Kathi & Chris Sullivan
TOPICS: Substance Abuse / Underage/Binge drinking / Addiction / Mental Health / Self-Help: Anxiety & Depression / Resiliency Self-Esteem / Body image / Leadership
AUDIENCES: Middle School / High School / College / Educators/Administrators / Parents / Corporate / Prevention Stakeholders
Awareness Speakers
They say through tragedy, beautiful meetings can happen. That was the case with Kathi and Chris’s struggles surrounding substance use.
Their powerful messages were destined to join forces in more ways than one! Kathi’s perspective as a Mom who lost a daughter to underage drinking, combined with Chris’s perspective as someone with a long time heroin/alcohol addiction and mental health concerns touches many aspects of the listener.
Kathi and Chris consider it a gift to be a small part of the ripple effect that happens from sharing! We never know how one word, one message, one act of kindness can change the outcome of someone’s life and make a positive change in this world.
On October 17, 2008, Kathi’s 17 year old daughter Taylor passed away after attending a homecoming game and a series of underage drinking parties during her senior year of high school. Since 2009, Kathi has dedicated herself to sharing Taylor’s Message, with the hope of helping others. Staggering statistics about the prevalence of underage drinking drive her to help raise awareness and educate parents and youth. She learned the hard way, it is not “a right of passage” This presentation will highlight the risks of youth alcohol use, the legal liability associated with allowing underage drinking at your home, and the importance of communication in guiding your teen to make healthy choices in all areas including substance, mental health wellness & self care.
Chris should have been on top of the World, as he succeeded in becoming an NFL football player from 1996-2002 with the New England Patriots & Pittsburg Steelers. As a member of the New England Patriots, Chris played in two Super Bowls and has a Super Bowl XXXI ring. Although his outside appearance looked like he had it all together, inwardly he suffering from anxiety & depression for years. When he lost his identity as a football player after his first DUI, Chris immediately turned to substances to numb his feelings. He chased his addiction to drugs & alcohol as strongly as he chased professional football. Drawing from his personal battle in life, Chris has chosen to share his story, Not in The Playbook, with others about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. His audience leaves having learned many life skills that will help them to make good choices surrounding alcohol, drugs & coping with anxiety and depression. He also lets them know that it is the strong people, not the weak, that reach out and asks for help when they need it.
Fortunately, after years of suffering from Substance Use Disorder, Chris reached out for help. Chris has been sober since December 15, 2008 and shares his story nationally with students & communities with hopes of helping others.
- Assemblies
- Conference Keynotes
BOOK KATHI OR CHRIS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT
PROGRAMS + WORKSHOPS
Shortly after Chris becoming sober, and Kathi losing her daughter to underage drinking, the two met and were married in 2011. This program brings the two of them together to share their stories about recovery and hope, to help as many people as possible.
On October 17, 2008, Kathi’s 17-year-old daughter, Taylor, passed away after attending a homecoming game and a series of underage drinking parties during her senior year of high school. Since 2009, Kathi has dedicated herself to sharing Taylor’s Message, with the hope of helping others. Staggering statistics about the prevalence of underage drinking drive her to help raise awareness and educate parents and youth. She learned the hard way, it is not “a rite of passage.” This presentation will highlight the risks of youth alcohol use, the legal liability associated with allowing underage drinking in your home, and the importance of communication in guiding your teen to make healthy choices in all areas including substances, mental health wellness & self-care.
Chris Sullivan played in two Super Bowls — and has a ring to prove it! But instead of celebrating his success, Chris went from the Super Bowl to fighting for his life and future. He was battling anxiety and addiction to drugs and alcohol that took over his life. It got to the point that he eventually gave up his football career because the addiction was more powerful than his passion for the sport. He finally asked for help and has been sober since December 15, 2008. He now realizes — and teaches — that it is the strong people, not the weak, who reach out and ask for help when they need it. His program shares his struggles with others and leaves his audience with many life skills that will help them make good choices surrounding drugs, alcohol, drugs, anxiety, depression and mental health.
LATEST NEWS AND MEDIA
Couple discuss aftermath of destructive decisions
Sullivans deliver message on perils of drugs and alcohol to PMHS students
