In the silent corridors of resilience, Brad's journey resonates with courage and a commitment to serve. March 17, 2023, became an indelible milestone as Brad earned the Bronze Pin from LivingWorks Education—a symbol embodying personal transformation and unwavering dedication. Completing his 25th 2-Day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop wasn't merely an achievement; it embodied the unyielding spirit that defines him.
What distinguished Brad's feat was not the number of workshops but the extraordinary challenges that shaded his path. On March 16th, 2016, a Total Laryngectomy sought not only to silence his voice, but also to jeopardize his life. A surgeon's somber prophecy foretold that Brad would never address an audience again. Despite the grim outlook, Brad, drawing from over 20 years of diligent practice in Eastern Wisdom through Shaolin Kung Fu, held no assumptions. Guided by Lao Tzu's timeless wisdom, he approached the uncertain future one step at a time.
Initially, that step meant simply rising from bed under the steadfast guidance of his wife, Kristie, a nurse. Gradually, he took more steps, a journey from walking around the block to grappling with the psychological aftermath. Learning to speak anew, word by word, was a formidable challenge. Yet, Brad understood that the first words he needed to address were those within his own mind.
Following the radical surgery, depression took hold, but Brad, seasoned in personal development and trauma transformation, understood that 'no storm lasts all day' and navigated the turbulent seas of his inner narrative. Shifting focus from losses to new possibilities proved a formidable task, but Brad embarked on this journey of self-discovery and resilience. With determination, he defied the odds, reclaiming not just his voice but the essence of a life that feels good.
His workshops, now totaling 33, bare witness to a speaker who transcended mere articulation, infusing each ASIST session with the breath of lived experience. The modest Bronze Pin is a beacon, casting light on the path he forged against adversity. Brad's story transcends workshop facilitation; it unfolds as a continuing narrative of perseverance, courage, and an unwavering belief in the resilience of the human spirit.
As the echoes of Brad's odyssey reverberate, his Bronze Pin emerges not just as an accolade but as a symbol of resilience—an emblem proclaiming, against all odds, that every silenced voice deserves to be heard.
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