In this raw and powerful episode, Paula Walters returns with fresh insight and deep personal reflection on one of the most uncomfortable—but essential—truths about the healing journey: the choice between excuses and accountability.

Drawing from her own experiences with trauma, emotional overwhelm, and hard-hitting feedback, Paula unpacks the difference between living from the emotional brain and stepping into the rational brain. She shares how being stuck in survival mode, constantly reacting from pain, and avoiding change can derail healing—and how choosing accountability, one small action at a time, can radically transform your life.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by your own patterns, struggled to break free from victimhood, or wondered why healing sometimes feels so lonely, this episode is for you. Paula gets honest about her own setbacks, how she’s rewiring her brain, and why real healing begins in the mirror—with brutal honesty and radical ownership.

What you’ll walk away with:

• The emotional vs. rational brain: why it matters
• How trauma wires us for protection instead of connection
• Why hurt people hurt people—and how not to stay there
• The power of one small daily choice toward healing
• A new framework for seeing discipline and accountability as self-love
• And a reflective question that just might change everything

Ready to drop the excuses and choose the harder, more rewarding path forward? This is your invitation to start.

Next Episode Sneak Peek: Learn how to practically and powerfully rewire your brain, regulate your nervous system, and shift from emotional chaos to grounded peace.

https://thecourageoussurvivor.com/


Disclaimer:

The content shared on this podcast and YouTube channel is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I, Paula Walters, am not a licensed medical professional, and the information provided should not be construed as medical advice. I am sharing my personal journey of healing—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—based on my own experiences and the research I have found to be beneficial for me.

Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health or treatment options. What works for me may not work for you, and it is important to find a path that is right for your unique needs and circumstances.

Episode Summary:
In this powerful first episode of a two-part series, Paula Walters shares her deeply personal story to close out Brain Injury Awareness Month. She sheds light on “the silent injury”—the traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that often go unseen and undiagnosed in survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, strangulation, and human trafficking.

Drawing from her own experience as a paramedic, survivor, and advocate, Paula walks listeners through the years of unexplained symptoms, misdiagnoses, and frustration within a medical system that treated her like a mystery patient—while missing the root cause of her suffering: an invisible brain injury caused by a near-fatal strangulation.

Paula discusses:

• Why so many survivors are misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or autoimmune conditions
• How the medical system often fails to connect trauma history to physical symptoms
• The life-changing moment she felt seen and heard by Dr. Bill Smock in 2017
• Her path to healing through functional neurology
• The emotional toll of being dismissed and mislabeled for years
• Why we must ask deeper questions and break down the silos in healthcare

This episode is not just for survivors—it’s a call to action for healthcare professionals, therapists, and advocates to recognize the real and lasting impacts of brain trauma caused by abuse. Paula’s story is a reminder that many people aren’t “crazy” or “broken”—they’re injured and need the right kind of help.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or stuck in the medical system, this episode is for you.
And if you work in healthcare or mental health, please listen with an open heart and share this message.

👉 Stay tuned for Part 2, where Paula will share what functional medicine and brain injury rehabilitation actually looked like—and how it gave her hope, purpose, and a second chance at life.

Connect with Paula:
🔹 Social Media: @PaulaDWalters | @TheCourageousSurvivor
🔹 Website: www.thecourageoussurvivor.com

https://thecourageoussurvivor.com/


Disclaimer:

The content shared on this podcast and YouTube channel is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I, Paula Walters, am not a licensed medical professional, and the information provided should not be construed as medical advice. I am sharing my personal journey of healing—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—based on my own experiences and the research I have found to be beneficial for me.

Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health or treatment options. What works for me may not work for you, and it is important to find a path that is right for your unique needs and circumstances.

In this episode of The Courageous Survivor, Paula Walters returns after a long hiatus, joined by Kerri, to share life updates and discuss the challenges they've faced. Paula candidly opens up about how the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 have not gone as planned, leading her to reassess her path forward.

She shares two major realizations:

1. You don’t have to engage with toxic people – Paula reflects on dealing with narcissistic and sociopathic individuals, emphasizing that trying to reason with them is futile. She has set firm boundaries, choosing to disengage and prioritize her well-being.
2. Recognizing systemic privilege and biases – A recent emotional moment helped her realize how difficult it can be to recognize privilege when deeply embedded in it. She acknowledges her ongoing journey of self-awareness and personal growth.

Paula also discusses her upcoming three-day neuro boot camp in Minnesota to address the lingering effects of a work-related concussion. She shares how the combination of stress, trauma, and neurological challenges has left her feeling overstimulated and emotionally drained. Her top priority is healing her brain so she can regain balance and clarity.

Kerri provides an update on her own struggles, including her husband’s serious health issues, financial stress, and uncertainty in her work related to intimate partner violence and traumatic brain injury research due to funding cuts. She opens up about the emotional toll of these challenges and the need for flexibility and resilience.

Moving forward, Paula and Kerri agree that they will be “winging it” for the rest of 2025—embracing the unpredictable nature of life, discussing real experiences, and sharing their healing journeys openly. Paula acknowledges that it’s okay to not have all the answers and to take things one step at a time.

Listeners can expect updates on Paula’s neuro rehab journey on her social media (@Paula D. Walters, The Courageous Survivor), with another podcast episode coming soon to reflect on her experience in Minnesota.

🔹 Key Takeaways:

• Boundaries are essential when dealing with toxic individuals.
• Recognizing privilege and systemic challenges requires deep reflection.
• Prioritizing mental and physical health is crucial.
• Healing is a continuous journey, and sometimes, it's okay to not have everything figured out.

Stay tuned for more raw and real conversations in future episodes!

https://thecourageoussurvivor.com/


Disclaimer:

The content shared on this podcast and YouTube channel is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I, Paula Walters, am not a licensed medical professional, and the information provided should not be construed as medical advice. I am sharing my personal journey of healing—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—based on my own experiences and the research I have found to be beneficial for me.

Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health or treatment options. What works for me may not work for you, and it is important to find a path that is right for your unique needs and circumstances.