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Posts Tagged ‘empowering’

All the World’s a Stage for Precocious Ballerina Lilly Nilly

All the World’s a Stage for Precocious Ballerina Lilly Nilly

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Enter the mind of spunky and precocious 6-year-old Lilly Nilly in the delightful new children’s book, Pardon My French – It’s the Language of Ballet: The Adventures of Lilly Nilly, from author/illustrator and former NYC-based dancer and choreographer Nancy Paris.

Lilly Nilly is a wickedly smart, determined young dance student whose self-appointed mission is to figure out what the heck ballet –– and coincidentally life –– are all about. She sees the world in a unique way, wears her curiosity on her sleeve, and approaches life with a joie de vivre that kids and adults alike will find entertaining and inspiring. In her musings, Lilly asks burning questions like, “Why can’t you hang upside down on a ballet barre if it looks just like an ordinary bar?” Or, “If you’re going to travel in a carpool, should you wear a bathing suit?”

“Young readers will find Lilly’s stories funny and very relatable, especially if they are ballet students themselves,” Paris said. “Adults will find her sharp wit and strong-willed spirit a charming reminder of just how empowering a joyful approach to life can be.”

Pardon My French – It’s the Language of Ballet is complete with illustrations that only Lilly Nilly could have drawn — with a little help from Paris, of course, who used her own experiences as a professional dancer and teacher to inform her narrative. Her mission, Paris said, is to encourage all readers to trust their instincts, seek their own answers, and be kind to all.

“I want people to know that although it was written as a children’s book, I always had an adult audience in mind,” Paris added. “And — it’s funny!”

Author Nancy Paris is an alumna of The Juilliard School and has performed professionally across the U.S. and Canada. As a dancemaker, she has choreographed industrials and private events in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Palm Springs and Puerto Rico. Most of the incidents in her stories are based on personal experience, with the names changed to protect the innocent.

Paris lives in Manhattan with her husband, Charles Yurick, and loves writing and drawing because she can do it sitting down! Pardon My French is the first of at least three books in The Adventures of Lilly Nilly series.

For more information, please visit www.lillynilly.com, or connect with Paris on Facebook at @adventures.of.lilly.nilly.

Pardon My French – It’s the Language of Ballet: The Adventures of Lilly Nilly
ISBN-10: ‎ 0578316889
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0578316888
Available from Amazon.com

Trish Stevens
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone

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Make Big Things Happen: Find Your ‘Yes’

Make Big Things Happen: Find Your ‘Yes’

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Marie Pizano is an example of how you can overcome challenges to live with passion and purpose, and realize your ambitions. Her story can help empower and motivate others to find their Yes.” — Jack Canfield, Award-winning Author and Life Coach

Marie Pizano was once told that she makes coffee nervous, and for good reason. She has a bottomless well of energy that propels her forward no matter what forces are at work to hold her back.

“I’m generally prepared to jump off the cliff — with my stilettos on — and land on solid ground before I take off and go,” she says in her inspirational memoir, From Barefoot to Stilettos: Finding My Yes.

Her story is one of a woman who seeks purpose-driven endeavors that create change and redefine expectations. As the CEO and founder of MVP3 Entertainment Group, she used her expansive vision to launch a groundbreaking multipurpose complex in Memphis by partnering with Darnell Stitts of ATWEC Technologies to form MVP3 Studios & Partners, LLC. She also partnered with Melissa Harville-Lebron, the first African-American woman to own a NASCAR team, and they are joining forces for the upcoming NASCAR series.

But she is not all-business. She is also an impassioned community activist who spent the better part of 2020 advocating for a Tennessee amendment requiring divorcing parents to become educated on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) — before being granted a divorce.

Giving back to the community and empowering others to rise up have been her driving forces since she could afford her first pair of stilettos. Finding My Yes is Pizano’s way of sharing the trials she endured and the triumphs she celebrated through humorous and heartfelt vignettes that elucidate simple but powerful life lessons. Ultimately, she hopes to encourage readers to ignore the haters, bolster their moral backbones, and ultimately, find their own “yes.”

“I believe that the universe gives back what you put out there, but I also believe that no matter how positive you are or how much you mediate or pray, some things are just out of your control,” Pizano says. “Sometimes things just happen, and sometimes life is just not fair. Regardless, you cannot give up.”

About the Author
Born and raised in Chicago, Marie Valentina Pizano moved to Memphis in 1999. She has served on the boards of the International Children’s Foundation, the Women’s Foundation for Greater Memphis and The Commission on Missing & Exploited Children. She was co-founder of the Tiara Tea Society, chairperson for Go Red for Women and created “ROCK FOR HOPE” for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

She is a devoted mother of two and very passionate about film, music and community. The author, producer, radio/TV host and speaker is building her life and her company, MVP3 Entertainment Group, on truth and integrity.

From Barefoot to Stilettos is being made into a TV series, with Karyme Lozano (best known as an award-winning actress from Mexico) on board as writer. Pizano donates 10 percent of her book sales to charities that raise awareness and funding for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking: Amanda’s Way (www.AmandasWay.org) and Thistle & Bee (www.ThistleandBee.org); and she is working with www.Rotary-FYI.com to educate the public on ACEs.

For more information, visit http://mariepizano.com/ or www.FromBarefootToStilettos.com.

From Barefoot to Stilettos, Finding My Yes
Publisher: WaterSide Publishing
ISBN-10: 194763755X
ISBN-13: 978-1947637559
Available from Amazon.com

Trish Stevens
Teresa Hinojosa
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
832.569.5773 Direct
281.333.3507 Phone
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com

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Should a Person with Autism Be Allowed to Become a Professional Boxer and Put His Life at Risk?

Should a Person with Autism Be Allowed to Become a Professional Boxer and Put His Life at Risk?

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

It’s a struggle that parents of children with special needs face every day and well into that child’s adulthood: how much decision-making latitude is safe?

NOKI is an empowering story from Douglas Farrago, MD, about a young man with autism who wants to become a professional boxer. Life’s circumstances have dictated the reason for him choosing this path. The lawless world of boxing has its reasons for embracing Noki and his abilities. And they are not good ones. So, the debate wages on: Should Noki be allowed to make the life-altering decision to enter the ring and put his life on the line?

Meanwhile, what few know is that Noki is actually a savant and can imitate and transform himself into any legendary boxer he wants — a plot twist that allows NOKI to pay homage to some of the greatest boxers of all time.

Dr. Farrago draws upon his experiences as an All-American collegiate boxer, a sports medicine trainer for professional boxers in Houston and his decades-long career in medicine during which he worked with autism patients to lend authenticity to his characters and narrative.

“Noki becomes somewhat of a hero to those with special needs in this story, which I think is pretty cool,” he said. “I felt it would be nice if a story showed that those with autism don’t need to be anything but themselves, and maybe it is the rest of us who need to change.”

Ultimately, NOKI is a heartwarming story that will spark real conversations about the limits that society places on people with special needs. Knowingly or not.

Author Douglas Farrago, MD, is board certified in the specialty of Family Practice. Recently retired, he had a large following of autistic and special needs patients in his career. Dr. Farrago is the inventor of the Knee Saver, which is currently in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Knee Saver and its knock-offs are worn by many major league baseball catchers. He also invented the CryoHelmet, used by athletes for head injuries as well as migraine sufferers.

Dr. Farrago received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Virginia in 1987, his Master of Education degree in Exercise Science from the University of Houston in 1990 and his Medical Degree from the University of Texas at Houston in 1994. His residency training occurred way up north at the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Dr. Farrago still blogs every day on his website Authenticmedicine.com and lectures worldwide about the present crisis in our healthcare system and the effect it has on the doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Farrago has written six books to date, his latest one being NOKI.

For more information about NOKI and the author, please visit http://letnokibox.com/.

NOKI
Publisher: Authentic Medicine
Release Date: April 2021
ISBN-10: 0578873656
ISBN-13: 978-0578873657
Available from Amazon.com

Trish Stevens
Susan Conrad
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone

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Pivot Your Perspective: 10 Reasons Why the Future is Bright

Pivot Your Perspective: 10 Reasons Why the Future is Bright

(This press release may be reprinted in part or in entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

It’s natural to invest a lot of time and energy into building a career and making money. After all, we need roofs over our heads and food on our tables. But what if we invested that same amount of effort into being truly, authentically happy?

“I thought that by having the house, the wife, the 2.5 kids, the vacations and the material things, I would be happy,” says Life Coach Michael Taylor. However, in spite of “having it all,” he still felt something was still missing.

Today, Taylor describes himself as an “irrepressible optimist,” and it’s all thanks to changing his perception of “success,” following his own gut and breaking free from the construct of societal expectations. He reveals his transformational journey along with insights drawn from science, spirituality and psychology in his new book, The Good News Is, The Future Is Brighter Than You Think!

Taylor challenges readers to look within their own minds and hearts to uncover the keys to authentic fulfilment. Along the way, he shares his

• 10 reasons to be optimistic about the future;
• 4 pillars of a joy-filled life; and
• 3 ways to know you are doing what you love.

The Good News Is dives deep into topics such as what it means to be human, divine intelligence and evolution, recognizing a higher power, creating meaningful connections, and so much more.

“If you’ve been looking for a resource that inspires you and motivates you and lights you up, this is the book for you!” Taylor adds.

Author Michael Taylor is uniquely positioned to spread hope and optimism. A high school dropout, he overcame a divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, depression and being homeless for two years on his way to becoming a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, radio and TV host, and author of nine best-selling books. He has dedicated his life to empowering men and women to reach their full potential by transforming their lives from the inside out.

Taylor is President and CEO of Creation Publishing Group, a company that specializes in creating programs and products that empower men and women to live extraordinary lives, and Too Cool Club, a company that develops transformational education programs for youth. He has been featured in the Amazon.com bestselling book Motivational Speakers America and in USA Today magazine about the changing roles of manhood and masculinity in society. He has won numerous awards for his dynamic speaking style, and he is an Amazon.com bestselling author.

He is the host and producer of two TV Channels on the Roku Network, Don’t Believe The Hype and Shatter The Stereotypes, and hosts two podcasts of the same names available on most podcast platforms like Spotify and iTunes.

Most importantly, he has been blissfully married for 18 years to the woman of his dreams and he is a proud father of three grown children.

To learn more about Coach Michael Taylor, please visit www.coachmichaeltaylor.com.

The Good News Is, The Future Is Brighter Than You Think!
Publisher: Creation Publishing Group
ISBN-13: 978-0996948777
Available from Amazon.com

Trish Stevens
Jennifer Smith
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone

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Your Veterinarian Needs Help

Your Veterinarian Needs Help

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Your veterinarian chose to dedicate his or her life to the altruistic pursuit of tending to the health and lives of pets. What you may not have considered is that the health and life of your veterinarian also needs protecting: he or she is nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than someone among the general population. But there are ways you can help.

Sandy Weaver, author of the groundbreaking new book Happy Vet Happy Pet: Caring for Your Pet’s Caregiver, is on a mission to ease the lives of veterinarians, one client’s heart at a time.

“I’ve known for years, as have those in the veterinary field, that there was an issue with suicide and veterinarians,” Sandy says. “Then in early 2019, the CDC report on veterinary suicide was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and what had been anecdotal became data: male veterinarians are 2.1 times more likely, and female veterinarians are 3.5 times more likely, to complete suicide than their non-veterinarian peers.”

Happy Vet Happy Pet is a distillation of Sandy’s research into neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology mixed with data from the CDC report. The result is an impactful approach that weaves easy-to-understand science with stories that touch the minds and the hearts of pet owners — empowering them to be part of the solution.

Chapters dive deep into topics all pet owners should understand, including:

  1. The heart, mind and life of a person who decides to become a veterinarian;
  2. The very human, very vulnerable person behind the scrubs;
  3. The ways clients unknowingly mistreat their pets’ caregivers;
  4. Three simple rules to follow to help your veterinary team; and
  5. What to do if you feel that someone near you is facing suicidal desperation.

Happy Vet Happy Pet shares Sandy’s unique point of view that it takes a village to save a veterinarian. “Making pet owners mindful of how their behavior impacts their veterinarian mobilizes the village to help solve the problem,” she adds.

This book will change your relationship with your veterinarian and their team forever. And what you learn in this book could save your veterinarian’s life.

Author Sandy Weaver is an expert speaker, trainer, mastermind facilitator and lover of all things dog.

As the Program Director of the Center for Workplace Happiness, Sandy creates the training programs, workshops, mastermind groups and keynotes that help people lead happier, more successful lives. She is also a citizen-scientist in the fields of neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology. In 2019, she took the resilience tools and strategies she’d been teaching to general audiences and crafted programs specifically for veterinary teams. Her goal is to touch the life of every veterinarian and technician in a way that helps them avoid the pain and despair that comes with an inability to manage stress.

Now in her 40th year of Siberian Husky ownership, Sandy is a passionate advocate for veterinarians and their teams and an ongoing donor to Not One More Vet.

For more information, please visit www.centerforworkplacehappiness.com, https://sandyjweaver.com, or connect with the author on social media at https://www.facebook.com/SandyJWeaver/.

Happy Vet Happy Pet: Caring for Your Pet’s Caregiver
Publisher: Panoma Press
Release Date: January 29, 2021
ISBN-10: 1784529311
ISBN-13: 978-1784529314
Available from https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Vet-Pet-Caring-Caregiver/dp/1784529311/

Trish Stevens
Chloe Taylor
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com
281.333.3507 Phone

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Former NFL Star Shares Empowering Story In SuperVan Tackles Cancer

Trish Stevens
Shelby Morrison
Ascot Media Group
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
281.333.3507 Phone
[email protected]
www.ascotmedia.com

(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former NFL Star Shares Empowering Story In SuperVan Tackles Cancer

Van Johnson was a typical 6-year-old boy who loved to play football and often dreamed that he could fly. When a routine physical revealed an anomaly, Van’s dreams of flying were sidelined and replaced by the hope that one day he would be well enough again to return to the football field.

A cancer diagnosis at age 6 is unthinkable, but in reality, nearly 16,000 children under 19 receive a cancer diagnosis each year in the United States.

SuperVan Tackles Cancer is the heartwarming story of young Van’s cancer journey. Written by cancer survivor and former NFL star Dominic “Billy” Austin, SuperVan is the first install-ment of Austin’s Tackle Cancer series, which shares inspirational stories of kids just like Van Johnson. Austin believes that within every child lies a superhero with the power to beat can-cer, and through his Tackle Cancer series, he gives kids a powerful voice to share their sto-ries and let other children fighting cancer know that they are not alone.

SuperVan Tackles Cancer is an empowering tale of courage, hope and strength; of digging deep inside to harness your superpowers; and of using those powers to wage the battle of a lifetime. It is a story that will inspire other children to seek their inner superheroes to over-come life’s obstacles.

Author Dominic “Billy” Austin, a former cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts, graduated from Kempner High School in Sugarland, Texas, where he was an academic and athletic stand-out. At the University of New Mexico, he was named all-conference defensive back his sophomore, junior and senior years.

Following his diagnosis of stage III non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma just before his 39th birthday, Austin launched Tackles4Cancer, a nonprofit organization with two primary missions: to as-sist young cancer patients with transportation to and from their lifesaving treatments and to infuse young readers with faith that they have what it takes to beat cancer. Proceeds from SuperVan benefit Tackles4Cancer.

Now cancer-free, Austin has hosted over 20 events with celebrities and has been featured as an inspirational figure for Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation (https://www.beyonce.com/inspiration-dominic-austin/). Austin currently resides in Houston. Visit him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/supervantacklescancer/ and on Instagram at @tackles4cancer.

Super Van Tackles Cancer
Release Date: November 2018
ISBN-10: 0578211890
ISBN-13: 978-0578211893
Available from Amazon.com

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