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.
Episodes
In this raw and powerful episode, Paula Walters returns with fresh insight and deep personal reflection on one of the most uncomfortable—but essential—truths about the healing journey: the choice between excuses and accountability.
Drawing from her own experiences with trauma, emotional overwhelm, and hard-hitting feedback, Paula unpacks the difference between living from the emotional brain and stepping into the rational brain. She...
Episode Summary:
In this powerful first episode of a two-part series, Paula Walters shares her deeply personal story to close out Brain Injury Awareness Month. She sheds light on “the silent injury”—the traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that often go unseen and undiagnosed in survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, strangulation, and human trafficking.
Drawing from her own experience as a paramedic, survivor, and advocate, Pa...
In this episode of The Courageous Survivor, Paula Walters returns after a long hiatus, joined by Kerri, to share life updates and discuss the challenges they've faced. Paula candidly opens up about how the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 have not gone as planned, leading her to reassess her path forward.
She shares two major realizations:
- You don’t have to engage with toxic people – Paula reflects on dealing with narci...
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 fosteri...
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...
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...
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 t...
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,...
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 he...
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 nearl...
🎙 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 fa...
Podcast Episode: Breaking the Chain—Rewiring Your Brain Chemistry After Trauma
Welcome to The Courageous Survivor: Breaking the Chain. In this powerful episode, Paula Walters takes you on an enlightening journey into the science behind our "happy hormones"—dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. With nearly five decades of personal experience overcoming chronic trauma, addiction, and the medical system's failur...
In this episode of The Courageous Survivor, I dive deep into the complex relationship between our innate need for connection and the importance of staying true to oneself. I explore how early life experiences, especially those involving trauma, can deeply affect our ability to connect authentically while remaining true to who we are. Reflecting on my own journey, I share how my upbringing and past experiences led to a disconnect be...
Episode 1: Breaking the Chains and Redesigning Me
Welcome to the inaugural episode of "The Courageous Survivor: Breaking the Chains and Redesigning Me." Join Paula Walters as she shares her transformative journey of resilience, overcoming child abuse, domestic violence, near-fatal strangulation, addiction, and mental health struggles. Discover how a shift in mindset and the help of a functional medicine clinic paved the wa...
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