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The Courageous Survivor: Breaking the Chains and Redesigning Me
The Courageous Survivor: Breaking the Chains and Redesigning Me
Hosted by Paula Walters
The Courageous Survivor isn’t just a podcast—it’s a raw, unfiltered journey through the lifelong impacts of trauma, the messy process of healing, and the power of rewriting your own story.
I’m Paula Walters—a paramedic with over 20 years of experience, a survivor of child abuse, domestic violence, and near-fatal strangulation, and someone who has spent decades battling addiction, chronic illness, and the aftershocks of trauma. After years of being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and failed by the systems that were supposed to help, I began to ask hard questions—and I started the work of healing from the inside out.
This podcast is where I unpack it all. From the ways childhood dysfunction shaped my identity and relationships, to my struggles with brain injury, fight-or-flight autopilot, and hidden addictions to work, validation, and avoidance—I’m pulling back the curtain on what recovery really looks like when trauma rewires your brain and body.
But The Courageous Survivor isn’t just about me. It’s about all of us who have survived things we don’t talk about enough. And it’s about the urgent need to change how we respond to survivors—not just individually, but as a society.
This podcast is a call to action.
I challenge healthcare professionals, mental health providers, first responders, law enforcement, judicial systems, advocacy groups, and victim services to break out of their silos and come together. Survivors need trauma-informed, collaborative care that addresses the whole person—mind, body, and soul. We need systems that see us, hear us, and believe us.
Through honest storytelling, hard truths, and deep personal reflection, I’m here to spark hope, foster connection, and inspire both personal and systemic transformation. You’ll also hear from other survivors, professionals, and thought leaders who are doing the work of bridging trauma and wellness in real life.
Whether you're in the thick of your own healing journey, working in a role that supports survivors, or just beginning to understand how trauma impacts our world—this podcast will challenge you to go deeper, reflect harder, and take brave steps toward change.
Together, we are breaking the chains—and redesigning who we were always meant to be.
Subscribe and join me on this journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation.
Disclaimer:
The content shared on this podcast and YouTube channel is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I, Paula Walters, am not a licensed medical professional, and the information provided should not be construed as medical advice. I am sharing my personal journey of healing—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—based on my own experiences and the research I have found to be beneficial for me.
Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health or treatment options. What works for me may not work for you, and it is important to find a path that is right for your unique needs and circumstances.
The Courageous Survivor: Breaking the Chains and Redesigning Me
Understanding and Healing from Trauma's Impact on Stress Hormones
Description: In this episode of The Courageous Survivor, join me, Paula Walters, as I dive deep into the complex world of our body's stress hormones—adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. These hormones play a crucial role in how we respond to stress, but when impacted by trauma, they can become our greatest challenge. Today, I’ll be sharing my personal journey through over four decades of trauma and how these hormones nearly led to my demise. This episode is a continuation of our previous discussion on the "feel-good" hormones—dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins—and how balancing these is just as critical as managing our stress hormones.
Key Highlights:
- Understanding the Stress Hormones:
- The function of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol in the body.
- How these hormones prepare us for "fight or flight" and why they are essential for survival.
- Trauma's Impact on Stress Hormones:
- Short-term effects: Rapid heartbeat, heightened senses, and energy surges.
- Long-term effects: Chronic anxiety, insomnia, muscle tension, and weakened immune system.
- Being Stuck in "Fight or Flight":
- Symptoms of short-term and long-term exposure to elevated stress hormones.
- Personal anecdotes about how I lived in a state of chronic stress and how it affected my physical and mental health.
- Path to Healing:
- Natural ways to regulate adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol.
- The importance of regular physical activity, mindfulness, sleep, and a balanced diet.
- How these lifestyle changes not only benefit us but also improve the lives of those we love.
- My Personal Journey:
- How being stuck in the "medical mayhem" almost led me to take my own life.
- The turning point in 2019 was when I sought functional holistic treatment, which changed the trajectory of my life.
- The importance of taking control of your healing journey, even when the traditional medical system falls short.
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a medical professional. I am a survivor sharing my experiences, research, and the knowledge I’ve gained from seeking functional holistic treatments. My goal is to help others avoid the pitfalls I encountered in the medical system and to offer hope and guidance to those struggling with the effects of trauma.
Call to Action: Join me as we unpack these stress hormones and learn how to take steps toward healing. Your well-being matters—not just for you, but for those who love and depend on you. Let’s work together to break free from the grip of trauma and reclaim our lives.
https://thecourageoussurvivor.com/
Disclaimer:
The content shared on this podcast and YouTube channel is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I, Paula Walters, am not a licensed medical professional, and the information provided should not be construed as medical advice. I am sharing my personal journey of healing—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—based on my own experiences and the research I have found to be beneficial for me.
Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health or treatment options. What works for me may not work for you, and it is important to find a path that is right for your unique needs and circumstances.