Courageous Podcast with Madeline Hernandez

A story of true strength and triumph - Ria Story

My guest Ria was born and raised in Alabama. Like many, she faced great adversity very early in life. Ria was sexually abused by her father from age 12 to 19, forced to play the role of his wife and even shared with other men. 
Desperate to escape she left home at 19 without a job, a car or a high school diploma. It was her now husband, who she has been with for over 20 years who gave her the confidence and courage to leave home and start a new life.
Ria says "God doesn't cause the pain in our lives, but he can use it to help others overcome their own adversities."
Today, Ria is a motivational leadership speaker, certified trainer, TEDx speaker, and author of 13 books. Ria also founded Fearfully and Wonderfully Me, empowering women to become the leaders they are destined to be. 
YOU CAN FIND HER ON:IG @ria.storyFB @ria.storyLinkedIn @ Ria Storywww.riastory.comYou can purchase her books on Amazon!

Do Not Conform - A story of healing - Brenda Gomez - Part 2

My guest first shared her story on Courageous back in May of 2020 where she shared how childhood trauma and unprocessed pain negatively impacted her life. For years she struggled in silence with crippling fear and nightmares due to her past trauma. Then one day she decided it was time to seek help and find true healing. 
For years God had been pressing upon her to share her story and even write a book to help others who were suffering from the same pain.
Brenda has been a certified speaker, coach and trainer with the John Maxwell Team since 2018. Today she is the author of "Do Not Conform" Transformation Awaits - A Guide to Healing and Thriving. This book is a roadmap of new possibilities and a life-changing perspective of the infinite powers that we possess within to overcome. The details of Brenda's life are a testament to GOD, who created you and has a perfect plan for your life.
You can find her at www.brendacertifiedcoach.com ANDInstagram  - @transformationawaits
You can purchase her book on AMAZON

In the midst of loss her FAITH never wavered - Pastor Alice Altiery - Part 3

The words a parent never wants to hear is "Mom I have cancer!" My guest will share her account of how she was there to support her daughter as she fought breast cancer and the pain of losing her in the end. Then several years later she loses her husband and best friend after 50 years of marriage. She says "it was the hardest time in my life but my faith was never shaken, it was my faith in God that got me through it. 
As a pastor and leader in her church she continues to support and ministers to those who have experienced the same time of loss. She says "there is strength through God, there is strength through your faith and you can't give up."
Tune in and listen to her son-in-law & her sons courageous stories:
Part 1- Loosing his wife to cancer - Ismael "Brat" HernandezAnd Part 2 - A pastors journey through loss and healing - Pastor Rico Altiery

How God turned her pain into her passion - Susan Sullivan

As a little girl Susan always dreamed of changing the world but a traumatic experience led her to turn to food for comfort. By the time she was 13 she weighed close to 300 pounds. Then one day she met a weight loss coach who believed in her dreams and helped her loose 160 pounds. Today she is an Entrepreneur, Author and Founder of Sullivan Leadership Solutions where she passionately coaches woman who have faced the same struggles as she once did. She says "God gives us all gifts to use on this earth and he can turn your mess into a message."
Connect with Susan Sullivan and purchase her new book at:Susansullivan.net or join her Facebook group at "Start with Vision."

How God led her to her life's calling - Heidi Paredes

My guest share's the tragic story of how her mom was killed in the midst of political unrest in El Salvador in the 80's. After the loss of her mom at just 8 years old she went to live with her father, but never felt part of his new family. In 1992 she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and eventually was given up for adoption by her father. Thankfully her grandparents and brothers were there to love and support her. Later she discovered that her hearts desire was to help and serve children in the mission field in South America. Her faith and trust in God allowed her to live out her calling and travel all over the world as a missionary. Today she is grateful to God for using her to serve others in her current mission field as she helps children with special needs. She says "no matter where you come from or what you've been through, if you put your trust in God he will lead you to walk in your life's calling."
Connect with her on social media at:
IG & FB at heidi.paredes

Story of a sex trafficking survivor- Shavon Ramos

From the young age of 4 years old Shavon was raped and abused for many years. At 9 she began to drink to mask the pain of her abuse. At the age of 14 she joined a major gang in Chicago where she found a sense of family. After being a several abusive relationships she didn't know she was being groomed to be trafficked by her boyfriend. After years of abuse and threats against her life by her trafficker she was finally able to break free and contacted the Chicago Dream Center which is a safe haven for woman who are being abused and need to find healing. Today she is focused on being a mom to her 6 kids and building a life with them. At 40 years old she's an artist, singer, song writer, producer, speaker and advocate against sex trafficking. She said God was always with her throughout her journey and she wants people know that God is loving, he's merciful and he will pick you up and out of your situation, just as he did for her.
Connect with her at www.sparrows-ink.comorIG - ykforever_sparrow

A story of true faith and obedience - Stephanie Kelleher

My guest will share how throughout her life she has faced many challenges and has overcome due to her strong faith in God. Then in 2020 as the country is impacted by social injustice her faith is tested more than ever as she questions who she is as a christian and what God is calling her to do in the midst of chaos. She is the creator of Becoming Her Experience and HER Transformation. Today she mentors young single woman by preparing them for a strong, lasting Christ centered marriage. 
Connect with Stephanie at:IG -  @the_becomingher_experienceor join her email list at Stephaniekellerher.com

Surviving Breast Cancer - Tara Williamson

My guest will share her story of survival when at just 39 she was diagnosed with stage 5 breast cancer. While coping with this recent diagnosis she loses her father suddenly. Although her doctor fought her at every turn she finally found her voice and a new doctor who listened and respected her decision to have a double mastectomy. It was an encounter with God that helped her overcome this difficult time in her life. Later after having reconstructive surgery she decides to leave her nursing career to become a Certified 3D Areola Tattoo Artist. Today she is the founder of Pink Ink Tattoo where her passion and purpose is to help others look and feel whole again.  She says "I am right where I am suppose to be, I am living my second act."
Connect with her at pinkinktatoo.comFacebook - pinkinktatoollcInstagram - pink_ink_tattoo