episode 12 of Lift  U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Carla Joseph joins us to share what it was like to completely change her business plan for BurgerHive, a plant-based restaurant and food truck. After living a plant-based lifestyle for more than a decade, the couple knew it was time to open their business and start their legacy. They did not let anything slow them down. They saw a lack of healthy, flavorful options in the South Florida community and took it upon themselves to change that. While they prepare their restaurant for a world without COVID-19, they serve their meals out of a food truck to happy customers around South Florida. 

Rosemary Carrera is changing lives of women across South Florida. In Episode 11 of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we are inspired by Rosemary’s journey from a passionate optometrist and new mom, to breast cancer survivor and nonprofit president - all in the span of 2 years. Rosemary’s organization, 305 Pink Pack, was inspired by her own experiences and women in her community who did not have the support they needed to focus on undergoing cancer treatment. Even now, amid a global pandemic, they are diligently providing resources to women who are undergoing these difficult times. 

Empowerment is key for our milestone 10th episode of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, where we welcome Dr. Lindsey Himmel, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT as she shares the philosophy behind her physical therapy practice, Align Physical Therapy - designed to empower and equip her patients with the tools to heal themselves. After getting hit by a car on her second day of college and appreciating just how important having a healthy body is, her passion is now focused on keeping her patients active and pain free in order to enhance their quality of life. In Empowering You: Hands-Off Physical Therapy, Lindsey shares her approach to physical therapy, why it may look different from traditional PT sessions, and how recent social distancing during Covid-19 might have actually helped her practice.  

On episode 9 of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Jessica Marcarelli demonstrates how well she knows the definition of “pivot”. She has been pivoting since she was a dancer on the sidelines of University of Miami’s football games; during a time in her career when working in an office job then transitioning to a yoga instructor; and her latest pivot, teaching in-person fitness classes and moving them online, forced by the onset of COVID-19.In Staying Strong: Making the Pivot to Online Fitness, Jessica shares her professional and personal journey with fitness, and how, during a pandemic, she still believes there are fitness options out there for everyone. On June 15, 2020, the day this episode is released, it's officially her first day back teaching in-person fitness classes as restrictions are loosened throughout Miami-Dade County, FL, but she's forever made changes to how she is interacting with and teaching her audience. Visit her website to learn how.

Studies show that people who meditate are more resilient in times of hardship. As Peggy Gaines describes it, when tidal waves of emotion knock you down to the bottom of the ocean, if you have been meditating, you’re the cork, rising back to the surface. For Peggy, that tidal wave was losing her teenage son to brain cancer.Peggy Gaines joins us for an incredibly inspiring and uplifting episode 8 of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories to bring awareness to the power that meditation and Reiki hold. As a published author, professional speaker, and nurse educator, Peggy has been meditating for over 20 years and teaching meditation for the last decade. It’s the monumental impact this practice has had on her life, that she now spends her life’s work teaching others its benefits.

In March of 2020, all eyes were suddenly on healthcare systems and their nurses, doctors, and staff across the country as we all faced a life-changing experience unlike anything in our lifetimes before...a pandemic. But what does this mean for marketing and communications teams working in our healthcare systems? Tania Leets is a former journalist, a storyteller, and the Senior Communications Specialist for Jackson Health System. On Episode 7 of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories Tania tells us the story behind the photo that went viral, how they quickly changed storytelling and marketing strategies during this time, and how you can do it in your own organization.

Episode 6's guest is Tiffany Anne Smith, RD/RDN, a clinical and holistic dietitian in virtual private practice, where she specializes in calming chronic inflammation and balancing her clients' immune systems.In her first ever interview, she discusses her relationship with nutrition and her passion for encouraging others to change their lives one small step at a time. She, too, needed a change after spending “too much time in the middle”. She was once malnourished after becoming a regular on the South Beach party scene -- where vegetables and lean meats were not her meal of choice. Her path to get healthier with nutrition became her lifestyle, and then her livelihood.

On episode 5 of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, we went 1-on-1 with Dr. John Lewis, an accomplished researcher and a former associate professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, who committed to eating a whole-foods, plant-based diet over 23 years ago.He experienced many illnesses at a young age, and then an autoimmune disease in his 20s that he battled for several years, yet never received the answers he wanted from physicians. John sought out the answers himself, made the change to a whole-foods, plant-based diet and grew his passion for wellness and dietary supplements. Through his peer-reviewed research combined with his personal experiences, John broke the barrier of his once conventional opinions towards medicine and hasn’t looked back. John is someone who truly practices what he preaches and pursued his passion to help others using dietary supplements and nutrition as the founder and chief science officer of Nurish.Me Inc.

A career-ending injury during his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills, sent Dr. Hervé Damas, MD, MBA, searching for his identity again. The former NFL Linebacker, watched his mother battle breast cancer twice before taking her advice to go to medical school and find his inner fire again.Before long, he would find that working in traditional medicine wasn't the end of his story. Dr. Damas is now the founder of Grassroots Wellness, where he acts as a medical practitioner, advocate and researcher on cannabis-based holistic medical treatment, working with a wide range of patients from other former NFL players to those recovering from addiction. He holds nothing back while showing us why his motto is, “I like playing life on the difficulty setting.”

Renzo Barredo is a financial services professional with a different approach -- he puts mental health first. He's dealt with extremely difficult circumstances in his life including the suicide of his best friend, as well as battles with his own depression and anxiety.His personal experiences have drawn him closer to his passion, a holistic approach to financial planning. With financial issues a leading cause of suicide among Americans, Renzo shares how One South Florida Wealth Advisors is opening up the conversation around mental health and financial health, sharing the resounding message that "self worth doesn't equal net worth".

On episode 2 of Lift U Up: Inspiring Health Stories, Tamika is joined by guest Vanessa Liebl, an entrepreneur, wife, mom, and native Houstonian who wholeheartedly jumps at the opportunity to help others. Vanessa’s ambitions and work have always been fueled by a proclivity for helping others. After her own challenges navigating the healthcare system, due to a chronic illness, Liebl knew that she wasn’t alone.  In this episode, Vanessa shares her story, starting with her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 21. She admits that initially she was terrified, that as a previously healthy individual she had no idea how to navigate this new part of her life. But then, things started to change. Vanessa set out on an entrepreneurial path to create Choice MD, a community-based platform with the aim of helping others on their journey to better health and wellness. The website provides everything from medical research, to a provider directory, and a calendar of local health-related events with the goal of serving as a resource for everyone in our community to lead healthier lives.

I'm starting a podcast! As a former TV reporter, storytelling is in my blood. Health and wellness stories are my passion because my health journey is a HUGE part of my life journey.I created a fitness series at the local TV news station I worked for in Montgomery, Alabama and took things a step further when I lost over 40 pounds and competed in my first bodybuilding competition in Miami, Florida in front of thousands of local news viewers. My health and resilience was tested more than ever when I went through a series of traumatic life events, which left me unemployed and sick. I'm telling MY story of overcoming obstacles, how that's helped me on my entrepreneurial path -- starting my own marketing agency TBMediaGroup, and what health means to me now.