Lea Waters AM, PhD, is a psychologist, researcher, speaker and author. She’s one of the world’s leading experts on Positive Education, Positive Organizations, and Strength-Based Parenting and Teaching. As a University researcher, Lea turns her science into strength-based strategies to help organizations, educators and parents around the world build resilience in their employees and children, helping them to thrive. Lea is a Board Member and the 2017-2019 President of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) and founding director of the Centre for Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne and is the author of the Strength Switch https://www.leawaters.com/the-strength-switch  In part 1 of this inspiring episode Lea talks openly about her traumatic childhood, the devastating loss of her sister, making the difficult decision to end her relationship with her parents and how these experiences resulted in a myriad of mental health conditions developing some of which she still manages today. With close to three decades of seeking professional support, Lea has successfully overcome many of the conditions that have impacted her life and inspiringly used her own experiences in her role as a psychologist to help children, families and organisations across the world. Lea also shares: "When I tell the story of what I’ve overcame in my past, that becomes a part of someone’s survival guide for their future." “Forgiveness is letting go of anger and it’s letting go of bitterness and it’s reaching this point of grace where you say I’m not going to hold onto that any more I’m going to move forward and live my own life." “When we keep these things silent, shadows grow in silence." “One of the gifts of Covid is time which has allowed people and their families to slow down, to have more gentleness in their life at the moment." “Healing can also be made up of a journey of amplifying and building up what is right with you." “The absence of depression is not the same as the presence of happiness." You can find Lea Waters, PhD at: Website : https://www.leawaters.com Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/profleawaters/  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ProfLeaWaters  Twitter : https://twitter.com/ProfLeaWaters  Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPSF3XlFHKTP_L4u3HUc8A  Available Resources: The Strength Switch (book): https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-strength-switch-9781925324426 The Strength Switch (online positive family course): https://vwb.thinkific.com/courses/the-strength-switch $99 USD What your family will learn and experience: Help you find a new and positive way of seeing the qualities and talents in each other. Create an energizing and fun approach to parenting and family communication. Give you a lens to understand the perspectives and motivations of other family members. Provide ways to uncover new strengths in each family member that you may not have seen before. Foster a bonding family approach that builds warmth, trust and happiness. Family Fun Pack: https://www.leawaters.com/shop/family-fun-pack       $40 USD Perfect for families in quarantine, isolation or just practising social distancing, this Family Fun Pack of 21 activities has been specifically designed by Lea to get your kids off the screen and create a sense of togetherness. Strength Stars Cards: available in hard copy $35 USD or virtual $25 USD The Strengths Stars cards provide a learning tool for young children to discover and develop their character strengths. Strength Stars cards are based on the philosophy of early education that recognise the early years as a critical period in children’s learning, development and identity. Strengths for Kids and Teens Cards: available in hard copy $35 USD or virtual $25 USD The Strengths cards provide a learning tool for kids and teens to d