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.  

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.

Kathi and Chris Sullivan are as compassionate, sincere, and genuine as they come. Both of their stories are tough, as are they, but they each share important and powerful messages that every middle or high school student should hear. Point blank, their messages are saving lives. It is a gift to listen to them and watch them interact with each other. They have different stories and they certainly didn’t plan on being on this journey, but how they found each other and their love and affection for each other is a thing of beauty. They will make you laugh and cry, sometimes simultaneously. Kathi and Chris are kind and loving people who simply want to help kids make the best choices they can for themselves and their friends. They present in a no nonsense, straightforward fashion. They open their hearts wide for their audience, and invite them right in. Their message is powerful, in combination with each other or as separate presentations, but watching them interact in a joint presentation is a gift. I have facilitated hundreds of workshops and online webinars, and they are repeatedly the most sought after of them all. You will be moved and have made two new friends by the end of the presentation. They would have it no other way.
Carolyn Bohmiller
MIAA Wellness Coordinator

LATEST NEWS AND MEDIA

Media

Couple discuss aftermath of destructive decisions

Chris Sullivan and Kathi Meyer were seeking solace when they met at church in 2009. Chris, a former NFL player, was recovering from drug and ...
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Media

Sullivans deliver message on perils of drugs and alcohol to PMHS students

Kathi Sullivan told how alcohol led to her daughter Taylor’s sudden death. Her husband, Chris Sullivan, a former NFL player and Super Bowl XXXVI Champion, ...
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Media

Sullivan’s Message gives inside look at dangers of addiction

EAST GREENWICH – Children and parents got an inside look at the dangers of addiction and underage drinking this week in a virtual presentation by ...
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BOOK KATHI OR CHRIS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT