Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Nina Sossamon-Pogue.

A former elite gymnast, Emmy-winning news anchor, bestselling author, and resilience expert.

Here’s a summary of the key themes and insights from the episode:

🎙️ Guest Introduction: Nina Sossamon-Pogue

🧠 Mental Health & Daily Routines

Nina emphasizes the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and limiting early phone use to start the day with clarity.
Rushion shares his own structured morning routine and how it helps him manage stress and stay productive.

💪 Resilience and Personal Growth

Nina defines resilience as the ability to adapt positively and grow stronger from adversity.
She encourages people to reflect on what’s going right, what needs attention, and how to move forward with purpose.

🧍‍♀️ Body Image, Athletics & Social Media

Nina shares her experience with body dysmorphia and bulimia during her gymnastics career in the 1980s.
She discusses the long-term impact of being judged by appearance in both sports and television.
Offers advice to parents and young athletes on navigating body image in the age of social media.

📘 Her Book: This Is Not the End

Written for people facing major life setbacks—job loss, injury, grief, or personal failure.
Nina shares five personal “this is the end” moments, including:
- Not making the Olympic team.
- Career-ending knee injury.
- Losing her job as a news anchor.
- A traumatic accident at age 37.
The book provides seven strategies and a four-step framework (T.H.I.S.) to help readers move forward:
- Timeline: Gain perspective on your life journey.
- Humans: Lean on others—don’t go it alone.
- Isolate: Focus on the present moment.
- Story: Reframe your internal narrative to stay empowered and hirable.

🎧 Podcast Highlight

Nina’s podcast This Seriously Sucks features guests who’ve overcome major life challenges.
She highlights Joe Delagrave, a Paralympian and coach, whose story of resilience and transformation deeply inspired her.

💬 Closing Thoughts

Rushion praises Nina’s authenticity, voice, and ability to connect.
Nina encourages listeners to embrace their “this” moment and remember: “This is not the end.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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