description of episodes

Ashley's journey from the depths of substance abuse to the shores of sobriety in Costa Rica exemplifies resilience and self-realization. A pivotal moment, marked by a DUI, ignited the flames of transformation within her, sparking a passionate desire to support others treading similar drives paths. Embracing the principles of healing and manifestation, she now shares her insights, extending empathy and guidance to those in need.

A profound calling drives Ashley to deepen her impact. She aspires to become a licensed counselor committed to aiding individuals in their journeys toward overcoming substance abuse. Ashley channels her experiences into providing resources and support for those seeking transformation.

"What feels your heart up with joy???" words that Ryan lives by. He says that Humanity as been wounded. Look him up on National Geographic....the King of Weed.

Ryan John Phillips is an author, producer and humanitarian. Phillips" journey to extraordinary change began after a series of serious challenges that derailed his hockey career that included extreme abuse, major injuries, and addiction. Ryan's been sober now for 7 years and takes pride in helping others overcome substance abuse and achieve sobriety.

He was incarcerated in 2002 in a United States maximum federal prison for 18 months for the distribution of 100 pounds of marijuana that led to later diagnosis of complex post traumatic stress disorder in 2015, but that didn't hold him back....

Ryan was given a lifetime ban from entering the United States, separating him from the love of his life, his daughter Sadie. Trying to cope with his life, he embarked on an adventure throughout Southeast Asia helping to shed awareness towards human trafficking and child sex slavery resulting in the manifestation of spiritual growth as a Christian, and social activism. Ryan was given a pardon as a humanitarian in 2012 for his efforts by the Department of Homeland Security as a free man.

Through the prisms of his life, Phillips has been featured on National Geographic's hit show "Locked up Abroad" as "The King of Weed", spoke on two TedX Talks on Mental Health and Sex Trafficking. Phillips speaks through the power of pure storytelling. Phillips' rode his bicycle across four countries in 2019 to raise awareness for mental Health, the highlight was Canada the second largest landmass in the world. Overcoming many of his own issues with mental health, primarily concussions from sports.

Ryan continues to have a passion for helping people heal through lived experiences and are struggling and reaching out for help.

You can follow Ryan on instagram: @theofficialryanphillips

You can follow Christy on instagram: @lifestrugglespodcast and @thechristycollier

Ryan also has a clothing line that helps to raise funds for his missions.

Please visit :https://www.gangstersgonegod.com

If you would like to help others that are experiencing any struggles that you have had and would like to be a guest on our show, please contact Christy @ strugglesarehard@gmail.com

Here is my short bio: My name is Gina Casazza. I lost all hearing in my left ear when I was 21, told I would never get it back and regained it 10 years later. I trained with a Navy SEAL, paid to get kidnapped and conquered my fear of snakes! I am a children’s author of the book: You Really, Truly Do Belong! I am the founder of Omnia, a self-care bracelet company. We elevate self care through innovative technology. I also work in the film business. I am a stand-up comic, I write TV shows. I have worked for Ralph Macchio and Penny Marshall. Now I am the director of development at Nico Nazar.

Gina's Instagram: @omnia_elevate

Christy's Instagram: @thechristycollier and @lifestrugglespodcast

If you would like to be on the show. please email Christy @strugglesarehard@gmail.com or dm her on instragram.

https://amzn.to/3BiJ00a to purchase her book

I grew up with a tremendous amount of sexual abuse from a very early age. I went through a lot of self-destructive behavior, hospitalizations, and an eating disorder early in life. I went into foster care as a teen where the sexual abuse continued. I became an emancipated minor at the age of 16 and then lived on my own while working full time. I got married when I was 18 and had 3 children right away (3 under the age of 3).We started doing foster care when our youngest was about 4. At one point we had 8 children 8 and under. I started nursing school when we had nine children living in our home. Over the course of the next 25 years we fostered well over 100 children and took permanent legal guardianship of 10 girls. My husband got cancer and suffered with cancer for 12 years before passing away in 2006.I had 4 girls living at home at that time and took in another one a few months after my husband died. I completed 3 legal guardianships that first year after he died. I was a single mom and working full time. I started my master’s degree 12 days after he passed away. I remarried in 2010 and by that time was in a doctoral program getting my doctorate degree.I finished it and continued to do medical mission trips all over the world (I have done about 30). I then went back to school and got my post doctorate degree and am now double boarded as an Advance Practice Nurse (FNP and CNS). My youngest son passed away in 2021 after an 8 year battle with cancer and his story continues to inspire all who knew him. My biggest encouragement to people is to NEVER give up and never remain a victim. Use what challenges life has given you and learn to develop a passion to help others overcome theirs. I have seen in my own life how God turned my sexual abuse into a deep passion to help others who might have had similar experiences. My second husband and I have recently started a medical clinic in northern India that cares for over 140 girls rescued from sex trafficking and other abuses. Without having gone through my struggles, I would have never developed the passions I have had to help others. I coauthored a book about my life and how God has used my struggles to develop passion and purpose in my life. I have a website that shares more about my book, my mission trips, and my life story. https://phillisdewitt.com In the past six months, I have been able to share some about my story in Israel, Mexico, India, England, Costa Rica, Romania, and Ukraine. My husband and I just returned from doing war relief efforts in Romana and Ukraine working with women and children who have lost everything due to their homes being bombed. I currently teach at 4 colleges in their graduate nursing programs and continue to see patients once a week when I am in Florida (we live there 6 months out of the year) at a free clinic that serves those who are living within 200 % of the Federal Poverty Level. My second husband and I have started 4 endowment scholarships to other students have access to an education that might not otherwise be able to. I have received many local, state and national awards for my work with families and victims of trauma.

Please go to Phillis's website to either seek help or help other people.

If you have a life struggle to share, please contact me @ strugglesarehard@gmail.com

You may follow me on.

Instagram: @lifestrugglespodcast and main page @thechristycollier

to purchase Athletic Greens: https://fbuy.io/ag/christycollier

Russell is a TikTok influencer who has gained a large following by dancing to bring joy and happiness to his fans' lives. With his infectious energy and positive attitude, he has become known for spreading good vibes and brightening up people's days.

Beyond just being an entertainer, Russell is also a strong advocate for mental health. He recognizes the importance of addressing mental health issues and supporting those who are struggling, and he actively works to raise awareness and funds for mental health research. A portion of all sales through his platform goes to support the HOPE for Depression Research Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing scientific research into the causes and treatments of depression and related mood disorders.

Russell deeply appreciates the support he has received from his fans and recognizes the power of their collective efforts to make a positive impact in the world. Through his platform, he hopes to continue spreading joy and positivity while also promoting important causes and inspiring others to get involved and make a difference.

You can watch him dance with his heart and soul on Ticktok |@russellbutler2 or on Instagram| @russelldancingupsman | Russell also has a clothing line on his linktree in his bio of Instagram and TikTok

You can follow Christy on Instagram| @thechristycollier and get notified of her podcast on Instagram| @lifestrugglespodcast

Don't forget your Athletic Greens and use code: https://fbuy.io/ag/christycollier To get more health products and skincare products visit Christy's Nu Skin page @ http://christysbeautypage.mynuskin.com

If you have a life struggle that you have conquered and would like to share your story, please send a recorded short version or a short bio of your struggle to

strugglesarehard@gmail.com and submit it to Christy

Frank Rich is a former bodybuilder, entrepreneur, men's health coach, and host of The Super Human Life podcast. After living with and battling addiction, depression, and anxiety for almost 20 years, he is now on a mission to help men who are suffering with many of the same issues take back control of their lives through the power of faith and fitness.

Frank has helped thousands of men transform their physiques through his online coaching platform, where he provides content, programs, and services to men looking to build more muscle, drop body fat, and build their greatest bodies.

He is also the founder and CEO of Rebuilt Recovery, a company based on a growth centric holistic approach to addiction recovery. Rebuilt Recovery provides fitness training for men going through recovery as well as one-to-one coaching for men aiming to break free from porn addiction.

His goal is that by being open and transparent with his struggles, and having real and raw conversations with others who have overcome adversities, that he can empower you to face your darkness, take control, and ultimately create the life you've always dreamed of, your own, Super Human Life!

Instagram: coachfrankrich

https://podcastconnection.org/frank%20rich/

Please follow me on Instagram: thechristycollier

Also if you would like to share a life struggle that you have conquered and help other people, you may dm me @lifestrugglespodcast on Instagram or email me @ strugglesarehard@gmail.com

Skye Nicholson is a certified 'This Naked Mind' Empowerment Coach, and founded Soul’s Truth Coaching in 2021. After making the decision in January 2018 to put an end to 25 years of alcohol abuse, Skye began her ongoing journey of healing and self-acceptance. She coaches women to their self-created goals around personal empowerment, alcohol use or anxiety reduction, by providing tactics and tools to take charge of their thoughts. Skye's two published books, Unexpected Alchemy: Poems of Addiction and Awakening, and Elemental Alchemy: A Guided Journal for Transformation are available on Amazon. She lives in Columbus, Indiana, with her husband and two children.

First Book|: Unexpected Alchemy, poet Skye Nicholson shares her journey of recovery—and empowerment—after ending 25 years of alcohol abuse. Her poems are filled with soaring language, fraught memories, and poignant images of motherhood and self-acceptance. Readers will discover a remarkable empathy from poems that effortlessly invite nature, relationships, and presence. Paired with artful designs by Indie illustrator Cheryl Liz Byers, Skye's words evoke a courageous and raw honesty that illuminates how decades of addiction and shame can dissolve through vulnerability, compassion and self-love.

https://www.amazon.com/Skye-Nicholson/e/B09P5GGFX3?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1670471397&sr=8-1

https://www.instagram.com/soultruthcoaching

Website: www.soulstruthcoaching.com

To follow Christy (your Host) https://www.instagram.com/thechristycollier

To follow Life Struggles page: https://www.instagram.com/lifestruggles

To be a guest on our show, please send an email and a short story about your life struggle and how you conquered it to: strugglesarehard@gmail.com

Please remember that these are are real life struggles and to be respectful. Also these are their own testimonies and how they conquered them. They are not all professionals. The purpose of these testimonies is give others hope, that may or may not have gone through this particular "Life Struggle".

You may listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast, google Podcast, Amazon Music, Overcast and my own website. Please go to: https://www.overcomingstruggles.com