Angie Read

Angie Read is a driven and devoted mother of three who had a massive stroke at 46 (and another, smaller stroke at 47), despite being an active, otherwise healthy woman. She had a career she loved and thrived in, one she never expected to be ripped away without warning. Following more than 25 successful years as a public relations professional, she took a career detour and co-authored a book about marketing to Gen Z. She had plans of traveling the world to speak about this topic she had so much passion for. But the Universe had other plans.

In 2017, two months after a right-side ischemic stroke requiring emergency brain surgery to remove a blood clot, she faced an even more formidable foe while trying to recover and return to work: debilitating anxiety and depression. At the height of her anguish, she spent two back-to-back stays at in-patient mental health facilities. Since early childhood, she’d been a vibrant, energetic, inspirational force of nature. But the sudden onset of anxiety and depression following her stroke temporarily robbed her of that essence. She felt numb inside, and the simple act of existing physically hurt! Her brain seemed to be betraying her.

Angie longed to get back to “normal.” For more than a year, she endured the constant pain and anguish of living with both anxiety and depression. Her struggles required deep resolve, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to healing. She wanted her old life back, one that included self-confidence and power over her life. She wanted to be here for her kids, husband, and supportive tribe of family and friends. And she wanted to return to the career she loved.

After years of talk therapy, prescription medications prescribed by her psychiatrist, completing an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for anxiety and depression, and applying simple daily tools to help manage her mental health, Angie is back in fighting form. Since her strokes, she has authored four more books, including: “Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression,” “Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout,” “Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career,” and "RISE: Mastering the ARt of Resilience," all available on Amazon. And she is using the lessons she learned to help other female stroke survivors find hope and healing, and the inspiration and motivation to live life to its fullest after a stroke. She is now a certified professional life coach who wants to help other female stroke survivors experience massive, positive life transformation.