What Came Next is intended for mature audiences only.

Episodes discuss topics that can be triggering,

such as emotional, physical, and sexual violence, animal abuse, suicide, and murder.

I am not a therapist, nor am I a doctor.

If you're in need of support, please visit something was wrong.com

forward slash resources for a list of non-profit organizations that can help.

Opinions expressed by my guests on the show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of myself or broken cycle media.

Resources and source material are linked in the episode notes. Thank you so much for listening. Mike Sacks is a hockey player, telecommunications engineer, founder of the nonprofit organization's Survivors for Change,

and a true change maker. Through Survivors for Change, it has become Mike's personal mission

to aid survivors of sexual abuse and assault in their journey of healing, alongside Kelly G.,

whose story has also been featured in what came next episodes 51 and 52.

But before Mike was able to begin helping others, he had to come to terms with his own abuse

and begin healing from his childhood experiences.

In the following episodes, Mike candidly shares about his struggles, the healing process, and what it's like traversing the media in an attempt to improve procedures in the athletic world.

The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply grateful for Mike's time, energy, and the ability to amplify his efforts towards curating change for athletes all over the world.

Hello, my name is Michael Sacks. I live in Hickory Hills, Illinois, which is about 25 miles from

downtown Chicago in the southwest suburbs.

When I was very, very young, probably four years old, my dad built an ice rink in the backyard.

I don't remember this, but my dad said he put the skates on me. He put me on the ice.

And then he was going to go put his skates on and come out there with me.

And I was skating around already.

He didn't even have to teach me how to skate.

...