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This is the second episode of a series I'm calling How I Improved My Health where individuals speak on their mental health journeys and how they got them better. If you have a story of overcoming mental health troubles, please feel free to reach out! I can always use more guests. I believe having more conversations helps with normalizing mental health conversations and increasing conversation on these taboo topics.

Leena, in her day to day, is involved with construction management. At 17, she was pregnant with her first child Kassandra.

In this interview she talks about:

- Having substance abuse issues with marijuana, alcohol and adderall in high school

- Having a child at 18 and her advice to young moms

- Getting divorced at 26 and her advice on divorce and co-parenting

- Advice on being a single mom

- How she improved her mental health with EMDR and therapy

- Re-connecting with God

- Her podcast: Running Towards the Light

Leena Long is the host of the Running Towards the Light podcast.

RTTL Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Rm2DrqYB2NHD2S5naMhJ4

Leena's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leenaxox13/

Grateful Living Info:

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?...

To Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttt...

To Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo...

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Approximate Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro

0:48 Leena talks about her life - substance abuse, being pregnant at 17, getting a divorce, EMDR

10:43 Why did you get into drugs in high school?

13:50 What would you recommend to someone considering drugs right now as a high schooler?

15:53 Did you have any withdrawals?

18:00 Did you consider an abortion?

18:50 Advice to a young pregnant mom

21:30 Relationship with judgment

24:20 How did you manage not feeling FOMO?

25:59 Divorce

27:00 Conversations with your kids about divorce

28:23 Co-parenting advice

29:30 Single mom advice

31:45 What made you start doing therapy?

34:35 Dating as a single parent

39:41 Emdr, medications

44:50 reconnecting with God

48:07 podcast running towards the light