In another in-studio episode, Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Leigh Marino, founder of Encourage Thought, who talks about her mental health journey. Leigh talks about the childhood grief she experienced, which resurfaced when she developed a panic disorder. Leigh ultimately sought inpatient treatment for her mental health and used her experiences to help others deal with pain, grief, and other difficult emotions through her Encourage Thought platform.

Throughout this we highlight:

• How Leigh Marino found solace in group therapy.

• Learn about Leigh's children’s book “To Be a Christmas Tree,” which seeks to help children (and adults!) deal with difficult emotions.

• How Leigh created Encourage Thought, a platform that allows her to share her mental health journey and inspire others who are dealing with similar or other challenges.

• Be inspired by Leigh’s outlook on what she went through and how she always kept a “pilot light of hope” during the tough times.

  
  

Connect with Leigh Marino:

Website: https://www.encouragethought.org/

https://www.instagram.com/encouragethought/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-marino-307b826/

At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity.

Support My Hero 360:

https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/

https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald had the incredible opportunity to travel to a flower farm in Annandale, New Jersey to interview Nicole Spadafora, owner of the botanical artistry firm Spadaflora. Nicole graciously shares her terrifying experience with a rare blood disorder: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, also known as TTP. Nicole’s interest in spiritual teachings and love of the outdoors helped her heal during this journey back to health.

Throughout this we highlight:

• Hear how Nicole Spadafora initially thought her symptoms were related to stress and exhaustion but turned out to be much more dangerous.

• Hear about how Nicole coped with a nearly month-long recovery in the hospital after being diagnosed with TTP.

• Learn about the powerful impact plasma donations had on her recovery.

• Be inspired by Nicole’s floral artistry business and how nature can be a powerful healer.

Connect with Nicole Spadafora:

https://www.instagram.com/spadaflora/

https://www.facebook.com/spadaflora/

At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity.

Support My Hero 360:

https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/

https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360

In this important interview, Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Eritrea Mussa who has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was 8 years old and had a subsequent frightening experience with diabetic macular edema (DME), a diabetes-related condition that impacts your eyesight.

She feared she might lose her eyesight but with the help of her doctor and appropriate treatment, she was able to manage the condition. Eritrea is committed to educating others on living with diabetes and DME and connecting people to resources to help them manage their condition. Throughout this we highlight:

• How Eritrea Mussa participated in several clinical trials when she was younger.
• Learn about the impacts of type 1 diabetes and DME that Eritrea experienced.
• How a treatment called Vabysmo® (faricimab-svoa) helped treat Eritrea’s DME.
• Be inspired by Eritrea’s commitment to shining a light on access and affordability challenges many people face and inspiring others to take control of their condition and their lives.

Connect with Eritrea Mussa:

https://www.tiktok.com/@eritreaaaaaa?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcAt My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Support My Hero 360: https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/ https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092112937947

In this inspiring interview, Kerri Fitzgerald talks withDr. Eric Saunders, an Ophthalmologist who was born without legs.

Dr. Saunders shares how his faith helped him through tough times over the years, including a situation during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has since started the process of rebuilding his practice and continuing to rely on faith and family in the face of tough times.

Throughout this we highlight:

• How Dr. Eric Saunders leaned into family and faith to reach his greatest potential.

• Why Dr. Saunders chose to go into the field of medicine and ophthalmology in particular.

• How Dr. Saunders had to make a difficult decision during the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted his career.

• Dr. Saunders’ outlook on life and the family and faith that continue to uplift him.

Connect with Dr. Eric Saunders:

https://www.instagram.com/eyedoctoreric/

At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity.

Support My Hero 360:

https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/

https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092112937947

In our first live interview for the My Hero 360 series, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Lauren Zalewski, who has started an online gratitude movement through her Facebook group Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain. Lauren suffered with chronic illness and lupus-like symptoms for years, eventually turning to alcohol to cope with her pain. After a harrowing “rock bottom” experience, Lauren set out on a journey to practice gratitude and, in turn, sparked a powerful movement. Throughout this we highlight: • How Lauren Zalewski suffered in silence with chronic illness and pain, something nearly 1 in 5 people experience. • Learn how Lauren’s life changed when she started practicing gratitude. • How Lauren founded the Facebook group Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain to help others struggling with a similar situation. • Lauren’s outlook on life and hear some of her recommendations for coping with a difficult situation, such as journaling, mindfulness, and gratitude. Connect with Lauren Zalewski and Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain: Website: https://www.gratitudeaddict.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/attitudeofgratitudewithchronicpain/ https://www.instagram.com/gratitude_addict/ https://x.com/gratitudeaddict https://www.linkedin.com/in/gratitudeaddict/ At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity. Support My Hero 360: https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/ https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360 https://www.myhero360-links.com Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pzQCG6Cvixo

In this informative interview, Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Craig Leppert, founder of Shadow Jumpers, who lives with a rare painful sun-related condition called erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). The genetic condition is marked by an intense reaction to sunlight and other lights, challenging this Los Angeles-based founder to live purposefully while remaining mindful of sun and light exposure. Throughout this we highlight: • How Craig Leppert and his family finally received a diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria and how they handled the news. • Learn about how Craig and his family came to navigate life with EPP. • How Craig founded Shadow Jumpers to provide important resources to the photosensitive condition community. • Be inspired by Craig’s camp for kids with photosensitive conditions that allows them to safely participate in activities like horseback riding, archery, and more. Connect with Craig Leppert and Shadow Jumpers:

https://www.instagram.com/shadowjumpers_

https://www.facebook.com/ShadowJumpersINC

https://www.linkedin.com/company/shadow-jumpers/

Website: ⁠https://www.shadowjumpers.org/⁠ At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity.

Support My Hero 360:

https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/

https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360

https://www.myhero360-links.com

Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KZm8Tz7lag&t=55s

In this inspiring interview, Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Krista Webb, a wood-burning artist who has not let her Usher syndrome diagnosis define her life and abilities. Krista shares how turning a new hobby into a passion and career opportunity helped her get through the difficult times following her diagnosis. Throughout this we highlight: • How Krista Webb first became acquainted with the wood-burning pen. • How wood burning became a therapeutic outlet for Krista in the wake of her gradual vision loss. • How Krista expanded her social media platform to create educational videos that depict the spectrum that is blindness. • How the white cane has given Krista independence and freedom to navigate the world with vision loss. Connect with Krista Webb: https://www.instagram.com/blindlove.woodburning/

At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity.

Support My Hero 360:

https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/

https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360

https://www.myhero360-links.com

Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB_Lttch99U&t=660s

In this important interview, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Jerome Harper, a nonprofit CFO who speaks about his family’s experience with Marfan syndrome. The genetic condition has impacted at least 3 generations of Jerome’s family. The health challenges Jerome has faced and the community he has built helped him lean into his vulnerabilities and faith to consistently overcome his circumstances.

Throughout this we highlight: • How Jerome Harper and his family dealt with the health challenges associated with the genetic condition Marfan syndrome. • How Jerome found community in family and The Marfan Foundation. • How Jerome made a decision to live every day and consistently overcome challenges. • Jerome’s positive message to others who may be facing a struggle. Connect with Jerome Harper: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jerome-Harper/pfbid08ktiUciU5P6hU7b12Ld3i5Wg318SwUgcPbfgjo4Yen8RqSqo5tmHSPVSz97sCLGTl/ At My Hero 360, we honor, celebrate, and connect heroes worldwide. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire and provide hope for humanity.

Support My Hero 360:

https://www.instagram.com/myhero.360/

https://www.tiktok.com/@myhero.360

https://www.myhero360-links.com

Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uEKJSNtKqA&t=255s