Meet Jodi Gilroy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Gilroy.  

Hi Jodi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I started writing because of trauma. My friend, who had recently published a book, explained to me how cathartic the process of writing was in processing her own experience. She put me in touch with her writing coach, and I published my book from there. 

In 1982, I was involved in a head-on automobile accident. At 7 years old, I sustained a major brain injury, however at that time little was known about brain injuries or the emotional trauma they can leave behind. 

I didn’t see myself as a survivor but felt like a victim. My inner voice became my loudest critic. I stored emotions that were too large for a small 7-year-old girl to understand and process in my teddy bear, Boo Boo. As I matured, those deep seeded emotions and memories, the ones which I didn’t have the language to understand, stayed hidden in the teddy bear on my closet shelf. 

Boo-Boo stayed with me throughout my young adult years, then while I raised my own children, and finally, when I went through my divorce. Occasionally, when life and my emotions became overwhelming, I pulled him down, shared my thoughts, stories, dreams, and problems. 

In 2016, the death of my father triggered the emotions I carefully tucked in Boo Boo to erupt. This played out in a variety of ways socially, physically, emotionally, and then in my professional life. 

The physical symptom of my TBI and trauma flared, and I felt emotionally trapped in a 7-year-old girls mind but was trying to navigate the day-to-day life of a 41-year-old woman. Eventually, I walked away from a career I loved knowing it triggered deeper emotional pain. 

Then, my oldest son died in a motorcycle accident. Again, I withdrew into the little girl who had developed that victim mentality and lashed out at everything and everyone. 

By 2019, the physical symptoms of traumatic brain injury, trauma, and grief had manifested as migraines, daily headaches, chronic pain, and seizures. I knew I needed to get help. 

Intensive therapy and self-care became part of my daily routine. I learned to safely mother the inner child who’d been emotionally abused and who I’d damaged through my own self-talk. Through the extreme dedication of my family, I learned I was not to blame for the situations in my life. 

My youngest son, Neal, became my biggest support. He encouraged me to draw on the strength it took for the 7-year-old girl to survive a traumatic brain injury, go on to graduate with her peers, raise two children, and obtain two college degrees while raising him to survive the loss of my oldest son. 

He and others in my life encouraged me to write. I wrote through the pain, wrote through the emotions. I drew on the language I’d learned in college while studying elementary education and while earning my master’s degree. 

And finally, I found myself, a sense of peace, and a purpose. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey hasn’t been easy, but I wouldn’t say anyone has an easy life. I don’t think life is intended to be easy. I think we are all meant to overcome something. I just happened to have a lot of somethings right in a row which happened to trigger trauma. 

It’s taught me how to be gentle with other people, myself, and love that much stronger. 

We’ve been impressed with Jodi Gilroy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My work has come from publishing my book, Hairline Fracture: Living a Full Life after a Traumatic Brain Injury. 

I want other professionals and entrepreneurs to understand that trauma should not hold them back. 

It took me time to realize that after losing my father and son so close together. 

In 1982 there was no label for brain injury, so I had to work harder than my peers to keep up. Since losing my father, and then my son, I learned to draw on the strength of that little girl again. The goal of my story is to help other people. 

I want other people to realize that even though they may struggle in the moment, they are much bigger than any obstacles in their way. 

I couldn’t avoid the situations that held me back, and that’s what I teach other professionals and business owners. 

I have a master’s degree in Strategy, Leadership, and Change Management from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. 

With the understanding of business strategy as an educator and with knowledge about how to process trauma, my goal is to help other business owners who may also be stuck. 

Trauma survivors often run into situations which trigger their trauma, these may be small occurrences, or as in my case, can be the cause of a major life event. 

Often these triggers show up in fight, flight, fawn, or freeze responses and interfere with professional goals. 

When I was working my trauma showed up in a variety of ways and interfered with my professional goals, usually, I froze, unable to identify the feelings or notice my behavior I simply avoided or dissociated. 

For other professionals with trauma, they may disengage, be unable to properly assess danger, in a constant state of worry or fear, expect themselves or others to be perfect, dissociate or zone out, find themselves in a brain fog, or fear trying new things. 

As I wrote, I learned to process my trauma and realized that if professionals can identify their trauma trigger points or root causes, they can determine what may be holding their business back or slowing its growth. 

I provide one on one business coaching to business owners and entrepreneurs with trauma to identify triggers which may be roadblocks in key areas of their business success. 

During my three- or six-month coaching process, we review your business goals, analyze and identify some of the possible trauma trigger points. Then we strategize, organize, and implement solutions to overcome self-sabotaging behaviors and unhealthy cycles to see business growth. 

I also present at corporate conferences, leadership presentations, and keynote speeches to leaders about the effects of trauma in the professional setting. 

My coaching and transparency are focused on creating a place for behavioral change and are meant to create internal personal and organizational awareness. I believe leaders can be focused on growth and innovation when they are willing to adapt their minds. 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the mid-Michigan area! Growing up in East Lansing, I am an avid Spartan fan. I enjoy the small-town feel of Lansing, Old Town, and walking or biking the Lansing River Trail. To me, the greatest part of living in the Lansing and East Lansing areas are the art fairs and festivals. I enjoy seeing other artists’ passion and creativity. I enjoy all things athletic, especially Michigan State University football and basketball, and of course, the Lansing Lugnuts! 

Pricing:

• 3-month coaching package $3,499
• 6-month coaching package $6,999

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jodimichellegilroy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodimichellegilroy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodimichellegilroy/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodigilroy/ 

Image Credits
Allie Siarto & Co. Photography