My name is Geraldine Tan. I used to be a professional actress, opera and musical theater performer, TV/character model, feature and fiction writer and published poet. Now, I can only do Admin work for a fledgling film company, and stand up comedy open mic as a hobby.   I deal with a lot of health issues, mostly hereditary, or with the propensity for certain issues. Autoimmune, a hypermobility disorder, a newly discovered pituitary tumor (microadenoma) and Rathke's cleft cyst. Some of them may also be somatic, such as monocular diplopia, from trauma and neglect from my youth.   I'm very honored to be on this episode of TJ West. His videos are a comfort and inspiration to so many.

This episode is with two of my new friends, Jen and Mike. They are a happy married couple who have unconditional love a strong bond, family values, and they're so happily both visually impaired or blind. They both have been through so much, but they truly embody which strength and family and love can do to keep you together through the toughest of times.  You can follow them on TikTok @blindhoundfarms

My name is Matt I am classified as deafblind with other disabilities as well, I have stage 2 kidney failure,neuropathy,diabetes, hip dysplasia, I have chronic pain and chronic migraines  my vision is 20/400 which means I see light shapes shadows and silhouettes no color and that’s all on a good day on a bad day I can’t see anything at all and I typically have trouble walking sometimes I even lose the use of my legs and or have blackouts without my hearing aids, I have 10% of my Hearing left, the doctors have no clue what’s wrong with me or why I’m going through any of this so we’re still currently trying to figure it out, but I don’t let any of this Stop me from doing what I wanna do in life. I still go out and have fun fishing hiking exploring new and exciting things.  Even though life is rough and it seems impossible, sometimes My faith stays strong and my mind stays clear.    Follow him on TikTok @theblinddeaffisherman

Hi, my name is Nathalie. Mental health and physical ailments have been part of my life for as long as I can remember.  A broken family and being alone most of my life , but never giving up hope. My mission in this life is to spread love and awareness to others who struggle and make sure I can at least reach a few hearts to help them realize they are never alone. My dream is to one day release music that touches hearts and souls, the way other artists have touched mine. 

My name is Zach.  I’m 25 years old and live in southern Maine.Because of my challenges of Autism and ADHD, communication can be difficult for me.  I don’t always know how to start a conversation.  I’m pretty shy too.  All of that makes it hard to make friends.  But I’m a loyal friend.As an infant, I was taken into state custody and was adopted by my foster parents.  We’ve been a family since I was three months old.  I have 6 much older siblings.I’m a creative guy.  I make art from wood and bottle caps.  I work in a woodshop where they make beautiful furniture.  I like to travel and love to explore abandoned buildings. Follow him on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@the_space_cadet420

hey there im abrianna i’m 21 years years old i’m a content creator on tiktok i live in the houston area and i have factory 11 deficiency which is blood thinning disorder . ive been in and out of hospitals since i was 2 years old and still going to this day. i wasn’t supposed to make it past 12 but here i am

Eddie is somebody I met off a TikTok, and I instantly clicked with. I really appreciate his friendship, and his willingness to never give up no matter how hard life gets. In this episode, we discussed how he became an amputee due to a freak accident where he end up losing one of his arms. We talked about his troubled past, family, mental health, and so much more.

Atlas Bamonte is a 42-year-old disability advocate and lifelong community builder. Known as a “zebra” in the medical community, he has lived experience with rare and complex conditions, which deeply informs his work.   For many years, Atlas worked as a birth and lactation professional, serving families in Alabama and Florida as a WIC peer counselor, lactation counselor, and doula. He co-founded a nonprofit in Alabama dedicated to ensuring that people living in poverty had access to doula care, and he created inclusive homeschooling groups while raising and homeschooling his four children, each with medical complexities and unique learning needs.   Now based in South Carolina, Atlas spends much of his time collaborating with medical professionals at MUSC, Duke, and Harvard, and participating in research with the Norris Lab on connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). More recently, he was also diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease, making him a point of study and collaboration among specialists at MUSC.   Alongside his own medical journey, Atlas provides education and peer support for people living with rare diseases, chronic illness, and medical PTSD—helping others navigate systems that often feel overwhelming and isolating.

This episode is with my friend Rafael. He is an amazing guy who has been through so much, and even through everything he has been through he still has nothing but love in his heart. After having glaucoma as a child, he got a cornea transplant on his teenage years, but the cornea transplant didn't work, so he decided to have them take it out, knowing that he had at least the other eye as a back up. Years later, though he had a stroke, which would take almost the rest of his sight and the other eye. In the episode, we talk about his journey with his eyes, mental health, and a lot more

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Natalie West, a content creator and TikTok live host from the UK, who shares her personal journey with mental health. Natalie is known for her vibrant personality and infectious spirit, but behind the screen, like many of us, she faces her own struggles. Together, we explore the challenges she's encountered and dive deep into the realities of living with mental health struggles. Throughout the conversation, we focus on one powerful theme: hope. Natalie opens up about how holding onto hope, even during the toughest times, is what helps keep her going. If you're in need of some encouragement or just want to hear a raw and real conversation about mental Health and how we overcome it daily. Her TikTok is @psychicvibes

Our next guest is a friend of mine who one day popped in my live on TikTok, and I knew we were gonna become friends. He's been through a lot, but she carries herself so well, and she's full of love. She is a chronic pain survivor, because she lives with fibromyalgia every day. We discuss how it has affected her life, the different supplements as she takes, and also how it affects her mental health. 

Hi, I’m Melissa, a 32 year old mom, baker, and Steven’s Johnson Syndrome Survivor. As a teen, dreamt of becoming a pediatric infectious disease doctor and set to make that dream come true. While en route to medical school tragedy struck when I was 23 and I was diagnosed with Steven’s Johnson Syndrome/ Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. After spending 9 months in the hospital and in rehabs, my life had absolutely changed forever.  As the years passed and I healed in more ways than just physically, I found more joy in life slowly but surely. I had another child as a huge surprise to our family and dove head first into making life as wonderful as possible for both of my kids. I became a passionate baker and advocate for people without a voice. Thanks for listening to my story and thank you again, Tim for having me. 

I met Jordan on TikTok, and once I came across this content, I was really inspired, and proud of everything that he is and that he does. Jordan suffers from a condition called optic nerve hypoplasia, it's a condition where your nerves are under developed in your eyes. Jordan is somebody who takes his experiences and use them to help other people by informing them and giving them a true perspective I what it's like to be legally blind. Jordan is like many other people we've had on the show, he's someone who struggles, but always makes time to help others. Follow him on TikTok @visuallyinspiredlife 

Holly Griffin is an inspiring woman based in Atlanta, originally hailing from the vibrant city of Las Vegas, Nevada. After spending significant time in the bustling streets of New York City, Holly has embraced her unique journey as a yoga-teaching hairdresser, blending her passion for wellness and creativity into her daily life. Despite facing the challenges of Sjögren’s syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Lupus, Holly remains a beacon of positivity, navigating her health struggles with resilience and grace. Her early experiences, including two unexpected strokes that left medical professionals puzzled, have only strengthened her resolve to live life fully. When she isn't working her magic with hair or sharing her journey on TikTok, Holly cherishes quality time with her beloved pups, family, and friends. She believes in the power of connection and community, finding solace in the support of those around her. With each day, Holly continues to inspire others with her uplifting spirit, demonstrating that even on the toughest days, joy and laughter can be found in the simplest moments.   Her TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@holly_halina?_t=ZT-8zAvGIiygU2&_r=1

Sarah is a storyteller shaped by survival. Growing up in poverty, hunger and without a father, she learned resilience from a strong single mother and her Native American roots. By 18, she was raising children of her own, and in her 20s she faced addiction while trying to hold together a young marriage. Now, after 20 years of marriage, four children, and a lifetime of trials—including living with chronic pain from a spinal condition on long-term disability at 39—Sarah is opening up about the unspoken struggles that define so many lives. Her podcast is about more than trauma—it’s about truth, healing, breaking cycles, and finding identity through honesty and storytelling. 

Hi, I’m Laura — a TikTok Live host, community builder, and all-around encourager of good vibes and real talk. I’m passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces for people to connect, vent, and cheer each other on. Right now, I’m love diving deep into conversations about self-worth, showing up for yourself, and finding joy in the everyday. Whether it’s online or in person, my mission is simple: to make people feel seen, heard, and inspired. Laura is somebody I met while on TikTok. I came across her lives, and instantly loved her energy, and personality. She's one of those people that when you're around her, you feel safe.   Follow her at her https://www.tiktok.com/@pinkdevillaura?_t=ZT-8ynaUbsbm0r&_r=1

I’m Robert Cardillo II, but most people in the underground scene know me as B-Cide. I’ve been a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur for over 25 years. I’ve toured across the country, released countless tracks, and built a loyal following without ever selling out. But in 2011, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I went from touring and running stages to being in a wheelchair with 24-hour care. But I never stopped creating. I pivoted into building a streetwear brand, 55 Strong, and recently dropped my memoir, Myelin My Shoes. It’s raw, real, and brutally honest, about my music career, the challenges of living with MS, and how I kept reinventing myself through it all. This isn't just a disability story. It's not just a music story. It’s about survival, reinvention, and grit. I speak to creatives who’ve hit walls, people living with invisible illnesses, and anyone who’s ever felt knocked down by life and had to crawl their way back up. My story resonates because it's lived, not packaged. I bring a unique perspective to shows that focus on entrepreneurship, creativity, music, disability, and mental resilience. Whether it’s inspiring an audience or getting real about what it takes to keep moving forward, I’m here for honest, powerful conversations.    Please check out his music and social media at his website http://www.b-cide.com/

This episode is with Ariel. She has two kids, one who has multiple learning disabilities and a visual disability, and her herself struggles with mental health. Ariel is somebody who struggles but she always tries to do her best, she's a great mom, just an overall good person. We discussed a lot about autism and how much she has learned from her son, and it turned her into a very strong advocate. Her and I also discuss our struggles with our demons and our pasts. 

Cedric Wolf, or Mr. Penguin to his TikTok followers, offers a deeply personal narrative of transformation. He candidly shares his past as a social chameleon, driven by the fear of rejection and self-imposed isolation. Cedric's breakthrough came with the revelation of unconditional self-love: the understanding that he is complete and necessary for "All That Is," simply by existing. This powerful shift in belief has profoundly impacted his life, fostering an inner peace and self-acceptance that inspires profound joy. His TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@wolphinho85?_t=ZT-8yDaRNtnJCI&_r=1  

Adrienne  has done more than survived; She has thrived. Less than 3% of former foster youth attend college. 20% of the US prison population was in foster care at one point. She's not spouting rainbows and sunshine; life can and very often is cruel. She am offering the reader/listener hope, hope that the trauma/situation will end, hope that the future will be different, hope that life can improve. Her story is best summarized by the trigger warnings that accompany my book. Trigger Warnings: Emotional and physical abuse, the sexual assault of a child, the drowning death of a child, extreme poverty, mental illness, homelessness, foster care, pedophilia, graphic sexual descriptions, violence, bulimia, incest, death, and suicide. Please proceed with caution.    Her website https://www.unbrokencaldwell.com/