For nearly a decade, Karena Dawn, co-founder of Tone It Up, kept her painful past a secret—even from her now-husband. Her hundreds of thousands of TIU fans, had no idea that behind those killer workouts, chiseled abs and sunny smile, was a childhood filled with repressed emotions, guilt, shame and even a suicide attempt.
Join us as Karena breaks her silence and recounts what it was like to grow up with a mother who was diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic. She shares how she ultimately overcame a dark period of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in her teens and 20s, to forge a path to self-discovery, build a nurturing wellness community that has helped millions, and ultimately find peace herself.
We'll also hear about The Big Silence Foundation she launched and her new memoir The Big Silence: A Daughter’s Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing. Karena is on a mission to provide support, tools, and resources to anyone who has been impacted by a mental health condition, either directly or indirectly, to end the silence surrounding mental health topics and conversations.
LISTEN TO THIS SHOW IF:
-You’re a Tone It Up superfan, but never knew the pain behind Karena’s smile. You won’t believe her story!
-You’re suffering from mental illness, and need a reminder that you’re not alone and need the courage to speak up
-You want the tools to help a friend or loved one who you suspect is suffering