888 | From War-Torn Italy to the American Dream with Dr. Salvatore Forcina
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
Release Date: 07/31/2025
907 | When Your Confidence Makes Others Shrink
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this episode, I share thoughts on how our confidence can sometimes trigger the insecurities of those around us, leading them to shrink back instead of celebrating our growth. This dynamic is rooted in our individual beliefs and past experiences, which shape how we perceive the world. If our confidence makes someone else shrink, they were never truly cheering for us in the first place. Bless and release and thank them for the role they have played in your life. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 - The Fear of Judgment 00:01:05 - Personal Story: The Book Incident 00:03:35 - Embracing Imperfection 00:05:14...
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906 | Reprogramming Your Mind: How to Write Your Book with Ease
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this episode, I speak into the often-overlooked connection between subconscious writing blocks and the process of writing a book. I open up about my own vulnerabilities and the misconceptions that many aspiring writers face when they struggle to put pen to paper. I start by addressing a common sentiment among writers: the confusion about how subconscious rewiring relates to the writing process. Many people have invested in strategy programs, only to find themselves stuck and questioning their abilities. I explain that our subconscious mind is a powerful force, controlling 95% of our...
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905 | Pray It Doesn't Work with Jeremy Delk
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this episode, we are speaking with Entrepreneur, Investor, Author, and Public Speaker, Jeremy Delk. Jeremy’s story is all about taking ownership of his failures, his wild successes, and every lesson in between. From jumping into entrepreneurship as a teenager to walking away from a half-billion-dollar exit, Jeremy has never shied away from bold decisions. He embodies the idea of creating your own path, embracing failure, and taking unbound action to live life on your terms. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 - Introduction and Early Entrepreneurial Pursuits 00:02:30 - Lessons from Early Failures...
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904 | Can You Allow Others to Hold Your Vision With You?
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this episode, I am sharing the process of embracing big visions and the fears that often accompany them. I start by sharing a personal anecdote from 2016 when I first received the idea to write my solo book. The initial excitement was quickly overshadowed by fear and skepticism from those around me, which led me to caution against sharing my ideas too freely. I reflect on my experience with launching my NLP coaching certification, Outspoken, where I had to build everything from scratch without any proof of concept. A mentor pointed out the difference between that experience and my current...
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903 | A Quick Way to Shift Your Thinking to See What is Possible
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this episode, I address a common question: how do we shift our thinking? I emphasize that while the concept may be simple, the execution is often challenging. I share my personal experience of being in a crisis and how it forced me to reevaluate my choices and control over my life. I encourage listeners to consider how they want to show up in their lives, especially as we approach the end of the year. I discuss the importance of setting realistic goals and focusing on what we want rather than what we don’t want. Many people struggle to articulate their desires, often fixating on their...
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902 | Your Past Gives You the Lessons to Change Your Future with Valerie J. Walsh
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this episode, I am speaking with Best-Selling Author, Inspirational Speaker, Mental Health Advocate, Valerie J. Walsh. Valerie is a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and transformational leader known for turning pain into purpose. After losing her mother to suicide, surviving cancer twice, and overcoming addiction, Valerie made the bold decision not just to heal—but to serve. Her story is one of deep resilience, raw honesty, and a powerful commitment to helping others rise from their own darkest moments. Through her books Shattered to the Core and COREAGEOUS, she delivers...
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901 | At Any Stage, At Any Age, You Always Have a Choice
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this episode, I want to reflect on the core message that has been a guiding principle throughout my life and this podcast: you always have a choice. No matter your age or stage in life, you possess the power to make choices that shape your reality. I understand that it can often feel like circumstances are beyond our control, but I assure you that we can always choose how we respond to those circumstances. At 55 years old and navigating the complexities of the sandwich generation, caring for aging parents while managing a business that feels ever-evolving, I find myself constantly reminded...
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900 | From Scrappy Beginnings to #900
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this special episode of the "Own Your Choices, Own Your Life" podcast, we celebrate a monumental milestone: episode 900! This is a special episode where Marsha is being interviewed by Sue Ruhe, her podcast manager, ninja extraordinaire and close friend. Marsha shares her thoughts on the significance of reaching 900 episodes, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and the unique space the podcast has provided her to navigate both business and personal challenges. We discuss the power of vulnerability in her solo episodes, where she imparts valuable lessons from her own...
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899 | Why Strategy Isn’t Enough to Share Your Story
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this episode, we are on the brink of a significant milestone—episode 900! As I prepare to share more of my journey in the upcoming episode, I want to dive deep into a topic that I believe is crucial for anyone looking to make an impact, whether through writing, coaching, speaking, or any other form of expression. Today, I discuss the importance of sharing your story and how it connects to building genuine relationships with others. Many people underestimate the power of their narrative, thinking that strategy alone will lead to success. Strategy is only 5% of the equation; the remaining...
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898 | How to Write Your Book from the Optimal State
Own Your Choices Own Your Life
In this episode, I discuss the everyday struggles many authors face, such as fear of judgment from family and friends, and the realization that we cannot control how others perceive our words. Our internal representation of the world shapes our responses, and I share personal anecdotes to illustrate how our states can influence our reactions to others. Instead of focusing on the strategy first, it is essential to get into the right state of mind, energy, and nervous system regulation before writing. Our subconscious mind, which governs 95% of our actions, responds to feelings of safety rather...
info_outlineToday, I speak with Published Author, Dr. Salvatore Forcina. Dr. Forcina is a retired general, vascular, and trauma surgeon who served as the Chief of Surgery at two North Jersey hospitals for years and treated thousands of patients.
He is also the author of The American Doctor. This inspiring memoir chronicles his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings in war-torn Italy to becoming a highly respected physician in the United States.
Born in 1941 amidst the chaos of World War II, poverty and hardship marked Dr. Forcina's early years. Throughout the war, his family lived in the mountains with other villagers. After it ended, they moved to Argentina when he was eight, in search of a better life. However, the move presented new challenges, including language and cultural differences.
To ensure his education, Dr. Forcina's parents sent him to live with priests, where he faced a strict and isolating environment. Despite these difficulties, he excelled in his studies and went on to become a medical doctor. At the age of 28, with only $40 in his pocket and no command of the English language, Dr. Forcina immigrated to America; however, his medical degree was not recognized in the United States.
Determined to practice medicine in the U.S., he worked as a hospital tech for three years, drawing blood for a meagre $16 a day while taking foreign equivalency exams to be allowed to begin medical residency. It wasn't until eight years after he arrived in this country, at the age of 36, that he was finally able to begin practicing as a young, unrecognized physician.
HIGHLIGHTS
00:01:00 - Life During the War
00:05:00 - Post-War Migration to Argentina
00:11:25 - Education and Separation
00:14:30 - Struggles with Identity
00:19:00 - Pursuing Medicine
00:22:00 - Overcoming Obstacles
00:26:00 - Moving to the United States
00:30:00 - Struggles in a New Country
00:33:00 - Medical Licensing Journey
00:35:00 - Starting His Medical Career
00:40:00 - Meeting His Future Family
00:44:00 - Becoming a Surgeon
00:48:00 - The American Doctor
Connect with Dr. Salvatore Forcina
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsalvatoreforcinamd/
Website: https://salvatoreforcina.com/
The American Doctor:
Amazon: https://a.co/d/i4M4Exl
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-american-doctor-salvatore-j-forcina/1141643151
Marsha Vanwynsberghe — NLP Storytelling Trainer, OUTSPOKEN NLP Coaching Certification, Author, Speaker, and Podcaster
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