How to take your life back after rape/sexual assault

Alice H.

During my childhood, I was molested and mistreated sexually. This also happened in my adulthood until I got out of it. This isn’t to make you sympathize, but to show you that recovery is REAL and it is POSSIBLE. With the right attitude towards my recovery, after hating it and hating it and my life for what happened to me, I realized that the only way to be happy after sexual assault and rape was to find a way to recover from it. And here I am, now.

Navigating life after divorce and building a new beginning

Belia K.

After a difficult divorce and being in an emotionally and mentally abusive relationship, I found myself at a crossroads. I didn’t have the language to understand what I was going through until I volunteered at a domestic violence shelter during our separation. That experience gave me a new perspective on how toxic relationships can shape our lives. As a single mom, I had to quickly learn how to balance being both the nurturer and the provider for my children. Raising three daughters on my own wasn’t easy, but over time, I realized that I had built a strong community of friends and mentors who helped me navigate the hardest parts of life. I learned that it truly takes a village, and being open to support from others was vital for my growth. Now, my daughters are all college-educated professionals, and I’m so proud of them. I’m happy to share my journey of perseverance and healing with others—whether it’s about creating new boundaries, learning how to trust again, or rediscovering yourself after tough times.

Navigating autism, identity, and life transitions with empathy and lived experience

Maya R.

My expertise comes from more than just training—it was forged by navigating a difficult path. I grew up in a traditional, homophobic Latin American household marked by poverty and domestic violence. As a queer person in that environment, I learned firsthand how to survive trauma, carve out my own identity, and fight for a better future on my own terms. That journey is why I’m so committed to this work. My lived experience informs how I help others through their own complex life transitions. It’s why I became a Behavior Interventionist for the autism community and completed 80 hours of Peer Support training—to turn my understanding into practical, effective support. I meet you with the profound empathy that only comes from having walked a similar road, ready to help you find your own path forward.

Choosing sobriety from alcohol when moderation doesn’t work

Peter O.

My relationship with alcohol started slow in high school but became a lifestyle in college. Even after getting married and becoming a dad, I still tried to fit drinking into my life. I convinced myself I could manage it, first by cutting back to just beer, then just wine. But the truth was, moderation didn’t work for me. It was like playing chess with something that already knew all my moves. I eventually found myself sneaking sips of a gifted bottle of Irish whiskey in the basement, hiding it from my wife. When she found out, we had a moment of reckoning. It was either my family or the alcohol. That’s when I stopped trying to control it and started choosing to be done - fully, completely. Since 2009 I haven’t had a drink, and I’ve never looked back. Sobriety became a daily commitment, not a hopeful attempt. Over the years, I’ve shared my story with others. One friend even told me later that something I said helped him take the final step into sobriety. I always tell people: if moderation isn’t working, it’s not because you’re weak. It’s because the game is rigged and you deserve to stop playing it.

Setting boundaries in your personal, professional and family life

Ronna P.

I was taught that being of service was the key to being a good person. By 8, I already believed that my worth came from self-sacrifice. “Since your mom says you can only invite 3 girls, I’ll stay home,” I’d say. In my teens, overextending myself felt like a superpower. The idea of considering my own needs brought shame. As an adult, with a growing circle—husband, child, coworkers, friends—I kept giving, even as my time shrank. I believed I had to earn love through effort. But eventually, I burned out. I felt resentful and invisible. The truth? I didn’t know how to set boundaries. That realization changed everything. I dove into learning, therapy, and observing those who honored their own needs and others’.Recently, I even gave a professional talk on healthy boundaries. If you struggle to set limits without guilt, I see you. I’ve been there. Let’s work together to create a plan that honors YOU, too.

Finding healing through compassion, sobriety, and self-worth

Shawn F.

For much of my life, my worthiness came from being the best, supporting everyone around me, and maintaining an executive, polished persona. I coped with the emotional abandonment I experienced as a child through alcohol, drugs, and even excessive exercise. During an unhappy relationship, I leaned into different coping mechanisms just to get by. It wasn’t until the last 7 or 8 years that I began to truly recognize my own strength. Volunteering at the world’s largest refugee camp and later caring for my best friend during his final days changed me forever. I realized how connected sobriety, trauma, and emotional growth truly are, and that healing begins when we acknowledge what our bodies remember, even if our minds try to forget. Today, I believe compassion — for ourselves and others — is where authenticity and real happiness begin. I would be honored to walk beside you as you find your own path toward healing and self-acceptance.