Today, Confessions launches its first-ever episode on Stripped Bare FM with Melanie Jade Boulerice. She is the CEO of Nomadic Nurse Agency https://www.facebook.com/nomadicnurseagency/   In this episode, Melanie confesses to the world her traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted at the age of 21 when she was a student nurse.    In this interview, Melanie walks us through that night, when she went out with a group of friends and she ended up intoxicated and reveals to us she was sexually assaulted. She shares with us her story of how that man took advantage of her, and how she managed to overcome her trauma on her own. The journey made more difficult because no one believed her and she couldn’t find the support she needed. Self-blame, shame, and doubt prevented her from pressing charges at the time. It’s something that many victims experience. It shaped her future, only to make her stronger. Her brave decision to come on Confessions is a step forward in empowering others to stop the silence and take their power back.    Now, she is a successful woman and entrepreneur. Hopefully, other people who are going through something similar will get inspired by her courage and decide to speak out and not live in secret.   Listen to the episode to learn more about Melanie’s inspirational story. Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode! Contact info:   Melanie Jade Boulerice LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/melanie-boulerice Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.boulerice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nursemelaniejadeb/?   Catherine Kontos: Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12  

Today on Stripped Bare FM, we have the pleasure of talking to Jade Nelson, a licensed massage therapist, certified yoga teacher and holistic health guide and speaker - based in Austin, Texas. Jade’s inspirational story:  Jade had developed epilepsy at the early age of seven. In this episode, she shares with us her story about how her family figured out that she had epilepsy the first time she was hospitalized when she fell to the floor during her first episode. She reveals that she went through a lot of difficulties, especially when she was in school, and explains how she managed to live with the illness by not letting it tear down her spirit. Actually, as Jade says “the more you fight it, the harder it is.”         In today’s episode, Jade reveals how she has controlled her seizures. She managed to go from two episodes a year to one seizure every four years. Her weapon for this achievement was the Keto diet. It is a therapeutic diet for brain health - a combination of low carb and high protein consumption. That helps the body produce ketones, a great fuel source for the brain. It is now popularized as a great tool for weight loss. Now, she is a successful and inspiring woman on a  mission to help and guide people, who desire to improve their lives and gain wellness.  Listen to the episode to learn more about Jade’s inspirational story and strategies. Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode!               Contact info Jade Nelson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetraininsideme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetraininsideme/ Website: https://www.jadenelson.net/ The train inside me: https://linktr.ee/thetraininsideme Catherine Kontos:   Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12

Today, on Stripped Bare FM, we have the pleasure of talking to D’angelo Thompson. He is a makeup artist and groomer in fashion for film and television for over two decades. He is a three-time Daytime Emmy nominated hair and makeup artist and guest hair Daytime Emmy Award winner for the Wendy William show https://www.wendyshow.com/   D’angelo Thompson is the author of “A 100 days of Gratitude”: Gratitude (1) (Gratitude Is A Journey) by Amazon.com Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/109831851X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_btf_awdo_QlUvFbX2PV517  A book about how to inject purpose, awareness, and unshakeable joy in all aspects of your life.   He is also the podcast host of “Gratitude is a Journey” https://anchor.fm/dangelo-thompson/episodes/Why-Gratitude-efjsuv   His credits include: Law and Order: SVU, MTV, VH1, The Food Network, Joe Mangano and James Patterson.   In this episode, D’angelo shares with us his journey in the beauty industry. A life full of glam and stars. Working with many big names both in the fashion and film industry. Although this life appears abundant to some, D’angelo was in a race to do more, never appreciating the moment. Then suddenly a life even made him stop to observe his life as it was. This action brought him to the place of gratitude he is today.   D'angelo reveals that he had been working so hard for so long that he gradually started feeling his powers fading away. His body gave up on him. He had no choice but to stop. He stepped away from the job to recover both physically and mentally and since then his perspective of life has changed forever.    It’s the journey that brought him to live a life full of gratitude and he is thankful for all the little things in his every day. He now takes time for himself to explore and live new experiences. He hopes that by his example he inspires others to live with gratitude, such that they will never again take anything for granted.     Listen to the episode to learn more about D’angelo’s inspirational story and strategies. Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode!   Contact info:   D’angelo Thompson: www.dangelothomson.art Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dangelo.thompson.54 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dlicious777 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dtbeauty71/   Catherine Kontos: Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12

  Today, on Stripped Bare FM, we have the pleasure of talking to Shane Carling, CEO of 7-day weekend and 7-day weekend media, a visionary and singer-songwriter - based in Vancouver, British Columbia.   Shane’s inspirational story:   In this episode, Shane shares with us the difficulties and adversities he experienced from a very young age. He had a hard time fitting in with the crowd while in school. He describes being bullied daily by almost everyone. He felt like he was living a life on the sidelines.   Shane found acceptance in friends finally. Friends that easily and willingly turned him to a life of drugs. A decision that almost cost him his life many times. Shane reveals that he has experienced a lot of types of drugs and no one in his family ever knew what he was going through, except maybe his father. But, as Shane says “ No matter what you are going through, no matter what adversities you are up against, you can absolutely heal and overcome.”   Today, after many years of healing, he is clean from drugs, a successful businessman and devotes his life in giving inspiration through a musical spiritual journey.     Listen to the episode to learn more about Shane’s inspirational story and his strategies. Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode! Contact info:   Shane Carling: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBB9QKrxIt-uBKgfWWa2GYQ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/shanetvcarling/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialshanecarling/ Music Under the Stars: https://www.musicunderthestars.live   Catherine Kontos: Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12

Today, on Stripped Bare FM, we have the pleasure of talking to Cathy Nakos. She is an entertainment manager, music event, and film producer. Cathy was also an executive national consultant and trainer for the American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/ as well as the American Diabetes Association https://www.diabetes.org/ - and she is based in Nashville Tennessee.   Cathy’s inspirational story    In this episode, Cathy shares with us her story of how she went from adversity to an abundant life.    What happens when you are on your life’s high and living your Cinderella story, but life has made other plans for you? At the young age of 21 and with three children, Cathy's husband was wheelchair-bound with multiple sclerosis. When she found out about her husband’s illness, that being MS, she became a devoted volunteer with the National MS organization, to help raise money to find a cure. Quickly becoming a voting member. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/   Today she is a blissful mother of three and a grandmother of five, a successful entertainment manager, film producer, and philanthropist. She has worked with celebrities like Tony Bennett, Bob Hope,  and Kenny Rogers.   Listen to the episode to learn more about Cathy’s inspirational story and her strategies. Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode!    Contact info:   Cathy Nakos: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-nakos-045b867 Twitter: https://twitter.com/catnak Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.nakos Catherine Kontos: Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12

Today, on Stripped Bare FM, we have the pleasure of talking to Aaron Ellis, who was a recording artist for both Sony and Warner Brothers. Now, he is a visionary dadpreneur, singer, songwriter, author and inspirational speaker, based in Los Angeles, California.   Aaron’s inspirational story:   From a very young age, Aaron was innately attracted to music as most are but at a much higher degree. He was so passionate about music that it encompassed him every day. Aaron became a professional musician at the age of 11 and his journey in the music industry was born. A dream come true you would think, and it was until it wasn’t. What if you spent your life living your dream only to realize it was never your true purpose?    His journey in the music industry was very difficult and arduous. In this interview, Aaron reveals his hardships from being defrauded of his money, having his equipment stolen and having been sexually assaulted and harassed. These trying times broke him into pieces. Pieces that he left behind and shifted the hardships to lessons and pivoted his purpose to one led by inspiration in helping others.     Now, he is an inspirational speaker, mentor, author and full-time dad. Listen to the episode to learn more about Aaron’s inspirational story and how he made it from adversity to a purpose-driven life.  Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode.   Contact info: Aaron Ellis    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AaronEllisOfficial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-ellis-online Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronellisofficial/ Catherine Kontos:   Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12  

Today on Stripped Bare FM, we have the pleasure of talking with Jo Hawkins. She is the founder of Phindele foundation and CEO of Influencr Magazine https://johawkins.online/influencr-magazine-launch   She is a master coach, a master facilitator and an international speaker.  Jo Hawkins is also the co - author of the book “Power Within: The Mission and The Magic” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53304808-power-within and she is based in the United Arab Emirates.   Jo’s inspirational story:   In today’s episode, Jo shares with us her story about her vision to help people in their businesses and lives, and explains what led her to live the great life she is living now. Her journey began with her exceptional mother, who taught her to care and love others. She trained Jo to use the power of the brain in reducing pain and healing both her mind and body.    As a child, she was in a tragic accident that left her with serious injuries. Doctors were advising her to amputate but with the help of her mom’s training, she avoided amputation and kept her arm.    She eventually worked as a nurse. This is where her inspirational journey as a humanitarian began. She found a new born baby that was HIV positive and had been deprived of human touch and was stagnant in growth and not thriving. Her name was Phindele. Jo’s attention and love transformed this baby and she began to thrive.    From that moment on, Jo Hawkins was clear. She is now a successful and inspirational woman. She always knew that her mission is to help and inspire others.  Listen to the episode to learn more about Jo’s inspirational story and her strategies on neuro transformations and The Law of Attraction. Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode!   Contact info:   Jo Hawkins: Website: https://johawkins.online/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoHawkinsOfficial/ Catherine Kontos:   Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12

Today, on StrippedBarefm, we have the pleasure of talking to Jennifer Kauffman, a transformational speaker, teacher, and an award-winning coach.    She is the best selling author of the book “Shattered” https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FDF9W79/ref   She is also the co-producer of the first ever sold out one-man live show on broadway called: “Dream Big” - featuring motivational speaker Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger:  https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Big-Rudy-Ruettiger-Broadway/dp/B07VNNTJ2P/ref=sr_1_6? Jennifer is the executive producer of the Emmy and Telly award-winning documentary called “a new leash on Life: The K9s for Warriors Story” https://jenniferkauffman.com/mission-for-good-films/   Jennifer‘s inspirational story:   In this episode, Jennifer speaks about how she witnessed and experienced the Boston Marathon terrorist attack. On April 15, 2013, Jennifer Kauffman was standing approximately 15 feet from the finish line when the bombing happened at the 117th Boston Marathon. She was one of at least 264 people who were seriously injured.    In this interview, Jennifer describes all the details of those tragic moments during the terrorist attack.  In an instant, the Boston Marathon went from elation to horror. She reveals that she was conscious during the explosion and witnessed things that no human should ever have to experience. She described seeing blood everywhere.   She experienced emotional trauma and physical injuries including spinal injuries that imputed her ability to walk normally for six months and a brain injury that affected her ability to recall memories. Affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  (PTSD), she eventually was able to manage it all with determination, focus and gratitude.    Listen to the episode to learn more about Jennifer’s inspirational story.  Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode.   Contact info:   Jennifer Kauffman: Website: https://jenniferkauffman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkauffman Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theresultsgroup1 Catherine Kontos:   Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12

Today, on Stripped Bare FM we have the pleasure of talking to Petrona Joseph, Media Personality, Blogger and Author. Petrona has worked with local prestigious brands, has served on many charity boards and remains heavily involved in philanthropy.    Petrona’s inspirational story: In this episode, Petrona shares with us her turbulent childhood journey that propagated her into a life of dysfunction through her younger years. At the age of three, her mother passed away which would be the beginning of her troubles. Going from home to home, and living with different families throughout the years caused tremendous instability and insecurity. The repeated difficulties caused inner turmoil, with panic attacks and depression as outer symptoms.     Listen to the episode to learn more about Petrona’s strategies in recognizing and overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This, all while becoming an influencer and successful woman. Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode.   Contact info:   Petrona Joseph: LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/iampetronajoseph Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iampetronajoseph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iampetrona                     Catherine Kontos:   Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12  

Today, on Stripped Bare FM, we have the pleasure of talking to Nathalie Mendez, the Creative Director and CEO of Nathalie Interior Architecture and Dec It Up llc. Based in New York City. She has designed store spaces such as Ashley Furniture https://www.ashleyfurniture.com/ and Raymour Flanigan https://www.raymourflanigan.com/ Nathalie’s inspirational story:   In this episode, Nathalie shares with us her life story and her traumas as a young girl. Her mother was dealing with depression and went through some really hard times herself. Eventually, Nathalie was sent away to the Dominican Republic to live with family members in the hopes that her mother would recover. At the age of two, Nathalie’s childhood innocence was stripped from her over the next many years.   In this interview, Nathalie reveals that, when she was living in the Dominican Republic, she was abused. She started suffering from nightmares and went through a depressive state at the age of fourteen. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the support she needed from her family and ended up homeless.   No matter what obstacle came her way she persevered. Today, she is a successful entrepreneur and a very inspirational woman. From a young girl she envisioned herself as a business woman and she finally made it as an award winning designer. Listen to this episode to learn more about her strategies and how Nathalie managed to get through adversity to success.   Listen to the episode to learn more about Nathalie’s inspirational story.   Let us know how much you are enjoying the show. Rate and review before the next episode.   Contact info:   Nathalie Mendez: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dec_it_up/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dec-it-up-llc Website: http://www.decitup.com/home Catherine Kontos:   Website: https://www.catherinekontos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_kontos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.kontos.12