How did I become known as “Edwina the Encourager”? That’s a great question. I wrote about that very thing in an anthology called Dare To Dream Big where I wrote about Becoming a NOISE-maker. See NOISE is my acronym for a Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength and Encouragement.
I have overcome some adversity in life and found joy in empowering and encouraging others each time I share how I overcame those adversities. I have been an entrepreneur for nearly two decades and experienced a few trials through that journey. I am also a military veteran, a retired paramedic, and someone who found my first marriage was to an actual con man. I’ve also come close to death with a health scare and somehow thrived through all of this.
I’m now a motivational speaker, author, podcast host of Let’s Make Some NOISE podcast and on a mission to motivate and encourage others because I believe adversity is your greatest asset. There is irony in calling myself a NOISE-maker. I used to whisper to my mom as a young child when others were present, I was thrashed in boot camp for not being able to yell loud enough and I was silent about my ex for 16 years due to the embarrassment and humiliation of that marriage. I got through all my adversity with what I call the ROCKY WATER approach, and ROCKY WATER is not just a cute saying I have. See, even though four years ago I was told I would be lucky if I lived another year, I went on to continue in my business, became a content creator and a podcast host. Less than six months ago, I experienced heart failure (for a second time), with my heart functioning at only 18%. Currently, I'm still in recovery, even needing to wear a defibrillating LifeVest™️. Despite this, I managed to write 'Become a NOISE-maker' in the Dare To Dream Big Anthology, and even booked speaking gigs and more. I am thriving, to the point where my doctor, who is not only a cardiologist but also a heart transplant surgeon, is amazed by my recovery. This is especially remarkable considering it was only four years ago – and I still have my own heart! However, I did fail after my recovery from heart failure the first time, when my heart function was only at 15%.
I quit applying my ROCKY WATER approach about a year ago and feel like in doing that, it put me back in this situation. Now that I’m back to doing what I know to do and thriving again, I’m grateful for the reminder. Now I’m truly making NOISE. I feel like this second time going through heart failure has been my biggest wake-up call. A gift to remind me what I had already learned I wasn’t using that knowledge to make enough NOISE.
I am a true NOISE-maker now and I will continue to make NOISE to help others know they can become a NOISE-maker and turn their adversity in a Narrative Of Inspiration, Strength and Encouragement for the world as well.
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