Meeting Lance Cibik, you'd think the world was his oyster. Well-spoken, charming, attractive, educated... ...you'd never guess that at age 8, Lance Cibik tried to kill himself. Born in poverty to a high school dropout, his mother committed suicide four days before his first birthday. Throughout his childhood, his mother's family tried to convince Lance that his father had murdered her; even trying to get him to confess as a witness. This mental torment was compounded by the stress of not fitting in with the new family his father had created. At age 17, he chose to live alone and provide for himself. Then he made a decision that changed his life forever. "I will be the change." He began focusing on academics and gravitated toward classmates who came from healthy, successful families. He modeled the positive behaviors he observed...and while there remained immense challenges, this interview will reveal the recipe for success that he shares on stages around the country. Learn more about Lance or work with him by visiting www.lancecibik.com. The Alchemy of Pain podcast considers it a privilege to share the stories of people who have survived - and thrived - after difficult times. We also acknowledge that darkness can feel overwhelming. If you have or are contemplating suicide, please reach out for help. 988 is the number for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text and get the help you need. Because your life is precious and you are worth it.

"Let me die or find me a reason for living." This was the prayer Caryl Westmore prayed after losing her home and her beloved dog in a fire...and, soon after, facing the end of her marriage with no resources to rebuild a broken life. This series of traumas showed Caryl her heart, once closed, had been cracked open. And her prayer was answered when she found a book, The Journey by Brandon Bays. So captivated by the teachings, Caryl worked to bring the author to her country to speak. Always inspired by alternative healing modalities, her knowledge grew as she began promoting events with thought leaders in the healing space. Modalities such as EFT/tapping and realizations that "feelings buried alive never die" caused her to devote her time to helping others experience the freedom she had realized. Her next step? Helping people write the book inside of them. This interview has a twist for the singles out there. Caryl's gifting includes "single to soulmate" coaching and she is a believer that not dealing with childhood trauma often prevents people from attracting and enjoying healthy partnerships. Her book on this topic can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Online-Dating-Success-Secrets-Women-ebook/dp/B00HHG2VZ . Caryl says she, "had to control the urge to feel like a victim" and she helps others to do the same. Learn more at www.carylwestmore.com - and here's a special treat for the audience - a free gift: Manifest your Perfect Ideal Day: https://carylwestmore.com/perfect-day

The minute you hear her voice you know you're experiencing an otherworldly gift.

She's worked with Academy Award-winning actors, taught at Yale, and rubbed shoulders with the New York elite.

But a psychotic break nearly ended her life.

A toxic mixture of acid and marijuana unleashed latent mental illness and insights, "I wasn't ready for."

Catching up to herself; refusing to give in to the darkness; and embracing her innate spiritual gifts have given Lynn Singer a unique platform.

She helps people find their authentic voices.

"Your voice broadcasts a blueprint of your spirit," she shares in this intriguing interview.

Learn more about Lynn's work at lsvoicworks.com.

The ideas and opinions shared by guests on The Alchemy of Pain are theirs alone and do not reflect the host/producer of this program.

She was celebrating the end of the school day and running toward her mother when a taxicab struck 11-year-old Michelle Kuei.

Catapulted 100 feet by the impact, she spent the next four years in and out of hospitals. Rehab was grueling, but the pre-teen years presented the greatest challenge.

"Do I even belong here?"

Shorter and walking with a limp, Michelle so desperately wanted to fit in she'd wear stockings and pants on stifling hot days, just to hide the scars that shamed her. Facing the rejection of her peers eventually triggered a rebellious, "I'll just be weird" persona that also didn't quite "fit."

After a series of failed relationships, Michelle's true "Aha!" happened in her 40's. "I finally decided to treasure myself."

That decision led to baby steps...first a Pilates ball...then a fitness coach...then...

She decided to climb Machu Picchu using her CRUTCHES. Each step was a push-up, but once accomplished, she would never be the same. "I knew there was more for me."

Learn about how Michelle reclaimed hope and built a life that inspires. If you've ever been bullied or felt like you didn't "fit in" in this world, you'll be encouraged by this episode.

Discover more about Michelle Kuei's work as a marketing coach, motivational speaker, and author at www.elevatelifecoaching.org.

"Cancer wraps itself around a person...and changes them."

Sarah Morgan knows.

Her grandmother, mother, best friend, former fiance...it seemed everywhere she turned, someone else she loved was diagnosed.

Back in the 80's when she discovered a lump on her breast, she thought it was a death sentence, because she walked with a cloud of fear over her life regarding the "c" word.

Fortunately, much has changed since the 80's. And so has Sarah's fear.

A professional photographer, she now donates her talents to capture the before and after moments of a person's breast cancer journey.

This completely free service includes lighting, makeup, hair, and of course, photography that reminds her subjects that they are beautiful in every stage of their journey.

"It takes energy to love yourself in difficult times."

When those who participate in her Survivorship Portrait Project see their photos, they see the beauty that remains, even as cancer has transformed them.

Find out more about this unique and wonderful project at www.sarahmorganphotography.com.

"You can't overcome what you're not willing to face." Kris Hammons is 4’ 5’’ tall and was born with dwarfism. Doctors told his parents he would never make it. After he survived, doctors then told his mom to place him in an institution because he'd never walk, talk, or live a “normal” life. It didn’t turn out that way. “Challenge accepted” has been his mantra. So has faith in God and His ability to help Kris through anything. Here are just a few of the impossibilities that Kris has accomplished: → Recovering from 20+ surgeries all under the age of 20 → Graduating high school in 2001 → Going to college → Teaching himself how to design, code, and media production → Starting multiple small businesses → Building a career in tech as a developer and now a product manager → Getting married → Having 4 kids, 2 with dwarfism They also told his mother he might never speak. Now he is a motivational speaker! Maybe the doctors were right about one thing, after all. His life is far from “normal."

Everyone told him it would be the happiest time in his life.

"You'll see your child and feel a love like never before."

It didn't happen.

And the disconnection between "What I should feel and what I did feel" grew as Michael Anderson hid behind being busy.

A crisis point in his marriage forced him to look at his own need for healing. "Parenthood shines a light on all of the unhealed places in your soul."

Michael now serves as a therapist helping parents feel more connected with their families. This fascinating discussion offers gems of wisdom regarding handling our internal critic with curiosity, how to empower children to face mistakes and frustrations healthily, and underscores that perfection isn't the path to true connection.

"Connection is on the other side of vulnerability. And vulnerability is on the other side of discomfort," he shares.

Stopping to be silent and to reflect on the emotions that make us feel uncomfortable can help us reconnect with ourselves and then others.

Michael Anderson's first children's book, Jungle Tails: No More Mistakes offers families a wonderful opportunity to share the truth that messing up is normal and a necessary part of the learning process. Get your copy here: https://a.co/d/fgMP6YX and follow Michael on LinkedIn.

This is a love story about a man and his dog, Rafa the Frenchie. Rafa's sensitive tummy (as well as his brother, Roddick's) inspired a man whose background was NOT baking to create healthy treats for them. It's always a joy to see the smiling face of Ron Wittman at the La Jolla and Little Italy farmers markets in San Diego. But for several weeks in 2024, he just couldn't bring himself to bake. Quite unexpectedly, Rafa succumbed to cancer. Losing his constant companion was a crushing blow, but something beautiful to honor Rafa's life was birthed: A fundraiser to support the National Canine Cancer Foundation. Though the loss of a pet is at the heart of this interview, Ron's story includes inspiration for anyone who has had to reinvent their lives or who has entrepreneurial dreams. He also shares his own cancer diagnosis and how he not only survived but thrived. For the healthy dog treats he creates, visit www.squishyfaceandco.com, and to honor Rafa and contribute to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, visit https://www.squishyfaceandco.com/community.