Cara Brookins was left emotionally broken when her second abusive marriage ended. She got well by building her own house, which she did after seeing YouTube videos on how to do it.
The mother of four started looking for a new house in 2007 after being forced to sell the Bryant, Arkansas, home she and her soon-to-be ex shared. At the moment, though, anything the computer programmer analyst could afford was too tiny. Brookins too felt obliged to take action to bring her family back together. She admits, “But I had no idea what that should be.”
Brookins, therefore, came up with the idea to build her own house from the ground up. According to Brookins, 45, “If anyone was in our situation, they wouldn’t do this.” “No one else viewed it this way, and now that I think about it, I understand it sounds crazy.”
One acre of property cost Brookins $20,000, and she obtained a building credit for about $150,000. She then started watching YouTube tutorials to learn how to do things like run a gas line, build a wall, lay a foundation, and install plumbing.
Her children, ages 2 to 17, helped her throughout the nine-month construction of the 3,500-square-foot home. At the time, Drew, who was 15 years old, helped Brookins make the preparations. Jada, who was 11 at the time, transported water from a neighbor’s pond using buckets because there was no running water on the property. She then combined the water with 80-pound sacks of concrete to create the mortar for the foundation.
It felt impossible the entire time, according to Brookins, who worked when the kids were in school. After school, Brookins drove her family to the five-mile-away construction site where she worked late into the night on the new house.
YouTube videos previously were vague and provided numerous solutions to a task. Brookins employed a part-time firefighter with building experience for $25 per hour to help with some of the more challenging tasks. She remembers, “He was a step ahead of us in knowledge.”
On March 31, 2009, Brookins and her kids moved into the five-bedroom home. She gave it the name Inkwell Manor in recognition of her desire to become a writer.
In the years afterwards, Brookins has written numerous middle grade and young adult books. She has also written a biography titled Rise: How a House Built a Family, which will be released on January 24.
Building the house helped Brookins emerge from her depression. We were ashamed that our best option was to construct our own shelter, Brookins adds. “We weren’t really proud of it,” In the end, it proved to be the best thing I could have done for myself.
She says, “You can do anything you set your mind to if I, a 110 pound computer programmer, can build a complete house.” Choose one goal and stay with it. Find the big thing you want to do, move slowly in that direction, and take those who also need healing with you. That has a lot of influence.
Mark Zuckerberg Suffered a Serious Injury, and His Wife Never Left His Side
Zuckerberg has recently shared pictures of himself in a hospital bed, causing concern among fans and showing that he underwent quite a serious surgery. The Instagram post doesn’t provide details about the cause and timing of the surgery, but the billionaire did reveal that he had to give up something significant because of this medical procedure.
He really made jiu-jitsu a big part of his life, just like his business “stuff”.
Mark Zuckerberg’s unexpected foray into Brazilian jiu-jitsu has sparked widespread interest, shedding light on a facet of the tech magnate that extends beyond the digital realm. The co-founder of Facebook, set to reach the milestone of 40 years in May 2024, unveiled his newfound passion for martial arts that took root in August 2022.
Beyond the confines of Silicon Valley and the tech domain, Zuckerberg seems to have discovered an alternative arena where he can challenge himself and partake in a mode of self-expression that transcends the world of code.
The choice of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a martial art known for its emphasis on technique and leverage, reflects Zuckerberg’s inclination towards a discipline that demands not only physical prowess but also strategic thinking. It’s a departure from the stereotypical image of a tech titan, underscoring the multifaceted nature of individuals and their pursuits.
“To some degree, MMA is the perfect thing because if you stop paying attention for one second you’re going to end up on the bottom,” the CEO of Meta said.
He is also a champion.
In a surprising turn of events at his inaugural Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament in Redwood City, California, Zuckerberg achieved remarkable success by clinching gold and silver medals. This unexpected triumph sent ripples through the martial arts community, garnering attention and admiration from a broader audience.
Zuckerberg took to social media, particularly Instagram, to share the exhilarating news with his vast following of 11.3 million. Accompanying the announcement were captivating photos capturing moments of victory, as he posed alongside his coaches and engaged in ground battles with formidable opponents.
In his Instagram post, Zuckerberg humbly captioned the achievement, stating, “Competed in my first jiu-jitsu tournament and won some medals,” accompanied by emojis depicting a gold and silver medal. He graciously acknowledged the crucial role of his three trainers, tagging them in the post and expressing gratitude for their guidance.
Mark even put an octagon in his garden, and his wife was not very happy about it.
Mark Zuckerberg has taken his martial arts training to the next level, and it seems like it’s causing a bit of a stir at home. The Facebook and Meta founder recently revealed on social media that he installed a fighting cage, a UFC octagon, in his backyard. His excitement was evident as he shared a screenshot of his conversation with his wife, Priscilla Chan, asking if she had seen the new addition and commenting on how awesome it looked.
However, Chan’s response was less enthusiastic. She mentioned that she had been working on the grass in the backyard for two years, indicating that the sudden appearance of a fighting cage wasn’t exactly part of her landscaping plans.
Not one to shy away from public opinion, Zuckerberg decided to let his followers have a say in the matter. He posted a poll, asking whether he should keep the cage or prioritize preserving the grass.
This unconventional backyard setup is not just a personal whim but seems to be connected to the ongoing banter between Zuckerberg and Tesla founder Elon Musk. The two tech titans have been playfully challenging each other to a cage match, with Musk even suggesting that their fight could be live-streamed on X, with all proceeds going to charity for veterans.
In the midst of this lighthearted exchange, Musk shared that he’s preparing for the showdown by lifting weights throughout the day, showcasing a commitment to the bout that goes beyond mere words.
As the anticipation for this unconventional clash between tech giants builds, it’s clear that for Zuckerberg and Musk, this fight is more than just a physical contest, combining competition with a charitable cause.
An unexpected injury resulted in him missing a crucial competition.
Zuckerberg has recently undergone surgery following an ACL injury that occurred during mixed martial arts (MMA) training. The co-founder of Facebook shared this information through an Instagram post, where he mentioned, “I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) sparring and just got out of surgery to replace it.”
In the post, Zuckerberg also disclosed that he had been training for a competitive MMA fight scheduled for early next year but acknowledged the delay caused by the injury. Despite this setback, he expressed optimism, stating, “Still looking forward to doing it after I recover.” The Instagram post included several photos taken at an undisclosed hospital, capturing moments before and after the surgery, with his wife Priscilla Chan offering support during the recovery process.
Priscilla Chan was there every step of the way, wiping Mark’s forehead and helping him with his slides after his recent surgery. It’s a touching testament to the unwavering support and care she brings to their marriage. Their connection goes beyond the challenges, resonating in their love for their children and their shared commitment, even to tasks as humble as being janitors.
Mark and Priscilla’s promise of an annual honeymoon is a simple yet powerful tradition that underscores their dedication to keeping their relationship strong amid the hustle of their busy lives.
This story isn’t just about Zuckerberg’s surgery or their unique honeymoon ritual. It’s a peek into the personal lives of influential figures, revealing universal themes of love, commitment, and the crucial role of being there for each other through thick and thin. It’s a reminder that even tech giants have personal moments that reflect the fundamental aspects of human connection.
Mark Zuckerberg is a true fighter in real life, just as he battled to win his wife’s heart and make her fall in love with him.
Preview photo credit zuck / Instagram
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