No Big Deal: From Athlete to Advocate: A Memoir of Childhood Betrayal and a Journey to Justice - Paperback

by Torey Ivanic (Author)

"No Big Deal" For fifteen years, these words kept Torey Ivanic from telling her parents, friends, and boyfriends about her interactions with the gymnastics coach who utterly confused her young mind, body, and soul-who had, she eventually came to understand, sexually violated her. In this memoir, Torey transparently and brilliantly shows how the abuse started, the collateral damage it created in her young life, her realization that it was a big deal, and her journey of healing and justice. After helping to put her perpetrator in prison for 43 years, she created a new life full of real love and joy and became an advocate for sexual abuse prevention. Most importantly, Torey has lit the path for other victims and their loved ones to: Understand Exactly How Grooming Happens Realize It Was and Is a Big Deal, and Not Their Fault Identify and Address Collateral Physical and Emotional Fallout Open Space for Healing Become an Advocate for Justice and Prevention Whether you have been telling yourself that it was no big deal, or you know it was a big deal and need to know it's possible to move forward-and especially if you have young children and don't know how to protect them-this is the book for you. It IS a big deal. And there IS something we can do about it.

Author Biography

Torey Ivanic, founder of Open Space, is a Classical Homeopath, Mastermind Facilitator, Coach and Author who helps change agents and catalysts live authentic, intentional, healthy lives with purpose and connection. She's also a wife and mom who gets outside and plays in the Open Space as often as possible. Her unique experience as a physician assistant and homeopath compelled her to seek justice and prevent further abuse at the hands of her perpetrator. Throughout her healing journey, Open Spaces have nourished and soothed her soul. Outdoor spaces such as mountains, oceans, or fields of flowers, and indoor spaces such as yoga studios, therapist's office, writing retreats, and self-development programs, have worked together to enable and empower Torey to heal her body, mind, and soul. The message of this book changed as she finished writing it. She thought her goal was to write it for her thirty-year-old self and help people who needed to heal from a similar trauma and its inevitable collateral damage and relationshit. By the end, she knew she was also writing it for her children and future generations. She wants to be a part of the upstream change-not just healing for the wounded, but prevention through a grassroots movement to teach parents and children the tools and skills they need to stay safe and healthy. She resides in Golden, Colorado with her partner in life, Jay; her inspiration for living better every day, Otis and Emi; and their dog, cat, and three chickens. Team Ivanic can be found adventuring in the Open Space on snow, rock, dirt, water, and ice whenever possible.