🎙️ Rebuild & Fulfill Real conversations on burnout, rebuilding, and becoming stronger than before.

What does it really mean to be stoic? Does Stoicism mean hiding your feelings, or can it help you pause, examine your assumptions, and choose how you respond? In this episode of Rebuild & Fulfill, Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala explore Stoicism as a practical philosophy for everyday life and mental well-being. They discuss the four Stoic virtues—wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation—and the distinction between what we can control and what we can’t. Marc shares how his interest in Stoicism began during a difficult period in his life. The idea of Amor Fati—often translated as “love of one’s fate”—caught his attention, as did Stoic ideas about accepting life’s hardships and deciding how to meet them. He also talks openly about his experience with anxiety, imagining worst-case scenarios, and learning to distinguish useful preparation from rumination. The conversation explores how pausing to examine our first impressions can keep an assumption from turning into an immediate reaction. Kelsey and Marc also discuss why Stoicism is not about denying emotion, how its values can apply to relationships and disagreements, and a simple reflection listeners can try when a situation throws them off. Marc sees parallels between Stoic ideas and themes in the Serenity Prayer and 12-step recovery programs. Kelsey adds historical context: those parallels are worth discussing, but they don’t establish that Stoicism directly shaped AA. In this episode, we discuss: • What Stoicism means beyond “show no emotion” • Wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation in everyday life • What we can control—and what we can only influence • How assumptions can shape our reactions • Anxiety, worst-case thinking, and useful preparation • Stoic ideas, the Serenity Prayer, and 12-step recovery • A practical way to pause and choose your next response TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — What does it mean to be stoic? 01:20 — Marc’s introduction to Stoicism and Amor Fati 02:33 — Stoicism and the misconception about emotion 03:12 — The four Stoic virtues 05:00 — What we can and can’t control 06:45 — Examining our assumptions before reacting 08:23 — Separating facts from the story we tell ourselves 09:11 — Acknowledging feelings without reacting automatically 10:00 — Seneca, anxiety, and imagining worst-case scenarios 12:12 — Stoicism in everyday life and relationships 13:23 — Stoicism and possible parallels with 12-step programs 14:13 — The Serenity Prayer and control 15:59 — A simple Stoic reflection to try 16:53 — The takeaway: control the controllables 17:42 — Closing thoughts ABOUT REBUILD & FULFILL Rebuild & Fulfill is hosted by Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala. Through conversations about mental well-being, resilience, personal growth, and the experiences that shape us, they explore practical ways to keep rebuilding and moving forward. If this conversation resonated with you, please like and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. If you know someone who might benefit from hearing or watching it, pass it along. KEYWORDS: Stoicism, Stoic philosophy, mental well-being, anxiety and worry, Amor Fati, Seneca, control what you can, Stoic virtues, personal growth, resilience, recovery, 12-step programs, Serenity Prayer, Rebuild & Fulfill podcast #Stoicism #MentalWellBeing #Anxiety #Recovery #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #RebuildAndFulfill

When life gets hard, being told to “stay positive” or “be strong” can feel like pressure to hide what hurts. Resilience doesn’t mean pretending you’re okay, handling everything alone, or having a complete plan. Sometimes it means telling the truth about what’s hard, accepting support, and asking what can help you get through the next hour or day. In Episode 50 of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala explore resilience as something we can practice while facing real challenges. Drawing on Marc’s recovery experience and their conversations on the podcast, they discuss asking for help, accepting a painful situation without deciding it defines your life, and noticing what is still supporting you without minimizing the pain. This conversation isn’t about forcing a silver lining or telling someone in crisis to “just think positive.” Marc explains how being present, listening, and acknowledging what someone is facing can help them identify support and possibilities in their own words. The goal isn’t to ignore what’s wrong. It’s to make room for a fuller picture and find a next step that fits. Kelsey and Marc also talk about looking at our thoughts, habits, and choices with curiosity instead of judgment. What happens after this choice? Does it support the direction you want to move in? What might help you through the next hour or day? A choice that helps in one situation may not be right in another. Resilience can include flexibility, support, and small adjustments. When changing everything feels like too much, a smaller step may help: ask someone to listen, set a boundary, get outside for a little movement, interrupt a pattern, reconnect if isolation is making things harder, or give one task 10 or 15 focused minutes before deciding what comes next. You don’t have to solve the whole problem at once. This episode is for anyone facing adversity, navigating recovery, supporting someone they care about, or working through a difficult season. Kelsey and Marc offer a grounded conversation about resilience, mental health, recovery, support, and practical next steps—without suggesting there is one right way to move through a hard time. In this episode, we discuss: • Why resilience doesn’t mean never struggling • How asking for or accepting help can strengthen resilience • Facing painful circumstances without letting them define you • Noticing something good without minimizing what hurts • Using curiosity to consider whether a choice is helping • Why the next right step can change from one situation to another • Small adjustments to try when you’re not ready to change everything • Questions to ask when you feel overwhelmed Timestamps 00:00 — Resilience without pretending you’re okay 01:28 — What resilience means to Marc 02:36 — Why resilience doesn’t require doing it alone 04:33 — Acknowledging pain without letting it define you 06:20 — Accepting where you are versus giving up 07:37 — Noticing something positive without minimizing the hard parts 10:55 — Letting a difficult moment be difficult 12:12 — Why “just think positive” may not help 14:34 — Asking whether a choice is helping or making things harder 17:27 — Curiosity, flexibility, and the next right thing 20:33 — One small change when you’re not ready to change everything 21:45 — Questions to ask when you feel overwhelmed 22:56 — Marc’s closing thought on resilience and difficult seasons 24:41 — Final reminder and close If something in this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who may need the reminder that a difficult season does not define their whole life. Subscribe to Rebuild & Fulfill for more honest conversations about resilience, mental health, recovery, and moving forward. Learn more about Suffer to Tougher: https://suffertotougher.org #RebuildAndFulfill #Resilience #MentalHealth #Recovery #MentalFitness #OvercomingAdversity #PersonalGrowth #SufferToTougher

Cancer doesn't get the last vote. For Deb Krier, that wasn't just a motivational statement. It was something she said when doctors weren't sure she would survive. In Episode 49 of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar sits down with Deb Krier , a Stage 4 HER2-positive breast cancer survivor, entrepreneur, speaker, cancer advocate, and host of The Business Power Hour , for a conversation about cancer survival, resilience, self-advocacy, mental health, identity, and choosing to live rather than simply trying not to die. In 2015, Deb's life changed when a Stage 0 breast cancer diagnosis progressed to Stage 4. What followed included additional cancers, septic shock, seven weeks in the hospital, and 34 surgeries requiring anesthesia. At one point, a surgeon didn't believe she would survive another three hours. Deb's response? "Excuse me, I get to vote." But this conversation goes far beyond the medical challenges. Deb opens up about living with cancer while still having responsibilities, relationships, a business, and a life that doesn't stop because of a diagnosis. She shares the emotional toll of serious illness, the friends who disappeared, the importance of showing up for someone who's struggling, and why asking for help is a sign of strength rather than weakness. We also explore her platform, TryingNotToDie.LIVE , and the difference between spending your life trying not to die and making the conscious decision to actually live. In this episode, we discuss: Living with Stage 4 breast cancer and facing life-threatening complications Surviving septic shock and multiple surgeries Cancer, identity, and refusing to be defined by a diagnosis The emotional impact of serious illness, including grief, guilt, and isolation Self-advocacy and learning to speak up in medical situations What to say, and what not to say, to someone facing cancer Why specific offers of help matter more than good intentions alone The importance of humor, relationships, and maintaining your sense of self How cancer affects entrepreneurs, business owners, and organizational leaders Asking for help, building support systems, and learning to delegate Moving beyond survival and choosing how you want to live Deb also shares her L.I.V.E. framework: L — Lead Your Tribe I — Invigorate Your Soul V — Voice Your Feelings E — Elevate Your Mindset These aren't just lessons for people living with cancer. They're lessons for anyone navigating adversity, uncertainty, major life changes, or circumstances they never expected to face. One of the most powerful moments comes when Deb explains what cancer did not take from her. Her humor. Her personality. Her voice. Her identity. Cancer changed Deb's life, but it didn't get to decide who Deb Krier would be. Whether you're facing a cancer diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or working through unexpected challenges, this episode is a reminder that you may not control everything that happens to you, but you can still have a voice in what happens next. Connect with Deb Krier: Trying Not to Die: https://tryingnottodie.live/ The Business Power Hour: https://thebusinesspowerhour.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahkrier/ About Rebuild & Fulfill Real conversations about resilience, transformation, mental health, overcoming adversity, and rebuilding a meaningful life when things don't go according to plan. Subscribe, share this conversation with someone who may need it, and join us for more stories of rebuilding and fulfillment. #CancerSurvivor #Stage4BreastCancer #CancerAwareness #Resilience #RebuildAndFulfill

What can an everyday person do to support mental health? You don’t have to be a therapist, work for a mental health organization, or have extra money to make a difference. Sometimes it starts with listening well, learning what support is available nearby, or sharing a resource that helps someone take a next step. In this short episode of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala talk about practical ways to support mental health awareness and prevention. Marc shares what helps people feel heard when they’re struggling: being present, listening without judgment, and asking what would be helpful instead of rushing in with advice. Kelsey and Marc also discuss why it matters to make time for a real answer when you ask someone, “How are you really?” The conversation looks beyond one-on-one support, too. Marc and Kelsey share ways people can contribute in their communities, even if they aren’t mental health professionals or organization leaders. You can learn what local organizations need, attend an event, volunteer, share educational information, or help someone find appropriate resources. You can also support the people and organizations doing this work by helping their messages reach a wider audience. And if your time or money is limited, you can still start with what you have. A single post, a book passed along to someone else, or a resource shared with one person can open the door to a meaningful conversation. Sharing doesn’t replace professional care, but it may help someone feel safer reaching out or looking for support. Kelsey and Marc also explain how their own roles in mental health work differ. Marc works directly with people and community organizations, while Kelsey helps build and manage Suffer to Tougher and its outreach. They share this as one example of how people can contribute in different ways, using their skills, time, and connections. You don’t have to do everything. Listen for one action that feels realistic for you—and follow through. Learn more about Suffer to Tougher: https://suffertotougher.org Timestamps 00:00 — What can an everyday person do to support mental health? 02:28 — Listening with respect and without judgment 03:18 — Asking “How are you really?” and making time to listen 05:16 — Supporting mental health efforts in your community 07:40 — Helping without being a mental health professional 08:48 — Sharing resources, attending events, volunteering, and donating 10:02 — Ways to help when you have limited time or money 11:13 — How sharing a post may help someone reach out 12:24 — Showing others you’re open to talking about mental health 13:40 — Practical actions you can take 14:38 — Choose one doable way to help If this conversation is useful, share it with someone who may be looking for a way to support mental health in their family or community. #RebuildAndFulfill #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthSupport #MentalHealthPrevention #CommunitySupport #Resilience #SufferToTougher

Fear doesn’t always mean you should stop. Sometimes it’s information you can understand and move forward with. In this episode of Rebuild and Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar talks with Alexandra Silva Labarr, author, speaker, business and networking coach, and founder of Xandra Marketing. Alexandra shares how losing her mother at thirteen shaped her understanding of fear, resilience, and learning to trust herself. She also talks about launching her marketing business just before COVID, why confidence often comes after taking action, and how to “show up scared” without pretending the fear isn’t there. Alexandra explains her “Fear Is Data” approach, shares practical ways to make networking more genuine, and discusses writing Show Up Scared: Teen Edition for the young person she once was. The conversation also explores the FEEL Forward method, how adults can listen when a young person feels overwhelmed, and why one small step can help build evidence that you’re capable of doing hard things. If you’ve been waiting to feel ready, this episode offers a practical reminder: you can acknowledge the fear, learn from it, and still take your next step. Find Alexandra Silva Labarr: Search her name on social media and online. Her books include The Power of Networking , Show Up Scared , and Show Up Scared: Teen Edition . YouTube timestamps 00:00 Fear doesn’t always mean stop 01:35 Meet Alexandra Silva Labarr 02:30 Losing her mother at thirteen 04:34 Learning to accept fear 06:05 Launching a business before COVID 09:20 What it means to “show up scared” 13:07 Recognizing old fear patterns 17:16 The “Fear Is Data” idea 17:59 Networking: quality over quantity 20:25 Kelsey’s double-dutch networking analogy 21:11 How to enter a room where you know no one 23:49 Writing Show Up Scared: Teen Edition 29:42 Helping young people feel heard 30:01 The FEEL Forward method 34:11 Trusting yourself through new chapters 35:40 One small step to take while afraid 40:26 Where to find Alexandra 41:28 Closing thoughts Hashtags #ShowUpScared #FearIsData #OvercomeFear #BuildConfidence #PersonalGrowth #NetworkingTips #RebuildAndFulfill

Do you have to reach a breaking point before you make a change? Many people keep pushing through, even when a career, relationship, routine, or long-held goal no longer feels right. They may feel trapped, drained, resentful, or unsure what comes next, but worry that changing direction means they’ve failed or let someone down. In this episode of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala talk about reinvention and how to recognize when something in your life may need to change. They explore the difference between going through a difficult season and feeling a persistent uneasiness that keeps returning, even after the immediate pressure has passed. Marc shares how fear of the unknown, responsibility, and the belief that leaving a role means quitting can keep people stuck. He reflects on his own career transition and how the skills and experience he gained in one chapter of his life continue to serve him in another. Kelsey adds that change can involve more than a job or career. Relationships, physical goals, priorities, and our definition of success can all shift over time. This conversation is not a call to make a rushed or dramatic decision. Reinvention does not have to mean quitting, leaving, or throwing everything away. Sometimes it begins with a smaller adjustment: changing a routine, setting a limit, asking for support, exploring another option, or giving yourself permission to reconsider a goal. Kelsey and Marc also talk about what support can look like before someone reaches a crisis. It might be professional help, a conversation with someone close to you, or simply talking through your thoughts with someone whose perspective you trust. Writing things down, noticing what feels energizing or draining, and taking one small step can help you understand what you want before you commit to a bigger change. If you’ve been wondering whether something in your life still fits, this episode may help you think it through without treating change as failure. You don’t need to know the whole path before you begin. Sometimes the first step is noticing what isn’t working and being willing to explore what could be different. In this episode: 00:00 Reinvention before the breaking point 02:05 What reinvention means and why it can be gradual 03:21 Feeling trapped, stuck, or uneasy 05:02 Signs that something may no longer fit 06:17 When a difficult season becomes a recurring signal 07:42 How to tell if the situation itself needs to change 09:23 Questions to help you reflect without rushing 10:42 Why people wait until they feel overwhelmed 11:26 Fear of change, responsibility, and feeling like a failure 14:23 When change happens for you, and finding hope in the unknown 16:30 Small adjustments instead of dramatic leaps 17:18 Work-life balance, support, and redefining success 19:08 Support can help before a crisis 20:05 Honoring what a past role or goal gave you 22:31 Applying lessons from past relationships and experiences 24:32 Small first steps, journaling, and exploring options 26:16 Adjusting your plan does not mean you failed 27:40 A reflection for listeners 28:32 Marc’s takeaway 28:43 Closing thoughts If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who may be questioning whether it’s time for a change. Subscribe to Rebuild & Fulfill for more conversations about resilience, mental fitness, personal growth, and moving forward through life’s challenges. Keep rebuilding. Keep moving forward. #RebuildAndFulfill #SufferToTougher #Reinvention #PersonalGrowth #LifeChanges #CareerChange #Resilience #MentalFitness #WorkLifeBalance #SelfReflection #OvercomingFear #ChangeIsNotFailure #HealthyRelationships #Purpose #PersonalDevelopment

What happens when the career and identity you built are suddenly taken away? After a work-related injury ended her career as a dental hygienist and left her with a permanent disability, Candice Snyder spent years trying to understand what could come next. Today, Candice hosts the globally ranked Passion, Purpose and Possibilities podcast, where more than 300 conversations have explored resilience, transformation, purpose, mental health, kindness, and meaningful impact. In this episode of Rebuild & Fulfill, Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala talk with Candice about rebuilding after unexpected loss, discovering purpose through service, and creating conversations that help people feel seen, heard, and less alone. Candice shares: • The injury that ended her career and changed her identity • Rediscovering purpose through connection and service • Beginning a podcast despite her discomfort with technology • What interviewing men taught her about shared humanity • Seven lessons from 300 conversations • Why kindness needs to become louder and more visible • Listening in a way that makes people feel genuinely seen • Why reinvention has no age limit or expiration date • What she hopes to create next Kelsey and Marc also acknowledge how the life and loss of Candice’s brother, Mike, shaped her commitment to mental-health advocacy and suicide prevention. Rather than asking Candice to retell a story she recently shared in depth, this conversation honors Mike’s influence while keeping the focus on celebrating Candice and the impact she continues to make. You don’t need to have your entire next chapter figured out. Sometimes rebuilding begins with one honest conversation, one act of kindness, or simply remaining open to a new possibility. CONNECT WITH CANDICE Passion, Purpose and Possibilities Podcast: https://www.podpage.com/passion-purpose-and-possibilities-1/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicesnyder/ MAKE MENTAL HEALTH MATTER INTERVIEW In “Finding Gratitude in the Hardest Moments,” Candice speaks openly about losing her brother to suicide, navigating grief, and finding hope, gratitude, connection, and purpose after tremendous loss: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/make-mental-health-matter-with-kelli-melissa-reinhardt-finding-gratitude-in-the-hardest-moments--75670475 Make Mental Health Matter: https://www.mmhm.org/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – When the life you expected suddenly changes 01:59 – Welcoming Candice Snyder 02:35 – The injury that ended Candice’s career 05:42 – Rediscovering purpose through connection and service 09:57 – How the podcast became something bigger 12:04 – Beginning before she knew it would work 12:55 – The conversation that revealed its potential 13:38 – What interviewing men taught Candice 15:30 – Seven lessons from 300 conversations 17:12 – Honoring Mike and his influence 19:25 – Why kindness needs to become louder 23:04 – Connection matters more than content 26:43 – Reinvention and rediscovering purpose 29:29 – What Candice hopes to create next 31:36 – Reflection and wrap-up 32:57 – Where to follow Candice #CandiceSnyder #PassionPurposePossibilities #RebuildAndFulfill #FindingPurpose #Reinvention #Kindness #HumanConnection #Resilience #MentalHealthAdvocacy

In this episode of Rebuild and Fulfill, host Kelsey Dunbar talks with Jeannine Rashidi, an Ayurveda doctor, author, founder of Goodbye Tension, and two-time TEDx speaker. Jeannine shares how childhood adversity and becoming a mother as a teenager shaped her life, and how she began to recognize patterns that continued into adulthood. She talks about building Goodbye Tension, developing the EDHIR method, writing Abundance Beyond Trauma, and how her first TEDx talk about asking “Why me?” evolved into a second talk about choosing yourself and the Belonging Bargain. Jeannine also explains her H.O.M.E. framework through a relatable everyday example: saying “I’m fine” when you’re not. The conversation explores how we learn to hide parts of ourselves to preserve connection, and how noticing those patterns can open the door to different choices. Find Jeannine’s work and free resources, including the I’m Triggered Pocket Guide and a free clarity call, at: https://goodbyetension.com/ Content note: This conversation includes discussion of childhood abuse, sex trafficking, and trauma. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Cold open and introduction 01:33 Jeannine’s early life and becoming a mother as a teenager 04:41 Protecting her daughters, leaving, and rebuilding 13:06 Writing Abundance Beyond Trauma 14:51 The workbook and I’m Triggered Pocket Guide 15:08 What “home” means to Jeannine 16:33 How her first TEDx talk led to a second 18:41 The H.O.M.E. framework in everyday life 21:35 What rebuilding and fulfillment mean to her now 23:53 Honoring survival adaptations without self-blame 25:36 Jeannine’s work, free resources, and upcoming projects 27:09 Kelsey’s closing message HASHTAGS #RebuildAndFulfill #JeannineRashidi #TraumaHealing #BreakingPatterns #ChoosingYourself #BelongingBargain #TEDx

World Mental Health Day 2026 asks us to move beyond mental health awareness and truly listen to people with lived experience. As Mental Illness Awareness Week comes to a close, Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala explore what it means to turn real voices into real change. In this episode of Rebuild & Fulfill, Kelsey and Marc discuss the difference between hearing someone and making them feel genuinely heard, why mental health stigma still exists, and how lived experience and professional mental health care can work together. They also share practical ways to support someone who may be struggling without minimizing their experience or immediately trying to fix them. This conversation explores: • Why awareness alone is not enough • How to listen without judgment • Why lived experience is a meaningful form of expertise • The relationship between professional treatment and peer support • How shame prevents people from asking for help • Why following up matters • Simple ways to create safer, more honest conversations TIMESTAMPS 00:00 World Mental Health Day 2026 02:48 What does it mean to be truly heard? 04:29 Why sympathy without action is not enough 06:01 Does mental health stigma still exist? 08:17 Closing the mental health education gap 08:47 Why lived experience matters 09:49 How Marc’s lived experience shapes his support 12:05 Compassion without comparing experiences 13:23 Why we rush to fix someone’s pain 15:16 What a supportive response sounds like 16:56 “You’re not broken; you’re overloaded” 20:01 From feeling broken to feeling defective 22:29 Lived experience and professional mental health care 24:36 Recognizing when someone is not really okay 25:58 Turning mental health awareness into action 28:00 Practical ways to support someone who is struggling 30:11 The one-conversation challenge 31:31 Why people need to feel safe enough to reveal 32:19 Final message and mental health crisis resources World Mental Health Day lasts one day, and Mental Illness Awareness Week lasts one week, but people live with these experiences every day. Real change can begin with one honest conversation and one person realizing they do not have to carry everything alone. Ready to turn what you know into meaningful action? The Transformation Gap Experience gives you lifetime access to more than 140 powerful talks, practical tools, and guided support to help you move from insight to implementation: https://thetransformationgapsummit.com/transformation-gap-experience If you or someone you know is struggling in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Learn more about Suffer to Tougher and our work in resilience and mental fitness: https://suffertotougher.org #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #LivedExperience #EndTheStigma #MentalFitness #Resilience #RebuildAndFulfill #SufferToTougher

After months of planning, more than 150 speakers, six transformational lenses, and hundreds of powerful conversations, The Transformation Gap Summit has officially come to a close. But the real work is only beginning. In this episode of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala reflect on what it took to bring the Summit to life, what happened behind the scenes, and what they learned from the speakers and attendees who made it possible. They discuss why information alone rarely creates lasting change, how specific actions and accountability help turn knowledge into progress, and why people struggling to follow through may not be lazy, weak, or uncommitted. They may simply be carrying barriers other people cannot see. Kelsey and Marc also share the Summit moments that stayed with them, recognize the speakers, affiliates, attendees, and team behind the event, and answer the Summit’s signature question: What is one action you can take within the next 24 hours to begin crossing the gap between what you know and how you are living? Timestamps 00:00 Why knowing what to change still isn’t enough 01:12 Looking back at the Transformation Gap Summit 02:37 What happens after months of nonstop preparation? 04:31 Did the Summit become bigger than expected? 07:02 The moment the Summit finally felt real 09:12 What happened behind the scenes 11:46 Thanking the people who attended 12:57 Why the audience’s time and attention mattered 14:59 Attendee messages that stayed with Marc 16:17 The commitment and generosity of the speakers 19:07 Summit conversations that stood out 21:31 NAMI DuPage and the importance of youth mental health 24:57 The unseen barriers that interfere with change 26:23 Why information alone rarely creates lasting change 27:37 Turning an idea into specific action 28:55 What the Summit taught Kelsey and Marc 32:25 Why the Summit conversations are staying available 34:03 The Transformation Gap Experience Pass 36:01 Marc answers the signature 24-hour question 37:09 Kelsey’s priorities and personal next step 38:12 Thanking the team behind the Summit 39:24 The Summit is over, but the transformation isn’t The live Summit may be over, but lifetime access to its conversations, resources, implementation programs, and expanding AI Guide is available through The Transformation Gap Experience: https://thetransformationgapsummit.com/transformation-gap-experience Cross one gap. Take one step. #TransformationGapSummit #RebuildAndFulfill #MentalHealth #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #BehaviorChange #MentalFitness #SufferToTougher

Description: Suicide prevention, childhood suicidal ideation, and surviving a suicide attempt are at the heart of Kelsey Dunbar’s deeply personal story. Content advisory: This episode contains an honest conversation about suicidal thoughts and a suicide attempt. Before Kelsey became a personal trainer, resilience coach, author, and co-founder of Suffer To Tougher, he was a child silently struggling with abandonment, bullying, isolation, weight-related shame, and thoughts of suicide. In this episode of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey shares how humor became both a survival mechanism and a disguise. While others saw the class clown, they could not see the pain hidden behind the laughter. Kelsey and Marc Rogala discuss: • Childhood trauma, bullying, and suicidal ideation • The “Jacques the Clown” story that shaped Kelsey’s identity • The question Kelsey asked himself in the mirror every morning • The circumstances surrounding his suicide attempt • What surviving that moment meant for his recovery • How small decisions helped him begin rebuilding his life • Why becoming a father strengthened his commitment to stay • How to support someone who may be struggling silently • Why strong, successful, and helpful people still need support This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month conversation is a reminder that someone can appear happy, funny, confident, or strong while privately carrying tremendous pain. We do not need perfect words to reach someone. We need the willingness to notice, ask, listen, stay, and follow up. If you are struggling or having thoughts of suicide in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger, call 911 . Rebuild & Fulfill is powered by Suffer To Tougher . Real talk. Real growth. Keep rebuilding. #SuicidePrevention #SuicidePreventionAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthAwareness #ChildhoodTrauma #SuicideSurvivor #MentalHealthPodcast #MensMentalHealth #Resilience #RebuildAndFulfill #SufferToTougher

How do two people take one question and turn it into a six-day global Summit with more than 130 speakers? In this special behind-the-scenes episode of Rebuild & Fulfill , Suffer To Tougher Co-Founders Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala pull back the curtain on how The Transformation Gap Summit actually came together. It wasn't simply LinkedIn, speaker applications, or networking. It was decades of relationships. Kelsey's world of fitness, coaching, speaking, business, podcasting, and mental health collided with Marc's world of addiction, recovery, peer support, behavioral health, and lived experience. Those two worlds eventually became Suffer To Tougher, and now they've helped bring together more than 130 voices from around the world. In this episode, Kelsey and Marc talk about: Why the Summit was built around a question rather than an answer How their completely different life experiences shaped the speaker lineup Why mental health runs throughout the Summit without making it a traditional mental-health conference How the six Transformation Lenses organize more than 130 speakers How the free six-day Summit actually works Why attendees should not try to watch everything The difference between gathering more information and actually implementing what you learn The goal isn't to hear every speaker. It's to find the conversation that meets you where you are, take something from it, and do something with it. As Kelsey explains in the episode, if all the Summit provides is more information, it hasn't closed the Transformation Gap at all. 🎟️ THE TRANSFORMATION GAP SUMMIT September 24–29, 2026 | Six Days | Virtual | FREE Register free here: https://thetransformationgapsummit.com/ More than 130 speakers. Six different lenses. One central question: Why can we know what needs to change, sometimes with complete clarity, and still struggle to consistently live it? Don't try to consume everything. Find your gap. Find the conversations that speak to it. Listen. Learn. Then do something with it. #RebuildAndFulfill #TransformationGapSummit #SufferToTougher #Transformation #MentalHealth #Resilience #Recovery #PersonalGrowth #BehaviorChange

Some struggles are easy to see. Others are hidden behind work, laughter, responsibility, and the appearance of being strong. In this brief solo episode, Kelsey Dunbar shares practical guidance for checking on someone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress. He explains how to recognize that something may be wrong, ask direct questions, listen without judgment, help someone connect with support, and continue checking in after the immediate crisis has passed. Kelsey also speaks directly to anyone who may be struggling and offers simple words they can use when they do not know how to ask for help. This episode serves as an important lead-in to tomorrow’s deeply personal conversation about Kelsey’s own experience with suicidal thoughts. Because some listeners may not feel ready to hear that story, this episode ensures that potentially lifesaving information is still shared. Content Notice: This episode discusses suicide and emotional distress. If you are in the United States and need emotional support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Outside the United States, contact your local crisis line or emergency services. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #YouAreNotAlone #RebuildAndFulfill #SufferToTougher

immy Morris knew he had a gambling problem long before he was ready to fully embrace recovery. At 23, Jimmy attended his first Gamblers Anonymous meeting and recognized where his life was heading. Yet for years, he moved in and out of the program, returning when the pain became unbearable and leaving when the immediate crisis passed. Even incarceration wasn’t enough to quiet the obsession. Everything began to change after his final bet on February 9, 2012. His family stopped rescuing him, he was told he wasn’t welcome at Easter dinner, and two people offered exactly what he needed. One showed him compassion, while the other confronted him with a difficult truth. In this episode, Jimmy opens up about: • Growing up around normalized gambling in Chicago’s Little Italy • Recognizing his addiction but still believing he could control it • Why painful consequences weren’t enough to create lasting change • The difference between stopping gambling and truly living in recovery • Rebuilding trust through actions rather than promises • The growing risks created by mobile gambling, prop bets, and constant advertising • Turning his painful experiences into a purpose that helps others Jimmy has now been gambling-free for more than 14 years. He hosts Gambling Recovery: Taking Back Your Life, where people affected by gambling addiction share honest stories of struggle, recovery, and reclaiming their lives. He is also working on a manuscript about his journey. Jimmy will also be sharing the virtual stage with us at The Transformation Gap Summit, taking place September 24–29, 2026. CONNECT WITH JIMMY AND LISTEN TO HIS PODCAST: Website: https://GamblingRecoveryPodcast.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gambling-recovery-taking-back-your-life/id1799060388 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gJxD08VBZCnzV7rDnIkhT Podbean: https://jmjr1627.podbean.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamblingrecoverypod/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-morris-842708400/ THE TRANSFORMATION GAP SUMMIT: https://TheTransformationGapSummit.com If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, confidential help is available through the National Problem Gambling Helpline: Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET https://www.1800myreset.org If this conversation makes you think of someone who may be struggling, please share it with them. Hearing someone else tell the truth about their life may give another person permission to tell the truth about theirs. #GamblingAddiction #GamblingRecovery #AddictionRecovery #GamblersAnonymous #MentalHealth #RecoveryJourney #RebuildAndFulfill #TransformationGapSummit

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember those who died, acknowledge the grief carried by families and friends, reduce the stigma surrounding addiction, and take action to prevent another life from being lost. For Rebuild & Fulfill co-host Marc Rogala, the meaning of this day is deeply personal. Marc experienced three overdoses that resulted in hospitalization, along with others that nobody ever knew about. His final overdose occurred on July 17, 2020, when an Uber driver recognized that something was wrong and called 911. Marc’s sister found him on the kitchen floor, a police officer administered Narcan, and Marc woke up in intensive care. In this deeply personal conversation, Marc and Kelsey discuss why surviving an overdose does not automatically end an addiction, the people Marc knew who never made it into recovery, and the complicated emotions that come with surviving when others did not. They also explore the trauma experienced by parents, children, siblings, spouses, and friends, the language that can help someone accept treatment, and why recognizing addiction as an illness can replace shame with a path toward recovery. Today, we remember the people who were lost, stand beside those still struggling, support the loved ones affected, and honor the people who chose to act when someone’s life depended on it. If you believe someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, administer naloxone if available and call 911 immediately. For confidential treatment information in the United States, visit FindTreatment.gov or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

What if your brain is trying so hard to protect you that it's actually making your world smaller? Pain is real. Anxiety is real. Fear is real. But sometimes the brain's alarm system can remain on high alert even after the original threat has passed. In this episode of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala sit down with Dr. Sam Tyriver , physical therapist and creator of the Certified Mindbody Trained Therapist program, and bestselling author Hayley DiMarco to explore the ideas behind their upcoming book, The Overprotective Brain . And for Hayley, this isn't simply a book she helped write. She originally met Sam as his patient. After years of chronic pain, migraines and anxiety, their work together changed the way she understood what was happening inside her own body and eventually led to an unexpected collaboration. Together, we explore how the brain can learn to associate movement and everyday experiences with danger, why avoidance can reinforce that alarm, the difference between hurt and harm , and why rebuilding trust in your body often requires taking small actions before you feel completely ready. Sam and Hayley also introduce the idea of your “Inner Pharmacy” and explain how movement, connection, meaningful activity and other everyday behaviors can help support the brain and body. Marc also shares how this conversation intersects with his own experience of unexplained neck and back pain, prescription opioids, addiction and ultimately recovery. Perhaps the most powerful message comes near the end of the conversation when Hayley challenges the idea that years of pain, fear or avoidance have to become your identity: Who you became doesn't have to be who you remain. Resources The Overprotective Brain Journal: OverprotectiveBrain.com Certified Mindbody Trained Therapist (CMBTT): MindBodyCert.com Sam and Hayley will also be featured speakers at the upcoming Transformation Gap Summit , continuing this conversation about why knowing what needs to change and actually living that change can be two very different things. 🎧 Rebuild & Fulfill Real conversations about rebuilding when life doesn't go according to plan and becoming stronger on the other side.

What happens when the diagnosis you believe has destroyed your future eventually becomes the catalyst for your purpose? In this episode of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar sits down with Andrea Paquette , better known as Bipolar Babe , for a deeply personal conversation about bipolar disorder, stigma, resilience, identity, and rebuilding a life after mental illness changes everything. Andrea shares the reality of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 25, experiencing psychosis, hospitalization, a suicide attempt, and the fear that her future had been permanently rewritten. She also shares the moment she finally stood in front of hundreds of people and declared, “I have bipolar disorder, but I am not bipolar disorder.” That decision to stop hiding eventually became the Bipolar Babe Project and grew into a much larger mission through the Stigma-Free Mental Health Society , where Andrea has spent more than 15 years helping change the way people understand and talk about mental health. Andrea and Kelsey discuss the people who showed up when she needed them most, the unexpected origin of Bipolar Babe, the evolution of her advocacy, mental health in the workplace, reaching young people before they reach a crisis, and the individual stories that remind Andrea why this work matters. Andrea also opens up about her upcoming memoir, Bipolar Babe: A Tale of Two Worlds , and what an extraordinary life means to her today after decades of searching for it. Her answer is remarkably simple: Peace. If you've ever felt defined by a diagnosis, ashamed of something you've experienced, or wondered whether life can truly get better, Andrea's story is a powerful reminder that things can change—and that you don't have to have everything figured out today. Connect with Andrea: Bipolar Babe: bipolarbabe.com Stigma-Free Mental Health Society: stigmafreementalhealth.com If this conversation resonates with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear Andrea's story, leave a comment, and consider rating or reviewing Rebuild & Fulfill . #MentalHealth #BipolarDisorder #BipolarBabe #MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #Resilience #MentalHealthAdvocacy #RebuildAndFulfill

What happens when the person who has spent his life helping others becomes the one who needs to be saved? In Part 2 of our conversation with Army veteran, recovery advocate, author, and NAMI DuPage Director of Peer Workforce Development Eric Metcalf , we continue a story that ultimately became about much more than addiction. After the death of his wife Jan, Eric intentionally began tearing apart the life they had built together. Eventually, the former shelter director found himself homeless, battling addiction, pushing away the people trying to reach him, and even staying in the same shelter he once helped lead. But people kept showing up. Former students Eric once mentored came looking for him . A man in recovery tracked him down and refused to accept “tomorrow” when Eric promised he'd get help. Those moments eventually helped Eric do something that had been incredibly difficult for him throughout his life: Allow himself to be helped. This conversation also becomes deeply personal for all three of us as we talk about why the people doing the helping still need help themselves, the importance of regular mental health check-ins , vulnerability, and the very different reasons each of us feels compelled to serve others. Eric puts it beautifully: “We only heal from what we reveal.” We also explore why lived experience makes peer support so powerful, how Eric eventually found his way to NAMI DuPage, the family and life he almost never got to experience, and the story behind his newly released book, Beyond the Shadows: A Search for ME. And that title leads us to perhaps the most important question of the entire two-part conversation: After the soldier, the businessman, the addict, the husband, the grief, the recovery, the service and everything you've survived... Eric Metcalf, who are you? Part 2 isn't simply about getting sober. It's about allowing yourself to be helped, discovering who you are beyond what happened to you, and realizing that as long as you're still here, your story isn't finished. 📖 Eric's new book, Beyond the Shadows: A Search for ME , is available now: https://amzn.to/4bYaAm7 🎙️ Rebuild & Fulfill Real conversations on burnout, rebuilding, and becoming stronger than before. #RebuildAndFulfill #EricMetcalf #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Recovery #Veterans #PTSD #PeerSupport #Resilience #NAMI #BeyondTheShadows

You Can’t Out-Tough Addiction | Eric Metcalf’s Journey Through Recovery – Part 1 | Episode 33 What happens when the strength and discipline that carried you through life are no longer enough? In Episode 33 of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala sit down with Army veteran, recovery advocate, author, and NAMI DuPage Director of Peer Workforce Development Eric Metcalf for Part 1 of an incredibly raw conversation about addiction, military service, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, recovery, purpose, and learning to accept help. Eric shares why discipline alone couldn’t overcome addiction, what happened when drinking became intertwined with military brotherhood, and the difficult transition back into civilian life. He also opens up about receiving his PTSD and traumatic brain injury diagnoses and the realization that while he was helping other veterans piece their lives back together, his own life was being pieced back together too. One of the most powerful moments comes as Eric shares the story of Nate, a veteran he tried desperately to help who later died by suicide. The experience forced Eric to confront one of the hardest lessons for anyone who dedicates their life to helping others: You can care deeply. You can show up. You can give someone everything you know how to give. But you cannot control every outcome. And when Marc reveals that Eric later helped him through an eerily similar experience, the conversation takes an unexpected and deeply personal turn. 📖 AVAILABLE TODAY: Beyond the Shadows: A Search for ME The timing of this episode couldn’t be better. Eric’s book is officially published TODAY! Beyond the Shadows: A Search for ME takes readers deeper into a journey inspired by Eric’s experiences with addiction, trauma, loss, recovery, identity, and the search to understand who we are beyond the things that have happened to us. Get Eric’s new book here: Beyond the Shadows: A Search for ME on Amazon This is only Part 1 of Eric’s story. It’s a conversation about recovery, resilience, brotherhood, purpose, and why sometimes real strength isn’t about fighting harder. Sometimes it’s about finally allowing someone else to help carry you. And Eric’s story is far from over. Part 2 coming soon. #RebuildAndFulfill #EricMetcalf #BeyondTheShadows #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Veterans #PTSD #RecoveryJourney #Resilience #NAMI

What happens when you stop doubting yourself and finally learn to trust your own voice, your own experiences, and your own ability to create change? In Episode 32 of Rebuild & Fulfill , Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala sit down with Amy Lenius , Director of Group Coaching at Next Level University, professional speaker, coach, and event MC, for a powerful conversation about self-worth, self-belief, self-trust, consistency, chronic illness, personal development, identity, and creating lasting change. Amy's journey toward helping others began with her own struggle. After years of living with endometriosis and chronic illness , Amy experienced surgeries, medications, pain, and times when she felt unheard by the medical system. Eventually, she realized she needed to become an active participant in her own health and learn to advocate for herself. Years later, that self-trust was tested again when Amy repeatedly sought medical help for pain she knew was different. After initially being sent home, further investigation ultimately revealed an internal bleed requiring emergency surgery. She knew something wasn't right. Learning to trust herself mattered. That journey helped shape a philosophy Amy now brings to her coaching and personal development work: lasting transformation isn't simply about knowing more. It's about developing the internal foundation that allows you to actually change. Amy shares her Three Gears of Success: Self-Worth. Self-Belief. Consistency. We explore the difference between self-worth and self-belief, why confidence is often built through action rather than waiting to feel ready, and how keeping small promises to yourself can gradually rebuild trust in who you are and what you're capable of becoming. We also discuss: • Rebuilding self-trust after difficult experiences • Self-advocacy and learning to listen to yourself • Self-worth vs. self-belief • Why motivation alone doesn't create lasting change • Building consistency through small, sustainable habits • Breaking the all-or-nothing mindset • Perfectionism and personal growth • Identity and behavior change • Creating success that actually feels fulfilling • Why knowing what to do isn't the same as consistently doing it Amy's message is a powerful reminder that personal growth doesn't require changing everything overnight. Sometimes rebuilding starts much smaller: Trust yourself again. Keep one promise to yourself. Then build from there. If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, confidence, consistency, self-worth, or trusting yourself enough to make a change , this episode of Rebuild & Fulfill is for you. 🎙️ Episode 32: Learning to Trust Yourself Again | Amy Lenius on Self-Worth, Self-Belief & Growth Connect with Amy Lenius: Instagram: @amylenius Facebook: Amy Lenius Next Level University: Group Coaching #SelfWorth #SelfBelief #PersonalGrowth #SelfTrust #RebuildAndFulfill