Angie Read Doyal marches to the beat of her own drum. She's a driven and devoted mother of three who had a massive stroke at 46, despite being an active, otherwise healthy woman. She had a career she loved and thrived in, one she never expected to be ripped away without warning. Following more than 20 successful years as a public relations professional, she took a career detour and co-authored a book about marketing to Gen Z. She had plans of traveling the world to speak about this topic she had so much passion for. But the Universe had other plans.

In 2017, two months after a right-side ischemic stroke requiring emergency brain surgery to remove a blood clot, she faced an even more formidable foe while trying to recover and return to work: debilitating anxiety and depression. At the height of her anguish, she spent two back-to-back stints at in-patient mental health facilities. Since early childhood, she'd been a vibrant, energetic, inspirational force of nature. But the sudden onset of anxiety and depression following her stroke temporarily robbed her of that essence. She felt numb inside, and the simple act of existing physically hurt! Her brain seemed to be betraying her.

Angie longed to get back to "normal." For several months, she endured the constant pain and anguish of living with both anxiety and depression. Her struggles required deep resolve, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to healing. She wanted her old life back. She wanted to be here for her kids, husband, and extremely supportive tribe of family and friends. And she wanted to return to the career she loved.

After years of talk therapy, prescription medications prescribed by her psychiatrist, completing an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for anxiety and depression, and applying simple daily tools to help manage her mental health, Angie is back in fighting form. She has returned to the marketing career she so thoroughly enjoys. Once again, she's able to appreciate the small things, like spending time with friends and family, traveling, and weekends boating on the lake near her home in Kansas City. It still requires daily effort to maintain solid, strong mental health, but she has the tools and knowledge to keep a handle on things. And her personal struggles helped her know what to do when her middle son, 22, was going through his own mental health crisis.

Now, Angie is sharing her story—and the tips and tools that helped her survive—to help as many people as possible through her lived experience. Because nobody has to struggle alone. There is hope!

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