Meet Megan Bull | Reclaim Foundation Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Bull and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
In my previous endeavors I was able to balance the concept that “work is the 9-5 on weekdays”. I am able to be extremely productive in the times set so that outside of those hours and on the weekends there was nothing left for me to complete or to worry about. This left me the balance I needed to focus on my life outside of work.

However, in 2019 I survived the Gilroy Garlic Festival Mass Shooting. In the immediate aftermath I struggled with survivor’s guilt, grief, and PTSD. As I struggled with navigating these emotions and diagnosis I searched for an organization that served survivors like myself and didn’t find anything. I then delved into starting my own nonprofit, Reclaim Foundation, to support the current and next set of survivors.

Even though I didn’t know it at that time, volunteering is a task proven to help with the symptoms that I aforementioned. This quickly shifted my “leave work at work” mindset because the nonprofit was not only meant to heal others, but it was also helping me to heal myself. It became something that soothed my soul that I didn’t need a “break” from. I think that is an example of true balance because it has been a beautiful and amazing thing to blend my “two lives” into one.

What should our readers know about your business?
In the midst of rebuilding my life after experiencing multiple traumatic events within one year, I wished too have a community of fellow trauma survivors for additional strength.

Noticing the absence of such a community, I decided to build my own, and Reclaim Foundation was born in 2020. Throughout my research, I recognized a pattern where trauma resources typically congregate in the exact location where a specific traumatic event occurred; Which is a major limitation. One of Reclaim Foundation’s fundamental goals is to expand access to meaningful trauma support, regardless of one’s current proximity to the location of their traumatic event. In addition, I also noticed the trauma community is often underserved and is in great need of comprehensive support.

Reclaim Foundation connects survivors of traumatic events to others from similar situations in order to nurture growth and healing within our online environment. Reclaim Foundation is also aware that when traumatic events occur, family and friends can benefit from a supportive community to uplift the survivors in their lives. With this in mind, Reclaim Foundation provides useful resources to help those affected by trauma. Some of our fundamental goals focus on raising awareness on the occurrence and impact of traumatic events, assisting with some trauma-related costs, and engaging in activities that empower survivors to reclaim their lives in the wake of trauma.

In order to enact our mission we were extremely fortunate to be named Victoria’s Secret Pink – Pink with Purpose Project winners which provided our initial funding. We then followed it up with awards from Nexstar media, Lionakis, Alpha Chi Omega, and more. It has allowed us to be the first all-inclusive trauma non-profit that provides a state of the art platform, Reclaim Network. Reclaim Network offers free 24/7 peer-to-peer support and independent journaling to promote healthy coping strategies and connection through community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite thing in any city is to go to brunch at the “local hot spot” that offers fun cocktails. I enjoy brunch atmospheres where the day is just beginning and is open to endless opportunity. I find that brunch conversation tends to lead to plans for the remainder of the day or to wandering where the hidden gems are found. The best way to see any city is on-foot so that you can find the small-family owned boutiques or coffeeshops that don’t get the recognition that they deserve.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Reclaim Foundation is an entirely volunteer operated and ran non-profit. Every survivor supported and success we’ve made has been at the hands of our volunteers, offices, directors, advisory board, and an abundance of mentors that have all acted out of sheer compassion for the cause.

Website: https://www.reclaimfoundation.org

Instagram: @reclaimfndn

Twitter: @reclaimfndn

Facebook: @reclaimfndn

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