Story 512

Mental Health & Resilience | Aparna Balasundaram | Story 512 Ep. 025

Today's story takes us to the other side of the planet from Austin and back again as we sit down with Aparna Balasundaram. A childhood prodigy who's life took an unexpected turn at the hands of an abusive relationship... Aparna's story is one of survival, resilience, and inspiration. Rather than a story ruined by bitterness, her's is one of hope and healing as she has dedicated her life to supporting others through counseling, authoring books, and public speaking (including her own TED Talk). Be sure to like and SUBSCRIBE so we can bring you more stories like these! Segments: 0:00 - On This Episode 1:15 - Childhood Prodigy 11:00 - Career Change 16:45 - Is Your Life in Danger? 33:30 - Rescue 41:00 - Overcoming 50:00 - What Inspires You Today? #Story512 #Story #Austin #Texas #Connection #Interview #ForAustin #Mentalhealth #Author #Speaker #Resilience

Co-Founder & CEO | Bill Bayless | Story 512 Ep. 024

Bill Bayless, entrepreneur and retired Co-Founder and CEO of American Campus Communities, shares his incredible story of hard work, family, culture, believing in a dream and creating an industry. Be sure to like and SUBSCRIBE so we can bring you more stories like these! Segments: 0:00 - On This Episode 1:55 - Hometown & Family 4:06 - Life Lessons from Sports 8:06 - Tough Love 9:06 - The One 12:58 - What Lead to Career 17:41 - The Disney Way 29:55 - Only in America 35:10 - Culture is Everything 39:09 - Inspiration Today #Story512 #Story #Austin #Texas #Connection #Interview #ForAustin #Entrepreneur #Innovator #Studenthousing #BillBayless

TV Style Expert | Michelle Washington | Story 512 Ep. 023

Michelle Washington is the first television style expert in Austin. From janitor to international designer, she has been featured on every major media news outlet. Her goal is to share stories through fashion. Be sure to like and SUBSCRIBE so we can bring you more stories like these! Segments: 0:00 - On This Episode 1:30 - Austin and Barbies 10:25 - Lessons From a Janitor 19:30 - Summa Cum Laude 21:10 - September 11 in NYC 27:30 - Traveling the World 30:40 - Favorite Projects 40:05 - Fashion Versus Style 44:15 - Inspiration Today #Story512 #Story #Austin #Texas #Connection #Interview #ForAustin #Fashion #Style #Television #MichelleWashington #Design

Four Time Cancer Survivor | Mike Thompson | Story 512 Ep. 022

By age 15, Mike Thompson had battled four separate bouts of cancer, enduring over 70 surgeries. From there, his battle with addiction and recovery was only just beginning. The polar opposite of the bitter person you might expect, Mike is a walking inspiration for the rest of us... full of hope, joy and gratitude that is infectious for everyone around him. Despite the fact that he should not be alive, he is living life to the FULL and showing others how to do the same. Be sure to check out his new book "Finding Good" when it releases soon! Be sure to like and SUBSCRIBE so we can bring you more stories like these! Segments: 0:00 - On This Episode 1:24 - Childhood in Austin 3:50 - First Diagnosis 9:20 - Source of Hope 13:22 - Cancer Returns 20:10 - Round Four 26:15 - Enduring Dark Times 33:25 - Addiction and Recovery 44:30 - Living Life Fully 47:45 - What if I'm in Pain? 49:30 - Advice When Life is Ok 51:30 - Inspiration Today #Story512 #Story #Austin #Texas #Connection #Interview #ForAustin #CancerSurvivor #Cancer #Addiction #Recovery #Author #Speaker

Heisman Legend | Ricky Williams | Story 512 Ep. 021

Ricky Williams is among the greatest athletes to ever walk the earth, and one of the most misunderstood. He was committed to being himself before it was encouraged to do so. Today's conversation will not only introduce us to the incredible human off the field, but will challenge us to reflect on ourselves as well. We cover Ricky's formative years and journey to football, why he chose Texas and his journey through the NFL... but we also get real about Ricky's vast amount of personal learnings and observations about the human experience. DON'T MISS Ricky's mystery year away starting at 34:35! Be sure to like and SUBSCRIBE so we can bring you more stories like these! Segments: 0:00 - On This Episode 2:50 - Formative Years 14:05 - Why Texas? 17:25 - Mack Brown 20:00 - Heisman Year 26:10 - Internal Struggles 34:35 - Mystery Year Away 57:20 - Death, Rebirth (Back to NFL) 1:06:20 - Nick Saban 1:08:50 - Baltimore Ravens 1:12:40 - Bigger Than Football #Story512 #Story #Austin #Texas #Connection #Interview #ForAustin #RickyWilliams #Heisman #Longhorns #Football #NFL