Sweethearts & Heroes - Tom Murphy and Rick Yarosh - Promoting Healthy, Positive Social Connections and Relationships. This is episode 599 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Sweethearts & Heroes is a team focused on promoting healthy, positive social connections and relationships while fostering a sense of community and emotional resilience. We bring the power of HOPE and ACTION into schools and communities.
Our focus is to teach human skills, both in school and digitally, to build empathy and compassion in our youth, and develop young Sweethearts & Heroes by promoting bystander empowerment through leadership roles.
TOM MURPHY - Founder
Tom Murphy is the proud husband and father of four living in the charming City of Saint Albans, VT. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA where his parents ran a small shelter and recovery home for the hopeless in their own house, Tom has gone on to take this mantra of helping and caring for others in need his life’s mission.
 
Tom graduated from Cooperstown High School and then became an All-American at the University of Brockport, taking second place at the 1997 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. Tom spent the next 16 years advancing through the railroad industry, eventually becoming a Corporate Director for the world’s largest short line regional railroad company, RailAmerica. He ran their National Rail Traffic Control Center until stepping down and pursuing his full-time passion of being a Superhero. On top of his “mild-manner” role in the railroad, Tom has gone on to become the successful entrepreneur of multiple small-town businesses, namely one of Northern Vermont’s premiere restaurants and bars – Twiggs: An American Gastropub and The Clothier.
Tom is also a former professional mixed martial artist with a record of 8-0, competing in both amateur and professional fights, including on the popular UFC Ultimate Fighter Season 2. Tom now travels the nation with his good friend and wounded warrior Rick Yarosh. The two have spoken to over 2-million students on the power of HOPE and Action, focusing on empathy activation and student empowerment.  Their unique message leaves students, educators and parents inspired and with tangible strategies that give students the courage to Jump into Action to change and save lives!
 
RICK YAROSH - HOPE Expert
Rick Yarosh is a Retired Sergeant with the United States Army turned husband and father of two. Rick was deployed to Iraq in December 2005 where he spent nine months before being severely injured by an IED in Abu Ghraib on September 1, 2006.
For half a year, Rick recovered in the hospital at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, fighting through his 2nd and 3rd degree burns on over 60% of his body. He had his right leg amputated below the knee, lost both ears, his nose, multiple fingers, and most of the function in both hands. For his heroic service, Rick received the purple heart and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Since then, Rick has spoken to millions from all walks of life, including sports teams, schools, churches, the military, non-profits, and even on Fox News! His message of overcoming adversity and turning a negative situation into a positive one has made Rick one of the world’s HOPE experts. Today, Rick is happily married and can honestly say he is better than he has ever been before. The only reason he would change that fateful moment on September 1 is if he could bring back his brothers in arms who were lost in combat.
This is such a powerful episode.
So much to learn about hope and staying focused on what matters.
Amazing conversation!
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