In this powerful episode of Define the Fight, we dive deep into what it truly means to adopt a warrior mindset when faced with unimaginable adversity. Joining the show is Ryan Strubble, a man who survived a shocking family tragedy as a teenager and chose to move forward with faith, strength, and resilience. Ryan’s life is a profound testament to the fact that we can choose how we want to move forward, even when the non-controllables of life completely upend our world.
What to Expect in This Episode
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Surviving the Unthinkable: Ryan opens up about the devastating events of March 26, 2004, in Glendon, when his father took his mother’s life before turning the gun on himself. Ryan recalls the chilling moments inside the house with his sister and the immediate shock of the aftermath.
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A Teenager Turned Father Figure: At just 18 years old, Ryan made the courageous choice to legally adopt his younger sister to protect her from entering the foster care system, stepping up as her guardian and father figure while navigating his own grief.
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Fighting for His Daughter: Adversity struck Ryan’s family again when his daughter, Natalee, survived severe trauma as an infant. Ryan shares how he and his wife, Rosa, protected their daughter through counseling and successfully fought to pass “Natalee’s Law” to fix critical gaps in the justice system.
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From Surviving to Thriving: Ryan discusses his journey through mental health counseling, moving past a tendency to “stuff” his emotions, and leaning heavily on his faith to find true healing.
Powerful Quote from the Episode
“God allows awful things to happen to allow us to make the free will choice of how we’re going to answer that question… you have to just get through it with your faith knowing that He won’t give you more than you can handle.”
Tune in to hear Ryan’s incredible journey of turning immense pain into purpose, and discover how you can find the strength to define your own fight.