Living Through Resilience: Tal's Journey of Grief, Strength, Family and Hope

*This story contains sensitive content related to mental health struggles, including discussions of suicide. Please be mindful of how this content may affect you.

Grief has a way of reshaping our world and changing our perspective, leaving behind both pain and newfound strength. For Tal, the loss of her brother Nick to suicide was a tragic event that altered her life in profound ways. Instead of allowing it to define her, she chose to push through, rising above the immeasurable pain to build a life filled with purpose, strength, and love. Today, as a proud mother of two boys, wife to an incredible husband, and a group fitness trainer inspiring many, Tal lives her life with purpose, resilience, and a deep sense of gratitude. She shows us all that resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving through the hardest moments.

Her journey is a testament to the power of pushing forward, no matter the obstacles, and it’s a story that resonates deeply with the message of Better Days—that no matter the hardships we face, better days are ahead, you just have to go get them!

Five years ago, Tal lost her younger brother Nick to suicide. This loss was a huge shock to everyone who knew Nick. Tal describes Nick as the most kind, caring, and loving person. As she shares his story, we learn about the positive impact he had on everyone around him. He was the kind of person who helped anyone in need and accepted everyone, always making others feel good about themselves. Nick was a true testament to the idea of treating others the way you want to be treated. Tal emphasizes the importance of kindness and checking in on others, sharing that “we never truly know what someone is going through.”

Reflecting back on her brother, Tal recalls how Nick seemed to "live the life"—a very close-knit family, the star running back on the high school football team, and a college student with many friends. Yet, even while he appeared to be living the dream, no one knew the pain he was silently carrying. Sometimes, there is no way of understanding loss or the struggles others face. In sharing Nick’s story, Tal leaves us with some powerful advice: "Check in on the people you love—and check in often. Be genuine. Ask the hard questions and just be there to listen."

Tal is a major proponent of self care and mental health! Prioritizing your mental health is so important. Do things for yourself—things that make YOU feel good, live YOUR Better Days! As a former college athlete Tal struggled finding her purpose in life after lacrosse, this is when she turned to fitness.  She says it’s vital to always have an outlet to turn to when times get tough. As Tal shares this powerful story, she talks about her motivation to relentlessly push forward, working to make each day better—not just for herself, but for her family and community as a group fitness trainer at The Trainer Page. For Tal, that includes spending time with her boys and being a member of run club at The Trainer Page.

As a busy, working mom of two boys who has experienced so much loss, fitness and running have been her therapy. Tal prioritizes her mental health, explaining, "In order for me to be the best mom, wife, or trainer, I need to take care of me first—physically and mentally." Running helps Tal in many ways, leaving her "with a clear, confident mind."

Through her journey of loss and grief, Tal reminds us all that we are worth it, no matter the struggles we face. She continues to create a positive environment on a day to day basis not just for herself, but for her family and her community. Her role as a trainer is more than just teaching fitness—it’s about inspiring others to find their own strength, even on the tough days.

Better Days and the mission of Better Days are often what motivates Tal through tough days. "Knowing that sadness, anger, frustration, and all of these big emotions are only temporary is what shifts my mindset to get me through those tough days," she shares. "Knowing that tomorrow could be—and will be—better gives me a reason to push through."

 Tal shares that being open about your struggles and communicating with those around you makes everything so much easier.

Tal wakes up at 4 a.m. for her first Sweat Therapy session, which starts at 5 a.m. She says, "Getting up and seeing 30+ members in my class is also a huge thing that keeps me going. My members rely on me to start their day right and give them the best workout. I don’t take that lightly—it’s my job to shift my mindset, no matter what happened the night before, to give them the best experience every day!"

In addition to maintaining a positive mindset, Tal shares the importance of being patient with oneself and having grace. As she says, "Things take time—losing weight takes time, building muscle takes time, grieving a lost loved one takes time. You have to be patient, and more importantly, you have to give yourself grace. We are our own worst critics. We are so hard on ourselves for not reaching our goals quickly enough or as quickly as someone else. Be patient, set your goals, set your intentions, follow through with them, and be kind to yourself."

Through her journey of loss and grief, Tal reminds us that we are all worth it, no matter the struggles we face. Tal misses Nick every single day, and she knows he would have been the best uncle to her two boys, Miles and Owen. She hopes his story can bring more awareness to suicide and men’s mental health, and help people realize that it’s okay not to be okay. In sharing Nick’s story, she leaves us with a powerful message: "There is someone out there who loves you, and your life is worth living."

Tal’s determination and mindset serves as an inspiration to all of us. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering determination are a true embodiment of our mission—living through adversity with hope and gratitude. More importantly Tal does not simply choose to ”go through life”, she perseveres to create the life she wants to wake up to everyday, and that’s what Better Days is all about. Tal is an incredible person, mom, wife, trainer, and so much more, and we are so proud of her! 

If you or someone you know is dealing with thoughts of suicide or struggling emotionally, please reach out for help. You don’t have to go through this alone.

Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to talk with a caring, trained counselor. Visit https://dmh.lacounty.gov/mental-health-resources/suicide-prevention/ for more resources.