Cleo DeLoner, (A True Survivor)

A proud Veteran of the War in Somalia, a three-time suicide survivor, an author, a public speaker, an ardent supporter of our military and first responders and an outspoken champion for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder issues and Suicide Prevention.

Cleo was born of a rape, conceived in violence, raised in neglect, shame, and abuse. She experienced incredible trauma while in Somalia where she survived a horrific firefight, struggled to save a severely mutilated child and was forced to drive through women and children with her HUMVEE to save her fellow military brethren.

After returning home, Cleo served as a police officer, a corrections officer and a counselor at her church. Unfortunately, her internal battles only intensified. She found herself combating the anguish, the pain, the nightmares and the screams by taking countless prescription medications, suffering through hundreds of electro-shock sessions and being admitted to mental health facilities well over 30 times.

Cleo is a remarkable storyteller, not only a story of immense pain, but a story of remarkable strength and enduring hope. She has a remarkable way with words that put you inside some of the worst situations imaginable and bring you out the other side with a joyous tear in your eye. Cleo’s journey and courageous path to healing is nothing short of a miracle and is a story not to be missed.

Based in Colorado, Risa August is an author, Speaker, Gestalt practitioner and Patient Advocate for rare pituitary diseases. She has been sharing her story for the past five years, and more recently in her memoir The Road Unpaved – Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike. In addition to speaking at conferences for leaders in pharmaceuticals, medical professionals, and patients, her work is published on blogs and in other smaller publications. Her most popular personal essay, “Marshmallow Clouds,”has been translated into Spanish. Through her personal transformation, Risa has learned and practiced removing limiting beliefs, shifting her perspective, and embracing a full life.

Risa has a B.A. in geography, a certification in the Gestalt Coaching Method, and a certificate in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. She has been living with a pituitary tumor and rare disease for over a decade and offering words of inspiration and information to audiences in hopes of saving others from heading down a bumpier road. A girl with sparkles in her hair and once an Ironman athlete, Risa still has a passion for her bike and barbells. With her genuine curiosity and love for trying new (and old) things, you may find Risa taking Bollywood or hip-hop dance lessons, trying a silks aerialist or boxing class, going indoor skydiving, or guiding an inspirational workshop in creativity.

Ted Played drums in several Rock Bands in Phoenix Arizona in the early ‘80s, as well as owning HeadBangers Drum Shop. Then pursued music through radio taking a at Westwood One/100.3 Pirate Radio in the LA market as well as syndicated radio shows world wide including Armed Force Radio.

Shred’s love of the Rock music scene here in Hollywood led him through numerous bands playing around LA till he got hired to be a stand in and an extra background actor) for Steven Tyler on Wayne’s World 2 that then took hold of Shred’s creative performance side which at this time turned towards acting from 1992 even up to the present.

Through acting Shred discovered many jobs he was experienced at in this industry through natural survival to actual training from Stunts to Animal Training, Line Producing to Directing, from Art and Set Design to Lighting. Then through an odd form of osmosis and powers of the universe Shred creates several companies to increase his financial base and help harness his chaotic creativity. So Double Dog Dare Events (an event design/production company involved in the entertainment and corporate marketing)was launched followed by Pira For Hire (a live action interactive promotional company focusing on anything Pirate from live shows, commercial marketing, to Film and TV re-enactments…) made of like minded pirate enthusiasts from the film industry for entertaining with live action shows around the world.

And finally Shred’s love for animals and animal rescue/rehabilitation he created Tropical Exotic Animal Rentals (designed for taking on rescued exotic and domestic animals. Then after rehab if they cannot be released back to the wild or be placed with an appropriate animal sanctuary, he would keep and provide for them) that became an animal ambassador company for educational programs, special event meet and greets, as well as training/conditioning certain acclimated animals for the film and TV industry that even lead him to becoming a Ringmaster for the famous LA Circus and The Vamphear Circus. And let’s not forget his over 40 years experience as a record holder as Hollywood’s #Fire Manipulation/Breather. This all had a very common thread that leads us to The Shred Media Group and The Rock Lounge. Ted Shred’s extensive experience as a producer, creative write director, and over all entertainer will now be focused on hosting, interviewing and entertaining.