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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
Courageous Conversations: The Power of One
In this powerful episode of Courageous Conversations, Paula Walters reflects on the intense emotional experiences of the past few weeks, including an eye-opening podcast with a military veteran and survivor of traumatic brain injury. Paula discusses the struggles many face—whether survivors of abuse or veterans—navigating a medical system that often fails them. She shares a deeply personal moment watching a TV show that mirrored her own battles with the healthcare system, reliving the pain of fighting for proper diagnoses and treatment while feeling misunderstood.
Paula also highlights the importance of chance meetings, the "power of one," and how a single conversation with a compassionate doctor changed the course of her life. She emphasizes the need for systemic change to better support survivors and military members alike and discusses how trauma can trap people in emotional brain responses, leading to struggles with rational thinking.
In the spirit of Courageous Conversations, Paula encourages listeners to show kindness, respect, and empowerment to those around them, reminding us that we never know how our words or actions could change someone's life.
Join Paula as she shares raw emotions, insights, and the lessons she’s learned on her journey of healing and advocacy.
Key Topics Covered:
- Navigating trauma and the broken medical system
- The struggles of survivors and military veterans
- The emotional brain vs. the rational brain
- The power of one conversation to change a life
Don’t miss this heartfelt and inspiring episode!
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.