A matchless story, interwoven with the dynamic evidence of spirituality and unstoppable perseverance that will break your heart and push your personal strength beyond its limitations. Tammy Jo was twelve years old when her premeditated suicide was hijacked and she shot her own mother instead. Just like so many teenage girls, Tammy Jo suffered silently in mental and emotional distress that harboring secrets of bullying and sexual abuse can induce. Her dark skin, under-developed features, and thick glasses dubbed her "the ugly duckling", destroying her self-esteem and killing her young spirit. Tammy Jo was thrown into the juvenile correctional system until her twenty-first birthday. Feelings of safety and uncertainty matured her intelligence and cultivated her growth continuously. Once released, her survival was based solely on her own ideas and imagination of what adult life was supposed to be. Along with the love and support of a small dynamic group of people, she began on an unfamiliar journey, From the Ground Up. Tammy Jo's profound insight and authenticity shines when she steps onto the platform of leadership and personal development. As a Changing Future Outcomes Expert and Founder of Breaking Ground Learning Systems, Tammy Jo's story--although a piece of her past--endorses her vision to "re-build the foundation" of young women all over the world. Her passionate confidence is astounding and applauded with the turn of every page, re-defining the arisen "beautiful swan". From the Ground Up powerfully introduces a unique idea that sets ablaze personal responsibility and initiates true confidence building from the inside out. Tammy Jo leads you on a reflective journey that - Awakens - Inspires - Redirects and - Dares you to step out and embrace your "You-ness" Do you know any women who have endured profound pain and suffering, lived through it, and paved the way for others to have a clearer path? Well...you do now. "One of the ways I began to rebuild my confidence as a woman was to first accept that I would never be a perfect one. Ever." --Tammy Jo
About the Author: Tammy Jo was born in Akron Ohio. Unfortunately, she did not grow up there. Instead, she was sentenced to juvenile life in an all-girl facility in Delaware, Ohio. As a child Tammy Jo was also a victim of bullying, sexual molestation and sexual assault from the time she was a small child through her adolescence. She suffered from severe depression, nightmare disorder and anxiety disorder. Her attempted suicide so that her family would hear her cry for help went wrong when she accidentally shot and killed her mother instead. She was 12 years old. When Tammy Jo was released from the juvenile facility where she was sentenced to juvenile life, she had no idea how to survive, much less, live successfully as an adult. After being very unsure of herself as a woman and living the party life for years something tapped her on the shoulder and called her to BE more. DO more. Despite being abused, bullied and thrown into the system, she later, in her adult life, graduated from a modeling school where she was extensively trained in all aspects of Commercial, Print and Promotional Modeling and self-confidence. This training landed her modeling opportunities with Revlon, Gillette Venus, Axe, Hasbro, Marlboro, José Cuervo and many more. She has also had the opportunity to be a part of two major motion pictures and a well-known TV court show. Tammy Jo shows you how to begin the process of overcoming so you can master self-confidence starting from the inside out and move forward to becoming the leader you were meant to be. From The Ground Up, introduces her to the world. Here, she talks about the months leading up to her attempted suicide and mother's death. She also digs deeper into the very first step in regaining and walking in complete self-confidence. Her second book, Grounded in Confidence will be released in a few weeks. This is where Tammy Jo's expertise steps in as a leading expert in Confidence building, bullying prevention and steps for foundational health and esteem. She considers herself "confident beyond measure and especially humbled". Her Christian Faith is evident in any encounter or conversation with her because she gives all of credit of her success in life to the gift of grace. Tammy Jo is a Motivational Speaker, author and coach. Visit her at www.tammyjojohnson.com