The Creation of the Journey to Wellness

Growing up in the seventies you did not talk about anything.

I am a 3rd generation Italian raised as a Catholic and if I had anything on my mind I confessed it to the priest or God.

Even then there was little that I could tell because I was taught that we did not “air our dirty laundry.”

On top of that I am the oldest of three and was expected to not only not tell anyone my feelings but to also set an example for my little sisters.

I always felt so incredibly lonely and isolated. I was called overly sensitive and a drama queen. I now know that was my way of telling someone, anyone that I needed help.

I cried in silence and by myself.

A study in the July 2017 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology “researchers found that accepting mental health experiences was associated with greater psychological health across a range of demographic variables including gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status”.

I lived many years not being to “accept mental health experiences’ because I needed to move on and keep going.

Then I met my husband who supported me and accepted me for me. This allowed me to discover that I am worthy of expressing myself and being heard.

We need to know we are not alone. Social connectedness is very important to our mental and physical health.

According to a study by Stanford Medicine social connection is very important for physical and mental health.

Loneliness is on the rise with 25% of Americans saying they have no one to confide in.

That is why I created The Journey To Wellness Workshops. I want you to know you are not alone. I want you to know that you are worthy and that there is life after hardship.

At The Journey to Wellness you will be able to find answers, be in community with others who are in similar life situations and walk away with resources to assist you in your journey to empowerment.

There is hope. I have found sharing with others has helped me on my journey to finding peace within myself.

http://ccare.stanford.edu/uncategorized/connectedness-health-the-science-of-social-connection-infographic/
Topor DR. (2017). Feeling okay about feeling bad is good for your mental health.
https://health.harvard.edu/blog/feeling-okay-about-feeling-bad-is-good-for-your-mental-health-2017091412398

Release of Liability

The individual named below (referred to as “I” or “me”) desires to participate in educational workshops (collectively, the “Workshop”) provided or sponsored by The Journey to Wellness LLC, a California limited lability company (the “Company”). In consideration of being permitted by the Company to participate in the Workshop and in recognition of the Company’s reliance hereon, I agree to all the terms and conditions set forth in this instrument (this “Release”).

I am aware and understand that the Workshop involves, among other things, issues, information, and content regarding mental and physical health and wellness.

I acknowledge and agree that the information and content available in the Workshop is not intended to be used as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any mental, physical, or medical condition or health problem, and I should seek all such medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from my physician or mental health professional. My participation in the Workshop does not create an express or implied physician-patient relationship or counselor-patient relationship between me and the Company or its agents. The Company makes no warranties whatsoever, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or usefulness of any information or content available in the Workshop. The Company does not assume any risk whatsoever for my use of such information or content. In participating in the Workshop, I agree that the Company shall not be liable or otherwise responsible for any decision made or any action taken or any action not taken due to my use of the information or content available in the Workshop. The Company does not assume any responsibility for any mental, physical, or medical treatment that I make or obtain using the information or content available in the Workshop. I assume the risk of the limitations inherent in the information and content available in the Workshop and understand that no warranty or guarantee is made concerning any particular result.

I hereby expressly waive and release any and all claims which I may have, or which I may hereafter have, whether known or unknown, against the Company, and its officers, managers, members, employees, agents (including, without limitation, presenters, lecturers, or others involved in the Workshop), affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”), arising out of or attributable to my participation in the Workshop, whether arising out of the ordinary negligence of the Company or any Releasees or otherwise. I covenant not to make or bring any such claim against the Company or any other Releasee, and forever release and discharge the Company and all other Releasees from liability under such claims. This waiver and release does not extend to claims for gross negligence, intentional or reckless misconduct, or any other liabilities that California law does not permit to be released by agreement.

I understand that by signing this release, I am waiving any and all claims, of any kind arising out of or attributable to my participation in the Workshop, including those claims that may be unknown to me, or which I do not suspect to exist at this time. WITH THE INTENTION OF WAIVING ALL UNKNOWN AND UNSUSPECTED CLAIMS, I HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ALL RIGHTS, BENEFITS, AND PROTECTIONS I MAY HAVE UNDER CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH READS AS FOLLOWS:

“A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”

I shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Company and all other Releasees against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including, without limitation, attorneys fees, the costs of enforcing any right to indemnification under this Release, and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers, incurred by the Company or any other Releasees arising out of or resulting from any claim of a third party related to my participation in the Workshop, including any claims arising out of my own negligence or the ordinary negligence of the Company.

1

This Release constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the Company and me with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. If any term or provision of this Release is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Release or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. This Release is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Company and me and their respective heirs, successors, and assigns. All matters arising out of or relating to this Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of California or any other jurisdiction). Any claim or cause of action arising under this Release may be brought only in the state or federal courts located in or serving the City and County of Santa Barbara, California and I hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. In the event of a conflict between this Release and any of the Company’s website policies, including the website Terms of Use, the terms of this Release shall control.

2

I HEREBY REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT I AM AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE.

BY CHECKING THE BOX BELOW, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS RELEASE AND THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE THE COMPANY FOR CLAIMS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, ARISING OUT OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THE WORKSHOP.