My name is Nicole Joseph & my motto is “Life Favors The Bold”. 

I am a 26 year old Native American and European mix. My mom is a first generation immigrant from Romania and my father is a Native American Vet who served over 40 years for our country & government. 

I bounced around a lot of places throughout my life. From army brat lifestyle to backpacking with my mother overseas to a collegiate wrestler's hectic schedule. I was born restless- striving for more. 

My parents' achievement based lifestyle led me to a scholastic and athletics scholarship at King University where I was able to graduate a 2X All-American with two degrees. But this story is not about what happened after college but rather during.

I had been a high-achieving student until my Senior year of college when I lost my scholarship, national ranking, and voice after experiencing my first episode of drug-induced schizophrenia. Hallucinations, delusions, trap houses- this speech will take you on a wild ride of how I fell from greatness & into psychosis as well as how I overcame it. 

Graphic- honest- passionate- raw... I will leave your audience with a few things to consider in regards to mental health and an empowering feeling that mental disorders are not a diagnosis; but rather, an impermanent destination.