Hi, I'm Jo! Welcome to Embracing My Brave!

"Embrace your story, babe." - famous words from my wife.

Hello again,

I'm back. I know that so many things have changed for all of us. We've gone through a global health pandemic and are still seeing positive COVID-19 cases around the world. We've navigated dark days mentally, physically, and emotionally. We've watched our government enter a dark abyss that many of us are fearful of the day-to-day because when we go to sleep at night and wake up the next day SCOTUS overturns Roe v Wade, guns have more rights than women, and children, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ bodies and voices continue to be jeopardized. As parents, we've navigated virtual schooling, asynchronous learning, masks in school, masks in sports, outraged parents because of masks, teachers leaving the profession at record pace because of not being paid enough to deal with any of it and truly just not feeling supported.

We have been through A LOT.

Even though, we've been through a whole lot, we are still taking it one day at a time, one thing at a time. We've learned that we can still live an adventurous full life no matter the scary things happening in the world or the fact that life can knock us on our ass faster than we breath in and out...even then, we will be okay.

I'm still an active advocate for Youth Mental Health and understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). I am still advocating for our LGBTQ+ community, standing with BIPOC men and women and elevating their voices and supporting women and families. Empathy has never been more important than it is now and if we aren't taking care of each other, who the hell will?

This blog is for anyone and everyone. I hope that my family and our stories are relatable and you can be reminded that on this crazy rollercoaster called life, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Thank you for being here.

Love always,