Loving This Life

After 6 months of being silent on the podcast, I have finally been able to put together an episode that recaps the Advocating for Athletes series. The series launched an explosion of gymnasts speaking out about their experience, which, in return, led to a group of us filing a report with the US Center for Safe Sport. I wanted to give these survivors a chance to also share their stories so the episode begins with their stories. Halfway through, I begin sharing a recap on our experience since filing our report. It has not been easy and we are fighting an uphill battle, but we believe that together we are stronger.    WARNING: The content in this episode can be triggering. Please skip over any parts that trigger you if you are not in a healthy place.    Learn more about the podcast here: www.lovingthislife.org   Click here to listen to the Gymcastic podcast that shares the details of the security breach with Safe Sport. 

In the fourth episode of the Advocating for Athletes Series, attorney Michelle Simpson Tuegel joins me to shed light on her experience with USA Gymnastics, what needs to change in the sport, and how we can shift the culture. This episode is jam packed with knowledge bombs on the legalities behind sports and athletes and reporting, as well as addressing the issues with the governing bodies such as USA Gymnastics and the USOC. Michelle is one hell of a woman and is someone I admire for her work and just who she genuinely is as a person. ⁠⁠A little bit about Michelle:⁠⁠Michelle Simpson Tuegel has a national practice handling wrongful death, personal injury, and civil sexual abuse and assault cases. She was one of the first attorneys to file a lawsuit connected to the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas and she recently represented former U.S. National Team and Olympic gymnasts who were sexually abused by the Olympic team’s former doctor, Larry Nassar. Michelle started her legal career in criminal defense where she handled and tried multiple death penalty cases and numerous other felony cases. A former world-ranked athlete in slalom water skiing, Tuegel now uses that competitive drive and intensity to champion clients’ cases. Michelle was named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers (2019), Top 100 Trial Lawyers (2014-2020) and Top 40 under 40 (2017-2020); D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas in 2020; and to the Texas Rising Stars list, the Up-and-Coming 100 lawyers, and Up-and-Coming 50 Women lawyers. Michelle served on the board of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2016-2018), and she currently serves on the honorary board of the Texas Advocacy Project and the Executive Committee of the National Trial Lawyers. Michelle is licensed to practice in Texas and New York.   Michelle's Firm: https://www.shewinslaw.com/ Michelle's Insta: www.instagram.com/michelleshewinslaw To learn more about TAP visit www.texasadvocacyproject.org. To learn share your story visit: www.lovingthislife.org/shareyourstory To donate to TAP visit: https://www.texasadvocacyproject.org/LovingThisLife 

In the third episode, Mckenzie Wofford and her mom, Kristie Wofford, join me as they share their experience with being an elite gymnast and parent. Mckenzie describes her experience at the Karolyi Camp, abuse experience with Nassar and Valeri Liukin. Mckenzie is proof that your future is not determined by her past. She experienced being black-listed as an elite gymnast and how she overcame that and went on to win championships for the women's gymnastics team at the University of Oklahoma. This episode further illustrates the issues within USA Gymnastics and the demand that change needs to happen now.  ⁠A little bit about Mckenzie:⁠⁠Mckenzie began her sales career at Dell Technologies after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s degree in HR. She competed for the OU gymnastics team where she was a 2x All American and earned 3 team national championship titles (2014, 2016 and 2017). Mckenzie was the Big 12 event specialist of the year in 2016 and ranked number one in the nation on uneven bars for the majority of the season. Before attending OU, Mckenzie was a USAG National Team member for 3 years. During her free time, Mckenzie enjoys shopping, boating, working out and spending quality time with family and friends. Her favorite quote is “she believed she could, so she did”⁠   Follow along Mckenzie's life: @kenzpire & @kenzie_wofford123 To learn more about TAP visit www.texasadvocacyproject.org. To learn share your story visit: www.lovingthislife.org/shareyourstory

In the second episode of the Advocating for Athletes series, Adam Miller, the head coach at Crenshaw's gymnastics in Austin, TX shares his experiences as a gymnast, coach, and sheds light on what it is going to take to educate coaches on how to successfully train athletes and gymnasts.  Adam believes that there is a need to kill certain stigmas. That the children we coach aren't just athletes, but people with problems like any adult has. As a coach, Adam believes you have to be transparent and care about more than just gymnastics, but the athletes as people, students, family members, etc. He believes that if the coaching community can embrace that, our governing body maybe will finally get the point, because people are calling USA Gymnastics and the Olympic Committee out and they should be. But the change also needs to also happen on a grassroots movement.   More about Adam Miller: Adam is a former gymnast from Austin, Texas. After his gymnastics career ended he moved to San Antonio and worked as a women's team coach and preschool gymnastics director for Alamo Gymnastics for 5 years. He has been the Head Coach for Crenshaw Athletic Club in Austin since 2010. In his time there he has coach gymnasts to success at the State, Regional, Western, and National Level. Having produced multiple D1 scholarship athletes, Adam has had the opportunity to be a High Performance Coach for Region 3, University of Oklahoma, University of Iowa, University of Arkansas, Texas Women's University, and Utah State University.   Follow along Adam's coaching journey at: @crenshawoptionals   To learn more about TAP visit www.texasadvocacyproject.org.   To learn share your story visit: www.lovingthislife.org/shareyourstory   To donate to TAP visit: https://www.texasadvocacyproject.org/LovingThisLife 

In episode 1 of the Advocating for Athletes series, Abbie Hillis is hosted by Meghan Romere, who was also a co-founder of the 12th Woman. In this episode, Abbie Hillis specifically shares her experience at Capital Gymnastics in Austin, TX as both an athlete and as a coach. She describes her experiences as the subject of emotional abuse by different coaches throughout her gymnastics career, and describes stories of abuse she witnessed as an adult and coach. The series then dives into a coach’s perspective on the culture with gymnastics and high-level sports and how, as a coach, it is hard to be an advocate when so many still treat athletes the wrong way.  Abbie then transitions to share her story of her assault and how reporting it to Texas A&M University and College Station Police Department did nothing. She shares the issues that still exist within the administration at Texas A&M and how even though there has been change, there can still be more.  Ultimately, Abbie is an example of an everyday athlete and college student and wants to share her story to show other's that you don't need to be famous for your story to be heard. Sharing and demanding change in numbers creates change and that is Abbie's hope.   Learn more about Abbie:  Abbie is an experienced event planner and marketing professional committed to helping others live the life they are capable of living by creating work and business that is driven by passion and investing in others. She is the owner of an event and marketing firm, Gro Group, and its sister company, ACH Events, a wedding planning business. Abbie firmly believes that an event is a place for people to come together in a community, and whether it is business or personal, Abbie manages the vendor team through compassion and leadership, in order to facilitate remarkable events. Abbie has over 10 years of event planning experience and holds a BS in Sport Management from Texas A&M University with a focus on International and Cultural Management and a minor in Communication. Abbie is the creator of the Loving This Life Podcast, and co-founder of the 12th Woman, an advocacy group for sexual assault survivors at universities in the United States. ​Abbie lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Kieran and son, KJ.    To learn more about TAP visit www.texasadvocacyproject.org. To learn share your story visit: www.lovingthislife.org/shareyourstory To donate to TAP visit: https://www.texasadvocacyproject.org/LovingThisLife   

In this introduction episode to the Advocating for Athletes Series, Abbie Hillis, the host of the Loving This Life Podcast, approaches emotional and physical abuse as well as sexual assault issues surrounding competitive athletes from multiple perspectives. Each episode hosts one guest and includes their story and involvement of adolescents in sports, and how they believe society as a whole needs to change and it needs to happen now.  Since founding the 12th Woman back in 2018, Abbie has passionately advocated for sexual assault survivors. As an emotionally abused gymnast herself, she decided to create this series to bring more light to the issues surrounding sports and the culture of competitive gymnastics.  The four episode series, sponsored by the Texas Advocacy Project, includes Abbie Hillis and guests:  Meghan Romere, co-founder of the 12th Woman Adam Miller, Head Girls Team Coach at Crenshaw’s Gymnastics,  McKenzie and Krist Wofford, an elite gymnast for USA Gymnastics and a 2x National Champion at the University of Oklahoma joined by her mother Michelle Simpson Tuegel, Licensed and Practicing attorney in Texas and New York Throughout the series, guests share their stories of emotional abuse from coaches specifically in Texas. Abbie Hillis specifically shares her experience at Capital Gymnastics in Austin, TX as both an athlete and as a coach. She describes her experiences as the subject of emotional abuse by different coaches throughout her gymnastics career, and describes stories of abuse she witnessed as an adult and coach. The series then dives into a coach’s perspective on the culture with gymnastics and high-level sports and how, as a coach, it is hard to be an advocate when so many still treat athletes the wrong way.  McKenzie Wofford joins her mom, Kristi, in the third episode where she shares her first hand experiences with National Coach Valeri Luikin and her assault with Larry Nassar, the previous team doctor for USA Gymnastics. She discloses stories she has never shared before, and her mother provides perspective as a parent and learning to cope with subjecting her daughter to the emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse.  The series concludes with an incredibly informative episode with Michelle Simpson Tuegel who recently represented former U.S. National Team and Olympic gymnasts who were sexually abused by the Olympic team’s former doctor, Larry Nassar. She provides insight into her experience with survivors, USA Gymnastics, and the issues in society surrounding sexual assault and emotional and physical abuse to athletes.  Collectively, this series shares stories that athletes and coaches experienced for the first time publicly. Hillis’s hope is that this series provides insight into the issues athletes and coaches face in competitive sports by bringing on guests who shed light on their personal experiences with gymnastics, athletes, coaches, and governing bodies such as USA Gymnastics. Ultimately, this series addresses the fact that we, as a society, must change our entire culture around athletes, emotional and physical abuse, and sexual assault and addresses the first steps we need to take toward making effective change.    To learn more about TAP visit www.texasadvocacyproject.org. To learn share your story visit: www.lovingthislife.org/shareyourstory To donate to TAP visit: https://www.texasadvocacyproject.org/LovingThisLife 

In Episode 23, Monique and Emily, two licensed therapists out of Dallas, TX join me as we talk all about how secure attachment relationships in our life effect our boundaries, or lack there of, and how all of that transitions to how we see our self-worth as an adult. You can think of this as a free therapy session! These ladies explain the root cause of so many issues we have as adults which really allows you to dive into your own self-evaluation to ultimately grow as a person.    You can find The Couch Therapy on their website at www.thecouchtherapy.org and on their Instagram @the_couch_therapy. Stay tuned - our 4 part series on Advocating for athletes coming next!

A dear friend of mine, Liz Hopkins, joins me in Episode 22. She has been through incredible loss in her life, and has shared little details about her personal life. In this episode, Liz opens up publicly about her family and the loss they have experienced, how she went through dark times, and how she is now thriving in a life that she didn't exactly anticipate but is learning to embrace it.  Liz shares her struggles with loosing both parents at a young age, and how she kept living life even when she didn't want to because of her tribe. Y'all, she really is an idol of mine. I hope this episode helps those that have lost loved ones, those that support others who have lost loved ones, and provides an incredible perspective on how important the choice to be positive is each and every day.  Find Liz on Insta: @liz_hopkins   Episode quotes: "If you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine." "Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet." "Find your tribe and love them hard."

In this episode, intentional life-style enthusiast, Jantzen Jolly-Miller, joins us to chat about goals and habits that she uses to live an intentional life. We dive into the realness of marriage and how it is impacted during the quarantine and she also shares things that she does each day to make sure she starts her day with an intentional mindset. This episode provides simple but tangible habits that you can start implementing today. Jantzen is a blogger, church consultant, marketing guru, and a ball of light. This episode will leave you with a smile and feeling empowered to be intentional. Jantzen's Instagram Emerge Church Solution's Instagram Sign up here for the 7 Day Intentional Challenge with Jantzen!

In this episode, our host, Abbie Hillis, chats about the change of life with the quarantine associated with Covid-19. This is a virus that does not discriminate and everyone is struggling with the new normal. Abbie shares her struggles but also addresses ways she is thriving through the emotional roller coaster.  We have a choice how to live each day during all of this, and we have to choose to be positive, love each other, and take it day by day, and hour by hour.

In episode 19, Susie Robb, founder of Shop From Susie and the 626 Foundation, comes on and opens up and shares her divorce story. She opens up about how hard it was to leave and walk away, but talks all about how she built herself back up from being broken. Susie believes you have to be worth of a life you love. When we go through hardships, you have to choose to let go and surrender, and then receive the value and the worth that is given to you! If you want to follow along with the 626 Foundation journey follow @626foundation and visit www.626foundation.com.  You can shop Susie's collection at www.shopfromsusie.com.  "I am on the other side but I have not yet arrived." - Susie Robb

What does speaking your truth in 2020 look like? We all have different experiences and we are all different people so your truth will look different than any other person. Speaking your truth means: having courage, being vulnerable, embracing risk and exposure, showing up when you can’t control the outcome, defining your own success. In this episode, Abbie dives deeper into what speaking her truth in 2020 looks like.  Show up - speak your truth - set boundaries - define and fulfill your own successes. Speaking your truth will free you from the doubt and the fear and propel you to a place you didn’t even know existed.   Book mentioned: Beginner's Pluck by Liz Forkin Bohannon Netflix Special mentioned: https://www.netflix.com/title/81010166

In this solo episode, Abbie opens up about the hardships she endured both personally and professionally at the end of 2019. Sharing all that she has learned recently, she chats about her vision for 2020 and theme which is Speak Your Truth!!! She opens up about finances, goals, and family.  When you go through something difficult, talk about it. Let's lean on each other and take on 2020 Speaking our Truth and being honest and open with each other about ourselves!

Episode 16 is an exciting new twist of recording for both Abbie and Amanda. Amanda has her own podcast, The Girl Gang Podcast, so we decided to record our conversation and use it for both platforms! Amanda is a total boss babe who is an elementary school teacher all while ramping up her incredible side biz of events that bring women together in Dallas, TX and empower them. We met in Waco to start planning her big conference for 2020 and decided to plug in and just chat all things life, events, and business! We hope you enjoy! https://www.dallasgirlgang.com/

In this episode, we wrap up 2019 and end it with a tell-all episode with Legacy Real Estate Group's Founder, Nicole Marburger. She shares her open and honest story of becoming a mom and a business owner at very young age and how she chose and continues to choose making results and changes in her life over making excuses. Nicole is all about empowering women and building a business with integrity and empathy. She is an incredible mom and wife and her story deserves to heard.  NOTE- this episode was recorded at the end of 2019 when I had to make one of the biggest business decisions of my life. This episode is raw and real and emotional. We are now airing it 2 weeks later so if it seems slightly out of context, that is why. We are also delegating this podcast episode to Brittany Crosby (@_brittany_crosby_). She is a Faith Based, Ovarian Cancer Slayer and spent her life sharing incredible positivity in the world. She also demanded that women become their own advocate for their health especially by sharing the symptoms of ovarian cancer. To learn more about ovarian cancer check out https://www.colleensdream.org/. Brittany - this one is for you! Nicole's Instagram handle is @nicky_atx and her business is @legacyrealestagrp. She also mentioned our guest, Rachel, from episode 9 if you want to go back and listen to that episode. 

Join me on Episode 14 as I work through something I recently found to be a struggle for me. I have always viewed others happiness as a goal for me to seek for my own happiness. How they live their life, what they do, how they run their business, etc. This has lead to some not-so-great-moments for me, and days where I truly feel like I'm failing. After working with my therapist, I am now on this journey to seek my own happiness and mute the influence around me. This is hard. But I have ways I am working through it. In this episode, I explain how I am doing that, and why it is so important that we stop the comparison for our own happiness.

We all know what it is like to look fear in the face and tell it to get lost. But this choice is not always the easiest and sometimes fear can keep us from chasing our most important dreams and aspirations. Brittany Goff, owner and founder of Wheat & Honey Co and The Wheatful Woman Event, joins me as we open up and talk about choosing courage to make big changes in our life over choosing fear. There are days when our bank accounts tell us to stop, or we don't get the support we need from others. This fear of not making it, or not being successful can sometimes stop us in our tracks. Brittany shares how she has chosen to continue to grow and push herself in this season of her life where fear is so abundant.    Check out Brittany's company: www.wheatandhoneyco.com Wheatful Woman Event Tickets: https://wheatandhoneyco.com/products/wheatfulwomanevent

Episode 12 dives deep into conversation about women's health and sex with acupuncturist Allyson Schurtz. Allyson has a deep eastern background with a focus in women's health and together she and Abbie share their experiences and growth sexually. The conversation dissects sex taboo and how the generations have changed sexuality and how culture and society impacts each individual's sexual exploration. 

In this episode, Abbie Hillis does a full, raw, and deep recap directly following her therapy session with her therapist. This episode is real and dives deep into the work that Abbie and her therapist are working through. Abbie explores her process of setting boundaries in her life, which she has struggled to set in the past. She also chats about comprehending drinking and smoking as a coping mechanism.  Please note this episode talks about PG-13 to Rated R content so please be cautious when listening. 

A great finding in Abbie's transition, was the importance to surround herself with positive people and people who support the energy around you. Insert Melissa Walker. She is someone who came into Abbie's life who had experienced very similar parallels in her life as Abbie had, and together they have learned how important it is to work in positive environments, and surround yourself with positive people.

Rachel D'Acierno joins Abbie Hillis in Episode 9 on an in-depth discussion on women in the workplace and beyond. Rachel has defied all millennial rules and has quickly progressed in her company after staying loyal for 7 years. Rachel shares with Abbie her secrets to preventing burnout, how to have a seat at the table, and how to navigate the workplace to set yourself up for success. Rachel is a boss babe to say the least, and has a passion for helping others find the perfect work/life balance.

In episode 8, Abbie Hillis reflects back on her 2018 reflecting on the highs and lows and how it has shaped her goals for 2019. She shares her goals that she is focusing on for the next year and how important it is to write your goals down and make sure you have little goals that build to help fulfill your dream goals. 

Hannah Atmar is a teacher, blogger, and believer in self-care. Hannah joins Abbie in this episode to share her passion of promoting teacher retention by helping other teachers and women understand how to balance a teaching career with life in order to keep teachers committed to coming back, year after year. Self care is a huge focus of Hannah's life mission and blog. Listen in for some great gifts for others or for yourself, and hear how Hannah plans her day to include time for herself! Visit Hannah's blog: www.syllabiblog.com

There’s a need for constant content all the time, and it’s growing everyday. Whether it is video blogging, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, blogging, etc., it is never-ending to be able to produce enough content to feel like you are keeping up. In this episode, Ella Reid, music artist and creative, delivers her thoughts and methods to help balance this in her life and personal and creative to-do list. Ella reminds us that it is a great time to be an entrepreneur but it also makes it easier to burnout faster, causing entrepreneurs to have to find an individual balance that supports the life of that person.  Ella Reid's Website: www.ellareidmusic.com  Gas Station Glam: www.gasstationglam.com  Ella's music is available on all music platforms and she just released her EP Christmas Album that is incredible! 

Want to start off 2019 in the correct mindset? Then listen to this episode now! LC sits down and explains the neurological processes within the brain and how we can handle anxiety, depression, and everyday strong mental health by understanding the science behind it all. He simplifies the terminology and presents the information for all to understand - no doctor jargon here! Educate yourself now so you can start the new year with a new and healthier mindset for you and your body!

Abbie and Molli explore the conversation and livelihood of being an entrepreneur and all of the changes, struggles, perks, and greatness that comes with being, not only an entrepreneur, but a mom. This episode isn't just for those mommas out there, but also for those who want to create something of their own and do it successfully. 

Throughout Abbie's journey she has learned that self improvement is extremely important and necessary for success. In this episode, Abbie and her husband discuss self-evaluation, self-motivation, and self-appreciation and how the three have to go coexist with each other. This discussion encompasses how changing your mindset can drastically effect your positivity and contentment. 

Physical Therapist Brandi Smith joins Abbie Hillis as they explore the importance of meditation and the need to spend time each day connecting the mind to the body. Brandi brings a unique perspective and expertise to understand the science behind the body's natural reactions to emotion in life and how to gain control of those emotions. This episode will ignite a substantial amount of self reflection for the listener. 

Join Abbie Hillis and her husband, Kerry Hillis as they dive into their love story and how they are actively working together to find contentment in everyday life. 

If you are new to the Loving This Life Podcast, dive in first with episode 0. This episode will help you understand who Abbie is and what the Loving This Life Podcast is all about.