Note: Blog post subject matter is discussed in more detail on the Athalonz Podcast.
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At Athalonz, our mission is to help make the world a little bit better place. We do this by making athletic footwear that helps people enjoy athletics a bit more and by our humanitarian efforts. To expand our humanitarian efforts, we’ve created a non-profit organization called Interwoven Circles Foundation, which is the verbal description of Athalonz logo of three interwoven circles that represents connectivity of mind, body, and spirit.
Initially, Interwoven Circles Foundation focus will be on “Stopping Abuse of Kids”. In this regard, we have two primary missions: (1) increase dialog about child abuse and the damage it causes and (2) raise money for organizations that have a good track record of helping abuse victims, helping prevent abuse, and/or providing education to mitigate abuse.
With respect to increasing dialog, we want to address the cycle of child abuse; whether it’s sexual abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, and/or emotional abuse. All too often, victims of child abuse become child abusers as adults; especially if their issues are not dealt with properly. When a victim becomes an abuser, the cycle of abuse continues.
Victims’ issues stem from the image their perpetrators projected onto them. For me, I was made to believe that I was a worthless, stupid, ugly, unlovable “object” that couldn’t do anything right. This set me up for self-destructive behavior, which was taking me down a path towards a very dark place. I’m grateful and fortunate to have found help that has substantially reduced my self-destructive tendencies and improved my self-image.
For other victims, their issues cause them to not only exhibit self-destructive behaviors towards themselves, but they also exhibit destructive behaviors towards others. When they act out the destructive behavior towards others, they perpetuate the cycle.
To curtail, and eventually end, the cycle of child abuse, victims of child abuse need to heal their wounds from the abuse they suffered. Preferably, this is done before an adult acts against a child. In any event, healing involves talking about the abuse and its effects, feeling one’s feelings, and creating a new positive self-image. This is especially difficult for men do to social convention.
As such, one of our core messages is to encourage all, and especially men, to speak about the child abuse they suffered, the effects it has on them, and what they are doing to heal. We want to hear from you, please feel free to share with us via Interwoven Circles website and/or social media platforms your story.
Another one of our core messages is to encourage perpetrators to seek help to heal their wounds and to stop abusing children. This is a tough message, but it needs to be said. Keep in mind that, as a general rule, patient-doctor privilege extends to past transgressions. It, however, does not protect future transgressions. So, please get help to heal yourself. We believe that your compulsion to hurt others will dissipate as your feelings about yourself improve.
Our second mission is to raise money for existing and effective child abuse organizations. To this end, Interwoven Circles is sponsoring a cross country bike ride entitled, “Cycle to End the Cycle of Child Abuse”. I will be riding along with my friend, Adam, staring in San Diego on September 29, 2021 and ending about 40 days later in Jacksonville FL.
We encourage all to support the ride and the preparation for it. One can support the ride by making a financial donation at InterwovenCircles.com, by joining in all, or parts, of the ride, and/or by joining in on the training rides. The goal is to raise at least $1 Million. Of course, we encourage all to speak out in favor of “Stopping Abuse of Kids”.
We’ll post details of the ride and the training on the Interwoven Circles’ website.
One last thing to note is that 100% of the donations we collect will go to organizations that Interwoven Circles supports. All of the financial and human resources needed to operate Interwoven Circles is done on a volunteer bases by persons affiliated with friends and family of Athalonz. So, 100% means 100%.
About Me:
I am the CEO and Founder of Athalonz, LLC., I am a founding partner of the patent boutique law firm of Garlick & Markison, I am a survivor of child abuse, and I am an inventor on over 300 patents.
About Athalonz:
Athalonz is a technology company based on Mesa, AZ. It develops and sells athletic footwear, which incorporates its patented technology that leverages the laws of physics to improve athletic performance. Website: athalonz.com
About G&M:
Garlick & Markison is a patent law boutique firm that assists clients in building a patent business within their business using proprietary tools and techniques. Website: texaspatents.com
Athalonz Supports the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation
Click here to learn more.
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Dee Drost
August 05, 2021
Want to say thank you. The cycle has to be broken, to many suffering in silence. Abuse is a predator it seeks to take the voice of a child and to often succeeds. Giving a child or an adult child a voice is powerful. The voice of one makes a path for many. The invisible becomes visible with confidence to claim their right to speak and matter in away to break the chains of the prison within.