Healing from the Inside Out: My Journey from Trauma to Health

For much of my life, I believed I was in control of my health and well-being. I had always considered myself strong and resilient. As a mother of five, keeping up with a busy household while working a full-time job, I had a sense of pride in managing it all, despite being far from perfect. Life was demanding and for the majority of the past decade, I have been a single Mom. I pushed through the normal stresses of everyday life but had also experienced various types of traumatic events as an adult, but never truly took the time to process them or heal from them. At least not until my body gave me no other choice.

I experienced a traumatic event a few years ago that left me living in a fight or

flight pattern almost daily, over the past 5 years. It brought to the surface unresolved issues from my past, triggering emotions and memories I hadn’t experienced or dealt with in a LONG time. I tried to overcome it, never questioning the physical toll it was taking on me. What I didn’t realize was that my body was silently warning me, sending signals that I didn’t know how to interpret. Over time, these physical symptoms became louder, until they couldn’t be ignored. It wasn’t just stress or a temporary condition—it was my body’s way of responding to trauma I hadn’t fully acknowledged or healed from.

In this post, I want to share how trauma not only impacted my emotional and mental well-being but how overtime, it physically manifested in my body. Through chronic pain, skin issues, illnesses and even cardiac problems, I was forced to face something I didn’t fully understand until I began my healing journey—healing from the inside out.

The Onset of Physical Symptoms

At first, it started subtly. I had chronic pain that I couldn’t explain, skin problems that no skincare product seemed to address, pain in my neck that ran down my arms so intense it was affecting my day to day life. Shingles three times in one year at the age of 42 and what felt like heart palpitations or strange tightness in my chest. It wasn’t until my blood work came back with some alarming results that I realized something much deeper was going on. My tests, which had once been completely normal, were now showing concerning signs. There was a positive ANA test (indicating possible autoimmune issues), extremely high cortisol levels (a marker for stress), abnormal ECG and elevated troponin levels (which can indicate heart strain or damage).

I felt like I was fighting a battle that no one could see. I went to multiple specialists—cardiologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, allergists, and even a neurosurgeon. The diagnoses seemed to pile up quickly: lupus, fibromyalgia, cervical osteoarthritis, cardiac arrhythmia and, to top it all off, I was told that if physical therapy didn’t work for the chronic neck pain, I would probably need surgery.

I felt overwhelmed. And if you’ve ever had to navigate the world of specialists and medical tests, you know how exhausting and disheartening it can be. I was trying to stay strong for my kids all while dealing with a body that was in a constant state of pain and fatigue. It was mentally and physically draining, and the worst part was that I was doing it all in silence.

Why I Stayed Quiet

One of the hardest parts of my journey was not being able to talk about what I was going through. Trauma, particularly trauma caused by another person, has a way of silencing you. I didn’t share my struggles with many people, not because I didn’t trust them, but because I was afraid. Afraid of being misunderstood. Afraid of being judged. And, in some ways, afraid of reliving the trauma itself. If you’ve ever been through something like this, you know how difficult it can be to open up. It’s easy to feel isolated, like no one will understand or believe what you’re experiencing.

For years, I lived in silence, constantly worrying about what was happening to my body and how to handle it all. And while I was physically suffering, I was also emotionally drowning. The weight of everything was taking a toll on me in ways I couldn’t put into words.

The Turning Point: Healing from the Inside Out

After months of tests, doctor visits, and failed treatments, I knew something had to change. I couldn’t keep going down this path of endless doctors and prescriptions without truly addressing what was at the root of all my problems. At one point I was on so many prescription medications I recieved them in a grocery bag size paper bag. I couldn't understand how someone who is a nurse and in my early 40's required so many prescriptions. I realized that my physical ailments weren’t just physical—they were the result of unresolved trauma and stress that had taken root in my body.

I started therapy—not just physical therapy, but mental and emotional therapy too. It wasn’t easy. There were days when I didn’t want to face the pain of my past. I remember some times bawling throughout therapy and then sitting in my car, crying some more before being able to drive home. As hard as that season of my life was...it was necessary. I realized that healing from the inside out meant addressing my emotional wounds just as much as my physical ones.

In addition to therapy, I made several lifestyle changes that focused on nourishing my body in a way that supported both my physical and mental health. I began eating cleaner, focusing on whole foods that helped reduce inflammation instead of adding to it. I prioritized rest—real, restorative rest, which I had neglected for far too long. I started exercising regularly, not just for the physical benefits, but for the mental clarity and stress relief it provided. Exercise became an act of self-care rather than a chore.

As I made these changes, I also started taking a deeper look at my relationships and my mindset. I worked on setting boundaries, learning to let go and forgive as well as prioritizing my own well-being. I stopped putting everyone else’s needs above my own.

It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight. Healing is a slow and often painful process. But as I focused on nurturing my body, mind, and spirit, something amazing began to happen. I started to feel better. The chronic pain that had once consumed me started to ease. The flare-ups in my skin—those embarrassing rashes, the inflammation, the acne—began to fade. My energy levels improved, and I could feel my body healing from the inside out.

The Road to Recovery

After several months of this combined approach—therapy, healthy eating, rest, and exercise—the difference in my body and mind was profound. But what really shocked me were the results of my blood work. My tests, which had once been filled with alarming red flags, were now coming back normal. My cortisol levels dropped to a healthy range, my ANA test was no longer positive, and the elevated troponin levels had returned to normal. It was as though my body had finally come back to life.

But even more remarkable than the physical improvements were the changes in my spirit. I felt a sense of peace and calm I hadn’t experienced in years. I felt more connected to myself, more grounded, and more confident in my ability to handle whatever life threw my way. I felt like I had rediscovered a version of myself that had been buried under the weight of stress and trauma for so long.

It’s been several months since I began my journey of healing, and I’m still amazed at how far I’ve come. People have started to notice the changes. I’ve received compliments on my skin—something that, in the past, would have seemed impossible. I’ve been told I look “happy,” “healthy,” and even “glowing.” And honestly, when I hear these compliments, it’s hard not to smile. Now, when people tell me I'm glowing, I can’t help but take it as a reflection of the deep, inner healing I’ve gone through. I know it’s not just about the skincare products I’ve been using (though I’ve found some great ones); it’s about the healing that has happened within me. The changes in my skin, my body, and my health are all the result of healing from the inside out.

You Can Heal Too

If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re stuck in a place of physical or emotional pain, I want you to know that healing is possible. It’s not quick, it’s not easy, and it won’t happen overnight. But with the right support, the right lifestyle changes, and a commitment to prioritizing yourself, you can begin to heal from the inside out.

You are not alone in your journey. Your body is capable of incredible things, and with time, patience, and self-care, you can rebuild yourself into someone who feels stronger, healthier, and more balanced.

Remember, healing doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Seek support, whether that’s therapy, physical care, or simply being surrounded by people who lift you up. You deserve to live a life where you’re not just surviving, but truly thriving. Trust that your body knows how to heal—it just needs the right conditions to do so.

Healing from the inside out has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life, and I’m so grateful to be where I am today. If you’re on a similar path, take it one step at a time, and know that with each small step, you’re getting closer to becoming the best version of yourself. You’ve got this.

xoxo,