Positivity Leads EverythingBrevards Purpose

Tracy Stroderd launched the first issue of EverythingBrevard.com magazine in October 2016.

Seven years ago, we launched the first EverythingBrevard.com magazine. A dream come true for me. It was beautiful and rich with content. The vision was supported by my team and funded by the small business community. 

Suddenly, there was an infusion of enthusiasm like nothing before — we as a team became hyper focused on delivering content that inspires others to live their best lives. We believe our purpose is to serve the greater good by bringing people and resources together to create value that no single individual can build alone.  

We envision a healthy community where families, businesses, and local thought leaders thrive together, creating sustainable economic, social, and environmental prosperity for generations to come. 

Finding one’s voice can be intimidating. A trauma filled 14-year marriage ended in divorce with these words burned into my brain and heart, “You are nothing without me. I made you; you will never survive.” I was filled with fear, guilt, shame, and remorse. Life was hard and filled with many challenges. I was responsible for three children.  

To stabilize, I applied for a pharmaceutical sales rep job, hoping the company would accept my work experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. I was told that I was the best candidate for the job, but I needed the degree to be offered the position. Feelings of defeat and hopelessness filled my soul until the recruiter shared that there were universities that gave credit for work life experience, and told me I could fast-track myself to getting a degree.  

In a matter of a few weeks, I was enrolled at Barry University's ACE Program and on my way to a bachelor of science degree with a major in professional administration.  

People come into our lives at just the right time, or we read a story, or seize an opportunity, and life as we know it is changed forever. I am most grateful for those recruiter’s words of wisdom. Education changed my life, helped me establish my voice and propelled me into the work I was divinely designed for — inspiring others to live their best lives and build a community around positivity. 

There are many health benefits surrounding positivity. Here are just a few that might pique your interest:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress and pain
• Greater resistance to illnesses
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke

National Health Education week is always celebrated the third week of October. The primary goal of health education is to promote the overall health and well-being of individuals, communities, and the entire nation. By focusing on prevention, health education helps to decrease the financial burden associated with medical care. It strengthens our attitudes, values, and beliefs.  

Did you know that trauma, socioeconomic status and discrimination increase the risk of developing chronic diseases? By locking arms, being proactive about our health and sharing local resources, as well as sharing stories of triumph, courage, positivity, and bravery, we become stronger as individuals, a community, and a nation.  

Together we rise.  

I encourage you to dive into your own personal wellness journey. Search out and find resources or ask for connections, share your story, make shifts where necessary and live your best life. 

Bertrand Russell says, “The good life is one that is inspired by love and guided by knowledge.”

Connect

Tracy@everythingbrevard.com
Facebook: /tracy.stroderd
Instagram: @tracystroderd
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracy-stroderd-1aa36437/

Meet Our Publisher/CEO

Tracy Stroderd embodies the ultimate success story as an entrepreneur who brings consumers and businesses together. She is a speaker, business strategist and consultant who uses her unique combination of real-world entrepreneurial experience and formal business education to champion small-business success. Her love for working with entrepreneurs and making an impact in her community stems from growing up in a small town where she was born into the world of entrepreneurship.

Tracy earned a master of arts in administration from Barry University, where she has taught services marketing. She is a trained facilitator and mentor for the IGNITE 360 Mentoring Program at weVENTURE Women’s Business Center powered by Florida Institute of Technology. She has taught in the entrepreneurship program at Eastern Florida State College. Tracy has served on the executive committee/board of directors at the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce. She has served on this board since 2017 and was the chairwoman from 2018-2020.

In 2022, Tracy launched a Toastmasters International Club at the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce and was recognized with a Club President Award in recognition of dedicated service and outstanding leadership.