In this powerful episode of Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, we talk with trauma survivor, speaker, and Author Melissa Osorio, who shares her raw and deeply moving journey of rediscovering her childhood trauma and healing through ayahuasca and intentional self-work.
As a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health, a 2024 Women In Podcasting Award Winner for Best Mental Health Podcast, and with over 2 million downloads, we’re proud to keep amplifying real, unfiltered stories like Melissa’s.
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Mental Health Quote
“You don’t have to heal all at once—just show up for yourself, one small step at a time.”
What This Episode Covers
In this episode, we explore:
- How suppressed trauma shapes adult identity
- What ayahuasca is—and isn’t
- The path from personal breakdown to community healing
- The importance of safe spaces for trauma processing
- How healing your past transforms your present and impacts future generations
Meet Our Guest – Melissa Osorio
Melissa Osorio is a trauma survivor, speaker, entrepreneur, and author of Hidden Memories: Discover What’s Blocking You From Life and Love. After unlocking long-buried memories of childhood abuse triggered by the sudden death of her father, Melissa found profound healing through ayahuasca. Today, she helps others reclaim their wholeness by teaching at Rythmia, a life advancement retreat center in Costa Rica.Website: https://melissa-osorio.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaosorio_remembers
Key Takeaways
- Healing isn’t linear — Grief and growth go hand-in-hand.
- Your body remembers what your mind forgets — Trauma is stored physically and spiritually.
- You don’t have to be where you’ve always been — Sometimes, the most significant healing starts with a single step in a new direction.
Actionable Tools From This Episode
- Practice Self-Compassion Daily: Start your morning by saying one kind thing to yourself out loud.
- Choose Community Over Isolation: Join a healing circle, retreat, or online support group—even if it feels scary.
- Educate Yourself on Trauma: Read Melissa’s book or others that explain the neuroscience behind trauma and healing.
Episode Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 – Intro and Welcome 01:07 – Melissa's journey from the East Coast to San Diego 04:23 – The moment everything changed: “You don’t have to be here anymore.” 10:46 – Melissa’s early life, family secrets, and childhood in Venezuela 15:22 – Discovering Rythmia and ayahuasca 18:56 – Remembering the trauma and understanding hidden memories 24:29 – The grief cycle and navigating acceptance 28:04 – Life after the retreat: What integration means 33:36 – Finding purpose through healing and becoming a teacher 41:47 – Healing later in life and how it helps your family too 46:19 – Advice to your younger self & reclaiming your essence 49:43 – Melissa’s tools for self-love and daily careReferences
- Hidden Memories: Discover What’s Blocking You From Life and Love by Melissa Osorio
- Rythmia Life Advancement Center – https://rythmia.com
- Cast Feedback – https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a
- Vote in the 2025 Podcast People’s Choice Awards –
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