What happens when the person who was supposed to protect you becomes the source of your deepest wounds?

In this week’s episode of Messy on Purpose, I’m joined by Mary Fields, a woman whose story is equal parts heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring. Mary grew up in extreme abuse, bounced between children’s shelters, and at just 12 years old, her mother left her alone in a house to raise herself.

Her childhood was chaos. Survival. Silence.
And yet—she didn’t stay there.

As an adult, Mary was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), became a mother, and made a choice to break every generational pattern she grew up in. But nothing prepared her for the emotional storm that came two years ago when her father passed away, leaving her—his only next of kin—to handle everything.

Grief didn’t just bring pain.
It brought memories, truths, old wounds, and the voice of a very hurt inner child she had carried for decades.

Instead of letting it destroy her, Mary turned it into purpose.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What it’s like to be abandoned as a child and still grow up to lead with compassion

• The way grief can reopen childhood trauma — and how to navigate it

• Understanding DID and how it shaped her healing

• How becoming a mom gave her the strength to break generational cycles

• The moment she realized her story needed to become a book

• Why leading with kindness is the foundation of her healing, her motherhood, and her work

Mary’s story is raw, honest, and deeply human.
It’s a reminder that even the most painful beginnings can lead to the most beautiful transformations — and that kindness is not weakness. It’s courage.

If you’ve ever battled your past, struggled with grief, or tried to become the person you needed growing up… this episode will stay with you.

Connect with Mary:Author account - IG @authormaryfields Tiktok @authormaryfields Website: www.authormaryfields.comFor The Merry AssistantIG @merryassistantSubstack: https://substack.com/@authormaryfields