Against the Odds: Generational Trauma, Mental Illness & Addiction | Bryn Lottig | TEDxNicoletCollege

Bryn Lottig shares her personal story of growing up in a substance abuse home and the science behind how she was able to break the cycle with a desire to educate others. Bryn Lottig is the co-founder of Kikori, an app for educators that aligns experiential education activities with teaching and social emotional standards. Bryn is a sought-after expert in experiential education and an Adventure Program Coordinator at Arbor Vitae-Woodruff, an Expeditionary Learning school. She received her Master's degree in Adventure Based Experiential Education from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She started her career leading extended wilderness trips canoeing, kayaking, and backpacking. And although she has over two decades of experience working with youth, she really refined her facilitation skills by working in the Leadership Program at Camp Manito-Wish YMCA. Her passion is to deliver meaningful programming to school and corporate groups alike, using the Challenge Course and Wilderness Experiences as a medium to focus on Social Emotional Learning outcomes. Bryn regularly provides Professional Development for schools and businesses, speaks at regional, national and international conferences. In addition to her ACCT Level I & II, and CCM certifications she is also a certified private pilot, PADI Advanced Scuba Diver, holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and can be found frequently participating in Wild Cold Water Immersion. She lives with her husband, two children in Northern Wisconsin. To learn more about Kikori and their work, visit kikoriapp.com. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@blueshoes915]

Brilliant and brave! Very inspiring and I hope your vision becomes a reality. This would save lives. Thank you, Bryn, for sharing your knowledge, experience, and ideas. 💕

[@JI-hv5yt]

Against the odds you excel. Congratulations & thank you for helping others that need this support system.

[@kenje151]

I am SO proud of you!! First of all - for sharing your story with the world. Secondly, for the way in which you put the pieces together around why and how experiential SEL is critical for students (and adults!) today. Thank you for your work and leadership for all of us.

[@D4Procks]

You had me hooked from the first moment of your talk. Thanks for beautifully describing the what and the why of our work.

[@ArchMagar]

You are amazing Bryn . Lots of love ❤

[@nlottig]

Amazing job Bryn. So proud of you!

[@bluangel276]

Couldn’t have and wouldn’t have done it with out you and all you do for our family. XO

[@justinanthenge619]

Very strong girl. I know as I come from an alcohol background

[@Chelsea-mc2zs]

You’re an incredible human. So proud of you and admire all of your work. ❤ thank you for sharing this.

[@bluangel276]

❤ Right back atcha!

[@annesmall1720]

Wow. Inspiring! Thanks for sharing your experiences and your knowledge!

[@bluangel276]

Thanks Anne 🙏

[@alexthegreat527]

I'm also an anomaly, my dad is a abusive narcissist who is NA alcohol, and I always had to be a parent to both my parents starting at a young age, I was molested at a young age, lost my godfather when I was 12 and everything went down hill, I started drinking very very young, had many suicide attempts/self harm starting at 13 and went on until I was 25 I'm 27 now , I started on and off with prescription pills at 16 and fell in love with a girl who convinced me to do pills which I did I take accountability for my actions, once I hit 20 my mental just kept getting worse that's when my older brother introduced me to powder form of herion which went from partying w it every weekend to everyday and I ended up being addicted to it until I was 25, I ended up falling in love again while still addicted I was a functioning addict for the first 3 years of my addiction no one new and mt break up was so painful but impactful because I chose to get sober to save it, but I ended up doing it for myself cos I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. My first ever detox situation it was so bad I wanted to die, all the mental health issues my BDP & aniexty/panic disorder kept coming up and I was out on medication to help w both and I also decided I wasn't strong enough to do it on my own so I chose methadone, I went to the clinic everyday and had a clean urine every time I was tested until I was given take homes which I maxed out from never relapsing, I was on methadone for over 26 months and 1 month and 2 days off methadone and I haven't relaspaed once in those 26 months (808 days). I was an anomaly just like you, I gained my full sobriety and now I am working to become a substance abuse counselor to help others who have gone through similar. I shouldn't be here I should be dead from an overdose but I am a Anomaly like you and made it Thank you for being you and telling your story I'm so glad you found yourself again after so much trauma and struggling

[@Nksharmanirala]

I proud of you 👃 I like it ❤

[@user-wb2yv7ll9d]

It's a great thing you were sent to Summer camp considering the home environment. I'd be curious to know how that came about (i.e. did your parents arrange it, etc).

[@bluangel276]

yes, my mom signed me up for 1 week when I was 8 years old. After that I kept begging (and arranging) to go back every summer!

[@buddhibylexi1396]

Can you please tell me the name of that cool summer camp?

[@bluangel276]

Hoofbeat Ridge Camp in Mazomanie WI

[@Shaineab]

i am wondering if SEL is like humanities in college level.

[@bluangel276]

Social Emotional Learning is able to be learned at ALL ages!

[@sohtech7723]

"Met functional and become functional" - YOH!