When you experience adversity in your life, at any level, how you move forward and what your path looks like from that point on is defined by one thing: how you respond. Many people allow adversity to overcome them. They allow themselves to be defined as a victim, and in doing that, they embrace a future that is defined by what has happened to them, not by what they did to move past it, learn from it and become stronger.

In order to truly move past adversity, you need to have the right mindset; a mindset of overcoming adversity. Big wave surfer Laird Hamilton famously said, "Make sure your worst enemy doesn't live between your own two ears." That quote is so true for all of us just as we walk through our daily life. But, what if your mind wasn't only not your enemy, but was actually your ally? What if you could learn how to adopt a mindset that created personal freedom and invited success in your everyday life? What if instead of allowing yourself to be defined by circumstances that are out of your control, you were defined by the things that are true about you no matter what circumstances you face?

I had no choice but to adopt a mindset of overcoming adversity. My children depended on me. My livelihood depended on it…I was desperate. And, even though there was a lot of pain (and sometimes a lot of doubt), what I learned through the process has shaped who I am in ways that are truly profound. It's led me down a path of personal success that's beyond what I could have imagined when I first set out. It's impacted my children, too. I see it when they experience adversity; when they get knocked down and get right back up again. When they trust God, and are anchored in faith. When they choose forgiveness, just like I did, and release people who wronged them from owing them something. That mindset is a gift that gets past on to future generations.

My greatest passion is sharing what I've learned through my experiences, and bringing real hope to people who are struggling to navigate through adversity. Hope that uplifts, inspires and empowers. When I speak, I talk tell my story and share the practical "how to" of adopting an overcoming mindset and living it out every day.