Speaker brings FIERCE awareness to domestic violence during presentation, workshop at Fort McCoy

Photo By Scott Sturkol | Carolyn Colleen, author and domestic-violence survivor, gives a presentation Oct. 24, 2019, at the Army Community Service classroom in building 2111 at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 20-plus attendees to Colleen’s workshop were people from across the installation who were interested in learning about Colleen’s FIERCE 5 blueprint for domestic-violence recovery and future success while observing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Fort McCoy’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Army Community Service coordinated the event. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

11.06.2019

Story by Scott Sturkol                                                                                         

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

Author and domestic-violence survivor Carolyn Colleen held a workshop and speaking event Oct. 24 at Fort McCoy’s Army Community Service office in building 2111 for approximately 20 people in attendance.

The attendees were people from across the installation who were interested in learning about Colleen’s FIERCE 5 blueprint for domestic-violence recovery and future success while observing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In Colleen’s book, “F.I.E.R.C.E., Transform Your Life In The Face of Adversity 5 Minutes At A Time!,” which was given to attendees to the workshop, it describes what the FIERCE acronym means.

• Focused breath: take a deep breath, face fear, and focus.

• Identify one goal; name three things required to achieve that goal.

• Examine barriers to the goal.

• Reflect and visualize your truths; co-create your own reality.

• Courage: recognize that you have the courage.

• Engage — take action.

Colleen’s life journey to where she is today has been a long one. She grew up in a home where her mother was a hoarder with mental health issues. Her father wasn’t around and was away at work all the time.

At an early age, she was physically and sexually abused by others and had a troubled youth. She even tried to commit suicide at one point.
As an older teen, she became involved in an abusive relationship that became a marriage with a child born from it.

During her years in this relationship, she endured further emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.

Her daughter also was nearly inconsolable with colic after birth. About a year and a half after her daughter was born, Colleen said she had a life-changing moment.

She said she prayed for strength, and suddenly, her daughter stopped her constant crying.

She said she looked into her daughter’s eyes and at that moment learned about unconditional love. That moment, she learned she had to leave the abusive relationship and improve her life.

She learned that love can change things. “I learned that as my definition of love evolves, I too evolve,” Colleen said.

As part of the workshop, Colleen had the attendees break into groups of two or three people and ask each other specific questions.

“In this exercise, you were able to share with another person,” Colleen said. “This was an opportunity to have a conversation with someone you may not work with or know. … The important thing is that you could come into this and share (with others).”

Colleen also spoke about the importance of resilience in recovering from domestic violence and abuse.

“When you change the way you look at things, you change the way you look,” Colleen said.

She further explained that by using the FIERCE model and completing a “FIERCE action,” a survivor can succeed.

“You take something that you feel is holding you back, and you use that as fuel to move forward,” she said. “Remember to be FIERCE and fulfilled.”

More about Colleen’s journey and advice about the FIERCE 5 blueprint is available in her book and by visiting www.carolyncolleen.com.

Also learn more about what Fort McCoy Army Community Service has available for customers by visiting building 2111 or by going online to https://mccoy.armymwr.com/categories/community-support.

Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin.

The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services each year since 1984.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”

• Date Taken: 11.06.2019
• Date Posted: 11.06.2019 15:41
• Story ID: 350764
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US