The Trusted Friend

Shooting for Self-Love with Hannah (Helton) Sloan

Welcome to a compelling episode of the Trusted Friend podcast. In this deeply personal conversation, we sit down with Hannah, a remarkable individual who has not only excelled on the basketball court but has also navigated the challenging terrain of body image and eating disorders.
As a college basketball player, Hannah currently holds the prestigious title of the number 4 top player in all of Alberta for the ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference). Her athletic prowess has earned her the title of Athlete of the Week for not just Alberta but all of Canada. Throughout her basketball career at various schools, she has consistently demonstrated excellence, earning multiple Athlete of the Week honors.
Hannah's journey takes us beyond the basketball court, offering a glimpse into the challenges of body image and eating disorders that she's faced as a high-performing athlete. As the daughter of the host of the Trusted Friend, Hannah shares her story with candor and resilience, providing insights into the complexities of balancing athletic excellence with personal struggles.
For those inspired by Hannah's journey, you can follow her ongoing health and fitness exploration on Instagram at @sevenrollsdeep.
If you or someone you know is dealing with issues related to body image or eating disorders, please find helpful resources below:
In Canada:
National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC): www.nedic.ca
In Alberta:
Alberta Health Services Eating Disorder Program: www.albertahealthservices.ca
Alberta Health Services Eating Disorder Program: www.albertahealthservices.ca
Remember, you're not alone, and there is support available. Thank you for joining us on the Trusted Friend podcast, where we share real stories and cultivate understanding.
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA):
Website: National Eating Disorders Association
NEDA Helpline: 1-800-931-2237
Eating Disorders Hope:
Website: Eating Disorders Hope
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD):
Website: ANAD
The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness:
Website: The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness
Eating Disorders Coalition:
Website: Eating Disorders Coalition
Remember, you're not alone, and there is support available. Thank you for joining us on the Trusted Friend podcast, where we share real stories and cultivate understanding.
 
 
#bodypositivity #eatingdisorders #collegebasketball #athlete #mentalhealthmatters #womenempowerment #shareyourstory  #subscribe #impact 

A Working Mom's Sobering Reflection with Lynsey Retzlaff

Lynsey shares with us her journey in overcoming her battle with addiction to alcohol and completely changing the course of her life.  She is now a mindset and mental wellness speaker, working mom coach, and licensed therapist, Lynsey Retzlaff, LCSW shares her insights to impact lives near and far. 
She is a mother of two and has over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. Through this experience, she has found joy in helping working mothers redefine, renew, and reclaim their personal and professional lives by restoring inner peace, renewing relationships, developing realistic systems, and refining their life roadmap.
As a result of redefining her own life, she partners with companies on mental wellness solutions to address burnout, impacting every working person's bottom line.
Lynsey's most notable features to date have been in the well-known Parade, Authority, and Canvas Rebel magazines and her insights can be heard on multiple podcasts.
More about Lynsey

From Hell to Heaven with Lena Cebula

For about Lena and other guests go to: www.thetrustedfriend.ca
Lena shares her powerful story in this impactful episode.  Lena was born and raised in a post-USSR Ukrainian iron mining town. Her parents struggled in their marriage. Became an alcoholic, lost well paying jobs, eventually divorced losing custody of their kids.
She has struggled in poverty trying to survive and was abused and raped numerous times. After the loss of her first child at 15, drug addicted, alcohol dependent, she was twice trafficked to foreign countries, Israel, and Canada. 
More about Lena
If you or someone you know is struggling with addictions, trauma or concerned for their own safety.  Please reach out and get the help you need.   Lena's Resource page has some insightful tip and resources for sex trafficking.
Below are just a small portion of resources available.  Please search for help near you. 
Trauma Informed Care for Substance Abuse Counselling
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
 
 

Becoming Avery with Avery Thatcher

The Trusted Friend Website
Join Avery on a transformative journey as she shares the profound shifts that led her to redefine her identity. From the challenges of medical setbacks and a life-altering diagnosis to the realization that she was no longer the person she once knew, Avery takes viewers through the emotional process of shedding her former self.
Discover the courage it takes to rename and reclaim agency over one's identity, as Avery navigates through PTSD dreams, intrusive thoughts, and anxiety. With the support of loved ones and therapy, witness the beauty of finding solace and feeling at home in her body once more.
"Becoming Avery" is a touching exploration of resilience, self-love, and the transformative power that comes from embracing change. Join Avery in this heartfelt episode and be a part of her ongoing journey with gratitude and love.
https://becomingavery.comhttps://instagram.com/becomingaveryhttps://linkedin.com/in/becomingavery

Christmas Memories with Jen Uschold

More about Jen  including some  of Jen's delicious cookie recipes
Jen and I sit down (via zoom) and chat all things Christmas in this special episode.  Jen is the youngest of 9 children and has wealth of Christmas memories and traditions.  We both share our Christmas memories coming from large families.  Our interview is based on a Christmas letter she sent out to her family the year her dad passed away. in 2022.  See website for copy of letter.
Also see bonus episode on Mental Fitness Exercise to feel centered during the chaos often brought on by Christmas. It's only 5 minutes to get you feeling calm and focused.
Jen Uschold website

Parenting Personalities with Jami Kirkbride

The Trusted Friend Website for more about this and other episodes
Jami, a mom to seven, courageously shares her battles with getting her son the much needed help with his mental health and overcoming his struggles and the dark cloud looming over his head.  At the young age of 7 he had thoughts of wanting to end his life due to the mental health darkness.  With raw authenticity, she shares the pivotal moments that led her to getting the help he needed.  She's on a mission to help other mothers feel less burdened by their struggling children and bring more awareness as to how we can help those around us with mental health differences.
Jami's Website

Perfectly Imperfect with Alyssa Williamson

The Trusted Friend Website
This episode we meet Alyssa Williamson's as she shares her journey of overcoming her own need to be perfect and the immense pressures, anxiety, and sleepless nights it caused. 
Drawing from her own experiences, she empowers individuals to break free from perfectionism's shackles. And now as she’s about to be a new mother for the first time she shares the strategies in place to avoid the perfection pitfalls.  Alyssa lives by the motto, "What's the best that can happen?"
Alyssa's Website

Just Breath it’s Christmas with Jen Ushold

For more information on Jen see: The Trusted Friend Website
This is a Mental Health Fitness Exercise.
I'm not one for breathing exercise because my mind wanders and I can't sit still and feel awkward. But when she did this at the end of our interview I felt like having a nap afterwards and so here it is for you as a bonus episode you can listen to any time you need.
Whether your in the middle of trying to get all the presents wrapped, feeling lonely or overwhelmed.  Sit in a comfortable chair and listen as Jen guides you through this exercise to get you back to center and relaxed.  
Merry Christmas, Hope this helps.
Jen is offering our listeners a 20% discount on the 2024 offerings which are on her website. Please use the code  TrustedFriend20
https://www.180therapyandwellness.com/
 

5 Wishes Before I Die with Yvonne Caputo

In this short bonus episode, Yvonne Caputo joins us again (see her episode Flying with Dad) and takes us on a personal ride through the heart and soul of Five Wishes. She shares how this game-changing document lets you call the shots on your healthcare – from who's in charge when you can't decide, to the kind of treatment you do or don't want. It's like leaving a note for your family and doctors on how you want to be treated, ensuring your wishes are known and respected. Join Yvonne in this candid chat about the power of Five Wishes and the peace it brings to life's tougher moments.
Five Wishes Website

Predator Next Door with Nancy

The Trusted Friend Podcast
Sensitive Topics of Sexual Abuse and Suicide
Nancy, a resilient mother, is committed to raising awareness about the insidious tactics predators employ to build trust and create a false sense of security. Tragically, her daughter fell victim to the abusive actions of her best friend's husband, succumbing to the lasting impact of the abuse and ultimately taking her own life.  Now, Nancy is on a mission to share her story, shedding light on the importance of recognizing and combating the deceptive tactics used by predators.
Nancy's Story on Youtube
Something to Say
Site Dedicated to Preventing Child Abuse
Link for Helping Parents Stop It Now Organization 
National Association for People Abused in Childhood
Victim Connect Link
Sexual Assault Hotline
National Sexual Assault Hotlines/Links