Imagine, if you can, waking up every day and living your life with the very real possibility of being raped, shot, mugged or even abducted. Where, every time you stepped outside of your home, you had to be on your guard, looking over your shoulder.

My guest for this episode, Dia Wanderley Vale, is from the North East of Brasil; a beautiful country with beautiful people. She grew up in an upper middle class family, but the city she called home was plagued with such violence. She has seen broken bottles and knives held to her mothers' throat several times, been carjacked at gunpoint, and lived with the constant threat of being raped.

She moved to Australia 3 years ago. Her partner Sasha is one of my Jiu Jitsu training buddies, and we all share a house together. She is definitely a loud and vibrant Latina! I often hassle her for having no volume control on her voice, especially when I am standing right next to her. I love dishing out a bit of sarcastic Aussie humour at her expense, but rest assured, she gives it back - just more loudly. She loves cooking and dishing out the vegan food and telling me how amazing it is - I think her and Sasha are secretly trying to convert me.

Yoga is also a big part of her life. She believes that her practice, along with her spiritual faith, is what has gotten her through the challenging memories of her past trauma, and keeps her in the present moment to enjoy her life and appreciate every day.