There’s a quote I often return to — one that speaks directly to the heart of my journey:

“Trauma victims cannot recover until they become familiar with and befriend the sensations in their bodies.“
— Bessel van der Kolk

I didn’t truly understand what that meant when I first read it. But now? Now I live it.

Over the last week, I’ve been quiet on social media. Not because I’ve had nothing to say — but because I’ve been living in the sacred stillness that trauma once stole from me.

I’ve spent my days barefoot in the dirt, planting the first section of a garden I carefully researched and mapped out. I’ve cared for 34 fluffy new chicks, baked gluten-free treats in my kitchen, spent time with my six dogs, and listened — really listened — to the wind whip through the trees and the birds sing their glories.

These moments, as ordinary as they may seem, are extraordinary victories in my healing journey.

Because for most of my life, chaos was my normal.
Stillness was uncomfortable.
Silence was threatening.
Nature felt unfamiliar.
And home? Home was never truly safe.

I learned to survive by staying busy. Constant noise. Constant doing. Constant distraction. I wore my overworking and over-functioning like armor. But underneath was a body in pain — hypervigilant, anxious, disconnected, and deeply wounded by the invisible injuries of trauma.

It wasn’t until I began to slow down — to get quiet — that I realized how loud my body had been all along. And it wasn’t until I began to befriend the sensations in my body that I discovered what healing could feel like: Peaceful. Present. Powerful.

This is why I speak.
This is why I write.
This is why I advocate.

Because trauma doesn’t just affect our thoughts — it lives in the tissues of our body, in the patterns of our behavior, in the tension we hold, and the boundaries we can’t set. It hijacks our nervous system and shapes our entire worldview — often without us even realizing it.

As someone who lived through decades of unresolved trauma, including child abuse, domestic violence, strangulation, and invisible brain injuries, I understand how trauma can quietly, devastatingly affect every part of a person’s life — especially when it goes unacknowledged or misunderstood by the systems meant to help.

Today, I use my lived experience to educate and empower others.
I partner with organizations, agencies, healthcare systems, and community leaders to:

• Raise awareness around the whole-body impacts of trauma

• Equip professionals to recognize the invisible injuries that survivors carry

• Advocate for survivor-informed, trauma-conscious care

• Create collaborative strategies that center safety, healing, and long-term wellness

Survivors don’t just need someone to fix their symptoms.
They need someone to see them, hear them, and walk with them as they learn to reconnect with themselves and the world around them.

I believe healing is possible — not just for individuals, but for entire systems and communities. But it begins with awareness. It begins with willingness. It begins with the courage to slow down and feel what we’ve been taught to avoid.

To the survivor who still feels uncomfortable in the quiet: I see you.
To the professional who wants to make a deeper impact: I’d love to work with you.
To anyone who has ever questioned if healing is worth the pain: Let me assure you — the reward is life-changing.

My soul is now joyful.
My home is now safe.
And my body — once tense and defensive — is now a place of peace.

I only wish I had started sooner.
But now that I’m here, I will never stop speaking up — not just for myself, but for every survivor who still hasn’t found their voice.

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in safe spaces, with safe people, in quiet moments that give the body permission to breathe again.

Let’s create more of those spaces — together.

If you’re a survivor and something in this resonated with you — you’re not alone.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey or you’ve already started peeling back the layers of trauma, I would be honored to walk alongside you. As a certified mindset and wellness coach with lived experience and years of professional advocacy, I offer one-on-one coaching to help survivors begin to reclaim safety, trust, and peace — both in their bodies and their lives.

👉 If you’re ready to move from surviving to thriving, reach out today.
Together, we can start building the life of healing you deserve.

If you’re an organization, healthcare provider, educator, or community leader interested in learning more about how trauma impacts physical, mental, and emotional health — and how we can create collaborative, survivor-informed care models — I’d love to connect. Whether you’re seeking a keynote speaker, a trainer for your team, or a consultant to help you better serve trauma-impacted populations, I’m here to help bridge the gap between trauma and wellness.

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