This episode: Paralyzed. Betrayed. Reborn: When Her Body Shut Down, Bonnie Hewitt’s Power Woke Up.
Here’s what you’ll learn about:
Introduction and Initial Catch-Up (0:00)
- Host Drew Deraney greets Guest Bonnie Hewitt.
- Drew expresses gratitude for the pre-recording catch-up and mentions Jason Croft’s indirect introduction.
- Drew discusses the linear life path taught in childhood and how external circumstances can derail it.
- He introduces the concept of three types of people: those who ignore adversity, those who see it as a barrier, and those who see it as an opportunity for Growth.
Bonnie’s Transformation Journey (2:03)
- Drew asks Bonnie to share her defining moment of transformation.
- Bonnie recounts her childhood Trauma and her father’s influence.
- She describes her experience with Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2011, including her paralysis and subsequent recovery.
- Bonnie shares her decision to leave a 22-year abusive relationship, emphasizing her conscious choice to move on.
Challenges and Resilience (4:57)
- Bonnie explains the Stress factors in her life during the Guillain-Barré syndrome incident, including being a single parent and dealing with her son’s autism.
- She discusses the impact of her illness on her Family and her determination to recover and return to normal life.
- Bonnie mentions her diagnosis with fibromyalgia and other autoimmune conditions after her illness.
- She reflects on her mindset during her recovery and her refusal to accept the doctors’ prognosis.
Transition to Self-Improvement (9:25)
- Bonnie talks about her transition from blaming others to taking full responsibility for her life.
- She describes her focus on self-worth and self-Love, including going radio silent on social media to focus on her inner self.
- Bonnie shares her journey of building self-worth and self-love through internal work and confiding in trusted individuals.
- She discusses her commitment to Health and wellness, including dynamic Meditation and healing dance classes.
Professional Transition and Anxiety Coaching (11:30)
- Bonnie explains her transition from accounting to becoming an anxiety coach and her current work in financial services.
- She describes her approach to integrating financial Education and anxiety coaching to help clients manage their financial anxiety.
- Bonnie shares a success story of helping a young woman improve her financial communication and reduce her anxiety.
- She emphasizes the importance of addressing financial anxiety to improve overall Mental Health and well-being.
Overcoming Anxiety and Building Trust (17:04)
- Bonnie recounts her experience of overcoming anxiety after leaving an abusive relationship.
- She discusses her reliance on spiritual practices and support systems to manage her anxiety.
- Bonnie shares her journey of trusting the universe and her inner voice to guide her through difficult times.
- She reflects on the importance of self-trust and the role of support systems in overcoming anxiety.
Advice for Young Bonnie (21:18)
- Drew asks Bonnie what advice she would give to her younger self.
- Bonnie advises her younger self to listen to her gut and inner voice.
- She emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself and following one’s intuition.
- Bonnie shares her belief that listening to one’s inner voice can lead to a fulfilling and successful life.
Final Thoughts and Gratitude (22:31)
- Drew thanks Bonnie for sharing her story and for the valuable insights she has provided.
- Bonnie expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share her experiences and help others.
- Drew encourages the audience to reach out to Bonnie on LinkedIn for further guidance and support.
- The recording concludes with expressions of appreciation and well-wishes for Bonnie’s continued success.
To learn more about Bonnie’s mission, go to her LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniehewitt/ or her website(s) at https://virtuity.com/.
Bonnie Hewitt Bio
We Teach Money! | Licensed Financial Educator & Life Insurance Professional | Building Our Next Leaders | Helping Individuals & Agents Align Purpose, Protection & Prosperity
“You can’t let life get in the way of living.” – Bonnie Hewitt
Today, as a Partner with Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk and entrepreneur David Meltzer at Virtuity Financial Partners, I help individuals and agents create financial stability, protect their families, build generational wealth, and align their money with their mission.
In 2011, my entire life came to a halt. This solo mama, building an accounting career from home, was suddenly struck down by a rare illness that initially left me paralyzed. Guillain-Barré Syndrome attacked my immune system and attempted to take me out — it didn’t succeed.
Over the next 14 years, I transcended multiple chronic health conditions, welcomed two more children, and even tried to return to my “old life.” But the universe had other plans.
Healing wasn’t just recovery — it was rediscovery — of body, mind, soul, and purpose.
That rediscovery sparked a new chapter of leadership and freedom. I built a vision for my life rooted in impact and intention, started a business, and pitched my way to winning $50K on David Meltzer’s Bloomberg TV show, 2 Minute Drill.
I’ve turned adversity into impact — earning the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers Women of Steel Gamechanger Award and founding Unbreakable Stories and Posh Notions, where creativity and empowerment inspire others to rise.
☕ Still healing, still growing, still leading — one cup of dark coffee and one conversation at a time.
Want to chat over coffee? Grab a spot here: https://calendly.com/bonniehewitt/coffee
2023 Women of Steel Gamechanger Award
https://www.steelers.com/women/nomination-form
2 Minute Drill Pitch Competition TV Show:
About your host: I’m Drew Deraney, the proud father of three children. For most of my life I’ve been concerned with what people thought of me and how I was supposed to act. I learned not to be my authentic self and instead became a people pleaser, a man wearing a mask.
In a 9-month span a few years ago, I endured four faith-shaking life events that caused me to question my existence.
I became determined to find a better way to live. Through intense self-reflection and awareness, I realized that in order to be happy, I must adhere to my standards of honesty, integrity and truth and needed to break free from the belief system that was anchored in me for close to 50 years.
I now believe that success happens when we find a better way and are willing and able to share it. HOW I do that is by challenging the status quo and thinking differently. Ultimately, WHAT I bring to the table is a way to contribute and add value by having an impact on the lives of others.
My company, Profit Compassion LLC consists of 3 paths:
The Caregiver Family Health Coach: coach for caregivers of individuals with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For Caregivers who are open to a conversation about how I can support you on your Caregiving journey: I help caregivers find balance, build resilience, and rediscover their own well-being. Through personalized coaching, I provide practical strategies, emotional support, and the tools to reduce Burnout, strengthen Relationships, and navigate the challenges of caregiving with confidence. My goal is to empower you to care for yourself as compassionately as you care for your loved one.
The Mindful Man Movement: men’s self-discovery coach, speaker, podcast host, author. For Men Seeking Answers Within: Imagine having crystal clear knowledge of your purpose in life where you make confident decisions, and are assertive, productive, and at peak mental health. Corporate executives hire me to guide them to tap into their natural power through self-discovery so they may write their own story and live the life they want to live.
WealthPath Strategies & Solutions: health/wellness and financial services to support individuals and businesses.
Join me in transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. Let’s embark on this journey together.
HOW TO CONNECT WITH COACH DREW:
Website: https://profitcompassion.com/
Email: [email protected]
Book a discovery call: https://link.mavericksystems.online/widget/bookings/netweaving/connect30
Pick up a copy of Drew’s book: https://amzn.to/40dsbyR or https://bit.ly/BandNDrew
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtwMTiiZvnhTpsaCYMK6oqg?sub_confirmation=1
Drew Deraney now travels the world both to Live and Virtual Events showing mostly men the steps needed to strengthen self-identity and self-worth, to overcome self-limiting beliefs, and to build confidence while being authentic, maintaining boundaries and to transcend people pleasing skills to become the person they are destined to be. Drew challenges them to reach deep inside and make a lasting impact.
In a 9-month span, Drew experienced a grueling divorce, job loss, his son’s suicidal ideations, and his father’s death which devastated Drew emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. It is a commonality for men to consider any challenge as a weakness as well as to show emotion and ask for help. While writing his book, Drew realized he was not the only man suffering in silence. With more clarity of purpose than ever, he began asking for help. Drew Deraney’s mission is to help especially men, release their inner greatness by showing vulnerability, keeping in integrity of their power, and making a great impact on the people in their lives both personally and professionally.
Drew Deraney was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ where he still lives to this day caring for his elderly mom and his 3 adult children Matthew, Nicholas, and Emma. Drew earned his B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Applied Psychology, and two psychology research publications while at Fairfield University; a scholarship from the Healthcare Financial Management Association; and his M.B.A. in Health Care Administration from Baruch College / Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NY. His hospital career spanned 24 years where he was co-chair of the Leadership Institute, spoke at JD Power, was one of three leaders interviewed by The Commonwealth Fund, received his Communicating with Empathy Trainer certification and is a Certified Patient Experience Professional. Four years ago, Drew founded Profit Compassion LLC, an entity to coach and empower mostly men to create resiliency and authenticity as Chief Resilience Officer. Drew is the podcast host of ‘From Caving in to Crushing It’ and recently became a best-selling author with his book ‘I’ll Have What She’s Having’ - Memoir of a reformed People Pleaser.
