In this episode of the Powerful Stories Podcast, we hear the incredible, and at times confronting, story of Kelly Alders life. Kelly and Tory have something in common as they both wore two masks for a long time. The common thread being we were afraid both of what people would think when they removed that mask until a breakthrough moment came. For you Kelly, it came while she was happily married to the love of her life, who had little idea of her past until 6 years after her daughter was born. It all started with an idyllic perfect childhood but everything changed when, after her parents had separated, she was told her father had terminal bowel cancer – however upon his death bed, she discovered the truth. He had actually had contracted aids – which had also been transferred to her mother. Following the death of both her parents from this disease, Kelly’s family accountant embezzled the family money – leaving her with basically nothing. How did you Kelly cope with this? Well, she didn’t. She fell into a deep depression. Seeing she was at a loss a friend suggested she connect with John Twobirds, a native American ‘Spiritual warrior’ who was touring the UK at the time. Seeking something to bring her out of despair and loneliness, Kelly spent the summer following Twobirds around the country and attending his workshops.   So how did Kelly become Twobirds 14th wife? Well, Twobirds had a Master’s degree in Psychology and saw that Kelly was vulnerable and could be easily manipulated. One of Twobirds’ other wives (which, at the time Kelly was not aware of the relationship) ‘signed’ Kelly - meaning that she was destined to become one of his wives. ‘By then I was so deeply involved that I had no choice but to go along with it and agree’ says Kelly. In October of that same year, Kelly travelled to New Mexico where, the morning after she arrived, she became Twobirds wife number 14. Kelly’s wake-up moment came when out of desperation she reached out to the spirit of her deceased mother begging for help and direction. ‘That night she appeared to me in a dream and told me to leave the compound. So the next day I left and returned to London.’ When she arrived back in London, Kelly felt so disconnected and questioned her choice. However, using all her inner strength she made the decision to change her career and start getting fit and eating well. ‘By getting my body strong, my mindset would follow to regain my power and take charge of my own life.’ Kelly became a Pilates teacher and this step changed her life. ‘It was the first powerful step for me, the second was getting therapy.’ And finally, Tory reads an excerpt from Kelly’s memoir, ‘The Fourteenth Wife – a search for belonging.’ So, sit back and enjoy this powerful story with the extraordinary Kelly Alder.   Links: Sign up to the Powerful Steps #coffeechallenge to gain Tory’s proven formula for building a global network, with three coffee dates a week. It’s how she connected with the guests on this podcast. Each one is an authentic and trusted connection  Powerful Steps Follow @powerfulsteps on Instagram Powerful Steps on LinkedIn Get your copy of ‘The Fourteenth Wife – a search for belonging’ Follow @iamredbear on Instagram Follow The Fourteenth Wife on Facebook   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.