Breaking The Chains

06/02/2026

Featured Artist Nadine Machkovech
💜✨LINK IN BIO for full feature✨

Nadine Machkovech .speaks is the Executive Director of the global nonprofit, . She is based in Florida and lives with her partner, Anthony Alvarado and their son.

Nadine is also a mom, published author of “Enough Already”, a globally recognized TEDx speaker, a substance abuse and recovery speaker, and an award-winning advocate who helps people reclaim their stories and self-worth. With over a decade of experience and 2,000+ hours of teaching, she has inspired thousands through peer-led prevention, mental health advocacy, and powerful storytelling—creating spaces where young people feel seen and heard.

Recently, she was a featured guest in our Health and Wellness Conversation Series, hosted by Krista Stryker, BTCF Advisory Board. We have truly enjoyed getting to know Nadine and learning about her amazing work and service!

mentalhealth

05/24/2026

Thank you, board member, for yet another fun recipe highlighting his “Garlic Infused Avocado Oil”. You can find the recipe below! 🥑

In this video, Chef discusses Mental Health Awareness Month and highlights a simple gesture that can positively impact someone’s day: “Put a smile on somebody else’s face, whatever your heart tells you to do.” Check out his video to hear more about his inspiring message!

Garlic Infused Avocado Oil🥑

What You Need

2 cups avocado oil
8–10 garlic cloves, smashed
Optional: fresh thyme, rosemary, or chili flakes

How it’s made

Add the avocado oil and garlic to a small pot over low heat. You don’t want the garlic frying hard just slowly infusing the oil. Let it gently heat for about 20–30 minutes until the garlic is soft and fragrant.

If you want extra flavor, throw in a sprig of rosemary or thyme during the last 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Strain the oil into a clean jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator and use within 5–7 days for best quality and safety.

Perfect for:

steaks
seafood
roasted vegetables
pasta
dipping bread
finishing grilled chicken

You will get about 2 cups garlic infused avocado oil.

05/12/2026

Health and Wellness Conversation ~ Kindra Gipple shares her personal journey in creating a teen mental wellness and support program that ignited her non-profit, .

Facilitated by Krista Stryker , NSCA-CPT, Author, BTCF Board with guest, Kindra Gipple, Founder & CEO of 💜

These conversations highlight the stories of BTCF team members, partners, and friends and how these stories can help to inspire others and enrich our lives.

05/06/2026

🌟We are honored to partner with for their MFA Wellness Expo!

Join our Community Outreach Youth Ambassador who will be facilitating her interactive mental health and self-love activities she created! 💕🦋✨

Check out her video to learn more!

📍MFA Wellnes Expo, Pasadena Convention Center
🗓️Saturday, May 9th
⏱️11 am – 5 pm pst

Hope to see you there!🌟

05/06/2026

🌟We are honored to partner with for their MFA Wellness Expo!

Join our Youth Ambassador who will be facilitating her interactive activity she created, “The Vibe Lab!”🪇🎵🪇

“We’re going to be making tunes to bring the positive healthy vibes together - to have fun and feeling good! Together, we are going to explore music-making and how to use it to help improve or support our mental health.” ~ Aria💜

📍MFA Wellnes Expo, Pasadena Convention Center
🗓️Saturday, May 9th
⏱️11 am – 5 pm pst

Hope to see you there!🌟

05/02/2026

Health and Wellness Conversation ~ .speaks shares how her journey from hiding to healing has impacted life-changing services, community, compassion, and connection both personally and professionally.

Facilitated by Krista Stryker , NSCA-CPT, Author, BTCF Board with guest, Nadine Machkovech, Executive Director of , author, and speaker💜

These conversations highlight the stories of BTCF team members, partners, and friends and how these stories can help to inspire others and enrich our lives.

04/23/2026

📣JOIN US! We are excited to GO LIVE ON ZOOM with Sonja Xie, President of Brain Waves for Change, and Kayden Tokarski, Youth Ambassador Communications Chair of Breaking The Chains Foundation for an inspiring conversation designed for teens!
🔗IN BIO

🧠🎨Brain Health and Creative Expression
🗓️April 28th - 4 pm PST / 7 pm EST
🤩Thematic to High Schoolers: ages 13 - 18
45 minutes including a Q and A!!
📍ZOOM LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82523701380?pwd=3zPB6Dcrg22dg84qpTnB0GJGl5a9HE.1

Meeting ID: 825 2370 1380
Passcode: 535840

04/16/2026

📣 LINK IN BIO Comparison, pressure, and unrealistic standards are everywhere—and it’s not always easy to know how to help.

is hosting “How To Love Yourselfie”, an interactive workshop designed to help teens and young adults build confidence, think critically about what they see online, and feel more secure in who they are—without relying on filters or validation from social media, and so much more💗

This partner experience is part of the and is designed for ages 14–25. It combines guided discussion, real-world tools, and a supportive environment where participants can connect and grow.

The program was created by celebrity spokesperson and board member , alongside a prestigious clinical team, featuring mindful movement videos by BTCF advisory board member and facilitated by Debra Hopkins, BTCF president.

📍 Location:
Brooks Family YMCA
151 McIntire Park Drive

📅 Date & Time:
Saturday April 25th
2:30 - 5:30 (Registration starts at 2:15)
30.00 or for Free admission- request scholarship on sign-up!

✨ What to Expect:
This experience is designed to help you reconnect with yourself, build confidence, and see your beauty in a whole new light. Come as you are—no pressure, no expectations.

👕🧥What to Wear:
Wear something that makes you feel comfortable (we will be doing some gentle movement). If you’re unsure, we’re happy to help!

Parents - If you’ve been looking for a way to support your child in navigating today’s social pressures, this is a meaningful place to start. 💗

04/15/2026

Thank you so much Family Council - for ACPS for your support! We hope to see many families attend! Please feel free to reach out for any questions and free scholarship admission - [email protected] 🩷🩷🩷

Community Event --
Scholarships available! Just send email.

** How To Love Yourselfie **
For Tom Tom Festival 2026
Saturday April 25
2:30pm – 5:30 pm
Brooks Family YMCA
REGISTRATION LINK: https://breakingthechainsfoundation.org/event/how-to-love-yourselfie/
Registration: $30
Scholarships available for those facing financial barriers.
Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.

From the organizer:
"In a culture obsessed with filters and perfection, a new event at the Tom Tom Festival is flipping the script. How To Love Yourselfie is an interactive, confidence-building experience designed to help participants reconnect with themselves, challenge negative self-image, and build real, lasting self-worth—no filters required.
Created by celebrity -and BTCF board member- Jillian Rose Reed, and facilitated by President Debra Hopkins, the event invites anybody between the ages of 14-25 to explore what it means to truly feel comfortable in their own skin. How To Love YourSelfie is a social media literacy program designed for young people, teens and adults navigating the pressures of social media, self-image, and growing up in a highly connected world.

“This isn’t about taking a better selfie,” said Hopkins. “It’s about equipping individuals with tools to navigate potential dangers, such as the pressures of ‘appearance ideal’.” She goes on to say, “Struggles with body image can be compounded by perception, which often varies based on our individual experiences. Our program aims to raise awareness and develop critical thinking skills in young people so they can better navigate what they see online, creating peace of mind for themselves and their supporters, and helping them live their best lives both online and offline.”

This modified workshop designed for the Tom Tom Festival blends guided reflection, group connection, and hands-on activities in a safe, welcoming environment. Participants will walk away with practical tools to quiet self-criticism, build confidence, and show up more fully in their lives.

The event aligns with the Tom Tom Festival’s 2026 theme of Courage, encouraging attendees to take the often-overlooked risk of being seen as they truly are.