About Russ and Maggie
Three Strikes and You’re Out? Not This Guy!
Like just about everyone else on this planet, I am no stranger to some of life’s harsh experiences. I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, declared personal bankruptcy, and went through an emotionally devastating divorce all within a period of six years.
Some days were so dark, all I wanted to do was die. The only problem was, I kept waking up again the next day. Ultimately I had a decision to make. I could continue to let life beat me down, or I could make lemonade out of the lemons I was given.
As a long-time student of personal development, I believed there were better possibilities for myself… much better possibilities! By choosing to make the best of my experiences, life soon began to improve beyond my wildest expectations.
To my doctors’ amazement, my white blood cell count continues to improve – without treatment. I am remarried to Maggie, the woman of my dreams. And I am now embarking on a new career that is bringing me tremendous excitement and fulfillment.
The contrast between where I have been, where I am now, and the infinite possibilities for continued growth and development in the future has brought me a tremendous amount of wisdom and compassion for others. A natural teacher since my youth, I am now fully qualified and prepared to share what I have learned to help you feel good about yourself.
HEALTH UPDATE - November 5, 2009: Starting late in 2008 my lymph nodes started swelling again considerably. I was having a relapse. By summer of 2009, the nodes had ballooned to grotesque proportions. Chemo therapy was ordered. It didn’t seem that long since 2002 when I had my last 6 courses of chemo. I definitely wasn’t looking forward to this experience again.
Within only three rounds, my lymph nodes shrunk practically back to normal. However, the harsh chemicals took their toll on my body and I developed several complications which forced my doctor to suspend the remaining 3-5 treatments until my body could recuperate. It has been a rough ride in 2009.
I try to use humor to keep my spirits up. Some people have told me I’m warped and I’ll be the first to agree. No matter what tickles you, laughter really is the best medicine. You can see the amazing difference in my lymph nodes by clicking on this line. Be sure to WATCH THE VIDEO for the pictures!
January 18, 2010: After a near-death experience around Christmas time, I am happy to report that all the lung infections seem to be cleared out. I am now back on the road to recovery, although it looks like it’s going to take some time. You can read about my hospital experience here.
You ARE Good Enough
Brought up in the stringent and completely indifferent Hong Kong education system, my wife Maggie was labeled early as a slower learner. As such, she was put on a course that would give her a most basic education but with the least chance of advancement into a well-paying career.
This very basic education didn’t teach her anything about finding the right life partner either. She certainly didn’t recognize the signs of abuse that would characterize her first two relationships.
After moving to Canada, Maggie married a man she had met and dated back in Hong Kong. The couple eventually had a daughter. However, even before they were married, Maggie experienced several episodes of anger and control by her future husband. Like many victims of abuse, she thought it was her fault that her man was always upset. She vowed to try harder.
It wasn’t long before Maggie realized that her competitive and controlling husband wasn’t very supportive of her efforts to improve herself. In fact, it became apparent that he felt threatened that his wife might do better and advance beyond his own position. The abusive behavior that was already there before the marriage continued to escalate. After nine years, the marriage ended.
Maggie then found a younger partner and started a new relationship. In many ways, things were different and far more exciting than her first marriage. However, lightning struck again and Maggie found her new partner to be extremely jealous, mistrusting and controlling.
He demanded that Maggie give him a child. With a young daughter already, Maggie was unwilling to have any more children. Reluctantly she consented, thinking that the child would make her man happy.
A second daughter was born but it didn’t change things as far as the relationship was concerned. The cycle of abuse she experienced in her first marriage came back even stronger in this second relationship which sputtered off and on until it finally ended after only three years.
That’s when I came on the scene. From the moment we met, I knew that Maggie was an exceptional woman with tremendous gifts. I became the first person in her life to truly encourage her to develop herself.
At first, Maggie thought I was only saying those nice things because our relationship was new. “Guys are always nice until they get what they want,” she thought. However, she started noticing other people at her work telling her the same things. New seeds of belief began to sprout. Within three years, she advanced herself from a little-respected receptionist to a highly valued member of the administration team.
Today Maggie is working towards fulfilling her life’s ambition to become a career counselor. Unsurprisingly, she is also an advocate for woman’s issues and has recently appeared in local newspapers and on TV speaking out for F.L.E.W. (Family Law Education for Women). Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!
Unbeatable Team – We’re Here for You
As you can see, together Maggie and I have a wealth of experience and a depth of compassion to share with you. The secret to our own success is the open and honest communication we practice with each other every day. We respectfully treat each other as equals and consult on all decisions, big and small.
Maggie and I believe that everyone deserves to be happy. It is our hope that by sharing our experiences and wisdom, you will be inspired and motivated to find your own happiness, too.
To be happy is what it’s all about. Maggie and I are going to help you to Love That Feeling!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Russ,
We are fellow cadets in the A-List Boot camp and I am in the process of completing exercise 1. I read your intro and it painted a picture ie I could imagine you teaching, sitting down writing (and maybe cursing when it didn’t sound right!) As a result I have come to your website to see what you have written. What comes over is honesty, both your experiences of the “not so good times” but also the hope that things can improve. Relatability I think is the word.You and Maggie give the sense of offering empathy, help and hope in a friendly, comfortable approach, as apposed to the more clinical and lecturing way some personal developers have. Look forward to seeing you in camp.
Davina. (You will see me as Barbara, first name, long story. Don’t think there are any other Brawns though.)
Davina
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m really thankful for your feedback because you are validating exactly what Maggie and I are trying to do through this site… to give people hope, no matter what their current circumstances.
We all have choices to make when things happen to us – we can react (usually unconsciously and negatively) or we can be responsible and take control, using our personal power to ACT consciously and positively. When we choose to see things from a positive perspective and really, truly Love That Feeling, our entire world changes for the better – often very quickly and dramatically.
That has been our experience. I hope other people will be encouraged by our stories. Better yet, I would love to hear the stories of other people, too. After all, where do you think Maggie and I get OUR inspiration?
Your life has purpose and meaning only as much as you share your experiences to help others. We’d love to hear from you all!
Maggie, We got our good news tonight, that Russ was in better shape. that he was going to be able to speak with you . I can”t tell you how happy I was to get this news. We have been praying for the past week, for Russ. We will continue to pray for him to grow stronger, and get better. I found Russ through facebook. Even though I haven”t seen him in many year, each newsletter I have recieved since Nov09, has made me feel likeI live next door, to all of you. The writings, and music, to include Ambrosia”s singing have been wonderful. This is a great website, and I love my weekly newsletters. I just wanted to let you know, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care, Lisa