How Do You Rebuild After Violence And Build A Crisis Toolbox For Real Trauma Recovery With Megha Parekh?

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of home invasion, physical violence, trauma responses, anxiety and mentions of suicidal thoughts in a mental health context.

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik sits down with Megha Parekh, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars, to unpack what trauma recovery actually looks like when your life and leadership role keep moving at full speed. Megha shares the night her home was violently broken into, how her body reacted for weeks, and why healing is an upward curve but never a straight line.

They dive into practical crisis toolbox strategies. from regulating your nervous system with movement and music, to using simple lists when your brain is overloaded, to naming what stresses you and matching it with specific coping tools before crisis hits. Megha also breaks down how to lead teams while you are still healing, why honesty plus boundaries matter, and how to support trauma survivors without trying to “fix” them. This is a grounded, real conversation on trauma, performance, and building systems that keep you alive, not just functional.

About The Guest:

Megha Parekh is the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars. She operates at the intersection of law, sports, entertainment, development and leadership, managing billion dollar negotiations and high stakes decisions. Megha is also a survivor of a violent burglary and battery in her own home, a long time volunteer with Crisis Text Line, and an advocate for mental health, crisis support and trauma informed leadership. Her work and story highlight that high performance and deep vulnerability can and should coexist.

Key Takeaways:

• Trauma recovery is not linear. You can perform at a high level at work and still have days when anxiety, fear or numbness spike. Progress over time matters more than “bouncing back.”

• Your body keeps the score. Shaking, hypervigilance, difficulty breathing and forgetfulness after trauma are physiological responses, not weakness or failure. Naming that reality is the first step to self compassion.

• Build a crisis toolbox before you need it. Megha uses a simple two column list. on the left, situations that trigger stress, anxiety, loneliness or fear, on the right, specific actions she will take in each scenario.

• Simple tools work in real life. Lists for daily basics, familiar movies with no surprises, music with a steady beat, walking outside, and beach or nature time all helped her regulate her nervous system without overcomplicating things.

• Leading while healing requires transparency and boundaries. Megha told colleagues what happened, what topics were okay to discuss and that she might need extra grace, while still asking them to treat her as capable and fully present.

• If you want to help someone in crisis, do not jump straight to advice. Ask what is in their toolbox, what would feel supportive and what they need in that specific moment, instead of projecting your version of “normal” onto them.

How To Connect With The Guest

If you would like to learn more about Megha’s work at the intersection of law, leadership, sports and mental health, you can connect with her professionally here.

• Search for Megha Parekh on LinkedIn, listed as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Jacksonville Jaguars.

• Connect through the Jacksonville Jaguars’ official website, using appropriate professional contact routes.

Please follow respectful boundaries. this episode does not invite personal disclosures of trauma directly to Megha, and crisis support should always go through local professionals or recognized helplines such as Crisis Text Line in your region.

If you’re in immediate crisis, contact local emergency services or your regional suicide prevention helpline.

Here are reliable, widely used crisis lines by region:

United States  :  

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org (24/7). SAMHSA+1
• Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741 (24/7). Crisis Text Line
• LGBTQ+ (The Trevor Project, youth) — call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 (24/7). The Trevor Project+1
• Trans Lifeline — US [phone] (hours vary; peer support). translifeline.org+1

Canada  :