Looking Up and Around with Rhonda McGowan

Living with Grief, but Seeing the Beauty with Mary McQuain

In this episode, "Living with Grief, but Seeing the Beauty" Mary McQuain shares her journey of resilience and transformation after experiencing the unexpected loss of her daughter, Bonnie Sue, and then two other tragic losses within a year and a half. Mary found beauty in grief through gardening, a labor of love, and through community support, starting with her next door neighbor. Her story highlights the power of community, the process of grieving, and the ability to find joy and purpose amidst loss. Takeaways * Unexpected loss times three * Grieving and finding beauty * Helping hand of a neighbor * Giving back About Mary McQuain: Master Chief Master-at-Arms (MACM) Mary Catherine (Pratt) McQuain was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She entered the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1988, and later went on active duty. She and her husband have four children as well as seven grandchildren. About Heidi Siefkas: Heidi Siefkas is a Nashville-based author of 4 books, TEDx speaker, podcaster, and adventurer. 📖 To explore her latest book, Look Up—Global Stories of Resilience: https://bit.ly/49QOPCH [https://bit.ly/49QOPCH]. 🎤 Bring Heidi to your event: https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/ [https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/] 🌐 To connect with Heidi and share your story for the Look Up Mindset Podcast, visit www.heidisiefkas.com [http://www.heidisiefkas.com].

Finding the Gift in Your Situation with Michelle Mann

In this episode, "Finding the Gift in Your Situation" special guest Michelle Mann shares her journey of resilience and transformation, highlighting the impact of a life-changing, drunk driving car accident and the subsequent growth and self-discovery. She emphasizes the power of community support and the importance of finding the gift in challenging situations. The candid narrative also explores the themes of vulnerability, self-love, and the significance of looking up in the face of adversity. Takeaways * Resilience through simultaneous losses * Community support and creating Sacred Circles * Looking up in face of adversity About Michelle Mann: Michelle is a healer and practitioner of Native American and non-traditional healing techniques. She lives in Vail, Arizona, where she hots monthly healing circles called Sacred Circles. Find more about Michelle and her Sacred Circles on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.i.mann [https://www.facebook.com/michelle.i.mann]. About Heidi Siefkas: Heidi Siefkas is a Nashville-based author of 4 books, TEDx speaker, podcaster, and adventurer. 📖 To explore her latest book, Look Up—Global Stories of Resilience: https://bit.ly/49QOPCH [https://bit.ly/49QOPCH]. 🎤 Bring Heidi to your event: https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/ [https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/] 🌐 To connect with Heidi and share your story for the Look Up Mindset Podcast, visit www.heidisiefkas.com [http://www.heidisiefkas.com].

Looking Up and Around with Rhonda McGowan

The episode of the Look Up Mindset Podcast features special guest, Rhonda McGowan, and her journey of resilience in the face of a health challenge. Rhonda's story, "Look Up and Around," unfolds through chapters that cover her health diagnosis, impact on personal and professional life, community support, and resilience. During this candid chat, Rhonda shares advice for those facing health challenges. Takeaways * Resilience * Community support * The importance of looking up and around Find out more about Rhonda and Amyloidosis: From Wisconsin, Rhonda is a retired Spanish teacher. Rhonda and her husband of thirty years are proud parents of two adult sons.  As a born educator, she also speaks for the Amyloidosis Speakers Bureau. To learn more about Amyloidosis and the mission, visit https://mm713.org/ [https://mm713.org/] About Heidi Siefkas: Heidi Siefkas is a Nashville-based author of 4 books, TEDx speaker, podcaster, and adventurer. 📖 To explore her latest book, Look Up—Global Stories of Resilience: https://bit.ly/49QOPCH [https://bit.ly/49QOPCH]. 🎤 Bring Heidi to your event: https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/ [https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/] 🌐 To connect with Heidi and share your story for the Look Up Mindset Podcast, visit www.heidisiefkas.com [http://www.heidisiefkas.com].

Tidal Wave of Loss with Amy Becker

In this episode, "Tidal Wave of Loss," Amy Becker recounts her family's tragic loss of Sydney, age 22, followed by the grieving process, and the journey to finding a new normal. In this not sugar-coated and emotional story, Amy highlights how surrounding yourself with the right people is essential for support after the loss of a loved one. She also stressed that Look Up is a genuine tool that has allowed her to slow down and be in the moment. Takeaways * Resilience as a parent and as a family * Find your people * Look Up allows you to slow down and be in the moment * It's ok to walk alongside your pain About Amy Becker: Amy is a proud mother, wife, and athlete, and the Lead Educator in the Quality & Patient Safety Department at Emplify Health, previously known as Gundersen Health System, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Amy, her husband, and daughter encourage supporting the Mini Donut Foundation (www.minidonutfoundation.com [http://www.minidonutfoundation.com]) or your local mental health awareness non-for-profit. About Heidi Siefkas: Heidi Siefkas is a Nashville-based author of 4 books, TEDx speaker, podcaster, and adventurer. 📖 To explore her latest book, Look Up—Global Stories of Resilience: https://bit.ly/49QOPCH [https://bit.ly/49QOPCH]. 🎤 Bring Heidi to your event: https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/ [https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/] 🌐 To connect with Heidi and share your story for the Look Up Mindset Podcast, visit www.heidisiefkas.com [http://www.heidisiefkas.com].

Lessons from a Survivor with Author Mariah Forster Olson

In this episode, "Lessons from a Survivor," the Look Up Mindset dives into Mariah Forster Olson's journey as a childhood cancer survivor, highlighting her resilience, survivorship, and the importance of hope and positivity. Mariah, a real-life shero, also emphasizes the Look Up Mindset and the significance of community and support for those affected by childhood cancer. She shares advice for patients and caregivers, and provides information on where to find more about her, her book, Hope Over Despair, and the organizations she works with. Takeaways * Resilience at any age * Survivorship * The Look Up Mindset * Finding Your Community About Mariah Forster Olson: Mariah is an author, childhood cancer survivor, and advocate. To find out more about Mariah and her book, Hope Over Despair, visit, www.hopeoverdespair.com [http://www.hopeoverdespair.com] About Heidi Siefkas: Heidi Siefkas is a Nashville-based author of 4 books, TEDx speaker, podcaster, and adventurer. 📖 To explore her latest book, Look Up—Global Stories of Resilience: https://bit.ly/49QOPCH [https://bit.ly/49QOPCH]. 🎤 Bring Heidi to your event: https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/ [https://heidisiefkas.com/speaking/] 🌐 To connect with Heidi and share your story for the Look Up Mindset Podcast, visit www.heidisiefkas.com [http://www.heidisiefkas.com].