Kevin Polky - The Journey

Returning to the podcast is Kylie Lewis and Dalton Bullard. Kylie was one of the panelists for our most recent event, Artists & Athletes Out of the Ashes, and Dalton is a former Division 1 athlete. In this episode we discuss the topic of using the arts and athletics as a vehicle for transformation and developing resiliency.

A Music Lover who wants to Change the Industry Ryan was a shy, introverted self-proclaimed “nerd” growing up. He discovered the punk music scene and it changed everything. He felt like he fit in and could relate to the sound and the message. Today, he believes deeply in the power of music and the artists who create and perform it. He wants to provide solutions to a broken industry as speaker, manager and producer. Take a listen to this interesting conversation.

Scott grew up playing sports like most young people but his love for football and wrestling were not enough to quiet the thoughts in his mind. Alcohol was one of the only things that would make him forget. But, the problems that were caused when he was under the influence of alcohol kept the cycle of avoidance and alcohol, repeating. Twenty months ago, Scott started his journey of sobriety. Six months ago, Scott started living a life of being clean and sober. And, now he wants to give back so others don’t have to make the same mistakes he has. Join us for this raw conversation about Scott’s journey.

Out of the Darkness into the Light through Art and giving Back Erica grew up in an extremely conservative home impacted by a legalistic religion, divorce and mental illness. As an adult, the world was much bigger than she had previously ever known. Alcohol became part of it and then became a problem. A secret with no limits. Many unsuccessful attempts of stopping until she hit her bottom. There she made some decisions and life has not been the same. She now uses her passion for art to give her purpose and means to give back. Listen to this wonderful conversation.

Seeing the Opportunities even in the Darkness Growing up for Gregg there was numerous setbacks. During high school, his mom was diagnosed and died from cancer, his dad in his grief died from suicide, brother and best friend died from suicide. In the midst of that darkness, there was Light. Significant individuals and opportunities came into his life. Listen to this powerful conversation of how Gregg coped and lived through these setbacks and others and what he learned from them.

How recovery has allowed him to give back Mike grew up the only child of two loving, conservative parents. But, sensed there was more outside the walls of his house. He discovered music and became entranced but alcohol, drugs and the desire to be liked distracted him and took over. Through recovery, Mike has the opportunity to share his story and words of wisdom to others through conversation and his music.

Part 2: Simply Us and a Bus Aaron returns to the studio days before he and has family leave Rockford to live on the road in their 225 square foot bus. Aaron shares about the lessons he learned from the first year. “Be open to what God has right in front of you.” And shared about what he is going to bring on the road for this part of the journey.

She’s a Survivor Andrea grew up with parents who cared for her but emotionally compartmentalized feelings. She was in an emotional and verbally abusive marriage that turned physically violent and then she was liberated. And, she has been cancer free for the past year. She now uses art, yoga and what she learned through these experiences for her students. Listen to this conversation of an amazing woman who is a survivor.

What Makes a Champion Dalton joins me in a conversation recapping his first year being the head coach of the Belvidere Co-op wrestling program. Dalton was a 4x All-State wrestler in high school and placed 2nd twice in the state tournament and 2x All- American in college. We discuss how athletics can be a platform in which students can develop character, resiliency and transform their lives. Competing and striving for the win is critical but the journey is what makes a true champion. I always enjoy the opportunity to discuss this topic with Dalton.

We Needed to Make a Change Aaron is a former police officer who became a professional photographer as result of a near death experience. After a few years of raising their family and running a successful photographer business, Aaron and his wife, Phelan decided to make a big change. They bought a school bus and converted it into their home. Listen to this authentic conversation about Aaron’s story of recreating his life and the lessons he learned on the road.

A Brother’s Love Brad never saw it coming. He never in his wildest imagination thought his brother, Greg would die from suicide. Greg was his older brother, someone he looked up to and his best friend. In the midst of grieving his brother’s death, Brad decided to make a difference by raising awareness about the high rate of suicide among police and first responders. He started the Greg Lindmark Foundation. Check out this conversation with what a brother did with the pain and loss from mental illness and suicide.

Her Journey Continues… Kylie returns to The Journey for an authentic, transparent conversation about the transition she is going through right now. She shares about the tension between serving others and taking care of herself and listening to the quiet voice within. Beautiful conversation about her process in the Hero’s Journey. It was an honor to have this conversation.

Sports Were his Life, Now He Uses Fitness to Transform Others Justin lived and breathed sports as he was growing up. As he entered the corporate world and started a family, exercise no longer was a priority. After an alarming wake up a call, he slowly and steadily started getting back in shape. As he transformed himself physical, a stirring inside lead him away from corporate America to opening his own gym. Today with his wife, he is transforming others physically and mentally. Author of an inspiring book, “Be Great Today” is one of his many ways giving back to the community.

As His World Changed, He Recreated Himself Alex is a life-long fan of athletics. He loves research and history. He enjoys writing. He went from being on top of the world to the bottom going through a divorce and unemployment. The newspaper industry was changing and downsizing. And, he chose to stay in the area so he could raise his daughters. His options were limited. In the midst of this darkness, he found the opportunity to recreate himself and follow his heart. I really enjoyed this conversation!

A Star Athlete who is Making a Difference in the Community Tommy was a three-sport athlete in high school who went to Eastern Illinois University to continue his football career. He played numerous years at the semi-pro football level. When his career ended, the drug addiction began. He was committed to his family, so working was never the problem. But, drugs were the demon. A life changing trip to Arkansas which was the beginning of the end of his drug use. 29 years of being drug-free but more importantly, he has spent the last 29 years making a difference in the community on his TV show and his annual event, Juneteeth. Great conversation.

A Queen with a Purpose Allie grew up in an ordinary home. Her dad was with her all the time during her younger years, he was her closest companion. He had battled and beat cancer a couple of times since his teenager years. But, everything changed after he had a quadruple heart trauma. Depression and addiction changed his life and Allie’s too. Listen to this conversation as Allie shares her experience living with her father’s mental illness and her desire to bring awareness about mental illness and break the stigma. In 2017, she was crowned Miss Winnebago and used this platform to share her passion. Enjoy!

More than T-Shirts Jarrod is the co-owner of the wildly popular Rockford Art Deli. Over the past years, RAD has evolved from a concept to one of the Rockford’s downtown staple and success story. Listen to this conversation as Jarrod shares his vision for his employees, customers and the environment. Enjoy as Jarrod shares RAD is so much than just T-shirts.

Beauty within this Fighter Beatriz was raised impoverished in Puerto Rico. For the sake of her son, she came to the states to seek better medical care. Against all odds, she meets someone she can trust, love and be loved. Through first MMA and then through the arts she found her voice. And, when I first heard her sing “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman”, I was blown away. Only later did understand the song is her story.

A Daughter, Sister, Mom and Wife who has been through the darkness. Lynn is an amazing woman whose attitude has been an inspiration to others. She knows what it is like to experience loss through mental illness. Her younger brother and sister died as result of depression and suicide. And 10 weeks after her mom died from a sudden physical health condition, her dad died from suicide. But, listen to her story, it is more than the setbacks it is about what she did to continue being a light for others.

Carpenter who wants to leave a Legacy Initially, Jason’s story looks fairly normal. But, underneath that calm demeanor and smile there is loss, abuse, uncertainty and pain. It took him until he was 40, a divorce and failed relationships before he faced the pain from his childhood that interfered with his adult relationships. A father of four beautiful children, Jason has a burning desire to raise awareness about the need for counseling for those who “fall between the cracks” in the foster care system. Another must listen to.