Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacia Brundage.
Stacia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I got that rebellion itch right around 15 years old. I partied, drank, hung out with the rival high schools but in the same breath was known as the “church girl.” A lot of my friends started having sex and as curious as I was, I knew that I just wanted to wait until marriage for that. With my curiosity growing, I began watching pornography and soon it began taking over my mind, consuming so much of it’s space. It was all I could think about. I would be at volleyball practice just thinking how I wanted to get home to watch porn, I’d be at musical practice – just ready to get back to the computer. I was sneaky and really good at hiding it from everyone. I heard guys talk about it but never ever the girls. Did you know that one in every three women are viewing porn on a regular basis too? Girls just don’t talk about it as openly as guys do!
Once I got out of this destructive addiction, I was so passionate about talking about it because it seemed like no one was! People say there is so much shame that surrounds porn; it’s usually a secret & isolating addiction and I wanted to bring light to it and help people start these hard conversations. I have since spoken at all sorts of gatherings and groups, I post and share all of the extreme statistics that I’ve since learned in regards to how pornography can affect your brain, your sex life, & your heart! I also have started mentoring girls. I’m wildly passionate about helping people navigate this “uncomfortable topic” and walking that journey with them. I’m rooting everyone on and believing that they can also overcome this addiction!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not. Pornography is actually a controversial topic, believe it or not. Of course, since I went through an addiction with it and I saw the first-hand effects of it in my brain, the way I have viewed sex and have had to unlearn things and allow my brain to re-wire – I will continue speaking up and out about this addiction! I know a lot of people who don’t see an issue with pornography; they believe it is a part of life, it’s normal, natural, chemistry, etc. I love those friends, although, after so much research on the damage it causes, the overwhelming statistics of infidelity, a rising connection to clinical depression and how anxiety can dramatically increase when porn is involved…. I have to disagree and stand behind what I believe to be true and continue down this road of helping start these conversations. If I have to be the “porn girl,” then so be it.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I speak in front of groups, I post statistics and videos around the effects of pornography and I mentor girls who are walking through this. Recently, I posted a video of myself sitting down with my dad and talking about my pornography addiction and what that was like for him to hear when I first told him and my mom because so many people are afraid to tell people & bring in accountability to their addiction, especially their parents. My goal is to continue to encourage people that they can do it! They can break free from this addiction! You got this!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m writing a book! Slowly, but writing! There are a lot of unknowns with where I’m going and what doors will open but I’m believing and expectant that this passion won’t go away and I will continue walking this controversial, uncomfortable & awkward road. I’m hoping to continue helping others as they begin opening up about this & bringing people into their addiction as they begin their healing process!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stormandarmor.com/
- Email: stormandarmor@gmail.com
- Instagram: @stormandarmor
Image Credit:
Jackie Wonders Photography
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