Tragedy to Triumph – Victoria Mavis, SPHR

Victoria Mavis of Tragedy to Triumph speaks with Tom Skorza, owner of Best Auto Service Center and chief mechanic, about the importance of basic auto care, as well as tips for parents with student drivers on auto safety. Tom shares the story of how his father influenced his decision to become a mechanic and also to achieve a bit of … Read more about this episode...

Victoria Mavis of Tragedy to Triumph speaks with Chris Mielo, a disability advocate, speaker, and videographer from Unbreakable Drive, about school transition strategies for students with disabilities including self-determination and advocacy skills for use during and after high school. Chris, a paraplegic since the age of four, shares his candid view of the shortcomings in our culture, schools, and the … Read more about this episode...

Victoria Mavis and James P. Quinlan (Pete) of Tragedy to Triumph, lead a discussion with retired Major Sean Quinlan from the US Marine Corps and Phil Quinlan, educator and videographer from Mason County Central Schools in Scottville, Michigan about leadership qualities that are learned in the military to develop future leaders through schools and business. Qualities such as responsibility, accountability, … Read more about this episode...

Victoria Mavis and James P. Quinlan (Pete) of Tragedy to Triumph, speak with retired Major Sean Quinlan from the US Marine Corps currently serving as a ROTC instructor in Des Moines, Iowa, about the life in the military, the hardships that men and woman face while serving as US Military Soldiers, and the courage it takes to go from tragedy … Read more about this episode...

When young men and women enlist to become US military solders, they often do so with the belief that their skills will help them land employment once they complete their tour of duty and return to civilian life. However for many, trying to find a job in the Labor Market is a grueling process, especially for disabled veterans. Victoria Mavis … Read more about this episode...

All kids want to be included and be able to do things like other kids. But what if you’re a firefly and your taillight doesn’t light up, and others keep asking questions? Ed Raarup’s book, Fireflies and Shooting Stars “The Tale of Enzo” addresses this subject of being different and having the determination to fit in despite difficult life circumstances. … Read more about this episode...

In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bomb attack, civilians want to know how to stay safe on international travel and domestically. Subject matter expert, Dale Yeager, forensic profiler and consultant for the Department of Justice, is my guest to discuss travel safety tips, so you can enjoy the world without worrying while you travel on vacation or business. And … Read more about this episode...

With people living longer, advance planning is essential to ensure that you can maintain a quality of life into your 80s and 90s. With medical advances, there is an increasing need for alternate in home elderly care services. Sometimes it’s as simple as getting someone to stop by and cook a meal, or pick up a prescription. Other times it … Read more about this episode...

In light of the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bomb attack, civilians want to know how to stay safe, both privately and publically. Subject matter expert, Dale Yeager, a trainer and consultant for the Department of Justice, is my guest that discussed what people should do both in private and in public to protect themselves. If you want to know … Read more about this episode...

Being a teacher motivating students is often a thankless, yet rewarding career. As public, private and charter schools develop creative teacher strategies to compete for enrollment based on curriculum that produces a quality education, the line marking effectiveness becomes blurred between traditional programs that teach the fundamentals and those that focus on specific outcomes, like career readiness. Victoria Mavis interviews … Read more about this episode...

Many people dream amount writing a book, but few find the combination of inspiration, publisher sponsorship, and personal perseverance to have their efforts result in a published book contract. Billy Staples, author and motivational speaker, is an individual who had done such and will share the secrets to his success. Billy has been nominated twice for the Disney Teacher of … Read more about this episode...

When someone says the words, ‘business and sex’ in the same sentence, if you’re like me, your mind races to either want to know more or to avoid all further conversation for fear of having to testify about inappropriate behavior in the corner office. However, sex like other taboo topics in business, can be a very powerful tool if you … Read more about this episode...

There are thousands of abuse articles describing the effects that survivors of abuse go through. As unique as the victims are, so are their stories of child abuse, whether it is physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. It is a prevalent theme in our communities and statistics vary by type of abuse. For women, it is reported that one in four … Read more about this episode...

Being born into a life of poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, and having severe cerebral palsy at birth would be enough to cause some people to give up, or to continue in a lifestyle that spirals downward. However, Mark E. Smith the founding editor of Wheelchairjunkie.com and an icon in the Power Chair industry, didn’t let his family tree stand … Read more about this episode...

Every woman has their own unique journey through the devastation of cancer. No two women have an identical support system or rate of emotional recovery. For Bethany Moss Parks, overcoming the tragedy of her disease was found over 7,300 miles away—in Kenya Africa. Bethany’s story of how she suddenly quit her job, packed her bags, and showed up in … Read more about this episode...

Living through a parent’s worst nightmare—the death of a child— is inconceivable by most. The survivors are often left consumed by grief and anguish as it violates the natural order of life—your children are not supposed to die before you—yet they do. Ray Starner, commercial real estate advisor, shares how he triumphed after losing his only child, Shelby Starner, … Read more about this episode...

The beginning of the year is a great time to repurpose your life for greater fulfillment during the next 365 days. Many people think repurposing means throwing away the old, or taking a complete change in direction, like get a new career. That may be part of it; it doesn’t have to be. Repurposing is enhancing what you have already … Read more about this episode...