Bully This – A Hero’s Journey

A podcast from two guys who survived hard times, how they got through it and became successful adults, and how you can, too.Astonished by the cruelty and suffering captured by the documentary film “Bully,” Tyler Copenhaver-Heath immediately knew he had to be a part of the solution. But how? His friend, Clifford Starks, also wanted to join the effort, so they started talking about how to help put a stop to the unwanted, intentional, and repeated attacks bullying victims endure: shoving, rumors, name-calling, exclusion, cyberbullying, and more.For the men, the mission is personal. The successful entrepreneurs, ASU grads, and martial arts training partners (Starks is a professional middleweight fighter), grew up knowing adversity. Copenhaver-Heath barely had enough money to get by. And Starks was among the one in five youth in the United States who experience bullying.Acutely aware of the pain, shame, and damage bullying causes, they want children and families to know that there is always help, that there’s always a solution.“It’s maddening to me that any child had to suffer the way Alex Libby and other students did in the documentary ‘Bully’ by Lee Hirsch. Punched. Shoved. Poked. Called names. Isolated. Deeply alone and with his suffering invisible to a school staff that failed him, he withdrew from friends, family, and his grades slipped. He was giving up. Imagine how much sooner children will reach their full potential when they’re full of confidence and curiosity, instead of dread and worry? Helping just one kid hang on through a tough time would be amazing. And if we help one, more are sure to follow. The magnitude of that is awe-inspiring,” Copenhaver-Heath said.The podcast “Bully This” brings the two men together, along with experts in the field, to talk about their individual life experiences, bringing forward proven insights children and families can put to use right away to make a difference. Former bullies and bullying victims alike will share how they made the journey from troubled youth to successful adults, and what it is they think would have made a difference.Statistics link bullying to increased life struggles, including mental health, substance use, poor eating habits, sleep disruptions, and more. They also show bullied kids are themselves at risk of becoming bullies, and that bullies also need intervention – role modeling and tangible skills they can use to build confidence, empathy and meaningful friendships.Not ones to sit on the sidelines, the Copenhaver-Heath and Starks are stepping out of the training ring and onto the airwaves to fight for those who may feel they can’t fight for themselves.“Bully This” brings real-life techniques and inspiration to help young people and their families feel seen, heard, included, experience kindness and gain positive reinforcement – key strategies in bullying prevention.Through their podcast, Copenhaver-Heath and Starks hope to spread resilience one kid, one family at a time, to be voices that uplift and give strength through times of struggle.Stark’s will tell you “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” It’s a favorite quote of his from Robert Scheuller, and one he lives by.“Being great within is about being your very best self and treating others with the respect they deserve. It is also about knowing as a person that you deserve proper respect as well, and to come from a place of love and empathy,” Starks has said.Listen to “Bully This” wherever you find your favorite podcasts.