What if talk therapy isn’t enough—because your trauma lives in your body? In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, world-record tap dancer turned trauma recovery coach Heather-Ann Ferri shares the raw story behind her work: childhood abuse, brain-level injury, and the long road from “performer with a mask” to a woman who uses her voice without apology. Heather-Ann explains why many survivors don’t remember early trauma, how perfectionism and people-pleasing take root, and the practical protocols that helped her heal when life fell apart: involuntary shaking, breath patterns rooted in Sanskrit, “medical-grade” hydration, and neurologically informed routines designed to calm a dysregulated system.
We also dig into shadow work, boundaries with family, and the difference between forgiving too soon and actually becoming whole. If you’ve ever felt stuck repeating patterns—or you’ve tried everything and nothing seemed to stick—this conversation offers a grounded way forward: simple tools, consistent practice, and the courage to tell the truth.
Show Notes & Chapters-
[00:00] Becoming “spiritual people in physical bodies”; why language and behavior matter
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[03:00] Early home life, generational trauma, and the first cracks in the system
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[08:00] Abuse, dissociation, and how the body keeps score
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[12:30] Tap as first voice; when performance becomes protection
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[15:00] Why talk isn’t enough: shaking, breath, hydration, neurological protocols
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[19:00] Shadow work, ego death, and rebuilding discipline
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[22:00] Culture, religion, and the limits of “forgive and forget”
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[24:30] Addiction as unaddressed trauma; pioneers and influences
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[28:30] Kids, play, and screens: what the next generation needs
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[33:00] Past lives, programming, and widening the healing lens
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[40:00] PTSD in the body: feet, calves, and designing better protocols
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[42:00] The Guinness record—and when the healing made things look worse
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[47:00] No guru phase: listening within, then coaching others
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[49:00] Who shows up: common ages, patterns, and readiness
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[51:00] Boundaries vs. early forgiveness; becoming your own mother/father
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[58:00] Where to start: first-chapter download and next steps
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Website: Home - Heather Ann Ferri (first chapter download available)
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Books (upcoming): Three-part series on trauma healing with guided practices
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Influences mentioned: Alice Miller; Gabor Maté; body-based trauma modalities
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