63: Katherine Knapke: Overcoming Chronic Depression, Recovering from Anorexia and Breaking Free from the Barriers of a Passivism-Based Mennonite Upbringing

Summary: NOTE: This podcast was recorded toward the beginning of lockdown for COVID (important for the beginning of the podcast!) Katherine Knapke was raised in a small, Mennonite community in Columbus, Ohio.  Taught to be peaceful, quiet and not ask for anything you want, Katherine’s upbringing stoked the fire for chronic depression, which ultimately led to a devastating struggle with multiple eating disorders, a panic disorder and crippling anxiety.  After escaping an abusive relationship in college, she relapsed into her eating disorder.  Her story of finding herself in the midst of her recovery and surrounding herself with healthy people who support her recovery is beautiful and inspiring, and reminds us that all things are possible. Katherine is now the Chief Operating Officer at the American Negotiation Institute.  She also hosts the Ask with Confidence podcast, which is designed to empower women by helping them develop the skills and confidence they need to better navigate difficult conversations and achieve the highest level of success. Katherine’s background is in the medical profession as a Psychiatric Nurse trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and she is a Certified Mediator. She is dedicated to helping women overcome psychological, emotional, and societal barriers in the workplace.