Monica Stephens is a registered nurse, CPR educator, entrepreneur, and host of The Wellness Pulse Podcast

The Rhythm of Rescue author Monica Stephens

I wrote a book, the Rhythm of Rescue inspired by the importance of learning CPR.Through that I have encountered SCA survivors on a different level than as a nurse in a facility. Through these encounters and interviews I have learned more about the struggle for SCA survivors.  M. Stephens

Monica Stephens is a registered nurse, CPR educator, entrepreneur, and host of The Wellness Pulse Podcast

Monica Stephens is a registered nurse, CPR educator, entrepreneur, and host of The Wellness Pulse Podcast. She joined People’s Choice CPR & Safety, LLC [https://www.peopleschoicecprsafety.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] in 2009, bringing a background in journalism with a specialization in public relations. Inspired by the mission founded by her mother, Monica became an American Heart Association BLS and First Aid instructor in 2010 and later expanded the company’s reach throughout northern Florida and southern Georgia. Driven by a passion for education and advocacy, Monica pursued nursing in 2014 and now combines her experience in healthcare, media, and storytelling to promote CPR awareness and public wellness education. Through her podcast, speaking engagements, and upcoming book The Rhythm of Rescue, Monica explores the history, humanity, and life-saving impact of CPR while working to empower communities with the confidence and skills to respond in emergencies.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor - Ben Goodrich

On May 22nd 2025, while working out at his apartment gym, he had a SCA. Fortunately, the only other person in the gym at the time happened to be a nurse and she was able to pull be off the rowing machine, call 911 and begin CPR until EMS arrived on scene with an AED and shock me back. Ben's closing remarks for the podcast :I've read a lot of news articles/ posts about young people having SCA during sports or other activities, and it was found that the SCA was caused by heart problems that a simple 12-lead EKG would detect. There are groups out there pushing for student-athletes (high school and up) to have an EKG before competing to help reduce the risk of SCA. Florida recently passed the Second Chance Act [https://dcps.duvalschools.org/article/2880663], which requires all first-time high school athletes to receive an EKG screening starting July 1, 2026.  Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Mental Health Awareness Facebook group All Hands On Podcast

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Hollie Donnon shares her journey

Hollie Donnon had a diagnosis of a Duodenal Perforated Ulcer that was contained and she was in the hospital for 11 days. Ten days after her discharge, the ulcer cratered and caused an artery to burst which caused a massive GI bleed. She lost 2 liters of blood and she was vomiting and had a rectal bleed and then went into hemorrhagic shock, which caused her to go into full heart block … STEMI heart attack, due to the GI bleed. Interventional Cardiologist placed a temporary pacemaker in her neck to regulate her heart and it ended up causing a cardiac arrest in the ICU. Within 2 months of her arrest, Holly shares her physical and mental journey. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Mental Health Awareness Face Book group. All Hands On podcast

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor, Rob Kalmowitz, discusses surviving two sudden cardiac arrests and his struggles with mental health

In this episode, Rob’s family sits down with him on the anniversary of his first sudden cardiac arrest to reflect on survival, recovery, and the profound emotional toll these life-altering events had on the entire family. After surviving two sudden cardiac arrests, Rob opens up about the physical challenges he faced during recovery, the fear and uncertainty that followed, and the lasting mental health struggles that often go unseen after survival. His family also shares their experience navigating the trauma, anxiety, helplessness, and emotional weight that came with nearly losing him twice. Together, they discuss resilience, healing, faith, and the importance of honest conversations surrounding survivor and family mental health. Rob and Juliana are the founders of the podcast All Hands On and the Facebook group Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Mental Health Awareness, where they advocate for awareness, support, and connection for survivors and their loved ones. If you or someone you know would like to be on the podcast, please email us at scasmha@gmail.com