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This week’s episode comes from Anaheim, CA. We are sitting down with Erwin Rocha. In December of last year, Annette met Erwin’s mom, Nelly, in Homestead, FL. Annette kept her word that when she made it to the west coast, she would connect with Nelly’s son. Two months and 2800 miles later, it happened! “Erwin Rocha, husband, father, police officer, Mentor, music producer, and follower of Christ. I'm just an ordinary guy trying to make the world a better place by serving the community. As a seventeen-year veteran police officer, I have been inspired to mentor at-risk youth and their families. I've been blessed with the opportunity to create music camps, hiking clubs, and leadership curriculums. My Parent Formula class has been extremely helpful for parents seeking emotional and inspirational support. Music is the universal language that breaks all barriers and unites us all. As proud owners of Harmony Studios, My wife Aubrey and I, find great joy in sharing our love of music with the world. (bio provided by https://www.erwinrocha.com/about)

Today’s episode comes from San Antonio, TX. Annette sat down with Desmond and Mary. Desmond’s late wife and Mary’s sister Debra,  founded Faith Bound Street Ministry in 2015. Their Mission Statement starts with a quote from the Bible. It states in Deuteronomy 15:11 "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you shall open wide your hands to your brother, to the needy, and to the poor."    Faith Bound Street Ministry is committed to extending their hand and opening their hearts to every individual they serve. Their mission is to help restore the lives of individuals living in homelessness with the faith, hope, and love given to them by their savior, Jesus Christ.    

Today's episode is Vincent Robinson, in San Antonio Texas. Vincent was born in San Antonio Texas. He came from a broken home that dealt with a lot of mental health issues along with alcoholism in his family. At the age of 14 he joined a local gang and began to go down a troubled path. In 1991 Vincent was shot in the lower back (spinal cord) and it caused neuropathy in his lower body. As a result he couldn’t walk for almost a year. After recovering from the gunshot wound he continued down a spiraling path that led to him to seven years of his life incarcerated. Ten years ago he gave his life to Christ and wanted to see a change in the environment he grew up knowing so well. Vincent wanted to serve the community with humility and support; offering different types of services available to the community. The Harper's Chapel Baptist Church, which Vincent is now the Pastor of, resides in the most impoverished-stricken zip code in San Antonio. The vision he had is to offer necessities and assets needed to get this community back to stability. There is a mobile shower that comes to the church every Wednesday, along with Texas Workforce Commission, San Antonio Police Department, and several universities that come out and offer different resources for the residential and homeless community. Robinson's goal is to continue to be a community church for the community. (https://harperscbc.com)

This week's episode comes from Katy, TX. (Maria) Paula Gonzalez was born in Bogota Colombia and moved to the USA in 2001 when she was just 10 years old. Paula has always been a very positive person; very athletic and outgoing. Maria is also a boat propeller survivor due to an accident that occurred on July 28-2018 in lake Charles Louisiana. The boat propeller cut her leg into pieces. She was airlifted from Lake Charles to Shreveport, LA where she flatlined two times. Maria spent three long months in the hospital. She endured 23 surgeries, skin grafting, blood transfusions, dialysis, as well as renal failure and necrotizing fasciitis that attacked her body. To this day, Paula Gonzalez is a strong-minded woman that still has a life ahead of her. " It’s never too late to keep going. And remember. It only takes one leg to kick ass!"

In this episode, we’re in Gulfport, MS with Storme Hannan. Storme has an incredible story of survival and resilience. She was born in England and grew up in an unstable and abusive environment which led her to teen years filled with rebellion, dangerous coping mechanisms, and an abrupt move to the states. She was institutionalized more than once and struggled with addiction. Storme has persevered and is currently running a very successful Airbnb business, traveling the world, and inspiring others to tell their stories.

Lita Edwards Benduhn, owner of Metamorphosis Ink in Dunedin FL motto is  “Transforming scars, transforming lives, one drop of ink at a time.”  Lita is using her amazing skills as a  tattoo artist to help others through the healing of tattooing. Lita has worked with cancer patients creating masterpiece mastectomy tattoos, cutting and scar coverups, burn victims, and a variety of skin scarring that most tattoo artists shy away from. Lita provides a safe space for her clients to share their stories and works with them to transform their scars into beautiful works of art.   In this episode we also hear from Chris. Lita and Chris are currently beautifying Chris’s arms covering up childhood scars from cutting. Her tattoos are giving her confidence to show her arms, confidence in her workplace, and have created a lifelong friendship.   For more information about how to book Lita or another talented artists at Metamorphosis Ink head on over to https://www.metamorphosis-ink.com 

In this episode we're sitting down with Ramiro Ramires. Ramiro came to the US in his early 20s and worked hard in the tomato fields as well as numerous other jobs. He later became a member of the maintenance team at the Everglades Alligator Park. Hard work, determination, and a mind set on succeeding, Ramiro saved until he was able to open his own business. Years later, Ramiro has created a world where his success is not only in the 2 restaurants that he owns as well as the multiple properties, but in the success and opportunities he is opening up for others. Ramiro is respected and loved by his employees as well as by the city of Florida City and Homestead.    If you're ever in the Florida City area, stop by Taqueria Morelia at 961 W Palm Dr, Florida City, FL 33034  

In this episode, Annette sits down with Nelly Martinez. Annette met Nelly at Robert is Here Fruit Stand in Homestead, FL. After a few minutes of fruit education and a killer milkshake recommendation (Mango, Pineapple, and Passion Fruit) Annette invited Nelly to see the bus and participate in the Beautiful Strength project. This simple meeting ignited a 2 hour conversation and the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Nelly is a spitfire of a woman. She packs a lot of personality into her 5’ 2” stature that could easily compete with giants. Cuban born, Nelly’s chances to come to the United States were very slim, but miracles happen and the universe brought her to the states at 17. Nelly hustled and never took no for an answer. She landed her first job in the US because she spoke from her heart and rightfully won over the owner. She proved she was worthy, smart, and dedicated. Nelly married the love of her life and enjoyed 42 years of marriage. She is extremely proud of her 2 sons and is known as “Mamma Nellie” to everyone at the fruit stand. Here is Nelly’s story… of which we were only able to scratch the surface.

In this episode we sit down (ok technically Annette is getting a tattoo at the same time!) with Heather Belle, a tattoo artist from Columbia, SC. Belle has always been into art since she was a kid, but tattooing wasn’t legal in South Carolina when she was younger so she had no career path planned out. She was the outcast, artsy kid that everyone thought was weird. After a while she started to embrace that aspect of herself and love the artist and the person she had become and was becoming. Tattooing fell into place at the perfect timing when she needed it the most and she loves what she does more than anything in the world. Belle loves being able to make people happy with her art and give them a gift they get to keep forever. Heather tattoos people’s lives, things they love, people they love, memories, hobbies, etc. She gets to be part of their journey of life for a few hours and connect with them. Belle has the honor of being part of their story. She makes people smile everyday and that is what makes her the happiest of all. According to Belle, “Life is an amazing journey if you can trust the process and look for art and beauty in all things and NEVER stop following your dreams.”

We sit down in Titusville, FL with Susan Naylor who is the Associate Director at SPCA Brevard. SPCA’s mission is to protect and provide a voice for homeless animals. They believe “You won’t change the world by saving an animal, but you will change that animal’s world.” 2021 Life-Saving Statistics 2,067 Animals Cared for 300 Active Volunteers Over 100 Active Foster Parents 1,778 animals found forever homes Head to https://www.spcabrevard.com to find out more about the great work this organization is doing, to donate, or to adopt

Carol Morris has always dreamed of opening her own store. She took that opportunity once Covid slowed down. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a bit over six years ago and needed to switch her work environment to reduce her stress level and spend her days in a place that felt like home to her. That is why she calls this My Happy Place. She hopes you call it that too!!

This is a cross episode with the Spread The Positive Podcast. Trent Denson interviews Annette about all the recent developments with Beautiful Strength and what is coming up!