by Lesley Whyte Reford & Patricia Lavoie
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GENRE: Non-fiction, Biography/Memoir
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BLURB:
Audley Enough follows Audley's journey through "The Matrix," specifically his mental health. The book describes his adventures into his mania and depression that occurred during the peak employment years of his life, from 27 to 38 years old. It takes one through the spiritual essence of his being, and gives one steps to travel through mania and depression. After reading his book, one comes out stronger with multiple coping tools. The book is about Audley refusing to let his bipolar diagnosis define him, nor stop him from leading a mentally, healthy, and productive life.
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EXCERPT
AUDLEY says that “when you see the devastating effect of mania and depression on your family over time, you realize that you have to get it under control.” So I asked him, “What was the actual Oprah ‘A-ha moment’ that made you decide to turn your life around?” He responded quite decisively that it was because of Patty Duke. Soon after being diagnosed, Audley had started researching bipolar disorder in order to understand his condition. He discovered that many of history’s brilliant leaders and well-known creative artists had bipolar disorder, and Patty Duke was one of them. While Audley was in the hospital, his girlfriend Elizabeth had recorded Patty Duke talking about her mental illness on a Phil Donahue show. Patty had said that her hope in going public was that she could help at least one person dealing with the illness. He had always loved Patty as a young boy and her words hit home. Audley thought to himself, “I am the one that you have helped.” From Patty, he learned that countless others suffer from this illness, no matter what their background or personal circumstances. He saw that even people who were successful and/or held in high esteem could be bipolar. He realized that he wasn’t alone; that there was no reason to be ashamed; and, that it was not the result or anything he had or hadn’t done.
And so we get to the real reason as to why Audley wanted to write this book about his life. Like Patty, he wants to pay it forward. If he can help one person by sharing his difficult and unglamorous past full of innumerable adversities, Audley will be successful. He wants to break the stigma attached to mental illness so that real work can be done. Audley knows all too well that you can’t do it alone. He has had tremendous support in his recovery and remains forever loyal and thankful to those who gave him a helping hand. Now he wants to give back to those who assisted him and others that might benefit from his own experiences.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Audley Coley is a mental health coach, a philanthropist, the subject of a book and a Friend of the Bell Let’s Talk campaign. He is often called upon to host forums on mental health awareness and was more recently seen on CBC’s You Can’t Ask That describing his life with bipolar disorder and on Facebook, hosting the live broadcast to the Alianait Arts Festival for the Nunavut community alongside his lovely daughter.
His ability to soar above mental illness is something he credits to many things. His support system: a strong Jamaican, God-fearing, and closely knit family, first. Sports and physical activity come in at a close second. Audley has always been extremely active. He played hockey, soccer and was a dancer/choreographer, most of his life. At the fine age of 62, he can be found at the Atwater Club teaching a class that could put people half his age to shame. Just ask his Yummy Mummies who subscribe to his workouts and carefully crafted playlist. And then, it’s about food for Audley. He perfected his culinary skills working as a chef in Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit) and today, cooking is truly his labour of love. He takes his vitamins (his medication) regularly and frequently visits to Up House, a place where he goes to get centered and to give back to those who once gave to him. The last and perhaps most important box he checks off on his self-care list is REST.
Audley’s objective is to tell his story often so people may recognize themselves, to provide hope for families of those affected, to share a recipe for success that he knows works and to have the opportunity to change someone’s life in the same way that Patty Duke’s openness changed his.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
LESLEY WHYTE REFORD is a seasoned writer who has a passion for communications and storytelling. She obtained her Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Queen’s University in 1993 and went on to build her career in Corporate Communications and Public Relations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. As she raised her two sons, Lesley put her career on hold but continued with her writing when time allowed. Engaging in small contract freelance opportunities and volunteer work, Lesley published a centennial book commemorating the Montreal Children’s Hospital’s contribution to the Montreal community titled “100 Years of Stories” in 2004. In 2013, she collaborated with Audley Coley to author “Audley Enough”, an inspiring resource to share his journey with bipolar disorder and help combat the stigma of mental health issues. Lesley is currently a full-time grant writer at One Tree Planted, Inc., a global reforestation non-profit organization.
PATRICIA LAVOIE has been writing and producing feature films and television series for many years including seventeen seasons with Sesame Street (CBC) in Canada where she honed her pre-school expertise. She developed the original concept for and produced the first Heritage Minutes, a multi-million dollar television and cinema project based on anecdotes of Canadian history, as well as many award-winning preschool and family productions for broadcasters such as CBC, Radio-Canada, YTV, Treehouse, Animal Planet, TVOntario, TFO, Télé-Québec, Discovery Channel USA and PBS.
Ms. Lavoie also co-produced several feature length films with international partners in Australia, New Zealand, France, Japan and the USA. Her online game productions were created for PBS, National Geographic, CBC, Radio-Canada and Treehouse.
As a broadcaster, Ms. Lavoie also served as interim Director of Yoopa, a multiplatform brand comprised of a television channel, an online community for children and parents and a magazine for parents.
Audley Enough is her third book.
CONNECT WITH AUDLEY COLEY
WEBSITE - Audley Coley (audleyenoughbook.com)
FACEBOOK - Audley Coley | Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Audley-Coley-105730245370234
INSTAGRAM - Audley Coley (@audleycoley) • Instagram photos and videos : https://www.instagram.com/audleycoley
TWITTER - Audley Coley (@audley_coley) / Twitter : https://twitter.com/audley_coley
GOODREADS - Audley Coley (audleycoley) - Montreal, QC, Canada (15 books) | Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/147728134-audley-coley
LINKEDIN - Audley Coley - Motivational and Keynote Speaker on Mental Health & Wellness - Audley Coley | LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/audleycoley/
PURCHASE LINKS AUDLEY ENOUGH
AMAZON.COM - https://amazon.com/dp/022887128X
AMAZON.CA - https://amazon.com/dp/022887128X
AMAZON KINDLE - https://amazon.com/dp/B09PGRX8PW
INDIGO CHAPTERS - https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/audley-enough-a-portrait-of/9780228871286-item.html
BARNES & NOBLE - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/audley-enough-lesley-whyte-reford/1140837677
BOOK DEPOSITORY - https://www.bookdepository.com/Audley-Enough-Lesley-Whyte-Reford-Patricia-Lavoie/9780228871286
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Lesley Whyte Reford & Patricia Lavoie will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I'm looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the authors' bios and book details, Audley Enough sounds like an inspiring memoir and I am looking forward to reading it
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