April 30, 2025 • 41 mins
The resilient spirit refuses to be broken. Autumn Star Canterbury embodies this truth in ways that will leave you breathless.
When you've been traded for a horse, abandoned at a homeless shelter, and told repeatedly that your life amounts to nothing, you face a choice - surrender to despair or find something greater to believe in. Autumn chose the latter, and her journey illuminates the extraordinary power of what she calls "the silent gift."
With captivating rawness, Autumn reveals how horses became her first teachers in resilience. Growing up isolated on vast ranches without friends or supportive family, she studied these magnificent animals, learning from their ability to adapt and survive. "My spirit is not just unbreakable," she explains, "it is powerful like a horse - built to endure, to carry burdens without faltering."
This conversation delves deeply into how faith anchored Autumn when everything else was stripped away. The white Bible given to her after her mother's tragic death became her constant companion, offering guidance when human support failed her. Through her darkest moments, she developed a philosophy that continues to propel her forward: "To a committed mind, there is no failure, so be mindful what you are committed to."
Today, at 40, Autumn is finishing her high school education, preparing to join the National Guard as a chaplain assistant, and raising three remarkable children who are finding their own paths to success. Her daughter Faith - born prematurely at just over one pound - has enlisted in the Marines, embodying the resilience that runs through their family's veins.
Autumn's testimony reminds us that healing isn't about erasing our scars but finding the strength to carry them while still rising. Her courage challenges us to examine how we respond to our own hardships and whether we're allowing past wounds to define our future.
Listen, be moved, and perhaps discover your own silent gift waiting to transform pain into purpose.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome to Real Talk with Tina and Anne.
This is part two of Autumn StarCanterbury.
Some stories change you just byhearing them.
This is one of those stories.
It changed me.
Autumn talks in Part 1 about herheart, and she shares the
unimaginable Traded with a horsegiven away not once but two
(00:33):
times by her family, ending upat a homeless shelter, many
different houses, all whilecarrying the deep wounds of a
childhood lost too soon, a timewhen innocence is lost.
She watched her mother die in atragic horse accident, a moment
that shattered her innocenceand became the dividing line
(00:55):
between before and after.
From that day on, life wasnever the same.
But Autumn's story is not justabout heartbreak.
It's about choosing braverywhen the world gave her every
reason to quit.
It's about building a life fromthe ashes of betrayal and pain.
It's about defying the odds,one breath, one step, one battle
(01:17):
at a time.
She wasn't even allowed to goto school.
In this episode, autumn speaksabout what truly saved her, the
silent strength that carried herwhen no one else could.
She talks about abuse thatleaves no bruises, the wounds no
one sees but that leave scarsall the same.
She made bold, life-changingdecisions joining the National
(01:39):
Guard, finishing her high schoolagainst all odds, training her
mind and body to rebuild a lifeno one thought was possible,
because many people told herthat they didn't believe in her,
but she believed in herself.
Autumn's story reminds ushealing is not the absence of
scars.
Healing is the power to carrythem and still rise.
(02:00):
Her story is one of unrelentingcourage.
It's raw, it's real and deeplysacred.
And you made it Autumn.
If you or someone you know isfacing trauma or loss, please
reach out, contact a localshelter, tell the authorities
you need help and, when the timecomes, have a go bag ready with
(02:21):
your most important papers,because your life is worth
protecting.
Put yourself first, take careof you and know this.
Here at Real Talk, we arewalking this journey with you
every single step.
Here is part two of Autumn StarCanterbury's unforgettable
story.
(02:41):
In part two of our powerfulconversation with her, we
explore how a life marked byhardship was transformed into a
story of fierce determinationand survival.
Autumn shares what saved her inher darkest moments, how she
found the strength to rebuildand why she refused to let abuse
define her future.
(03:01):
Instead of staying stuck in thepain, she rose above it,
earning her degree and steppinginto a life filled with purpose,
hope and joy.
This episode is a raw,inspiring reminder that, no
matter how deep the wounds,healing and new beginnings are
always possible.
Here is part two.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
I was told no offense , but because of your past
you're never going to be wherewe're at in life, and so I was
told a lot of criticism justbecause of my upbringing.
I was judged heavily because ofthat.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
It was almost like people were just expecting you
to fail.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Right and I got used and comfortable to failing,
because I didn't know what I wascapable of doing.
I only knew what I was capableof being accepted to do and I
would never cross that boundaryof trying to become even more,
because I was afraid of judgment.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
You had a lot of invisible things going on inside
of you, but one of the biggestthings, I think, was that gift
that you talked about.
I mean, what saved you?
Speaker 2 (04:15):
A lot of things saved me, but the key note is faith.
I had so much faith that I'mgoing to overcome this.
My heavenly father, my God inheaven, is my reason.
Back as a child, we lived onacres and acres with just horses
(04:41):
, and I didn't have people to goto, I didn't have friends, I
didn't have family.
So I learned how to find mypeace and my comfort in studying
the horses and how do they liveand how they just you know they
adapt.
Horses will adapt and acclimateto different environments.
(05:03):
Horses will adapt and acclimateto different environments,
owners, the land and everything.
And that I put in my book.
You know, I explain how mysurvival was leaning on a horse,
and then I learned how to leanon my faith when those horses
were no longer there.
That's the silent gift.
(05:25):
And then there's the goodpeople too.
There's those little silentpeople that just did that one
thing or a couple of things inyour life that fed you that
inspiration to believe inyourself, and so that, even
though they were minute in mylife, they were still there.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Yeah, I have a friend of mine who does 30-second
moments and you know she talksabout how it just takes 30
seconds to make somebody feelimportant and yeah, I mean it
really is those small thingsthat make up actually for a lot
(06:10):
of hurt.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Yeah, yeah, we can come back, we can bounce back is
what I'm trying to say.
Very easily, it doesn't takemuch that structure that kept
(06:42):
you so, you know, unflexible,shall I say, and I've had to
really learn how to.
Just anywhere I'm, at anybody Italk to, I try to pull the good
out, I try to implement thatinto my life and then I try to
overcome and overcome some days,try to overcome and overcome
(07:07):
some days.
Just waking up and overcomingthe day is a huge success for me
.
Reading a book, accomplishingsomething, it can be huge.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
You don't take anything for granted.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
You have to learn how to not do that, Because if you
put your life on a calendar andyou exited out all the days of
how old you are and you see howmuch you have left, you wouldn't
want to waste them.
You know, and you're going to,it's inevitable you're going to
(07:42):
have a day that's going to be apitfall and it's going to be,
you know, a red X on that day.
But you can give back, you know, in that moment or the day
after, even if it's somethinglike okay, I got up this morning
and I didn't exercise and I hadto do all these errands today
(08:03):
and I really, really wanted torun that two-mile run.
You still have the end of theday to try to get it done.
Or if you can't get it done,you can still say hey, I made my
bed, I was grateful, I gavegratitude.
Today.
That's a two-mile run that Iphysically did something, you
(08:24):
know.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Right, right, it's all relative.
So you're talking about I wantto get back to the faith, but I
do want to hit on that for asecond, because you did work on
your physical body as well.
I mean, you started exercisingand working out to become
healthier physically.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
I'm in the process.
I run two miles every day, Iweight lift, I swim, I do
morning devotion every evening.
I give gratitude.
I have my little book that Ilook back and I write I journal.
(09:01):
I try really hard to makemyself the best I can.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
You're a hero to me.
You really are.
You have had everything againstyou.
You have had every reason toquit and give up, whatever that
means for anybody.
You know it could mean anything, but you didn't quit on any
area of your life and even whenthey took your kids, you decided
(09:28):
you were going to work reallyhard and get them back.
I mean, there was nothing thatkept you down, and that's what I
really love, one of the thingsthat I really you know.
The horse keeps coming up inyour story and I find that
really interesting because oneof the things that you said to
(09:49):
me you sent you know the horse.
You use the horse, the spiritof the horse, to describe you
and the metaphor of the horse,with endurance and strength and
unbreakable will, you say.
My spirit is not justunbreakable, it is a spirit
(10:10):
powerful like a horse.
A horse is built to endure, tocarry burdens without faltering.
A horse does not surrender tothe storm.
He faces the wind head heldhigh.
My strength is like that of aforce that does not waver, a
will that does not break.
I have run through the fire,galloped through the pain and
(10:33):
still remain.
My story is not of defeat butof survival of the power of a
spirit untamed and unshaken.
And this is my silent gift, Imean, that is so beautifully
written.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
Well, it's what we, it's what our environment is,
kind of what we develop around.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You know, I say can I say something really quick here
?
You didn't have teachers ofpeople, you had parents and
teachers of horses.
They taught you.
Would you say that?
Speaker 2 (11:12):
I'm so glad you said it because that's where I was
headed.
If you watch movies likeSeabiscuit Secretariat, if you
study horsemen like MontyRoberts, um, you know that was
the environment that I wasacclimated to.
My my father was a horseman.
(11:34):
My mother was a horsewoman.
She died from a horse.
Horses were always seemed to bethat silent gift in my life and
I would study and observepeople that were really good
leaders with horses.
You know, if you, if you knowanything about horse trainers,
(11:57):
horsemanship, they're goodleaders and that's why the horse
understands that person.
That's why they follow thatperson.
They feel safe.
If a horse feels fear, they'regoing to take off, they're not
going to trust you.
And I seeked out leadershipthrough what I was familiar with
(12:19):
, and I was familiar with horses.
I was familiar with cowboys.
I didn't necessarily havehealthy cowboys in my life, but
I seeked them and I looked up topeople and studied people that
were good in that aspect.
(12:39):
And the horses were my mom'slife.
I mean like, so that's what Iknow.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Well, I'm glad that you because associations can be
made with abuse and horses arethroughout your story you were
traded with a horse.
You know there was so muchabuse on these horse farms, on
these ranches, and I'm so gladthat they were actually your
(13:10):
safety through all of it andthey didn't become an
association with the bat.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Yes, me too, me too.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Are you still really involved with horses today?
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Yeah, I have horses.
Okay, I have a mare that'sgoing to have a baby, so I'm
really excited about that.
Of course, right now I don'thave any time to ride or play
around like that, but those aremy future goals.
You know, right now I amfocused on my education and
(13:47):
getting structure and afoundation for me and my
children.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
So what are you going to school for?
Speaker 2 (13:55):
So I'm finishing my high school diploma.
I am totally stoked aboutfinishing it and it's happening
now.
I'm working with a recruiterfor the National Guard and doing
my ASVAB testing on that.
I have all my books right herebeside me, school totally all
(14:26):
day and work out, and I'mgetting ready for signing up for
basic training this summer andjoining the Army National Guard.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Well, you just don't stop.
I mean, that is so great.
There were different tools.
You know, when we go throughlife and there's a lot of abuse,
there's a lot of trauma, grief,we develop a tool belt.
What were some of the toolsthat you put in your tool belt
to help you?
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Um, that is a tough question.
How do I put it in words?
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Besides faith, because I would say faith would
have been a big one.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Yeah, one that I write down, I put in my book
right here Um to a committedmind, there is no failure, so be
mindful what you are committedto.
That is something that I liketo always stay committed to the
(15:31):
right things in my mind, becauseif I'm committed to being
depressed, that's what's goingto happen If I'm committed to
saying you know what it hurts,I'm 40 years old and I do not
want to run two miles, but I'mcommitted to doing this.
I finished and I'm like, wow, Imay not have been the fastest,
(15:52):
but I did it.
You know, still, be mindful ofwhat you're committed to,
because I think that's kind ofwhat I did at a very young age.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
That's what kept getting you back up.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
I think so I'm still on that journey of figuring
myself out.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
And that's a lifelong thing.
I think that we are alwaysdoing that, but you should
really be commended for that,because that's a tough thing to
hold on to when there's so manythings going on and you just
still hold on to that faith andyou don't let it beat you down.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
And you're right in that.
You're right in that whateveryou allow your brain to attach
to, I mean, a thought can go ina really bad direction and your
action will follow that thought.
So I mean it's just reallyamazing that you trained your
(16:57):
brain to go in the directionthat you wanted it to do to be
in order for you to become whoyou are today.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Despite, despite, everybody and everything that
they threw at you.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
And it you know it's no new news.
You look at entrepreneurs, youlook at people who are very
successful in life and theirstories always have a hardship
that made them overcome to getwhere they're at, and that's
something that I've alwayslooked up to.
You know, I stayed focused onsuccessful people people.
(17:37):
I um on the tractor for hours.
I would listen to, you knowmotivational videos and um
podcasts of people that overcameand it, it fueled me to step up
and step out of my comfort zoneand say, okay, I'm scared to do
this, but I I've got to takethat step because it will open a
(18:00):
door for another opportunityand it's always seemed to work.
So I don't think we shouldreally change those things that
work, you know, to help us getbetter.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Yeah, there's been times where I've literally been
on the floor in a ball cryingand felt like I can't get up,
but nothing was going to keep medown Nothing, and I really
believe it was.
And were you taught about Godwhen you were younger?
(18:36):
I mean, you did mention how youprayed at the table and stuff
like that, but did you you felthim when you were younger?
You knew that there was thisthing within you, that was this
power greater than you that waskeeping you and through all of
these things, but did you reallyunderstand who he was?
Speaker 2 (18:56):
I did, I did, we prayed, not that my family lived
by faith or whatever God, Iread the Bible.
I read the whole Bible.
How did you get the?
Speaker 1 (19:12):
Bible.
It was in your house had passedaway.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I was 12 years old and this was around the time
before I had, you know, reallylost all of my family.
We had actually came toColorado right after my mom had
died, for the family andeverybody to talk and everything
.
And I had prayed at mygrandfather's house for Jesus to
(19:45):
save me, and then I went to himand told him that I wanted to
be baptized and my cousin was apastor and he baptized me right
after my mother's death and theygave me as a gift a Bible, a
white Bible.
I still have to this day,because that was the only thing
(20:08):
that my father gave me when hedropped me off in the homeless
shelter was my Bible, and I readit and I read it and I read it
and I read it.
And when you're alone, that'swho I went to, that's who I
talked to, was my father inheaven.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
What a piece of this story that's amazing, and what a
gift.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
I don't mean to keep filling you in with these little
holes, but there's a lot to it.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
No, I mean, that's so beautiful.
I mean I remember and I did notknow really who God was and I
didn't live in a godly home oranything when I was younger.
But we had Bibles, like we hadthe big family Bible, you know,
where they put people's names init, and then I had been to some
(21:03):
event at a church and I got aBible.
And I was really young I stillhave that particular Bible with
my name in it from a small childand I can remember and I had
learning disabilities so Icouldn't even really read very
well, no-transcript, and Ireally don't even know how I
(21:49):
knew that, except for I'm surethat God placed that within me.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
He does, I believe he does.
You know that's how I walk inmy life.
You know that's what I'mworking on with the National
Guard, is I signed up to try tobe a chaplain assistant.
So you know, it's amazing how,through all of it, if he can go
through dying on the cross forour sins and what he had to
(22:17):
sacrifice, then you know we can.
We can go through this too,cause it's not if it wasn't easy
for him.
We know it as a child of God.
It's not going to be easy forus.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Well, I was a chaplain, Well, one of the
preachers I at the jail for thewomen and I'll tell you and I've
talked about it on the podcastbefore, but those were some of
the women that because they werebroken, because they had been
real, because they, a lot ofthem, had been through so much
(22:51):
that they were so willing tocome before him and and just be
who they needed to be in orderto be saved or in order to grow,
and that really says something,a lot about the realness and
the relationship that we have tohave in order to grow.
(23:14):
And when you come here today andyou lay all this out there
which there's a lot and you haveto be transparent and you have
to be willing to be real I mean,there's nothing fake here and
it's such a lesson to people inorder for us to be who we really
are.
And that's why we actually callthis podcast Real Talk with
Tina and Ann, because it's aboutbeing real and that's who we
(23:37):
need to be in order to grow.
And I think that that is a lotof the reason that you have
grown in your faith and in yourlife and stayed committed and
true to who you are and the paththat you're supposed to be,
because you've been real withinyourself and I think, so many
(23:59):
times.
People aren't even real withthemselves.
They're lying not just aboutwho they are to the people
around them, but they're alsolying to themselves and not
allowing them to truly becomewho they are and who they need
to be.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Oh yeah, I learned how to be real by being fake for
so long.
I went down that direction of.
You know I'm going to look thepart, act the part, be the part.
But I was, you know, arguing inmy marriage and everything.
You know I was livingeverything.
(24:37):
I really wasn't.
And so, you know, people aregoing to listen to those that
actually have walked throughthose footsteps, you know, and
figured out how to step out ofthem.
And my stepping out was okay.
I'm going to have to be withouta house again.
I'm going to have to lose thereally nice car and drive the
(25:00):
old, you know, pickup truck, buthey, I'm debt free.
I'm going to have to walk awayfrom everything that people were
familiar with because I have tobe me.
I have to be me.
It's kind of like you only goso far, and you hit a wall.
Well, what's past that wall?
You know that that wall, pastit is your faith, it's you being
(25:24):
real, it's you being organicwith who you are, inside and out
, and that's what takes you upup that mountain, that's what
gets you out and that youallowed God to speak louder than
all the rest I did, and thatand even yourself, you know.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
I think so many times we allow even other people's
voices to become our voices andthat can be so heavy and
critical on our own selves wherewe don't become who we should
be, and I think allowing a forceand God to be louder than all
(26:10):
of those other voices is reallycritical.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Oh yeah, because if you listen to everybody, it just
creates a chaos scene inside ofyour mind because you lose
sight of what you are and whoyou are.
Because you have so many peoplecoming in from every direction
saying, well, you should do this, this, that and the other is
what you need.
And I had that happen.
(26:35):
I had so many people demeanorme but then order me what
direction and how to do it andwhen to do it and why to do it,
to where it was no longer silentinside of me.
And that's another reason why Icall it the silent gift is
learning how to be silent withinyourself.
(26:55):
Find the gift within yourself,have faith forward through it
and prevail and step out of yourcomfort zone because it's going
to be all right.
You can overcome it.
You will heal as soon as youfigure that out.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Oh yeah, a hundred percent.
And if he is at the forefrontof it.
You know those other people,their motivations are not good.
They're purposely trying toharm and you know the enemy is
everywhere and they work throughthem.
He works through them in orderto reach us and to try to keep
(27:37):
us down, because and I'll tellyou, and I see this in you
because we have a great message,Because we have so many people
that we can help, and that's whythey you know, I always will
(28:02):
continue to allow God to speaklouder than what any other
message could come my way.
There are so many messages inthis world right now to make us
feel as if we are defeated Right, and this is a horrible time in
(28:23):
our world right now, and so Ithink it's really important for
us to make that focus.
You know, I wanted to ask youwith everything who are you
today?
Speaker 2 (28:41):
I am actually my name .
I am Autumn Star Canterbury.
I am no longer, you know, thescared little girl.
I am no longer the wife that isafraid to step up and be
(29:01):
herself.
I'm no longer the woman whowill say anything to please
anybody, and I'm Autumn.
I'm Autumn Star Canterbury andI will continue on a daily basis
to stay strong.
I am a soldier of God and I ama child of His and I will do all
(29:27):
I can to just try to helpsomebody.
Even if it's one, even if it'sthree.
I will be thankful and humblethat I got that opportunity to
help somebody feel better.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
How does it feel to be heard and not be invisible?
Speaker 2 (29:49):
I'm still trying to learn how to take that in.
I don't know if I have what ittakes to be good enough to help
others.
Still, you know, I stillquestion.
You know what is so specialabout you to think you can go
help somebody but at the sametime I wouldn't be where I'm at,
(30:09):
totally uncomfortable, if Ididn't have that purpose.
So I feel good that I canfinally be myself, but I'm still
working on that.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Well, I can tell you that you're not invisible
anymore, that people are hearingyour story and that's a really
amazing thing that you got tothis point in your story and
you're only 40, you're reallyyoung, really, and you have so
(30:48):
much more to offer.
You have so much life to giveand when you put that uniform on
, I'm sure it'll feel amazing tohave a uniform and be seen and
not be invisible.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
Well, the great feeling I had last week was I
got a phone call out of nowhereand it was my recruiter and I
was like, well, I'm studying onthis and I did really good here
and I'm still doing this, sir.
And he said Autumn, I just wantto tell you something.
I'm not calling you to talk andbrag about, you know, your
(31:27):
education and all that.
I just want you to know thatyou are an amazing person and it
is such an honor to get to beworking with you.
And I don't just say that toanybody.
He said so it actually, youknow, I used that as fuel the
next day, saying, all right, Igot, I got to do this, I got to
(31:50):
do my pushups.
Today, I've got to do my planksand I got to figure this out,
you know, um.
So it's, it's those littlethings that just really make me
feel happy and proud inside, um,but I'm also in the process of
really working, you know, onthat foundation for my children,
and my daughter came to me lastmonth and said, mama, I'm
(32:14):
signing up for the Marines andI'm like what?
Wow?
So here's this family thatlived on, you know, ranches and
farms, our whole life to well,my children's whole life to
going into the military.
So I feel so happy that mydaughter took that step.
(32:39):
She got accepted, she signed upfor the hardest one, she was my
preemie and here she, she justshe's now quitting, you know
yeah, so she's doing great.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
She was born at one pound something and she's doing
amazing, obviously yeah, she hadno health issues whatsoever.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
I mean, like she is just.
You looked at her and you'd belike, is she a wrestler?
Because she's built really well.
She's never had health issuesfrom being a premature baby.
I made sure that I dideverything the nurses installed
in my mind to do.
So I have to take that creditas a mama, because I was cut
(33:24):
down for not being a good enoughmom and I'm like, well, take
that, guys, because this is whatmy daughter's doing and I have
to take that credit, not you.
So I'm really proud of her.
She's an amazing person.
I think she's got anotherjourney and a very, um,
important purpose on this life,uh, on this world.
(33:45):
I really think so.
Her name's faith oh, what abeautiful name.
And my middle daughter, she'sunstoppable.
I mean, she is so driven andfrom the time she was four to 15
(34:07):
now she knows what she wants.
She wants to be a horsewomanand work with horses, and I
believe her and my son he's justa ball of love.
So every time I have him and Ican hold on to him, I'm just
like okay, thank you so much God.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
That's so amazing.
Well, what a beautiful gift foryou to have such a beautiful
family, and you might not havehad it growing up, but you've
really created one.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
So I tried.
I'm not the you know the momanymore, with the you know
farmer husband next to me andthose family portraits.
You know that's the hard thingto swallow, but I'm still okay.
I'm still okay, my children areokay and I'm thankful for the
(35:00):
time that I did have.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
You know, sometimes we have to redefine what looks,
what's right, what's good,what's normal, what's and uh, we
have to pivot and be okay withour life, where our life ended
up in, and it might be differentthan what we thought it would
look like, but, uh, it's stillokay yes, yeah, it's that's
(35:23):
something I'm learning how towork with.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
You know it's that's my new life, and lesson is
learning how to accept that andlearn that it is okay.
Speaker 1 (35:35):
So your story is one of relenting, unrelenting
courage.
It is raw, real and deeplysacred.
Thank you for opening yourheart to us today.
You are a reminder that healingis not the absence of scars but
the power to carry them andstill rise.
(35:55):
So is there any way that peoplecan reach you?
And yeah, I know that you havelike a Facebook and Instagram
and things like that.
I know you're working on yourstory.
I know that you have like aFacebook and Instagram and
things like that.
I know you're working on yourstory.
So is there any place here thatyou would like me to put on the
screen for people to be able toreach you?
Speaker 2 (36:18):
Yeah, sure, you guys can reach me on my email all
lowercaseA-U-T-U-M-N-S-T-A-R-R-1022 at
gmailcom.
I still, you know, interact inemail.
And then I have Instagram andFacebook under Autumn Star
Canterbury and right now I'mjust still writing my book and
(36:40):
in that process.
But as soon as that getsfinished I will definitely let
that out for everybody to find.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
Definitely let that out for everybody to find.
Yeah, and if you, when youfinish it, we will absolutely
put that out on the podcast andmaybe we could have you back and
you could talk about the book.
That would be really fantastic.
If you or anybody that you knowis going through trauma or
(37:10):
anything, we can put resourcesdown in the notes below.
But also, if you need help,hopefully in your area, and I'm
sure that you can either get toshelters I used to be a director
of a battered woman's shelterthat maybe you could reach out
(37:31):
and try to.
You know, abuse looks in manydifferent ways.
Abuse is just not bruises, andso if anybody feels like, like
you said, Autumn, sometimes itcould just be they've taken the
keys and they won't let youleave the farm.
You know they're controllingand manipulating everything that
(37:54):
you're doing and you have nocontrol over your own life.
It is abuse and you can go andget help.
So don't minimize what you'regoing through and think, well, I
don't have bruises.
So therefore, you know it's notabuse because it still is.
So go out and get the help thatyou need and reach out and
(38:17):
believe in yourself and don'tlet others define who you are,
because you are special and youhave a purpose.
And look at Autumn.
I mean, she was beat down andbeat down and beat down, but she
still held on to her purposeand I just am so grateful that
you were able to come on heretoday and share that purpose.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
Yes, thank you so much.
And also, you know, don't beafraid to find research, master
mindset classes on the internet.
Those things really helped meand I'm in the process of my
online business as well beingbuilt, and I will have a master
mindset class to help people gothrough certain situations that
(38:59):
I had gone through.
So that is in the future aswell is having my online
business get launched.
Speaker 1 (39:07):
I asked what a master mindset is business get
launched.
Speaker 2 (39:10):
I asked what a master mindset is.
Well, a master mindset class.
Um, in the cowboy world.
Um, there's a.
There is ties cows down at therodeo.
(39:32):
Sorry for me not saying itcorrectly, but anyway, his name
is tyson durfee and he does amaster mindset class to teach
your mind how to overcomecertain battles in our everyday
life.
And, okay, lends that into therodeo field.
But I took a class andimplemented it into my lifestyle
(39:54):
and, um, those things really dowork.
They're really out there, youknow.
You just don't be afraid toresearch.
You know, if something comes toyour mind and you're like you
know what, I need help justlearning how to get out of bed
in a positive attitude, it's outthere, I mean, it is out there.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
So it really is.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
And I'm working on.
You know I paid for a businessfive years ago, not knowing
where it was going to lead me,and I'm now doing.
You know it's already paid formy business, but I haven't
finished it out yet because I'mstill in the process, you know.
So I'll have something outthere eventually too.
But I mean, just don't beafraid to research and look,
(40:36):
it's there.
Speaker 1 (40:38):
And believe in yourself and know that you do
have a purpose and have, youknow, like a business or
something that you can hold onto to keep you going till the
next day, like a business orsomething that you can hold on
to to keep you going till thenext day, Just finding that
reason to get out of bed andbelieve in yourself and take
that step that you need to toget away, get out, get help, do
(41:00):
whatever you need to.
So thank you so much for beingon Autumn.
I really enjoyed this.
And thank you everybody outthere from Real Talk with Tina
and Anne and we will see younext time.
Welcome to Real Talk with Tina and Anne.
This is part two of Autumn StarCanterbury.
Some stories change you just byhearing them.
This is one of those stories.
It changed me.
Autumn talks in Part 1 about herheart, and she shares the
unimaginable Traded with a horsegiven away not once but two
(00:33):
times by her family, ending upat a homeless shelter, many
different houses, all whilecarrying the deep wounds of a
childhood lost too soon, a timewhen innocence is lost.
She watched her mother die in atragic horse accident, a moment
that shattered her innocenceand became the dividing line
(00:55):
between before and after.
From that day on, life wasnever the same.
But Autumn's story is not justabout heartbreak.
It's about choosing braverywhen the world gave her every
reason to quit.
It's about building a life fromthe ashes of betrayal and pain.
It's about defying the odds,one breath, one step, one battle
(01:17):
at a time.
She wasn't even allowed to goto school.
In this episode, autumn speaksabout what truly saved her, the
silent strength that carried herwhen no one else could.
She talks about abuse thatleaves no bruises, the wounds no
one sees but that leave scarsall the same.
She made bold, life-changingdecisions joining the National
(01:39):
Guard, finishing her high schoolagainst all odds, training her
mind and body to rebuild a lifeno one thought was possible,
because many people told herthat they didn't believe in her,
but she believed in herself.
Autumn's story reminds ushealing is not the absence of
scars.
Healing is the power to carrythem and still rise.
(02:00):
Her story is one of unrelentingcourage.
It's raw, it's real and deeplysacred.
And you made it Autumn.
If you or someone you know isfacing trauma or loss, please
reach out, contact a localshelter, tell the authorities
you need help and, when the timecomes, have a go bag ready with
(02:21):
your most important papers,because your life is worth
protecting.
Put yourself first, take careof you and know this.
Here at Real Talk, we arewalking this journey with you
every single step.
Here is part two of Autumn StarCanterbury's unforgettable
story.
(02:41):
In part two of our powerfulconversation with her, we
explore how a life marked byhardship was transformed into a
story of fierce determinationand survival.
Autumn shares what saved her inher darkest moments, how she
found the strength to rebuildand why she refused to let abuse
define her future.
(03:01):
Instead of staying stuck in thepain, she rose above it,
earning her degree and steppinginto a life filled with purpose,
hope and joy.
This episode is a raw,inspiring reminder that, no
matter how deep the wounds,healing and new beginnings are
always possible.
Here is part two.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
I was told no offense , but because of your past
you're never going to be wherewe're at in life, and so I was
told a lot of criticism justbecause of my upbringing.
I was judged heavily because ofthat.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
It was almost like people were just expecting you
to fail.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Right and I got used and comfortable to failing,
because I didn't know what I wascapable of doing.
I only knew what I was capableof being accepted to do and I
would never cross that boundaryof trying to become even more,
because I was afraid of judgment.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
You had a lot of invisible things going on inside
of you, but one of the biggestthings, I think, was that gift
that you talked about.
I mean, what saved you?
Speaker 2 (04:15):
A lot of things saved me, but the key note is faith.
I had so much faith that I'mgoing to overcome this.
My heavenly father, my God inheaven, is my reason.
Back as a child, we lived onacres and acres with just horses
(04:41):
, and I didn't have people to goto, I didn't have friends, I
didn't have family.
So I learned how to find mypeace and my comfort in studying
the horses and how do they liveand how they just you know they
adapt.
Horses will adapt and acclimateto different environments.
(05:03):
Horses will adapt and acclimateto different environments,
owners, the land and everything.
And that I put in my book.
You know, I explain how mysurvival was leaning on a horse,
and then I learned how to leanon my faith when those horses
were no longer there.
That's the silent gift.
(05:25):
And then there's the goodpeople too.
There's those little silentpeople that just did that one
thing or a couple of things inyour life that fed you that
inspiration to believe inyourself, and so that, even
though they were minute in mylife, they were still there.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Yeah, I have a friend of mine who does 30-second
moments and you know she talksabout how it just takes 30
seconds to make somebody feelimportant and yeah, I mean it
really is those small thingsthat make up actually for a lot
(06:10):
of hurt.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Yeah, yeah, we can come back, we can bounce back is
what I'm trying to say.
Very easily, it doesn't takemuch that structure that kept
(06:42):
you so, you know, unflexible,shall I say, and I've had to
really learn how to.
Just anywhere I'm, at anybody Italk to, I try to pull the good
out, I try to implement thatinto my life and then I try to
overcome and overcome some days,try to overcome and overcome
(07:07):
some days.
Just waking up and overcomingthe day is a huge success for me
.
Reading a book, accomplishingsomething, it can be huge.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
You don't take anything for granted.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
You have to learn how to not do that, Because if you
put your life on a calendar andyou exited out all the days of
how old you are and you see howmuch you have left, you wouldn't
want to waste them.
You know, and you're going to,it's inevitable you're going to
(07:42):
have a day that's going to be apitfall and it's going to be,
you know, a red X on that day.
But you can give back, you know, in that moment or the day
after, even if it's somethinglike okay, I got up this morning
and I didn't exercise and I hadto do all these errands today
(08:03):
and I really, really wanted torun that two-mile run.
You still have the end of theday to try to get it done.
Or if you can't get it done,you can still say hey, I made my
bed, I was grateful, I gavegratitude.
Today.
That's a two-mile run that Iphysically did something, you
(08:24):
know.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Right, right, it's all relative.
So you're talking about I wantto get back to the faith, but I
do want to hit on that for asecond, because you did work on
your physical body as well.
I mean, you started exercisingand working out to become
healthier physically.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
I'm in the process.
I run two miles every day, Iweight lift, I swim, I do
morning devotion every evening.
I give gratitude.
I have my little book that Ilook back and I write I journal.
(09:01):
I try really hard to makemyself the best I can.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
You're a hero to me.
You really are.
You have had everything againstyou.
You have had every reason toquit and give up, whatever that
means for anybody.
You know it could mean anything, but you didn't quit on any
area of your life and even whenthey took your kids, you decided
(09:28):
you were going to work reallyhard and get them back.
I mean, there was nothing thatkept you down, and that's what I
really love, one of the thingsthat I really you know.
The horse keeps coming up inyour story and I find that
really interesting because oneof the things that you said to
(09:49):
me you sent you know the horse.
You use the horse, the spiritof the horse, to describe you
and the metaphor of the horse,with endurance and strength and
unbreakable will, you say.
My spirit is not justunbreakable, it is a spirit
(10:10):
powerful like a horse.
A horse is built to endure, tocarry burdens without faltering.
A horse does not surrender tothe storm.
He faces the wind head heldhigh.
My strength is like that of aforce that does not waver, a
will that does not break.
I have run through the fire,galloped through the pain and
(10:33):
still remain.
My story is not of defeat butof survival of the power of a
spirit untamed and unshaken.
And this is my silent gift, Imean, that is so beautifully
written.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
Well, it's what we, it's what our environment is,
kind of what we develop around.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You know, I say can I say something really quick here
?
You didn't have teachers ofpeople, you had parents and
teachers of horses.
They taught you.
Would you say that?
Speaker 2 (11:12):
I'm so glad you said it because that's where I was
headed.
If you watch movies likeSeabiscuit Secretariat, if you
study horsemen like MontyRoberts, um, you know that was
the environment that I wasacclimated to.
My my father was a horseman.
(11:34):
My mother was a horsewoman.
She died from a horse.
Horses were always seemed to bethat silent gift in my life and
I would study and observepeople that were really good
leaders with horses.
You know, if you, if you knowanything about horse trainers,
(11:57):
horsemanship, they're goodleaders and that's why the horse
understands that person.
That's why they follow thatperson.
They feel safe.
If a horse feels fear, they'regoing to take off, they're not
going to trust you.
And I seeked out leadershipthrough what I was familiar with
(12:19):
, and I was familiar with horses.
I was familiar with cowboys.
I didn't necessarily havehealthy cowboys in my life, but
I seeked them and I looked up topeople and studied people that
were good in that aspect.
(12:39):
And the horses were my mom'slife.
I mean like, so that's what Iknow.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Well, I'm glad that you because associations can be
made with abuse and horses arethroughout your story you were
traded with a horse.
You know there was so muchabuse on these horse farms, on
these ranches, and I'm so gladthat they were actually your
(13:10):
safety through all of it andthey didn't become an
association with the bat.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Yes, me too, me too.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Are you still really involved with horses today?
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Yeah, I have horses.
Okay, I have a mare that'sgoing to have a baby, so I'm
really excited about that.
Of course, right now I don'thave any time to ride or play
around like that, but those aremy future goals.
You know, right now I amfocused on my education and
(13:47):
getting structure and afoundation for me and my
children.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
So what are you going to school for?
Speaker 2 (13:55):
So I'm finishing my high school diploma.
I am totally stoked aboutfinishing it and it's happening
now.
I'm working with a recruiterfor the National Guard and doing
my ASVAB testing on that.
I have all my books right herebeside me, school totally all
(14:26):
day and work out, and I'mgetting ready for signing up for
basic training this summer andjoining the Army National Guard.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Well, you just don't stop.
I mean, that is so great.
There were different tools.
You know, when we go throughlife and there's a lot of abuse,
there's a lot of trauma, grief,we develop a tool belt.
What were some of the toolsthat you put in your tool belt
to help you?
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Um, that is a tough question.
How do I put it in words?
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Besides faith, because I would say faith would
have been a big one.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Yeah, one that I write down, I put in my book
right here Um to a committedmind, there is no failure, so be
mindful what you are committedto.
That is something that I liketo always stay committed to the
(15:31):
right things in my mind, becauseif I'm committed to being
depressed, that's what's goingto happen If I'm committed to
saying you know what it hurts,I'm 40 years old and I do not
want to run two miles, but I'mcommitted to doing this.
I finished and I'm like, wow, Imay not have been the fastest,
(15:52):
but I did it.
You know, still, be mindful ofwhat you're committed to,
because I think that's kind ofwhat I did at a very young age.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
That's what kept getting you back up.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
I think so I'm still on that journey of figuring
myself out.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
And that's a lifelong thing.
I think that we are alwaysdoing that, but you should
really be commended for that,because that's a tough thing to
hold on to when there's so manythings going on and you just
still hold on to that faith andyou don't let it beat you down.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
And you're right in that.
You're right in that whateveryou allow your brain to attach
to, I mean, a thought can go ina really bad direction and your
action will follow that thought.
So I mean it's just reallyamazing that you trained your
(16:57):
brain to go in the directionthat you wanted it to do to be
in order for you to become whoyou are today.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Despite, despite, everybody and everything that
they threw at you.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
And it you know it's no new news.
You look at entrepreneurs, youlook at people who are very
successful in life and theirstories always have a hardship
that made them overcome to getwhere they're at, and that's
something that I've alwayslooked up to.
You know, I stayed focused onsuccessful people people.
(17:37):
I um on the tractor for hours.
I would listen to, you knowmotivational videos and um
podcasts of people that overcameand it, it fueled me to step up
and step out of my comfort zoneand say, okay, I'm scared to do
this, but I I've got to takethat step because it will open a
(18:00):
door for another opportunityand it's always seemed to work.
So I don't think we shouldreally change those things that
work, you know, to help us getbetter.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Yeah, there's been times where I've literally been
on the floor in a ball cryingand felt like I can't get up,
but nothing was going to keep medown Nothing, and I really
believe it was.
And were you taught about Godwhen you were younger?
(18:36):
I mean, you did mention how youprayed at the table and stuff
like that, but did you you felthim when you were younger?
You knew that there was thisthing within you, that was this
power greater than you that waskeeping you and through all of
these things, but did you reallyunderstand who he was?
Speaker 2 (18:56):
I did, I did, we prayed, not that my family lived
by faith or whatever God, Iread the Bible.
I read the whole Bible.
How did you get the?
Speaker 1 (19:12):
Bible.
It was in your house had passedaway.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I was 12 years old and this was around the time
before I had, you know, reallylost all of my family.
We had actually came toColorado right after my mom had
died, for the family andeverybody to talk and everything
.
And I had prayed at mygrandfather's house for Jesus to
(19:45):
save me, and then I went to himand told him that I wanted to
be baptized and my cousin was apastor and he baptized me right
after my mother's death and theygave me as a gift a Bible, a
white Bible.
I still have to this day,because that was the only thing
(20:08):
that my father gave me when hedropped me off in the homeless
shelter was my Bible, and I readit and I read it and I read it
and I read it.
And when you're alone, that'swho I went to, that's who I
talked to, was my father inheaven.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
What a piece of this story that's amazing, and what a
gift.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
I don't mean to keep filling you in with these little
holes, but there's a lot to it.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
No, I mean, that's so beautiful.
I mean I remember and I did notknow really who God was and I
didn't live in a godly home oranything when I was younger.
But we had Bibles, like we hadthe big family Bible, you know,
where they put people's names init, and then I had been to some
(21:03):
event at a church and I got aBible.
And I was really young I stillhave that particular Bible with
my name in it from a small childand I can remember and I had
learning disabilities so Icouldn't even really read very
well, no-transcript, and Ireally don't even know how I
(21:49):
knew that, except for I'm surethat God placed that within me.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
He does, I believe he does.
You know that's how I walk inmy life.
You know that's what I'mworking on with the National
Guard, is I signed up to try tobe a chaplain assistant.
So you know, it's amazing how,through all of it, if he can go
through dying on the cross forour sins and what he had to
(22:17):
sacrifice, then you know we can.
We can go through this too,cause it's not if it wasn't easy
for him.
We know it as a child of God.
It's not going to be easy forus.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Well, I was a chaplain, Well, one of the
preachers I at the jail for thewomen and I'll tell you and I've
talked about it on the podcastbefore, but those were some of
the women that because they werebroken, because they had been
real, because they, a lot ofthem, had been through so much
(22:51):
that they were so willing tocome before him and and just be
who they needed to be in orderto be saved or in order to grow,
and that really says something,a lot about the realness and
the relationship that we have tohave in order to grow.
(23:14):
And when you come here today andyou lay all this out there
which there's a lot and you haveto be transparent and you have
to be willing to be real I mean,there's nothing fake here and
it's such a lesson to people inorder for us to be who we really
are.
And that's why we actually callthis podcast Real Talk with
Tina and Ann, because it's aboutbeing real and that's who we
(23:37):
need to be in order to grow.
And I think that that is a lotof the reason that you have
grown in your faith and in yourlife and stayed committed and
true to who you are and the paththat you're supposed to be,
because you've been real withinyourself and I think, so many
(23:59):
times.
People aren't even real withthemselves.
They're lying not just aboutwho they are to the people
around them, but they're alsolying to themselves and not
allowing them to truly becomewho they are and who they need
to be.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Oh yeah, I learned how to be real by being fake for
so long.
I went down that direction of.
You know I'm going to look thepart, act the part, be the part.
But I was, you know, arguing inmy marriage and everything.
You know I was livingeverything.
(24:37):
I really wasn't.
And so, you know, people aregoing to listen to those that
actually have walked throughthose footsteps, you know, and
figured out how to step out ofthem.
And my stepping out was okay.
I'm going to have to be withouta house again.
I'm going to have to lose thereally nice car and drive the
(25:00):
old, you know, pickup truck, buthey, I'm debt free.
I'm going to have to walk awayfrom everything that people were
familiar with because I have tobe me.
I have to be me.
It's kind of like you only goso far, and you hit a wall.
Well, what's past that wall?
You know that that wall, pastit is your faith, it's you being
(25:24):
real, it's you being organicwith who you are, inside and out
, and that's what takes you upup that mountain, that's what
gets you out and that youallowed God to speak louder than
all the rest I did, and thatand even yourself, you know.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
I think so many times we allow even other people's
voices to become our voices andthat can be so heavy and
critical on our own selves wherewe don't become who we should
be, and I think allowing a forceand God to be louder than all
(26:10):
of those other voices is reallycritical.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Oh yeah, because if you listen to everybody, it just
creates a chaos scene inside ofyour mind because you lose
sight of what you are and whoyou are.
Because you have so many peoplecoming in from every direction
saying, well, you should do this, this, that and the other is
what you need.
And I had that happen.
(26:35):
I had so many people demeanorme but then order me what
direction and how to do it andwhen to do it and why to do it,
to where it was no longer silentinside of me.
And that's another reason why Icall it the silent gift is
learning how to be silent withinyourself.
(26:55):
Find the gift within yourself,have faith forward through it
and prevail and step out of yourcomfort zone because it's going
to be all right.
You can overcome it.
You will heal as soon as youfigure that out.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Oh yeah, a hundred percent.
And if he is at the forefrontof it.
You know those other people,their motivations are not good.
They're purposely trying toharm and you know the enemy is
everywhere and they work throughthem.
He works through them in orderto reach us and to try to keep
(27:37):
us down, because and I'll tellyou, and I see this in you
because we have a great message,Because we have so many people
that we can help, and that's whythey you know, I always will
(28:02):
continue to allow God to speaklouder than what any other
message could come my way.
There are so many messages inthis world right now to make us
feel as if we are defeated Right, and this is a horrible time in
(28:23):
our world right now, and so Ithink it's really important for
us to make that focus.
You know, I wanted to ask youwith everything who are you
today?
Speaker 2 (28:41):
I am actually my name .
I am Autumn Star Canterbury.
I am no longer, you know, thescared little girl.
I am no longer the wife that isafraid to step up and be
(29:01):
herself.
I'm no longer the woman whowill say anything to please
anybody, and I'm Autumn.
I'm Autumn Star Canterbury andI will continue on a daily basis
to stay strong.
I am a soldier of God and I ama child of His and I will do all
(29:27):
I can to just try to helpsomebody.
Even if it's one, even if it'sthree.
I will be thankful and humblethat I got that opportunity to
help somebody feel better.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
How does it feel to be heard and not be invisible?
Speaker 2 (29:49):
I'm still trying to learn how to take that in.
I don't know if I have what ittakes to be good enough to help
others.
Still, you know, I stillquestion.
You know what is so specialabout you to think you can go
help somebody but at the sametime I wouldn't be where I'm at,
(30:09):
totally uncomfortable, if Ididn't have that purpose.
So I feel good that I canfinally be myself, but I'm still
working on that.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Well, I can tell you that you're not invisible
anymore, that people are hearingyour story and that's a really
amazing thing that you got tothis point in your story and
you're only 40, you're reallyyoung, really, and you have so
(30:48):
much more to offer.
You have so much life to giveand when you put that uniform on
, I'm sure it'll feel amazing tohave a uniform and be seen and
not be invisible.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
Well, the great feeling I had last week was I
got a phone call out of nowhereand it was my recruiter and I
was like, well, I'm studying onthis and I did really good here
and I'm still doing this, sir.
And he said Autumn, I just wantto tell you something.
I'm not calling you to talk andbrag about, you know, your
(31:27):
education and all that.
I just want you to know thatyou are an amazing person and it
is such an honor to get to beworking with you.
And I don't just say that toanybody.
He said so it actually, youknow, I used that as fuel the
next day, saying, all right, Igot, I got to do this, I got to
(31:50):
do my pushups.
Today, I've got to do my planksand I got to figure this out,
you know, um.
So it's, it's those littlethings that just really make me
feel happy and proud inside, um,but I'm also in the process of
really working, you know, onthat foundation for my children,
and my daughter came to me lastmonth and said, mama, I'm
(32:14):
signing up for the Marines andI'm like what?
Wow?
So here's this family thatlived on, you know, ranches and
farms, our whole life to well,my children's whole life to
going into the military.
So I feel so happy that mydaughter took that step.
(32:39):
She got accepted, she signed upfor the hardest one, she was my
preemie and here she, she justshe's now quitting, you know
yeah, so she's doing great.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
She was born at one pound something and she's doing
amazing, obviously yeah, she hadno health issues whatsoever.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
I mean, like she is just.
You looked at her and you'd belike, is she a wrestler?
Because she's built really well.
She's never had health issuesfrom being a premature baby.
I made sure that I dideverything the nurses installed
in my mind to do.
So I have to take that creditas a mama, because I was cut
(33:24):
down for not being a good enoughmom and I'm like, well, take
that, guys, because this is whatmy daughter's doing and I have
to take that credit, not you.
So I'm really proud of her.
She's an amazing person.
I think she's got anotherjourney and a very, um,
important purpose on this life,uh, on this world.
(33:45):
I really think so.
Her name's faith oh, what abeautiful name.
And my middle daughter, she'sunstoppable.
I mean, she is so driven andfrom the time she was four to 15
(34:07):
now she knows what she wants.
She wants to be a horsewomanand work with horses, and I
believe her and my son he's justa ball of love.
So every time I have him and Ican hold on to him, I'm just
like okay, thank you so much God.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
That's so amazing.
Well, what a beautiful gift foryou to have such a beautiful
family, and you might not havehad it growing up, but you've
really created one.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
So I tried.
I'm not the you know the momanymore, with the you know
farmer husband next to me andthose family portraits.
You know that's the hard thingto swallow, but I'm still okay.
I'm still okay, my children areokay and I'm thankful for the
(35:00):
time that I did have.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
You know, sometimes we have to redefine what looks,
what's right, what's good,what's normal, what's and uh, we
have to pivot and be okay withour life, where our life ended
up in, and it might be differentthan what we thought it would
look like, but, uh, it's stillokay yes, yeah, it's that's
(35:23):
something I'm learning how towork with.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
You know it's that's my new life, and lesson is
learning how to accept that andlearn that it is okay.
Speaker 1 (35:35):
So your story is one of relenting, unrelenting
courage.
It is raw, real and deeplysacred.
Thank you for opening yourheart to us today.
You are a reminder that healingis not the absence of scars but
the power to carry them andstill rise.
(35:55):
So is there any way that peoplecan reach you?
And yeah, I know that you havelike a Facebook and Instagram
and things like that.
I know you're working on yourstory.
I know that you have like aFacebook and Instagram and
things like that.
I know you're working on yourstory.
So is there any place here thatyou would like me to put on the
screen for people to be able toreach you?
Speaker 2 (36:18):
Yeah, sure, you guys can reach me on my email all
lowercaseA-U-T-U-M-N-S-T-A-R-R-1022 at
gmailcom.
I still, you know, interact inemail.
And then I have Instagram andFacebook under Autumn Star
Canterbury and right now I'mjust still writing my book and
(36:40):
in that process.
But as soon as that getsfinished I will definitely let
that out for everybody to find.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
Definitely let that out for everybody to find.
Yeah, and if you, when youfinish it, we will absolutely
put that out on the podcast andmaybe we could have you back and
you could talk about the book.
That would be really fantastic.
If you or anybody that you knowis going through trauma or
(37:10):
anything, we can put resourcesdown in the notes below.
But also, if you need help,hopefully in your area, and I'm
sure that you can either get toshelters I used to be a director
of a battered woman's shelterthat maybe you could reach out
(37:31):
and try to.
You know, abuse looks in manydifferent ways.
Abuse is just not bruises, andso if anybody feels like, like
you said, Autumn, sometimes itcould just be they've taken the
keys and they won't let youleave the farm.
You know they're controllingand manipulating everything that
(37:54):
you're doing and you have nocontrol over your own life.
It is abuse and you can go andget help.
So don't minimize what you'regoing through and think, well, I
don't have bruises.
So therefore, you know it's notabuse because it still is.
So go out and get the help thatyou need and reach out and
(38:17):
believe in yourself and don'tlet others define who you are,
because you are special and youhave a purpose.
And look at Autumn.
I mean, she was beat down andbeat down and beat down, but she
still held on to her purposeand I just am so grateful that
you were able to come on heretoday and share that purpose.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
Yes, thank you so much.
And also, you know, don't beafraid to find research, master
mindset classes on the internet.
Those things really helped meand I'm in the process of my
online business as well beingbuilt, and I will have a master
mindset class to help people gothrough certain situations that
(38:59):
I had gone through.
So that is in the future aswell is having my online
business get launched.
Speaker 1 (39:07):
I asked what a master mindset is business get
launched.
Speaker 2 (39:10):
I asked what a master mindset is.
Well, a master mindset class.
Um, in the cowboy world.
Um, there's a.
There is ties cows down at therodeo.
(39:32):
Sorry for me not saying itcorrectly, but anyway, his name
is tyson durfee and he does amaster mindset class to teach
your mind how to overcomecertain battles in our everyday
life.
And, okay, lends that into therodeo field.
But I took a class andimplemented it into my lifestyle
(39:54):
and, um, those things really dowork.
They're really out there, youknow.
You just don't be afraid toresearch.
You know, if something comes toyour mind and you're like you
know what, I need help justlearning how to get out of bed
in a positive attitude, it's outthere, I mean, it is out there.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
So it really is.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
And I'm working on.
You know I paid for a businessfive years ago, not knowing
where it was going to lead me,and I'm now doing.
You know it's already paid formy business, but I haven't
finished it out yet because I'mstill in the process, you know.
So I'll have something outthere eventually too.
But I mean, just don't beafraid to research and look,
(40:36):
it's there.
Speaker 1 (40:38):
And believe in yourself and know that you do
have a purpose and have, youknow, like a business or
something that you can hold onto to keep you going till the
next day, like a business orsomething that you can hold on
to to keep you going till thenext day, Just finding that
reason to get out of bed andbelieve in yourself and take
that step that you need to toget away, get out, get help, do
(41:00):
whatever you need to.
So thank you so much for beingon Autumn.
I really enjoyed this.
And thank you everybody outthere from Real Talk with Tina
and Anne and we will see younext time.
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