Our Embrace the New You Spotlights

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ETNU celebrates our Evolve & Embrace Spotlight- Mark Klecka. Mark is a prominent Realtor with Coldwell Banker, and an Inner Battle Warrior.  

 “Sometimes our transformations happen later in life. For real change to happen the feeling of true pain is necessary. This is my story” 

ETNU celebrates our Positive People Spotlight- Norma Mladineo —suicide survivor & finder of joy. She believes that "the sun signifies a new day, and every day is a new gift" This is her approach to appreciating every day and staying positive. 

ETNU celebrates our Transformation Triumphs Spotlight- Jade Dockery — survivor of the streets & the system,

“There was an old black man serving 17 life sentences. He pulled me aside and said Youngblood you need transformation! You gotta change”, explains Jade Dockery in his Spotlight video.

Theresa Hendry is the essence of a Courage Corner Spotlight as she has overcome being sexually abused as a child and being told she would never amount to anything. 

"To me you have to find the strength within you. If you listen to it, it will guide you & make you stronger than you have ever been"

In this Stories of Strength Spotlight, ETNU honors Brian Propp. a true embodiment of resilience, grit, and purpose. He should have died from his stroke 10 years ago on September 3, 2015. Brian is a Canadian former professional Hockey player

ETNU  recognizes our Story of Strength Spotlight, Ali Reeder, for her resilience, perseverance & what it truly means to Embrace The New You." There are moments in life that redefine who we are. For Ali, that moment wasn’t a single event—it was a series of powerful choices to keep going, to heal, and to grow. As Covid began, during her fertility journey with IVF & while suffering multiple in-utero pregnancy losses, Ali was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

ETNU celebrates Transformation Triumphs Spotlight, Patrick Leipziger who has attained 16 years of sobriety.

To Embrace the New You, "first, I had to create the new me, and that is a process that I continue every day. I strive to continue to grow one day at a time, and I would like to think that I am continuously evolving into a new version of me. I got sober when I was 21. I went through four years of hell and hurt everyone around me. I have embraced sobriety and have had the help of some great people. I try to give back to people beginning the same journey.": 

 Embrace the New You wants to honor our Resilient Reels Spotlight,  Shannon’Alise. Shannon is someone who embodies resilience not just in words, but in action. Through challenges, growth, and transformation, she has chosen to evolve, not retreat. Her journey is a powerful reminder that every step forward, no matter how small, is a triumph.

Own Your Light Spotlight, Felix Conde has an amazing approach to life after surviving an almost deadly motorcycle accident, He spent 8 months in the hospital, 6 of those in a coma, suffered twenty-two heart attacks, multiple broken bones, TBI, nerve damage & many more injuries.

“Life is a challenge. It’s all about challenge, focus, hard work and determination. There are no obstacles, just challenges" explains Felix.

Transformation Triumphs Spotlight,  Veronica Lozano & her husband were in a very serious car accident & unfortunately, he passed away in the car. Veronica incurred a broken femur bone, traumatic brain injury, and was left a widow and a single mom at age 24 with two little kids,

Veronica explains, "From the past to now, this is my transformation. Life is like school. I learn every day from my mistakes and my successes.”

Voice of Victory Spotlight, Mark Sturdivant explains, "I made a routine tackle, and in an instant, I broke my ankle. A career-ending injury. All the blood, sweat, and years of sacrifice came crashing down in that one moment. You talk about adversity—this was a level of heartbreak I had never felt before. Dreams crushed to have the opportunity to go to the NFL.

I had to figure out who I was without football. It was one of the hardest moments of my life, it also became the moment that shaped the next chapter. I learned that my identity wasn’t just tied to being an athlete".

Bill’s story is one of profound transformation: from navigating after becoming permanently paralyzed while cutting a tree at his church to moving into a life defined by determination, resilience, and purpose. At every crossroads, Bill Lewis chose to evolve — not just adapting to change that was thrust upon him, but embracing it as a catalyst for growth.