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Trauma can have a profound impact on our lives. Building yourself back up after these difficult moments can be incredibly difficult. Stephen Hendricks, better known as Stephon Hendricks musically and Hendrix Sky, struggled through a number of traumas to become the successful person he is today. Born in Toronto, Canada on January 22nd, 1987, his business and music was crafted after experiencing familial loss and PTSD from returning from Afghanistan. He is a musician, author and more whose music presence is already notable online.
“I was born in Toronto, Canada to a Guyanese-Portuguese mother. At the end of high school, at the age of 19, I decided to join the Canadian Military in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Infantry full-time. I was deployed to Afghanistan where I witnessed fellow comrades get killed right in front of me. When I returned back to Canada safely and alive by the grace of God, I returned to the devastating news that both my mother and young son were diagnosed with terminal cancer. After a long fight and trying to do everything I could to keep them alive, they both succumbed to the illness in the same year, three months apart. I have PTSD and a broken heart, I knew I needed to heal and that’s where my journey to being a best-selling author, a blogger, a musician, and a traveller began.” recounts Hendricks.
Hendricks began his journey out of the need to heal and move on from these difficult times. However, he and his businesses became something more when he realized that he could inspire others and help them through their healing journey as well. By simply documenting his story, Hendricks believed that he could give others a source of strength, so that is what he did.
“Initially, I just wanted to heal. That was my sole focus and of utmost importance. I wanted to feel like myself again. Who I was before my traumas and before my PTSD. When I realized that something as simple as documenting my story, creating content and sharing my story was helping others – that was all the inspiration and motivation that I needed.” states Hendricks.
Now, as an acclaimed author, musician, traveler, and much more, Hendricks is helping people start their journey through conquering their own traumas. He has been all around the world and shared his story with millions of people who have felt the impact of having someone to share their pain with and feel that solidarity.
“To me, success is about fulfilling my purpose in helping others. It’s the ability to do what you love every day. Right now, I feel like I’m successful because I’m healthy and I’m living my dream. I’m travelling to parts of the world I only dreamed of as a child. I just published my first book and it’s already a #1 bestseller on Amazon. My second book is being published soon and it’s so close to my heart. I made a promise to my son and I fulfilled that promise, that’s what success is to me.” explains Hendricks.
Like many others, Hendricks is on a pause due to the current pandemic. However, when the restrictions for traveling are lifted, he is excited to continue working hard to help others through his travels. In addition, he is working hard on his next book to hopefully be distributed and published soon, which details more about his personal family trauma.
“I plan to travel as soon as I can, continuing to create content and being of inspiration to others. Due to Covid-19, travelling is on pause so I’ll be writing a lot more and publishing a lot more books.” Says Hendricks.
For those who wish to start their own business, Hendricks recommends following one simple tactic: commitment. Do what you want to grow and help others grow through your business. Like Hendricks, you may never know who you could help by starting a business and sharing your story.
“My advice is commit. Make a decision that you want to grow/do something and commit to it. Growth looks different for everyone. I only know what works for me and that’s all I can speak on. Self-help books have been a heaven sent. Google search the specific areas you want to work on and see what books show up and read them. Take notes on everything you want to implement into your own life and just do it.” advises Hendricks.
To learn more about about Stephon Hendricks aka Hendrix Sky, follow him on Instagram @hendrixinthesky, YouTube.com/StephonHendricks and check out his website at hendrixinthesky.com
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