Marti MacGibbon is an empowered survivor of domestic violence, human trafficking, homelessness, PTSD and addiction. Today, she is a well-known humorous inspirational speaker and nationally known author of the memoir, Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom.

Marti spoke as a survivor and advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence, at a candlelight vigil in Marion, IN. The annual event, organized by Hands of Hope, raises awareness about the issue and memorializes victims who have lost their lives to this crime. Domestic violence is a crime that often goes unreported, due to the stigma that surrounds it. Marti’s humor, grace, and upbeat speaking style entranced the audience. They gave her a standing ovation.

Laff-Aholics Comedy Benefit for Recovery 2015 raised $11,450 dollars for our beneficiaries, Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation and Foundation for Court Promoted Recovery. Both beneficiaries are non-profits in Indianapolis that provide access to treatment for addiction and mental health services. Humorous inspirational speaker and standup comic Marti MacGibbon  is founder, producer and emcee of the annual event. One hundred percent of the profits from the show go to beneficiaries. In the five years since the inaugural event in 2011, Laff-Aholics has raised approximately $40,000 for various beneficiaries, including Dove House, Talbot House, Pathway to Recovery, Beacon House, Lucille Raines Residence, J.R. Jessee Sober Living, Rich Recovery, and place of P.O.W.E.R.

Laff-Aholics’ venue is the IMA’s Toby Theater.

And the money is only one aspect of Laff-Aholics’ reach, and its benefit to the recovery community. The show features nationally headlining comedians with national TV credits. The venue is the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s Toby Theater, a 530 seat auditorium. Laff-Aholics has been very successful, with sold-out shows and theater seats filled to capacity. The audience roars with laughter, and the love, optimism, and high energy is healing and energizing. This year’s headliners were Dave Landau of Last Comic Standing, and Doug Starks, a Las Vegas headliner who tours internationally. For people in recovery, especially those who are new to the recovery lifestyle, the event provides not only laughter, but social connectivity and proof that you can live a substance-free and still have a lot of fun.

Marti MacGibbon, founder, producer and emcee, with headliner Dave Landau

Inspirational humorous speaker Marti MacGibbon delivered a keynote speech at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association’s Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Ms. MacGibbon is an internationally known author and an expert on trauma resolution and addiction. Her powerful personal comeback story, combined with humor and practical insights into resilience, healing, and positive change make her a favorite with audiences. And Marti MacGibbon lives her message – she is a survivor of human trafficking, domestic violence, complex PTSD, homelessness and hard-core drug addiction who turned her life around twenty years ago. Today, she is an empowered survivor, nationally award-winning author, standup comic, and certified addictions specialist who has spoken at the White House and the California State Legislature. After her talk, Marti signed copies of her funny and dramatic memoir, Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom.

Marti MacGibbon encourages and inspires psychiatric nurses.

The client says it best, so here is an excerpt from a letter of recommendation from the APNA-KY event planner:

“Marti MacGibbon was the keynote speaker for our Annual State Conference in September 2015. Ms. MacGibbon delivered an inspirational presentation laced with humor, honesty, and hope. Through the sharing of her life experiences with addiction, trauma and mental illness, Ms. MacGibbon showed her audience of psychiatric nurses that recovery is possible; and she gave us insight into what we as psychiatric nurses can do for others even in the most trying of times. Ms. MacGibbon provided exactly what she advertises, and does so with great authenticity and enthusiasm. I would highly recommend Marti MacGibbon as keynote speaker for other audiences of mental health professionals.”

Brittany Yates, MSN, APRN, FPMHNP-BC, American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Kentucky

Marti MacGibbon is an internationally known author, a humorous inspirational speaker, and an expert on trauma resolution and addiction. She delivered a high energy and uplifting keynote speech at the recovery month event, “Putting the Pieces Back Together,” at Labette Center for Mental Health in Parsons, KS. The event, which fell on National Suicide Prevention Day, was well attended and covered in the local press.

Marti knows her topic well. She holds five professional certifications in addiction treatment, has worked as a program counselor in California, and has a powerful personal comeback story – twenty years ago, after nearly ten years of hard-core drug addiction and complex PTSD, she turned her life around, and devotes her life to breaking away the stigma surrounding addiction and mental illness.

Her presentations are entertaining, humorous, and provide steps that anyone can use to create positive change in any area of life. Marti is also a survivor of human trafficking, domestic violence, homelessness, and adolescent sexual abuse/assault, and she is an advocate for victims and survivors. She carries the message that with a program of positive action and daily renewal, anyone can recover, heal, triumph, and lead a happy and successful life.

After her presentation, Marti talked with attendees and signed copies of her nationally award-winning memoir, Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom.

Marti MacGibbon signed copies of her award-winning memoir, Never Give in to Fear

By WOOD TV 8

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Human sex trafficking sounds like a problem that doesn’t happen in West Michigan, but it does.

The Manasseh Project at Wedgwood Christian Services opened in October 2012. The project is two-fold: educators go into the community and teach about what trafficking is, what it looks like, and how to prevent it. Some of this education is done in schools, teaching children how to change their behaviors so they’re not vulnerable.

The second part of the project is a recovery program for women 12 to 17 years old who have been sexually exploited or trafficked. The residential program offers different kinds of therapy and teaches girls life skills and what they need to change some of the things they’ve been told and taught.

Learn how to identify a possible trafficking victim, help advocate, or donate to the Manasseh Project by visiting the website. For more resources or to report a trafficking victim, call the National Trafficking In Persons Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to 233733.

They have an event coming up: WISE Giving Back – Never Give in to Fear: A path from victim to free spirit.
Thursday November 5, 2015 ” 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
LINC Community Revitalization, Inc
1167 Madison Ave
Grand Rapids

Marti MacGibbon overcame human trafficking, trauma, addiction and domestic violence to thrive in a happy, successful life.

Humorous inspirational speaker and nationally award-winning author Marti MacGibbon delivered a high-energy and uplifting speech on addiction recovery on Sept. 8th, as part of Riverview Health’s National Recovery Month program. This year’s events included Ms. MacGibbon, and Darryl Strawberry. Last year, William Cope Moyers spoke.

Marti gave her evening talk at the Kiehle Auditorium on the University of Minnesota campus in Crookston, MN. Marti’s keynote speech rocked the house because she provided plenty of humor. Several audiences reported their faces were “sore from laughing” and that they loved being able to learn from the message and laugh all the while. Marti signed copies of her nationally award-winning memoir, Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom.

Marti MacGibbon’s personal story of overcoming human trafficking, domestic violence, severe post-traumatic stress, homelessness, and hard core drug addiction to become the success she is today makes her a favorite with audiences. She shares simple, effective strategies she employed to heal and create a happy, successful life. Anyone can use Marti’s techniques to create positive change in the small details of life, or to triumph over the biggest challenges.

And on the same day, Ms. MacGibbon delivered a presentation to students in grades 8 through 12 at Crookston High School. The topic of her talk was addiction and recovery, and she pulled from her personal story. Marti began using drugs at 15 years of age, in the aftermath of traumatic events, and she shared that fact with the packed auditorium. “There is one factor we know for sure will increase your chances of becoming addicted, and that is early use. The younger you are when you start, the more likely you are to become addicted.” Marti encouraged students to believe in themselves, to give themselves credit for strengths, skills, and talents they have that they can share with the rest of humanity. You matter, your life matters,” she said. Marti brings plenty of humor and positive outlook to every presentation, and the students responded with several applause breaks during her talk.

Read what local media said about Marti MacGibbon’s visit to Crookston.

Humorous inspirational speaker Marti MacGibbon received a standing ovation for her keynote speech, “Never Give in to Fear,” at Victory in the Valley’s 16th annual women’s weekend for cancer patients and cancer survivors. Victory in the Valley is a non-profit that has provided 32 years of support for cancer patients/survivors and their families. Their mission statement: “To encourage cancer patients and families on their journey by offering HOPE through emotional and spiritual support, while providing practical services to improve the quality of their lives.”

Marti MacGibbon is a resilience expert and humorist who speaks on wellness, empowerment, and more.

Marti’s message of overcoming adversity and challenges through courage, love, faith, and gratitude resonated deeply with attendees. In addition to her morning keynote speech, Marti presented a purely humorous speech the previous evening, kicking off the weekend with laughter and lightheartedness. Healing takes courage, and facing great adversity often enables us to appreciate the beauty of life in a deeper and more meaningful way. Every survivor and patient at the event was a true example of courage, beauty, and resilience.

Marti MacGibbon delivered the keynote speech at the Putting the Pieces Back Together Mental Health Conference at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa. The conference was attended by behavioral health professionals, child protective services professionals, law enforcement, social workers and community leaders from the Des Moines area. (Boone County and Dallas County.)

Marti is a bestselling, nationally award winning author, inspirational speaker, certified addiction treatment professional, and comedian. Marti shares her story with honesty and humor, providing an inspiring look at conquering addiction, overcoming adversity, and regaining hope. She is a remarkable woman who has triumphed over adolescent sexual abuse/assault, addiction, human trafficking, domestic violence, severe PTSD, homelessness and addiction to lead a successful, happy life. She provides simple, effective strategies anyone can use to build resiliency and overcome challenges with grace and a sense of humor.

After her speech, Marti signed copies of her critically acclaimed memoir, Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom.

Marti MacGibbon overcame human trafficking, trauma, addiction and domestic violence to thrive in a happy, successful life.

Marti MacGibbon is a humorous inspirational speaker and a nationally award winning author. She has survived and triumphed over adolescent trauma, human trafficking domestic violence, post traumatic stress disorder, homelessness and hard core drug addiction. Marti spoke about human trafficking facts, issues and solutions, to judges, prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement professionals, mental health professionals, educators and child protective services professionals in Henry County, Indiana. She shared insights from her personal experience as a survivor and advocate. The event, the JDAI Collaborative, was held at Henry County Justice Center, 1215 Race Street, New Castle, Indiana.

Marti is an empowered survivor leader, and an advocate for victims and survivors of human trafficking. She has spoken at the White House, the Department of State, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office for Victims of Crime, presenting information and policy recommendations for services for human trafficking survivors. She is a member of the National Survivor Network and the National Speakers Association. She has also spoken to legislators in California, in support of legislation aimed at combating child sex trafficking. The bill, SB-1165, was signed into law in July 2014.

Ms. MacGibbon is an expert on trauma resolution and addiction. She holds five professional certifications in her specialized field, including addiction-free pain management and relapse prevention.
Marti MacGibbon has been interviewed in Entrepreneur and Investors Business Daily, on CBS-TV, ABC-TV, and FOX-TV, and on numerous radio shows. Her personal development articles have appeared in over 150 corporate and trade magazines. As a professional standup comic, Marti has performed at the Hollywood Improv and the Comedy Store in Los Angeles.

Survivor and advocate Marti MacGibbon, and Susan Lightfoot, Event Planner and Chief Probation Officer, Henry County

Humorous inspirational speaker Marti MacGibbon delivered a high-octane, uplifting and motivational talk to mental health professionals at Four County Community Mental Health Center in Logansport, Indiana. Four County CMHC provides mental and behavioral health services, and addiction treatment services, to citizens in four counties of rural Indiana. They offer adult, child, adolescent, family, residential, in home, and outpatient care, as well as job programs. Their contribution to the overall wellness, safety, and quality of life for all members of the community is considerable, and their dedication is obvious. The 300 professionals honored Marti with a standing ovation.

Marti MacGibbon’s personal story of overcoming human trafficking, domestic violence, severe post-traumatic stress, homelessness, and hard core drug addiction to become the success she is today makes her a favorite with audiences, because she shares simple, effective strategies she employed to heal and create a happy, successful life. Anyone can use Marti’s techniques to create positive change in the small details of life, or to triumph over the biggest challenges.
Marti also signed copies of her award-winning memoir, Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom.

A testimonial from the event planner:

“Thank you for sharing your experiences and your humor with us. The entire room roared with laughter at some of your antics. You are such an enjoyable speaker. I do not believe I have ever seen our crowd give a standing ovation to anyone, yet at the end of your presentation, all were on their feet! You are an inspirational to all who work in behavioral health. It reminds us why we come to work each day. It means a lot.”

– Donna Henry, RN, BSN, Senior Vice President of Residential and Clinical Services, Four County Counseling Center, Logansport, Indiana

Speaker Marti MacGibbon with event planner Donna Henry, BSN, RN