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“My body is the crime scene.” When Shalina says that, everything about trauma clicks into place, because you can’t walk away from the place it happened when the place is you. Shalina talks about sexual assault, online safety and the brutal confusion that follows when harm comes from someone you trusted.

She shares what life was like as a teenager facing bullying and racism, how online connection became an escape and how quickly that escape turned dangerous. We talk about the aftermath survivors rarely get space to explain, the shock, numbness, self-blame and the exhausting question of why perpetrators do what they do. We also unpack what it means to live with distrust, triggers and a nervous system trained to “expect the worst” just to feel prepared.

The conversation moves into another topic that often sits in silence, abortion. Shalina describes the panic, loneliness, lack of guidance and how abortion grief can live alongside certainty about your decision. From there we focus on trauma recovery tools that actually help, including therapy, journalling, creativity and music as a way to turn pain into purpose, plus movement and exercise as a way to shift emotion through the body.

If this story resonates, please subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. What part of Shalina’s journey stayed with you most?

Connect with Shalina on Instagram here

For abortion support contact Birthline in Australia

For sexual assault support contact SASS in Australia

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Music Credit: Cody Martin - Sunrise (first 26 episodes) then custom made for me.

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and stories shared on this podcast are personal to the host and guests and are not intended to serve as professional advice or guidance. They reflect individual experiences and perspectives. While we strive to provide valuable insights and support, listeners are encouraged to seek professional advice for their specific situations. The host and production team are not responsible for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

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Two years ago I hit record without a perfect plan, just a voice and a steady belief that honest stories can make someone feel less alone. Today, the Everyday Warriors Podcast turns two, and this bonus episode is my pause to acknowledge what we’ve built together. A quiet, human space for resilience, healing and hope.

I share what the last two years have looked like behind the scenes, including the slow, organic growth that I’m genuinely proud of. The show has now been listened to on every continent, across more than 50 countries and 250 cities, with nearly 5,000 downloads. Those numbers aren’t about status, they’re about moments of connection, someone pressing play at the exact time they need to feel seen and heard. I also thank the more than 30 courageous guests who’ve trusted this space with real, unpolished stories shaped by adversity, growth and rebuilding.

Then I introduce what’s next, Everyday Warrior Moments. These are short subscriber-only bonus episodes released fortnightly between guest conversations, designed as gentle 5 to 10 minute reflections and reminders. They’re not about fixing you or pushing you harder. They’re about slowing down, honouring your pace and remembering that strength doesn’t have to look loud to be real.

If this podcast has supported you, please subscribe, share it with someone who might need it, and leave a review so more everyday warriors can find these stories. Where in the world are you listening from, and what do you want more of in this next chapter?

Subscribe to Everyday Warrior Moments here

Support the show

Thanks for listening in!

Contact me directly at https://everydaywarriorspodcast.com.au or head to
Instagram Personal or Podcast
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/trudie.dwyer

Support the Podcast - Buy me a Coffee

Buy my Book here

Apply to be a guest at everydaywarriorspodcast@gmail.com

Music Credit: Cody Martin - Sunrise (first 26 episodes) then custom made for me.

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and stories shared on this podcast are personal to the host and guests and are not intended to serve as professional advice or guidance. They reflect individual experiences and perspectives. While we strive to provide valuable insights and support, listeners are encouraged to seek professional advice for their specific situations. The host and production team are not responsible for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

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A relationship ends, the coping spirals start, and then a knock at the door changes everything. Gav takes us back to New Year’s Eve 1995 and the years that follow, when anger, anxiety, partying and marijuana are masking a deeper fear of failure. Then his boys’ mum makes a decision that flips the script, the kids come to live with him and he’s no longer a “weekend dad”. He has to become the parent in every sense of the word, with his children seeing him exactly as he is.

We talk honestly about single father custody, the cultural bias that assumes kids belong with their mum and what happens to children when adults stay together “for the kids” inside a home full of tension. Gav shares the hard parts many people don’t say out loud, the shame, tough love, burnout, leaving shift work, surviving on a single parent’s pension and the financial strain of raising kids without meaningful support. There’s also heart in the details, from school projects and homework panic to the long-term impact of simply being there. Years later, one line from his son still lands “I’m glad that you took us in.”

The conversation comes full circle into healing and purpose. Gav explains how personal development, kinesiology and a deep dive into mindset and emotional intelligence helped him rebuild his inner world, strengthen his relationship with his boys and eventually shape a career helping coaches and helpers communicate their story with integrity. If you’re navigating separation, co-parenting, recovery or rebuilding your life after trauma, you’ll find practical insight and real hope here.

Connect with Gavin on Facebook here

Connect with Gavin via his website here

If this story resonates, subscribe to Everyday Warriors, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these raw, honest conversations.

Support the show

Thanks for listening in!

Contact me directly at https://everydaywarriorspodcast.com.au or head to
Instagram Personal or Podcast
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/trudie.dwyer

Support the Podcast - Buy me a Coffee

Buy my Book here

Apply to be a guest at everydaywarriorspodcast@gmail.com

Music Credit: Cody Martin - Sunrise (first 26 episodes) then custom made for me.

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and stories shared on this podcast are personal to the host and guests and are not intended to serve as professional advice or guidance. They reflect individual experiences and perspectives. While we strive to provide valuable insights and support, listeners are encouraged to seek professional advice for their specific situations. The host and production team are not responsible for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast.