All tagged rise up photo project
Mary Beth's story is on this blog today because she has been touched by extreme evangelicalism, religion, domestic violence, mental illness, motherhood, divorce, and surviving the suicide of a very important person in her life. If her story doesn't grab your heart then you might want to check your pulse.
If I could say anything to women facing their own goliath obstacles right now it would be "Yes. You. Can." Seriously, these words echo in my head over and over all the time when I am getting frustrated. A Bootcamp instructor in 2010 used to yell those words as she followed behind us during tough workouts, and it became my mantra over the years. I feel the conflict between the things I WANT to do, with the things I HAVE to do, and sometimes it's overwhelming and I just want to quit. So I remind myself, yes I can.
Now a mom of 4, Katie hopes to be a voice of encouragement to her children, and to never deter them from following their heart and pursuing what brings them joy in life. She is helping shape for her children what success and strength look like.
Mari was mothering 3 small children, two were 6 and the other 7, when her husband passed away and she suddenly found herself a widow.
I'd like you to meet Ruth, who calls herself the Chemo Athlete. I met Ruth almost by accident when I joined a group swim practice she was a part of. I was actually at the wrong group and didn't realize it until halfway through the workout, but thus began some amazing relationships. Ruth's determination and refusal to give up inspired me to hear more of her story, and I'm so honored that she was willing to share it here.
