In this powerful and introspective episode of The Courageous Survivor, host Paula Walters celebrates her 51st birthday by reflecting on the incredible journey of overcoming childhood trauma, healing, and defying medical predictions. With a deep sense of gratitude and renewed purpose, Paula shares her goals for the next phase of her life, which include continuing her spiritual awakening, prioritizing total body wellness, and fostering a supportive community for trauma survivors. This episode is a testament to resilience, goal-setting, and the pursuit of living authentically while rooted in faith.

Paula’s honest and inspiring account of setting long-term goals—from deepening her relationship with God to focusing on health, financial wellness, and writing her book—serves as a guide for anyone looking to create lasting change in their life. She also touches on the importance of accountability, staying grounded in truth, and the joy found in life’s simplest moments.

Podcast Highlights:

1. Celebrating 51: Paula reflects on her feelings of freedom after defying medical expectations and reaching her 51st birthday.
2. Goal-Setting for Personal Growth: Paula shares how writing down goals and setting daily, weekly, and long-term milestones boosts dopamine and serotonin, helping her heal and stay focused on her wellness journey.
3. Deepening Spiritual Awakening: A key goal for Paula is to deepen her connection with God and live a life focused on her divine purpose.
4. Prioritizing Total Body Wellness: Paula discusses her commitment to improving her strength, flexibility, and brain health, aiming to live a vibrant life as she ages.
5. Creating a Sustainable Lifestyle: With a focus on gardening, canning, and homemade foods, Paula embraces self-sustainability and the joy of nurturing a natural, holistic lifestyle.
6. Living Authentically and Embracing Simplicity: Paula emphasizes the importance of being present, traveling, and enjoying the simple things in life, like time with family and nature.
7. Writing Her Book: Paula plans to rewrite her book from a place of healing and rationality, reflecting on her journey with a more objective and compassionate lens.
8. Building a Supportive Community: Paula aims to foster a supportive environment for survivors of trauma, providing a space for healing and wellness.
9. Financial Wellness and New Income Streams: With a desire to transition from full-time paramedic work, Paula plans to focus on her speaking engagements, writing, and life coaching to create financial stability.
10. Being a Truth-Seeker: Paula remains committed to living authentically, seeking truth, and staying grounded in her faith as she navigates a world she sees as filled with both good and evil.

Join Paula as she shares her next steps and invites listeners to set their own goals, offering support, accountability, and inspiration along the way.

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.

In this episode of The Courageous Survivor Podcast, Paula Walters, a survivor of multiple forms of abuse and national speaker, reflects on her recent experience speaking at a conference in Los Angeles, where she discussed the intersection of domestic violence (DV), interpersonal violence (IPV), and the healthcare system.

Paula shares insights from professionals in California, comparing them to the challenges she faces in Ohio, which lags behind in supporting survivors. Through her personal journey, Paula addresses the need for trauma-informed care in medical systems and the role trauma plays in chronic health conditions. She opens up about her frustrations with the medical system, the slow pace of legislative change, and her passion for making a difference in the lives of survivors.

Paula also highlights the importance of recognizing trauma’s impact on various populations, including first responders, healthcare workers, and military personnel. She challenges the traditional medical model that often fails to consider trauma in diagnosis and treatment, advocating for a holistic approach that looks at the big picture. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing from trauma requires not only addressing the psychological aspects but also the physiological impacts.

Join Paula as she explores the intersections of trauma, health, and how we can create a more compassionate and trauma-informed world for survivors and the people who protect us.

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.

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.

Unraveling Trauma, Brain Injury, and the Broken Healthcare System

In this episode of The Courageous Survivor, Paula Walters opens up about her harrowing journey through trauma, brain injury, and the challenges of navigating a fragmented healthcare system. Sharing her personal story of surviving child abuse, domestic violence, and a near-fatal strangulation, Paula sheds light on how these experiences led to a traumatic brain injury that went undiagnosed for years.

Paula discusses the systemic failure of siloed medical specialties that treat individual symptoms rather than looking at the bigger picture of how trauma impacts the entire body. From receiving misdiagnoses like aggressive MS to being told she wouldn’t live past 50, Paula walks listeners through her turning point—finding a functional neurologist who helped her understand the deep connections between trauma, brain injury, and her body’s systems.

This episode dives into how trauma disrupts everything from brain function and immune response to gut health and hormone regulation. Paula reveals the hope and healing she found through holistic care and offers practical insights on the importance of addressing unresolved trauma. As she reflects on her journey, Paula inspires listeners who may be stuck in the medical system or struggling with chronic illness to explore their own trauma history and take control of their wellness journey.

Listeners will walk away with a powerful message: trauma impacts every part of our being, and true healing is possible when we approach it holistically.

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.

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.

In this talk, I explore the intricate relationship between the rational brain (prefrontal cortex) and the emotional brain (limbic system), particularly how trauma affects their balance. Trauma rewires the brain, causing the emotional center to dominate, often leading to impulsive reactions and heightened emotional sensitivity. I draw from personal experiences and societal trends, highlighting how trauma can distort decision-making, memory, and emotional regulation. The discussion also focuses on healing and rewiring the brain through techniques like mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), grounding exercises, and physical activity. The goal is to emphasize the importance of self-regulation to regain control over emotional responses, ensuring a more balanced and rational approach to life.

Key Points:
Rational Brain (Prefrontal Cortex):

Controls decision-making, impulse control, and emotion regulation.
Trauma disrupts its function, leading to impulsivity and poor stress management.
Emotional Brain (Limbic System):

The amygdala (emotions) and hippocampus (memory) are key parts.
Trauma causes the amygdala to become hyperactive, increasing fear and emotional sensitivity.
The hippocampus struggles with memory, causing blurring between past and present trauma.
Impact of Trauma:

Trauma shifts the brain into survival mode, making it hard to think clearly or regulate emotions.
Society today is often stuck in this emotional overdrive, as seen in public discourse and media.
Personal Experience:

I made many impulsive decisions due to trauma, such as moving states and reacting with anger.
I share an incident at Bob Evans, where trauma led me to overreact emotionally to a situation.
Healing Techniques:

Mindfulness and meditation to calm the brain's fight or flight response.
CBT to identify and challenge distorted thoughts and emotions.
Grounding techniques (e.g., tactile methods, breathing exercises) to stay present.
Physical exercise like gardening to help regulate emotions.
Conclusion:

Healing is about rewiring the brain and prioritizing self-care to regain emotional balance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

🎙 Episode 1: Healing Through Faith and Self-Reflection 🎙

Welcome to the very first episode of Courageous Conversations. In this inaugural episode, I invite you into my world—a place where I openly share the private thoughts, journal entries, and moments of accountability that have shaped my healing journey from over four decades of trauma.

Today’s episode is especially personal, as I dive into the pivotal role that growing in my faith and deepening my relationship with God has played in my journey. I discuss how I came to understand the profound impact that pain, anger, and resentment had not only on me but also on those around me. This episode is about looking inward, taking responsibility for how my own wounds have caused me to hurt others, and embracing the humbling process of change.

Through God’s guidance, I’ve learned that true healing isn’t just about addressing the wounds inflicted upon us—it’s also about forgiving those who hurt us and seeking forgiveness for the ways we’ve allowed our pain to impact others. Join me as I reflect on this transformation, share a powerful devotion that resonated deeply with me, and explore the importance of moving from a place of anger to one of love and compassion.

This episode is just a glimpse into the kind of raw and honest content you can expect as Courageous Conversations transitions to a subscription-based platform in October. For now, I’m sharing these vulnerable parts of my journey with you freely, so you can see firsthand what this journey of healing, faith, and self-reflection looks like.

Thank you for joining me on this path toward healing and growth. May you find peace, strength, and hope in your own journey as well.

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.