Silenced by Family, Speaking Out as an Adult

Team USA Athlete Opens Up About Betrayal, Identity Loss & Starting Again

In this episode of Becoming Okay, Riley Tejcek shares the moment her life changed overnight, from elite performance and purpose to heartbreak, identity loss, and rebuilding from nothing. We talk about: – Being cheated on weeks before competing at world level – The mental toll of “staying strong” when you’re breaking – Why forgiveness is more about you than them – Rebuilding trust after betrayal – The identity crisis no one prepares you for – Letting go of a dream to choose a different life Chapters 00:00 The Collapse of a Relationship 05:03 Compartmentalisation and Healing 07:08 Faith, Forgiveness, and Moving Forward 18:04 The Importance of Self-Compassion 27:41 Navigating New Relationships 29:26 The Power of Partnership in Overcoming Struggles 33:29 Vulnerability and Communication in Relationships 35:46 Self-Discovery Through Relationships 38:51 Navigating Differences and Building a Healthy Marriage 42:18 Prioritising Love Over Career 47:10 The Journey of Letting Go and Embracing Change 50:50 Mental Health and the Importance of Community Here’s to Becoming Okay, in every sense of the word. Find me here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO9yWnk7ajO7ykPMGEuBS8g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megschirnhofer LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/megschirnhofer Find Riley here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riley.tejcek/

Why The Answer Isn't Always Therapy + Medication, with The Cornwall Mind CEO...

In this episode of Becoming Okay, I sit down with Paul Reeve, CEO of Cornwall Mind, to break down what mental health actually is and why the system we rely on might be getting it wrong. From growing up around NHS mental health care to leading one of the UK’s most impactful charities, Paul shares a completely different perspective: mental health isn’t something you catch, it’s something life does to you and something you have to actively protect. This isn’t a clinical conversation. It’s a real one folks! We don't hold back... Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mental Health and Personal Journey 07:39 Challenges in Cornwall's Mental Health Landscape 13:26 Cultural Shifts in Mental Health Awareness 17:29 Preventative Approaches to Mental Health 23:21 Five Ways to Wellbeing and Personal Insights 27:55 Navigating Personal Challenges and Isolation 33:30 The Journey to Finding Gratitude 38:52 Building Trust and Motivation in Mental Health 47:03 Redesigning the Mental Health System 53:58 Embracing the Journey of Life Cornwall Mind: https://cornwallmind.org/ If you need support, you can find your local Mind services here: https://www.mind.org.uk/

25 Years Of Everyday Stress is Making Her Go Permanently Blind!

In this episode of Becoming Okay, I sit down with Toni Lavery, a former U.S. Army Special Operations veteran with 25 years of service, who was told she's going blind… with no clear explanation. After years of high performance, poor sleep, chronic headaches, and pushing through pressure, her body forced her to pay attention. We talk about: - Why high performers ignore warning signs - The physical impact of long-term stress - The moment everything changed - And the interventions that helped her rebuild her life Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Stress on Health 06:13 Navigating the Medical Maze 12:06 Exploring Treatment Options 18:11 Transformative Therapy Experiences 24:22 Managing Stress and Expectations 29:26 Reflections on Regrets and Life Lessons 29:55 Navigating Life's Challenges and Choices 30:24 The Impact of Past Experiences on Personal Growth 31:35 The Power of Relationships in Healing 33:01 Communication as a Key to Relationship Success 36:00 Coping Mechanisms for Stress Management 36:32 The Importance of Discipline in Personal Development 38:24 Understanding Health Through Medical Interventions 41:42 The Role of Support Systems in Recovery 46:50 Setting Boundaries for a Healthier Life 48:02 Influential Books and Their Life Lessons Here’s to Becoming Okay, in every sense of the word. Find me here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO9yWnk7ajO7ykPMGEuBS8g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megschirnhofer LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/megschirnhofer Find Toni here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-l-nashville-professional/

Why Your Job Isn’t Making You Happy + How To Do Something About It | Happiness Expert Matt Phelan

Most people think happiness comes from fixing their life. It actually starts by understanding why you’re unhappy. In this episode, with Matt Phelan, Co-Founder of The Happiness Index, x2 Workplace Happiness Author and Keynote Speaker, we cover: – Why your job might not be the real problem – The truth about “loving what you do” – And why happiness is more about relationships than anything else Chapters 00:00 The Hedonic Treadmill and Eudaimonia 04:46 The Connection Between Work and Personal Life 07:39 The Journey to Creating a Happiness-Focused Business 10:46 Finding Meaning in Life 12:36 Societal Norms and Personal Choices 14:59 The Challenge of Sobriety and Social Expectations 23:09 The Irony of Alcohol and Mental Health 26:38 Falling Back in Love with Work 29:06 The Taboo of Job Satisfaction 30:55 Redefining Happiness Beyond Salary 32:29 The Happiness Advantage 33:41 Childhood Influences on Mental Health 35:08 Happiness as a Team Sport 36:49 The Role of Social Media in Mental Health 39:40 The Challenge of Parenting in the Digital Age 42:14 Social Media vs. Smoking: A Comparison 44:01 Starting Conversations for Happiness 47:14 Fear and Predictions of the Future 48:00 Data Points of Happiness Here’s to Becoming Okay, in every sense of the word. Find me here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO9yWnk7ajO7ykPMGEuBS8g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megschirnhofer LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/megschirnhofer Find Matt here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewphelan/

Silenced by Family, Speaking Out as an Adult

In this episode, Rose shares a story that most people never speak about. From a very young age, she knew something wasn’t right, but like so many, she was silenced, dismissed, and left to carry things that were never hers to carry. This conversation goes into: - what childhood abuse can actually look like behind closed doors - how silence is created and reinforced within families - and what it takes to finally speak up after years of carrying it alone This isn’t an easy watch. Viewers discretion is advised. Chapters 00:00 Childhood Memories and Feelings of Isolation 03:45 The Start of Trauma: Early Experiences 08:10 Understanding Abuse: The Impact of Family Dynamics 12:59 The Role of Neglect in Family Relationships 17:27 The Burden of Responsibility: A Child's Perspective 22:29 The Emotional Fallout: Abandonment and Resilience 27:22 Breaking the Silence: Speaking Up at 15 32:29 The Aftermath: Navigating Family Dynamics Post-Revelation 39:10 Childhood Chores and Family Dynamics 47:59 Trauma and Military Experience 53:47 Breaking the Cycle of Abuse 55:23 Finding Healing Through Motherhood 01:11:54 The Power of Laughter and Resilience 01:15:42 Empowerment and Moving Forward Here’s to Becoming Okay, in every sense of the word. Find me here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO9yWnk7ajO7ykPMGEuBS8g LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/megschirnhofer Podlink: https://pod.link/1843627543 Find Rose here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-randall-psy-d-ma-43404642/