When the Unexpected Strikes: Finding Strength in Life's Sudden Turns

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Struggle to Success
• 1:27 When Life Happens: Personal Setbacks
• 3:30 Three Keys to Navigate Challenges
• 4:24 Resources for Those Facing Homelessness
• 5:32 Episode Closing and Next Episode Preview

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

If you have ever been told by someone that you're not capable of attaining success, if you have made mistakes or lived in an underprivileged neighborhood, then this podcast is for you. You are now locked in to Struggle2 Success. Struggle2 Success aims to inspire individuals to navigate life's challenges with courage, fortitude and unwavering determination. So if you're in your car jogging or somewhere else trying to find the calm in the storm, then join Struggle to Success airing every other Saturday. Remember life is trials. Stay focused.

Sterling: 0:37

Hello, wonderful people, welcome back to the Struggle2 Success Podcast, where we turn life's trials into tools for growth. Struggle2 Success Podcast where we turn life's trials into tools for growth. I'm your host, Sterling Brown, and today's episode is one I believe we all can relate too. Today we're talking about when life happens, those unexpected events that hit us when we least expect them and leave us asking now what? But life isn't about avoiding the storm. It's about learning how to stand in the rain, get muddy and keep moving forward. This episode is for my go-getters, my hat changers and anyone trying to make it out of the chaos.

Sterling: 1:36

Last Friday, after leaving the correctional facility, I went to Crunch Gym for leg- day. I was locked in, focused and working my way up to about 640 pounds on the leg press. I felt strong, I felt confident and unstoppable, until suddenly I heard a pop. I tore my intercostal muscle. It wasn't a career-ending injury, but it stopped my training cold. What made it harder was, just about a week earlier, I had connected with a track and field coach who agreed to train me to improve my speed and timing. I was excited, motivated, moving forward and in one unexpected moment, everything shifted. That's the thing about life. It doesn't ask you if you're ready. One second you're pushing forward and the next you're learning to pause, reset and adjust your path.

Sterling: 2:29

If that wasn't enough, my wife flew out to California to take care of some things for our kids. She's a pre-planner, let me tell you Flights booked, rental car secured, everything set. But when she landed, the rental company denied her reservation. No explanation, no options. She had to call her sister, who ended up sending her $650. 00 so she can continue on and book another flight and get picked up. Now we're juggling bills, rearranging schedules and shifting priorities to make it all work. That's life, one moment. And shifting priorities to make it all work that's life, one moment. Everything's smooth. The next you're scrambling, balancing responsibilities, finances and emotions all at once, and I know many of you listening out there are carrying the same weight every day Through it.

Sterling: 3:19

All these past two weeks have taught me one thing you can't always stop the unexpected, but you can't always control how you respond. Here's what's been grounding me through all of this. Number one control what you can control. You can't control the injury, the canceled plans or the unexpected bills, but you can control your response. Number two protect your peace. Don't let stress dictate your decisions. Pause, breathe. Lean on your faith. No-transcript. Number three keep moving forward.

Sterling: 3:57

Pausing isn't quitting. I had to step back from running, but I didn't quit training. You adjust the plan, but you don't abandon the mission when life happens. It's not all about perfection. It's about resilience. It's about waking up the next day ready to try again, no matter how heavy yesterday was.

Sterling: 4:17

While I've been talking about injuries, cancellations and unexpected bills, I want to take this deeper. For some people, the unexpected doesn't just pause their plans. It changes everything. Imagine this one day you're working, paying your bills, keeping your household steady, and the next you're facing eviction, losing your home. You're wondering where you're going to sleep at tonight, and that's what I wanted to highlight someone doing powerful work in this space Amy Krulik from hope n door.

Sterling: 4:51

Amy and her team from hope n door helps families blindsided by homelessness. During our conversation, Amy shared just how fast things things can spiral. One missed paycheck, one medical bill, and one unexpected expense. And you can suddenly find yourself without a place to call home. But here's what Amy wants you to know your not alone. Hope n door connects families to programs finical assistance to long term solutions that many don' t even realize exist. If you or someone you know is facing this reality, reach out, because there are people ready to stand with you, guide you and help rebuild. When life happens, don't shut down. You've survived every single hard day up until now and that means you're undefeated. If you need help. Reach out to resources like hope n d oor and share this episode with someone who's in the storm right now, and be sure to follow us at struggle2success p odcast on Facebook or www. s2spodcast. net, and if you or someone you know are using Apple Podcasts as your platform, please leave us a review. Give us a few stars as well. We really appreciate that. Rebuilding after rock bottom is tough, don't get me wrong. It's not easy, but it can be done. So don't miss our next episode, rebuilding after rock bottom, where we'll break down the steps to rise when life knocks you down. So until next time, remember life is trials. Stay focused.

Speaker 1: 6:31

Thanks for checking out this episode of Struggle2 Success. To connect with the show, you can email us at struggle2success. p@ gmail. com. Make sure you like and subscribe so that you never miss an episode. And remember life is trials, Stay focused.