As an actor and a writer, I present workshops related to art and spirituality. Invariably, at least one participant admits to suppressing their artistic urges to give more time to…

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PRESS RELEASE

Published July 7, 2023

Robin Fritz is a transformational life coach who is dedicated to helping individuals unleash their potential and achieve remarkable personal growth.

As a certified Life Coach and Wellbeing Specialist, Robin Fritz intimately understands the confusion and uncertainties that can arise during this transformative phase. She sees her role as a transformational life coach specializing in the midlife awakening becoming more important than ever. 

Many people face midlife crises with anxiety which causes them to act irrationally. However, one exceptional life coach sees it differently — midlife awakening is not a crisis. From this perspective, she helps people address their fears and unease through her transformation program: Robin Fritz – Change in Thought.

“It’s not a crisis; it’s your time for awakening. By reinventing yourself in midlife and embracing positivity and change, you become better equipped to navigate life’s ups and downs, leading to personal growth and increased self-confidence,” said Fritz.

Having personally experienced the challenges of feeling stuck and lost during her journey through midlife, she has firsthand knowledge of what it feels like to grapple with questions of purpose, identity, and self-worth, and the profound impact it can have on one’s overall well-being.

As a professional life coach, she provides a safe and supportive space for individuals to navigate the complexities of this period. Her focus is first to help clients recognize that what may initially appear as a crisis is, in fact, an awakening—an invitation to explore new possibilities and redefine their lives on their terms. With the rise of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, skilled coaches who can address these challenges holistically are increasing in demand. 

Fritz offers powerful tools and techniques through her transformational program to help individuals break free from limiting beliefs, release emotional baggage, and cultivate a positive mindset. She has written and designed courses, and written extensively on the art of meditation. Her writing is available in e-book form and/or video courses as self-study guides, and Fritz will launch her coaching program for people navigating the Midlife Awakening by the fall of 2023.

For more information, visit https://robinfritz.com/

Robin Fritz helps her clients approach problems with a can-do attitude, assisting them in navigating these obstacles to their progress by finding creative solutions. Positive thinking is not just a cliché but a powerful tool that can transform one’s life for the better. It empowers people to face challenges with resilience and adaptability, and instead of dwelling on obstacles and setbacks, positive thinkers see them as opportunities for growth and learning. 

Studies have shown positive thinking is linked to improved mental and emotional well-being. The act of focusing on positive thoughts and beliefs releases brain chemicals that are associated with happiness and reduced stress. Therefore, positive thinking can help people manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, ultimately enhancing one’s overall quality of life.

“While we may not have control over our thoughts, we hold the power to shape our lives by taking intentional actions based on those thoughts,” said Fritz.

Fritz emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and challenging negative thoughts. She has helped countless clients find their true selves and their purpose in life. By experiencing lower levels of stress and inflammation, typically associated with various chronic conditions, they can positively influence their physical well-being and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Robin Fritz offers a roadmap to life designed to help people experiencing a midlife crisis. Her comprehensive program is filled with useful self-help tools and tips which she reinforces through her coaching course and post-course support. Many who have sought her help in their journey of awakening have found that it is never too late to realize their dreams.

About Robin Fritz – Change in Thought:

Robin Fritz is a renowned transformational life coach who has dedicated her career to helping individuals unleash their potential and achieve remarkable personal growth. With her innovative Change in Thought program, she empowers individuals to break free from limiting beliefs, cultivate a positive mindset, and transform their lives for the better. As a certified life coach, her program is designed to guide individuals through a powerful journey of self-discovery and mindset transformation.

Media Contact
Company Name: Robin Fritz – Change in Thought
Contact Person: Robin Fritz
Email: Send Email
Phone: (973) 567-7823
City: Belleville
State: NJ 07109
Country: United States
Website: https://robinfritz.com

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Two years after her death, Westport author Amy Oestreicher’s book  –  “Creativity and Gratitude: Exercises and Inspiration for a Year of Art, Hope, and Healing” – is helping keep her legacy alive, her parents say. 

The 33-year-old died of a sepsis infection in 2021, following years of health issues stemming from a blood clot she suffered two weeks before her senior prom in 2005. The incident left her comatose for two months, derailing her plans to pursue a career in musical theater.

Upon waking up from the coma, Amy could not eat or drink for almost three years. In her lifetime, she underwent about 30 surgeries, spent months in the hospital and worked through emotional trauma from sexual abuse she had endured as a teenager.

While many would be discouraged by the continuous hardships, Amy’s parents said she always found a way to live.

Westport residents Mark and Marilyn Oestreicher recently recounted their daughter’s many accomplishments. In her short yet impactful life, they told CT Examiner, Amy secured leading roles in New York City musicals, wrote and performed a one-woman show, gave numerous TED Talks, showcased her paintings and authored novels.

In her final book, “Creativity and Gratitude,” Amy offered readers 52 weeks of creative exercises to practice the four skills she said are key to resilience: Creativity, hope, storytelling and gratitude.

“She worked hard on that book. It keeps her legacy alive,” Marilyn said. “I mean, that’s really what it is for me. That’s what you want when someone passes. You want them to be remembered.”

Marilyn Oestreicher, mother of author Amy Oestreicher, and at Terrain in Westport.

The purpose of the book, Amy wrote, was to share the steps that helped her through her experiences. But to her parents, the book is especially important as it was published just a day before her death.

Without an author to promote the book and amid a global pandemic, initial sales of “Creativity and Gratitude” were low. A few months after its release, however, the book started to gain traction and, as of June, Apollo Publishers has shipped approximately 3,500 copies.

“It was going very slow,” Marilyn said. “And then all of a sudden, they wrote to me and said, ‘Hey, it’s picking up.’”

“It’s amazing in such a crowded field of self-help books,” Mark said. “It’s very nice.”

Writing was not out of the ordinary for Amy, according to her parents. She had been journaling since childhood, and eventually used the material to write a nearly 600-page memoir titled “My Beautiful Detour” and a musical autobiography, “Gutless & Grateful: A Second Helping.”

In a 2016 TED Talk she gave in Syracuse, New York, Amy described the lessons she learned from each hardship. After her stomach ruptured, she said she felt gratitude while learning to sit upright or brush her teeth again. When she realized that no surgery was a guaranteed success, she found courage in creation and writing her one-woman show.

“You have to understand that I discouraged her,” Marilyn said of “Gutless & Grateful.” “I said, ‘Amy, don’t do a show until you’re physically 100 percent.’”

Still, Amy pushed on. She chose songs to match her storyline, took vocal lessons to retrain her voice and eventually performed in theaters across Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.

Watching their daughter jump from a hospital bed to the stage, Mark and Marilyn said, was miraculous.

“Even though she had the ostomy bag and the fistula, she looked gorgeous,” Marliyn said. “I was helping her prep for the show, helping her dress. And I said, ‘Amy, it feels like you’re 15 again, and you’re just getting ready for a performance.’ And she was so happy.”

While Amy’s passion for singing and theater was clear from childhood, Mark and Marilyn did not anticipate her later-discovered love for painting.

Looking to establish independence after years of hospitalization, Amy eventually moved to California. But shortly after her 14th surgery, her parents said, her wound reopened and she was airlifted back to Connecticut from Los Angeles.

“She was so angry this time in the hospital because her wound opened. ‘Here I am back again. I can’t eat again,’” Marilyn said. “She was so angry and upset.”

Marilyn recalled visiting the hospital gift shop and finding a set of paints and a canvas. She gave them to Amy and told her to express herself, and she quickly channeled her frustration through art.

“She said that she could express in her art what she couldn’t express verbally,” Mark said.

Sprinkled throughout the pages of “Creativity and Gratitude” are photos of Amy’s paintings.

Mark and Marilyn said their daughter’s resiliency, which she expressed through painting, writing, singing and acting, was obvious even in her final moments, when she was hospitalized for her seventh sepsis infection in April 2021. Her brother, a pediatric doctor, warned his parents that Amy would be very uncomfortable in the subsequent days.

“I went, ‘Oh, no, no, that’s not happening,’” Marilyn said. “And that’s when I went up to her and said, ‘Let go. Go to grandma and grandpa and be free.” And she did.”

“Five minutes later,” Mark added.

In October, Marilyn and Mark organized a three-hour memorial service for Amy at the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre in Fairfield, in which former vocal coaches, friends and family shared stories, laughed and cried together. Attendees all left with a copy of “Creativity and Gratitude.”

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One such story is that of the Kibera Community Empowerment Organization (KCEO) in Kenya. Kibera is one of the largest slums in Africa, with a population of over 1 million people. The KCEO was founded in 2001 by a group of young people who were frustrated with the lack of opportunities in their community. They started by organizing community cleanups and providing basic education to children in the slum. Today, KCEO has expanded its programs to include health care, vocational training, and microfinance.

Another inspiring story is that of the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Uganda. The VSLAs are community-based savings and loan groups that have been used to empower women in rural communities. The VSLAs were started in Uganda in the early 2000s and have since spread to other countries in Africa. The VSLAs allow women to save and borrow money for business ventures, education, and other needs. The VSLAs have not only empowered women but have also improved the economic well-being of entire communities.

In Nigeria, the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) program has been used to improve sanitation in rural communities. The CLTS program was started in 2008 and has since been implemented in over 35,000 communities in Nigeria. The program uses a community-led approach to improve sanitation, with communities taking ownership of the process. The program has been successful in reducing open defecation and improving hygiene practices in rural communities.

The stories of KCEO, VSLAs, and CLTS are just a few examples of the power of self-help in Africa. These stories prove that communities can take charge of their own development and transform their lives. Self-help is not a new concept in Africa, as communities have been using it for decades. However, with the increased access to technology and information, self-help has become more effective and efficient.

Self-help is not without its challenges, as communities often lack the resources and support needed to implement their programs successfully. However, organizations such as the African Self-Help Development Program and the African Development Foundation provide funding and technical support to communities that are implementing self-help programs.

In conclusion, the power of self-help in Africa is undeniable. Communities have used self-help to overcome poverty, disease, and other challenges. The stories of KCEO, VSLAs, and CLTS are just a few examples of how self-help has transformed lives in Africa. With increased support and resources, self-help can continue to be a powerful tool for community development in Africa.

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In the eighth episode of Ted Lasso, the audience is introduced to a confederation of adrift middle-aged men known as the “Diamond Dogs.” The principal members are Lasso himself, alongside the other coaches and executives of the podunk English soccer club AFC Richmond. Every couple of episodes, the crew gathers in the break room to discuss whatever turbulence is rocking their lives: the unsettled shame after a one-night stand; a knotty on-and-off relationship; the destabilizing reverberations of a panic attack. The Diamond Dogs storyline is essentially Ted Lasso’s entire ethos in miniature: It’s a venue where men are happy to become vulnerable in front of each other, in which the characters literally howl and bark in reverie after achieving emotional breakthroughs.

Lasso’s series finale aired last week—bringing an end to Jason Sudeikis’ weekly soliloquies about how it’s OK to Not Be OK—but Shawn Malone, a 34-year-old civil engineer, was eager to keep the Diamond Dogs spirit alive. That’s why he created r/TLDiamondDogs, a subreddit where posters can receive some self-help insight guided by the Tao of Ted, long after its reign is over.

“The core of the show is so uplifting, heartwarming, and motivational, and that tone bleeds through to the Diamond Dogs subreddit,” Malone told me. “Everyone wants to lift each other up on the forum. … The show is therapeutic, and that lends itself so well to this community and the people that want life advice.”

Browse through r/TLDiamondDogs, and you’ll see exactly what Malone is talking about. On its surface, the forum doesn’t look much different from the countless other self-help resources on the internet: There are threads that opine about grief, heartbreak, and career unfulfillment, while a legion of anonymous posters (including 9,600 subscribers) offer their homespun condolences and remedies in the replies. But delve deeper into the stacks, and it becomes clear that the advice administered here has all taken on a distinctly Lassoian texture—like a group therapy exercise or a masquerade initiation ritual—in order to truly bring the show’s winsome worldview (and affirming canine noises) to life.

Many of the threads orbit around Ted Lasso’s seasonslong project of defanging toxic masculinity and enshrining a positive self-image, to the point that the cast was invited to a White House mental health awareness summit back in March. In one post, an author waxes about a difficult year and a messy divorce, which strained the relationship he has with his children. He cites one of the show’s recurring motifs—that nobody can heal if they hate themselves—which helped him face the darkness. “You can’t practice love, substantive love, without practicing first on yourself,” he wrote. The most-upvoted comment is a GIF of Ted Lasso chanting “MVP, MVP.” (“Cheers to a great year and beyond,” reads another. “Arrrrooooooo!!!”)

Another poster meditated on his father’s death, and how the show’s last episode dredged up sorrow in his soul. He and his dad were both huge Cat Stevens fans, and the “Father and Son” needledrop in the finale left him a wreck. “Losing him felt like I lost my anchor, I’m just a jumbled mess right now who needs some support,” he wrote, capstoning a genuinely moving passage. The assembled Diamond Dogs immediately sprung into action: “Woof woof woof I’m so sorry for your loss,” wrote one. “We are here to be your safe family. Woof woof fellow dog and I wish you courage,” added someone else.

In a different thread, a poster deals with post–Ted Lasso depression. A commenter suggested a rewatch with the language switched to Italian, which would allow them to experience the show again while “practicing a new skill.” Someone else said that the Ted Lasso finale inspired them to throw caution to the wind, and leave their job for an MFA offer. (“Looking for woofs here!“) Sometimes, specific episodes of the show spark spirited discussions of the themes therein. A plotline about Nate Shelley, a coach at AFC Richmond, and his estranged relationship with his father, sparked a thread where a poster investigated their own victimhood of child abuse. “Nate’s dad reminds me a lot of my parents,” they wrote. “I do have a therapist but I thought I could turn to you Diamond canines for some solidarity, if nothing else.”

In any other context—and within any other fandom—confronting trauma with dog barks could be taken as a withering cruelty. So I suppose it speaks to the magic of Ted Lasso that here, among the brotherhood of Diamond Dogs, a dash of dorky cringe can be exactly what the doctor ordered.

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“The subreddit just lives and breathes the ideals and values that Ted Lasso instilled in so many people,” Marley Stoner, a 35-year-old in Northeast Ohio, who’s become a frequent contributor to the forum, told me. In particular, Stoner said that she and her husband were struggling with communication and emotional intimacy before Ted Lasso, and the show—with its emphasis on a softer brand of masculinity—helped them both navigate those challenges.

“Within Lasso and the Diamond Dogs subreddit, we were better able to lean into a healthier perspective on difficult subjects, and step into our ability to put positivity into our life,” she said. “And as such, it’s apparent that in the absence of our dear friend Ted, we’re all stepping up to the plate to pick up where the show left off. Everybody needs a Ted, and everybody has the capacity to be a Ted.”

Malone created the Diamond Dogs sub in early 2021 and said that its population started growing considerably as Ted Lasso rounded toward its conclusion. Between May 30 and June 5, nearly 6,000 people joined the forum. Malone came up with the idea for an off-screen Diamond Dogs support group after seeing a number of people use the overarching Ted Lasso subreddit as an ameliorative sounding board—obviously inspired by the show’s eternal theme of violently Feeling Your Feelings around those you trust. (He also makes it clear that unlike the show, Diamond Dog membership doesn’t require you to be a man.) “Whenever anyone would ask for advice over there, I’d post and say, ‘Hey, sorry to hear what you’re going through, we have a community over here for this stuff, and we’d love to have you,’ ” said Malone.

Dr. Alan Jern, a computational psychologist at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, told me that while people innately relate with others who are similar to them, studies have suggested the specifics of those similarities can be pretty trivial in nature. Yes, communities can be bound by bloodlines, radical political objectives, or sectarian national identities, but a mere shared interest in an Apple TV+ show might be enough for someone to feel comfortable spilling their guts. “Having a common interest or a shared reference point is an easy way for people to quickly build trust,” said Jern. At a moment where Americans are living through a loneliness epidemic, he believes that any coalition—no matter how flimsy—can help us all feel more connected.

This point is echoed by a Diamond Dog named Felix, who said he found catharsis in the subreddit because he “knew exactly what to expect” in a land of Lasso diehards. “With self-help, there are competing frameworks and underlying assumptions. I’m often held back by the risk of getting advice that I’ve heard before and hasn’t helped, because we disagree on the fundamentals,” he told me. “With the Diamond Dogs, I know I’ll get advice that’ll actually help me with my problem.” Recently, Felix took to the forum looking for advice on how to resist becoming indignant during a political disagreement, after losing his cool during a climate change debate. The title of the post was, naturally, “I want to get from Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrowl to a happy woof woof.”

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However, Jern maintains that an affectionate Ted Lasso forum, or a verbose suite of advice columns, can’t be a total replacement of the intuition of an actual mental health professional. He doesn’t believe that the Diamond Dogs possess the bona fides to administer scientifically sound mental health advice, and instead equates it to the casual backslapping commiseration among friends. That’s plenty valuable, but it isn’t exactly medicine.

But regardless of its therapeutic efficacy, Malone expects that his cadre of Diamond Dogs will live on long past Ted Lasso itself. In its final season, the show earned a fair amount of derision for its relentless buoyancy, which clashed with the fetid and caustic Twitter airwaves. Malone, of course, told me he’s never caught wind of any Ted Lasso backlash—the irony-poisoned roasts existed entirely outside of his purview, which frankly put more things into perspective for me than it ought to for him. There are countless Lasso fans who love this show with zero pretenses or controversy—wholly discourse-free—and they’ll continue to plug the holes in their soul with whatever Diamond Dog idioms are right for their latest moment of weakness. Woof woof, indeed.

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The World Health Organization reports that women are twice as likely to experience depression as men. Additionally, women are more likely to experience anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders. Women are also more likely to face gender-based violence, which can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

The impact of mental health issues on women’s lives is significant and far-reaching. Mental health issues can affect women’s ability to work, care for their families, and maintain healthy relationships. Women with mental health issues may struggle to access healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

The stigma surrounding mental health issues can also have a significant impact on women’s lives. Women may feel ashamed or embarrassed to seek help for their mental health issues, fearing judgment or discrimination. This stigma can prevent women from seeking the support they need, leading to a worsening of their mental health.

It is essential to take action to address the impact of mental health issues on women’s lives. We need to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues and create safe spaces for women to seek support. This can be achieved through public education campaigns and by providing women with access to mental health resources and services.

We also need to address the root causes of mental health issues affecting women, such as gender-based violence and inequality. This can be achieved through advocacy and policy changes that prioritize women’s rights and safety.

Finally, it’s crucial to support women’s mental health through community building and peer support. Women need safe spaces to share their experiences and connect with others who understand what they’re going through. By creating these spaces, we can help women feel less isolated and more empowered to take control of their mental health.

In conclusion, the impact of mental health issues on women’s lives is significant and far-reaching. It’s time to take action and address this issue by breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health, addressing the root causes of mental health issues affecting women, and supporting women’s mental health through community building and peer support. We owe it to ourselves and future generations of women to prioritize mental health and create a world where everyone can thrive.

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There are many reasons why talking about mental health is so important. Firstly, it helps to break down the stigma that surrounds mental illness. For too long, people have been afraid to speak out about their struggles with mental health for fear of being judged or labeled. However, by having open and honest conversations about mental health, we can begin to normalize the experience and help those who are suffering feel less alone.

Secondly, talking about mental health can help to raise awareness and understanding of the different types of mental illnesses that exist. There are many different types of mental health disorders, each with its own unique set of symptoms and challenges. By discussing mental health and its complexities, we can help to educate people about the different types of illnesses and how they can affect individuals differently.

Thirdly, conversations about mental health can help to reduce the number of suicides that occur each year. Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 and is responsible for over 800,000 deaths globally each year. By raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of mental illness and encouraging people to seek help when they need it, we can help to prevent suicide and save lives.

Finally, talking about mental health can help to create a culture of compassion and support. When we are open and honest about our struggles with mental health, we allow others to do the same. This creates a space where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences and asking for help when they need it. By fostering a culture of compassion and support, we can help to create a world where mental health is taken seriously and where people feel valued and supported.

In conclusion, empowering conversations about mental health have the power to save lives. By breaking down the stigma that surrounds mental illness, raising awareness and understanding, preventing suicide, and creating a culture of compassion and support, we can help to create a world where mental health is valued and prioritized. So let’s start talking about mental health and help to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling.

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Mental health tests are designed to evaluate a person’s mental state and diagnose any potential mental health disorders. These tests are non-invasive, and they can be done in the comfort of your own home or at a doctor’s office. They are designed to help individuals understand their mental health and identify any potential issues that they may be facing.

One of the main advantages of mental health tests is that they can help identify mental health disorders early on. When a person is diagnosed with a mental health disorder early on, they are more likely to receive the appropriate treatment and support that they need. This, in turn, can improve their quality of life and prevent their condition from worsening.

Mental health tests can also help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Many people are hesitant to seek help for their mental health issues because they are afraid of being judged or stigmatized. However, when mental health tests become more common, it can help normalize the practice of seeking help for mental health issues. This can encourage more people to seek help and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

Moreover, mental health tests can also be used to monitor a person’s mental health over time. This can help healthcare professionals identify any changes in a person’s mental state and provide the appropriate support and treatment. It can also help individuals track their progress and identify any triggers or situations that may cause their mental health to worsen.

In conclusion, mental health tests can be a lifesaver for those suffering from mental health issues. They can help identify mental health disorders early on, break the stigma surrounding mental health, and provide ongoing support and treatment. It is important to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking help for mental health issues is a sign of strength, not weakness. By normalizing the practice of seeking help for mental health issues, we can help save lives and improve the overall well-being of individuals.

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