1. How Would You Feel if You Were Living an Unauthentic Life? Phyllis Ayman, MS/SLP, CDP, CADDCT, CDCM, CMDCP 55:18

J.R. Strayve, Jr. was born to a nomadic military family, attending nine schools before entering college. Following service in the United States Marine Corps, he raised a family.

Jerry lived with a gnawing feeling inside that there was something different about him. Never knowing what that was, or why, he proceeded to pursue what was considered to be the American Dream.

He achieved all he desired, or so he thought, marriage to a college sweetheart, children, a house with a picket fence.

Along with the American Dream life, he describes caring for a daughter with disabilities who they were told would essentially be a vegetable and should be institutionalized. The family forged on together, their special needs daughter was special beyond her own personal limitations.

In their special needs daughter, the Strayve family found a commitment that bound them together for thirty years. But through the years, Jerry’s difference’ that laid dormant inside him, needed to be set free.

Jerry reveals the effect of denying who he was his entire life, the effect on him personally, psychologically and emotionally. When he finally acknowledged his identity the life he knew, and some of the people in it, and the relationships he cherished changed.

He describes the challenges he’s faced In search of pursuing a place in his new life.

Jerry Strayve wears his heart on his sleeve, his openness and transparency is a testament to his bravery and courage to leave the life he always wanted to the life he desperately needed.

Phyllis Ayman Ambassador for Conscious Aging Life Management and #1 WSJ and USA Today Best Selling Author, Podcaster

Phyllis Ayman is the Ambassador for Conscious Aging Life Management, and founder of Mindful Longevity Solutions. She coaches individuals to develop their Personalized Longevity or Wellness Care Plans so they can live as healthfully, happily ,and fulfilled as they possibly can. As an aging life careplanning coach and mediator, she guides families to make decisions and mediate challenging conversations around aging care issues. She conceived and owns the trademark IMpathy®, essentially the inner game of empathy, which the hallmark of her proprietary programs.

Ayman is a #1 WSJ and USA Today Best Selling author, featured speaker, panel moderator, trainer, advocate gerontological speech/language pathologist and dementia care specialist. She spent over 40,000 hours working with thousands of individuals and families in long term care. Her writings have been featured in Next Avenue, McKnight’s Long Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living, and the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioner Newsletters.