Anyone can pull themselves out of a dark time and build a beautiful life despite their trauma. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for physical abuse and domestic violence. Joining us today on According To The Cassels is Tray’s personal trainer, Alicia Black. Alicia has been a mixed martial artist since the age of 15 and has created an incredible fitness career for herself. You will hear all about her grandfather’s impact on her life, how she got into Jiu-Jitsu, how it changed her, and how, despite her abilities to defend herself, she still ended up in an abusive relationship. Alicia recalls the abuse she endured and what led to her living in her car for nine months. She also explains how the book, Lone Survivor, got her through the darkest time in her life, essentially saving her life. We also discuss Alicia’s introduction to therapy, why getting started was difficult for her, and how it has changed her life and taught her how to establish boundaries. To hear the incredible story about a woman with a bullet, a book, and the will to carry on, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s powerhouse guest, Alicia Black. 
• Alicia shares her story with us and how she got into mixed martial arts. 
• How Jiu-Jitsu changed Alicia for the better.
• Alicia tells us about how she got into an abusive relationship and the turning points in it. 
• TW: For listeners who wish to avoid Alicia’s recollection of domestic abuse, please skip audio between [00:12:10] and [00:15:35] and later on audio between [00:21:00] and [00:22:30]
• Alicia’s experience of living in her car for nine months and how she got through that dark time.
• How the book Lone Survivor saved Alicia. 
• How Alicia managed to get out of living in her car. 
• The next step for Alicia.
• The work Alicia has done in therapy and why it took her so long to get there.
• The importance of implementing healthy boundaries in your relationships.

Tweetables:

“I cannot give up!” — @_aliblack1 [0:07:34]

“It’s hard to accept the fact that you’re living pay cheque to pay cheque if that.” — @_aliblack1 [0:17:46]

“I didn’t want to be seen as somebody who needed pity and it was a matter of pride so I just didn’t speak to [my friends.]” — @_aliblack1 [0:23:41]

“You have to pull yourself out of the well sometimes. You can’t have other people do it for you.” — @_aliblack1 [0:30:23]

“I try to live every day in the moment.” — @_aliblack1 [0:31:18]

“Trauma builds in the body.” — @_aliblack1 [0:37:42]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Alicia Black on Twitter

Alicia Black on Instagram

Finish First

Lone Survivor 

Amy Cassels

Amy Cassels on Twitter

ONE Way Life

Mentioned in this episode:

NingxiaRed

Sparkle Dust