Tough To The Core: Brawny® and Wounded Warrior Project®

I’m honored to be partnering with Brawny® to share about Wounded Warrior Project®.

There have been several times in life when I’ve had to tap into my toughness. Times when I wanted to cry or give up, but instead I found the strength to push through and keep going. One time in particular, during my difficult pregnancy with Ayva, I even surprised myself. I was in pain all the time, constantly nauseous, and generally just unable to function. After 6 months and dozens of emergency room visits, out of concern for my unborn child (and because I was tired of being pitiful), I decided that it was time to get strong and fix my situation. I didn’t have a partner to support me, and I didn’t have a car, so I called a taxi cab to take me to the hospital.

When I arrived at the hospital,  I told the staff that I refused to leave until we figured out why I was so sick. After multiple attempts of trying to send me home, they finally relented and admitted me. Two days into my hospital stay, a thoughtful midwife realized I hadn’t had my iron checked. She ordered a test, and discovered that I was severely deficient. A few high dose iron pills, and twice weekly scheduled check-in appointments, and I was finally healthy. I later learned how severe my issue was, and how, if left untreated, I could have died while giving birth. That midwife saved my life, and I hate to think how things could have turned out if I wouldn’t have made the decision to be tough and stand up for myself.

Tough To The Core

Speaking of being tough and saving lives, there are many men and women who are out there doing that every single day. The thing is, they aren’t just being tough for themselves. They’re being brave and courageous to protect and serve our great country. Reading the news, or talking to a soldier, and seeing what they have to endure–everything from mothers being deployed and having to leave their children and families, to being injured and having to readjust to life in a new way, they are, each and every one of them, heroes.

I am very honored to share that I’m partnering up with Brawny® to spread the word about Wounded Warrior Project®. This year marks the 3rd year that Brawny® is renewing its partnership with Wounded Warrior Project®. The Brawny® brand has donated $1.4 million to the Wounded Warrior Project®, which, it says, shares the same brand spirit and values: an inner strength that emboldens and inspires people to be “Tough to the Core.”

Brawny® and Wounded Warrior Project®

Wounded Warrior Project® helps wounded servicemen and women adjust to civilian life and persevere through the visible and invisible wounds of war. From emotional to physical and financial support, WWP aims to give these brave men and women back a little bit of what they gave to our country. I’m brought to tears when I think about how important this program is, as I’ve seen how so many veterans have struggled to readjust.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be talking more about being tough, and letting you know how you can support Brawny® and Wounded Warrior Project®. Here’s one way you can start:

Tough is so much more than physical strength. For some, it’s about being resilient. For others, it means showing compassion. Tell us what “tough” means to you and the Brawny® brand will donate $1 to WWP for every text or photo submission, and for $5 for every video (up to $350,000). You can share your definition and donate using #ToughIs on Facebook, Instagram or visit www.brawny.com/wounded-warrior-project

Connect with Brawny® on Twitter: @Brawny and Facebook: www.facebook.com/Brawny 
To learn more on the partnership, go to www.brawny.com/wounded-warrior-project and for more information on Wounded Warrior Project®, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.com