Episode #72 - Reclaiming Myself: A Story of Life After Manipulation, Abuse, and Betrayal

This episode is a deeply personal truth-telling about my relationship with my body, my visibility, and my sense of safety in the world. I share how repeated experiences of abuse, assault, and violation taught my nervous system that being seen was dangerous. Attention, even when it wasn’t overtly harmful, began to feel unsafe. Over time, I learned to disappear as a survival strategy: dimming my light, shrinking my presence, dressing to avoid notice, and confusing invisibility with protection. I speak honestly about the pattern of harm, the grief and rage that come with it, and the exhaustion of li...