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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
Taking a Risk for Holistic Healing
In this powerful episode, host Paula Walters shares a deeply personal account of a recent work-related concussion and her decision to forego traditional medical treatment in favor of a holistic healing approach. Drawing from her own experiences with brain injuries, misdiagnoses, and a frustrating encounter with the healthcare system, Paula discusses her journey through functional neurology and the impact of lifestyle changes on her recovery. With raw honesty, she opens up about the challenges and emotions that followed the injury and how she plans to use her own wellness program to aid in her recovery. This episode highlights Paula’s determination to take control of her health, reject the bureaucratic confines of workers' compensation, and inspire others to seek alternative methods of care.
Podcast Highlights:
- Recent Concussion Incident: Paula recounts a new work-related concussion from an accident in the ambulance, sparking immediate symptoms and concerns about the recovery process.
- Frustration with Traditional Healthcare: Paula explains why she is rejecting the workers’ compensation system and the conventional medical approach after years of misdiagnosis, costly treatments, and frustration with traditional providers.
- Past Brain Injury Misdiagnosis: Sharing her story of living with a brain injury for 13 years, Paula reflects on the medical mismanagement that left her misdiagnosed and struggling until she found healing through functional neurology.
- Commitment to Holistic Wellness: Paula highlights the functional neurology treatments that helped her regain her health and her resolve to return to these methods rather than re-enter the traditional medical system.
- Emotional and Spiritual Strength: Discussing the emotional journey from sadness to empowerment, Paula talks about her faith and how it continues to be a guiding force as she prepares for self-guided healing at home.
- Taking a Stand Against the System: Paula passionately shares her decision to sign off on workers’ compensation to maintain control over her treatment, despite legal and bureaucratic challenges.
- Inspiration for Others: Paula plans to document her healing journey through videos, social media, and future podcast episodes to inspire others who may also be trapped in a broken medical system.
- Lifestyle Changes for Recovery: Outlining her plan for fasting, supplements, and brain health exercises, Paula is determined to recover quickly and return to work within eight days, confident in her holistic approach.
- Empowerment through Education: Paula emphasizes the value of working with providers who educate patients on how to care for themselves, contrasting this with the disease-centered approach of traditional medicine.
This episode is a raw and candid look at taking control of one’s health, rejecting the norms of the healthcare system, and trusting in holistic, functional medicine for true wellness.
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.