What Is Your Idea Of Happiness And Success?

Happiness is the ability to find joy and contentment while simultaneously living with a deep sense of purpose in life despite your circumstances. As many of us know by now, success for many is not a one-size-fits all pursuit.

As a child living with trauma, I recall success meaning just showing up at one point in my academic career when I was in survival mode. Success comes in many different forms and it’s up to us to acknowledge where we are in life, have grace for ourselves, and celebrate
achievements-big and small.

Brief Story – What Got You Where You Are Today

28 years ago, my Mother, Cpl. Deborah Anne Bogle died by suicide. My father, estranged at the time, got custody of me and after suffering physical, sexual, and mental abuse along with a brief stint in foster care, my Grandparents adopted me in 1997.

Growing up as a person of color with a lower socioeconomic status, my Grandparents emphasized the importance of education. From an early age, I understood the setbacks faced by low-income families as we cashed in pop bottles for gas money to ensure I would make it to and from school. Thankfully, through the perseverance instilled in me by my loving Grandparents I made it to college as a first generation college student.

While attending college, residual depression and a mental health diagnosis would eventually lead to a suicide attempt in 2014.

After this attempt and while entering my first pageant, I got a taste of how great life could be once I swallowed my pride and asked for help. From there, I started to publicly share my story with others. Suicide prevention would become my platform, and pageantry would give me the voice back that had previously been snuffed out by my suicide attempt. Mr. Rogers once said, “Anything that is human is mentionable. And if it is mentionable, it can be more manageable.
When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.”

In 2017, three years after my own suicide attempt, I realized just how devastating suicide is to families and envisioned Beyond the Battlefield– an idea that would ultimately become a nonprofit dedicated to providing military families with emergency funds and assistance following the loss of a loved one to suicide.

I’ve dedicated my life to helping others through my grassroots work with the South Michigan Food Bank, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Michigan United where I help asylees and refugees become U.S. citizens, National Alliance on Mental Illness, my mentioned nonprofit, and as a full-time K-8 educator in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Some of my most notable awards and achievements include a Clifford W. Beers award nomination through Mental Health America, my service as a Policy Field Advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), roles as a Citizen Lobbyist with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the unique privilege to serve as an Honored Guest Speaker at the Michigan HOSA’s Med Talks along with my work in several notable publications.

In my free time, I enjoy being a foster parent, gardening, traveling, teaching citizenship classes to refugees and asylees, and relaxing at home with my husband, two dogs, and foster son. I will forever promote the belief that your circumstances don’t define you.

Who Is The Most Inspiring Person In Your Life?

The most inspiring person in my life is my Grandmother, Linda Chavez. As a little southern girl growing up in abject poverty, she always knew that her circumstances wouldn’t define her. She eventually went on to become a successful Commercial Real Estate Broker who owned her own business all while battling breast cancer and fighting for custody of me, who she eventually adopted. She’s always remained a fierce advocate for the women around her and exudes confidence, tenacity, and perseverance.

Imagine That You Have Been Selected As An Influential Person Of The Country For A Week. What Do You Plan To Do For The Country In Just A Week?

First, i’d thank the incredible people who got me to that place, next, as a nonprofit professional, teacher, and suicide attempt survivor, I’d share my personal story with mental illness and suicide and work on promoting the 988 number that connects those experiencing a suicidal crisis, following that, i’d bring awareness to the staggering number of children living in foster care, shed light on food insecurity and organize a national drive for Feeding America, and lastly, go to Washington, D.C. and lobby for change in a country with crumbling social infrastructure and a broken social justice/welfare system.

Any Personal Message That You Would Like To Share

Remember, your circumstances do not define you. As a little bear once said, “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Brands / Sponsors That You Are Working With Or Would Like To Work With:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, To Write Love on her Arms, Prevent Child Abuse America.