The Courageous Survivor: Breaking the Chains and Redesigning Me
Paula Walters | Speaker • Paramedic • Advocate • Survivor

I’m Paula Walters—a paramedic with over 20 years of experience, a survivor of unimaginable trauma, and a relentless advocate for change. My journey has taken me through the depths of child abuse, domestic violence, near-fatal strangulation, addiction, and decades of chronic illness and misdiagnosis. After being failed by the very systems designed to protect and heal, I set out on a mission: to transform pain into purpose and help others do the same.

My podcast, The Courageous Survivor: Breaking the Chains and Redesigning Me, is more than just a platform—it’s a raw, unfiltered exploration of what it truly means to heal. I share the deeply personal realities of trauma, addiction (including the hidden addictions to work, validation, and avoidance), and the complex journey of recovering from a traumatic/anoxic brain injury. I unpack how my childhood and early adult experiences shaped my beliefs, behavior, relationships, and even my health—and how I’m actively redesigning my life one intentional step at a time.

Through my podcast, blog, speaking engagements, and social media platforms, I speak truth to power and push for real change. I offer survivors a voice, a mirror, and a message of hope—but I don’t stop there. I call on the systems around us to rise.

This is my call to action.
We must dismantle the silos that keep survivors from getting the care and healing they deserve. Medical and mental health professionals, first responders, victim advocates, law enforcement, the judicial system, and community organizations must come together in collaboration. Trauma doesn’t happen in parts, and neither should healing. Survivors need care that is trauma-informed, unified, and rooted in compassion, education, and understanding.

As someone who walks both worlds—a seasoned paramedic and a trauma survivor—I bring a unique and urgent perspective. My work bridges the gap between traditional healthcare and functional medicine, between crisis response and long-term wellness. I believe in transformation from the inside out. Healing is messy, nonlinear, and deeply personal—but it is possible.

With my tagline, “Bridging Trauma and Wellness: Inspiring Change from Within,” I’m committed to leading conversations that challenge outdated systems, inspire personal accountability, and advocate for survivor-centered care. My expertise spans intimate partner violence, traumatic brain injury, child abuse, mental health, and total body wellness. My story has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Spectrum News, NPR, and The Christian Broadcasting Network, helping to elevate this conversation on a national scale.

This space is for the courageous—the survivors, the truth-seekers, and the changemakers. Whether you’re healing from trauma, working within systems that support survivors, or simply seeking to understand, I invite you to join me in breaking the chains and redesigning who we were always meant to be.