Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of sexual assault. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

How do you begin to heal when you can no longer hide from a truth you’ve buried for years?

This week, I’m joined by Lurinda Vollmer, a Somatic Shadow Work Coach and creator of the Surrender Retreat, an immersive healing experience guiding women from survival mode into self-trust, embodiment, and feminine reconnection.

As a support coach for the Shadow Work Alchemy Certification, she brings a trauma-informed, nervous system-led approach to trauma healing, helping women safely meet and integrate suppressed parts of themselves. Blending personal experience, intuitive facilitation, and somatic practices, Lurinda creates transformative spaces where women feel seen, safe, and empowered in their truth.

Today, Lurinda shares a story she has never spoken about on a platform like this before. She opens up about facing the reality of sexual assault after years of denial, and the resilience it takes to heal in a culture that often silences survivors. From navigating the long-term effects of trauma and shame to finding her voice and using it to support others.

In this episode, we explore:

• The moment Lurinda acknowledged her assaults after years of suppression
• How trauma and shame resurface over time, and their impact on mental health
• Her healing journey through retreats, somatic shadow work, and coaching
• What somatic shadow work is and how it supports deep emotional healing
• The importance of supportive networks, therapy, and safe spaces for women
• Why so many women are silenced, and what we can do to change that

Lurinda doesn’t just tell her story, she speaks for those who haven’t yet found their voice.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unsupported in your healing journey, this episode is a reminder, you are not alone, and your voice matters.

Her journey is both powerful and inspiring, carrying a key message, your truth is yours, and no one can take it away.

Connect with Lurinda:

Instagram: @perspectivebylurinda

Website: https://www.perspectivebylurinda.com/

Welcome to Surrender Retreat: https://www.perspectivebylurinda.com/surrenderretreat

Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of child physical and sexual abuse. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

What if the pain of your past could become the foundation of someone else’s healing?

In this episode, I’m joined by Jennifer Ginty, a single mum, podcast host, and entrepreneur, who shares her deeply personal journey of healing from childhood trauma and living with Complex PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

From growing up in an abusive home to navigating family court, Jennifer’s early life was shaped by silence and survival.

After years of pushing her past away, it all came to a breaking point, and her healing journey truly began through therapy, group work, and eventually, creating a  therapeutic toy called My Moody Monster.

Jennifer now uses her story to help others better understand their emotions, reconnect with their inner child, and heal from trauma in a way that feels safe, empowering, and real.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Jennifer’s journey from survival to emotional healing
• The moment her brain said "enough", and why breakdowns can be breakthroughs
• The transformative power of group therapy and trauma-informed support
• Creating 'The Moody Monster' to support emotional regulation in kids
• How childhood trauma can echo into adult relationships, and what healing really looks like

Whether you’re in the thick of your healing or just starting to unpack your story, Jennifer’s journey is a reminder that you're not alone, and that recovery, community, and creativity can offer a powerful way forward.

Jennifer and I are available to provide additional resources and organisations that can support you in your healing journey, so please reach out.

Connect with Jennifer:

Website: http://www.mymoodymonster.com

Podcast website: http://www.whennotyetbecomesrightnow.com

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@mymoodymonster

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mymoodymonster

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/my-moody-monster

TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@mymoodymonster

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/93141440

Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

What if the parts of yourself you’ve been hiding were actually the key to your healing?

Content warning: This episode includes brief discussions of sexual violence. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

This week, I’m joined by photographer, artist, and women’s embodiment facilitator, Sophie Spencer, whose story is raw, powerful, and full of unexpected turns.

Sophie doesn’t just capture images, she captures the essence of who you are beneath the surface.

Through intuitive, emotionally attuned photographic experiences, she helps women feel safe, seen, and at home in their bodies. She also brings this same intention to her branding and web design work, supporting women-led businesses to show up with authenticity and confidence.

From feeling invisible in high school to guiding women in reclaiming their bodies, stories, and sensuality, Sophie’s path reminds us that healing isn’t about fixing but reconnecting with the truth of who you already are.

In this episode, we cover:

• Sophie’s healing journey through trauma, shame, and self-doubt
• The power of embodiment, safe spaces, and deep self-reclamation
• Sophie's experience in a cult-like spiritual community
• Why embodiment is the missing link to creativity, confidence, and joy
• How topless photo shoots became a powerful part of her clients’ liberation
• What it means to reclaim your voice, your story, and your sensuality

This is a wild, honest conversation. It’s raw, inspiring, a little bit juicy, and full of “I feel seen” moments.

Especially for anyone who’s ever struggled with body image, perfectionism, or feeling like you needed to be more to be worthy.

Connect with Sophie:

Website: www.sophiespencer.com.au

Instagram: @sophiespencer___

Branding Instagram: @brandingbysophie_

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

What if going backward was the very thing that moved you forward?

In this solo episode, I reflect on a recent trip back to the UK, which is the first time I've returned to my hometown of Sunderland in six years.

If I'm being totally honest, I was dreading it. But for a trip I wasn’t looking forward to, it turned out to be one of the most healing experiences of my life. So much so… I can’t wait to return!

From facing old trauma and reconnecting with loved ones, to realising that home isn't a place; it's who you are, this is a story of coming full circle and finding peace in the most unexpected ways.

In this episode, I speak about:

• Why returning to my hometown after six years away was one of the most healing things I’ve ever done
• The complicated beauty of family relationships and breaking generational trauma
• Reconnecting with my inner child and finally seeing my parents and brother with compassion
• The unexpected power of letting go of judgement, blame, and outdated stories
• What it really means to come home to yourself, and how to know when you’re ready
• Why the most uncomfortable next step is often the most freeing one

Whether you’ve been avoiding a conversation, a person, or even a part of yourself… this episode is a gentle invitation to stop running and start coming home.

Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

What if the life you’re meant for starts the moment you finally listen to that inner nudge?

This week, I’m joined by Michelle Gardiner, a speaker, storytelling coach, and founder of The Aspire Series. Her story of packing up everything she knew to follow a feeling might just inspire you to do the same.

From walking away from a life that no longer fit, to building community in Bali, to returning to Melbourne and stepping into a new chapter, Michelle’s story is a powerful reminder that ‘home’ isn’t a place; it’s a sense of self, community, purpose, and belonging.

In this episode, we chat about:

• What happens when you follow your intuition, even when it makes no sense
• The power of community and finding your people wherever you are
• Redefining ‘home’ through connection, identity, inner trust, and purpose
• Navigating life pivots, new chapters, and letting go of what others expect
• What it means to hold an unfounded vision, stand in it fully, and bring it into fruition
• The real talk on motherhood, relationships, and making decisions for you

Michelle doesn’t sugarcoat the messy middle, and that’s exactly what makes her story so powerful.

If you’ve ever wondered “What if?” about a big move, a career shift, or a life change you can’t quite explain, you need to listen to this conversation.

Connect with Michelle on Instagram, LinkedIn⁠, and check out The Aspire Series.

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

What if your biggest setbacks were actually setting you up for success?

This week, I’m joined by TEDx speaker, speaking coach, and all-around powerhouse Trang Nova, whose story will have you feeling fired up to rewrite your own.

From being the shy, introverted kid who never felt like she fit in, to building a business that helps others find their voice, Trang is proof that your past doesn’t define your potential.

Now, she’s on a mission to help more people speak with confident authority, lead powerful movements as a visible leader, and create a life that feels completely aligned.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Growing up in Australia with a traditional Vietnamese upbringing

• Trang’s journey from being a withdrawn introvert to the TEDx stage

• How she overcame self-doubt and built a business around her superpower

• The importance of using your voice to lead, influence, and create impact

• Rewriting your story, both personally and professionally

• Practical advice for making bold moves in your life or business

• Why you’ve already made it, and how to celebrate exactly where you are

Trang doesn’t just talk about confidence, she embodies it. Her story is a masterclass in personal growth, self-belief, and what happens when you stop playing small and start speaking up.

If you’ve ever held yourself back because you didn’t feel ready, visible, or confident enough, this is your reminder: you already have what it takes. And your voice? It’s your biggest asset.

Connect with Trang on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Check out her website and podcast here.

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

You’ve got the job, the relationship, the house… so why do you still feel disconnected?

In this episode, I’m joined by Yasmin Hussain, a transformational mentor for high-achieving women who are ready to break free from emotional eating, self-sabotage, physical, emotional, and energetic issues that have kept them stuck.

With a background in holistic health, shadow work, and embodiment, Yasmin's work goes beyond food and weight loss.

We talk about what it looks like to build your emotional capacity so you can stop repeating patterns, face your shadow with compassion, and actually hold more joy, success, and peace.

In this episode, we cover:

• What it was like for Yasmin to move from a life of privilege in India to starting from scratch in Australia

• How Yasmin healed childhood wounds, trauma, and addiction through shadow work, somatic practices, and embodiment

• Climbing the corporate ladder, travelling internationally, leading teams, managing global projects, and still feeling deeply unfulfilled

• The 18-year relationship she stayed in, even when her intuition told her it wasn’t right, and the reason why she chose to leave

• Emotional eating, dissociation, and how she reclaimed her body and power

• Why healing old wounds helped her find clarity, confidence, and alignment in both life and business

If you're navigating your own path of self-development, healing, or entrepreneurship, this conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to move forward - you just need to stay present.

Loved this episode?

Send it to a friend who’s doing the inner work while growing her business. Or take a screenshot and tag me, I’d love to know what landed for you.

Connect with Yasmin on Instagram and check out her podcast.

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Evelyn Lopez Delon. Evelyn is a co-founder of SalesCommand, host of the Legacy Building Mamas podcast, business mentor, and founder of HER Digital Freedom™, a platformhelping ambitious women build profitable purpose-led businesses withoutburnout.

Evelyn reflects on her journey throughout her childhood and how these pivotal moments have now shaped the way she shows up as a mother and business owner. She now mentors other women to build aligned, freedom-filled businesses that honour their family, values, and season of life.

Evelyn’s work proves you don’t have to choose between beinga present mum and building a powerful legacy, you can do both.

In this episode, we cover:

• The moment Evelyn and her family packed up their life in El Salvador and migrated to Australia when she was just 4 years old
• How she navigated grief and change as a child, and how that has shaped her identity and mission as an adult
• The pivotal moment she decided to leave corporate after 17 years, and how motherhood sparked her leap into entrepreneurship, co-founding a business during maternity leave that quickly grew into a six-figure venture
• How she uses the lessons from her childhood to raise strong, self-assured children who know their worth
• The truth about leaving jobs, comfort zones, and how to take the first step
• The power of community and seeking support from women who’vewalked the path before you, when you're rebuilding yourself and stepping outside of your comfort zone

If you’re feeling stuck, if something in your life feels “off” or no longer aligned, this episode will give you the courage to check in, re-evaluate, and take that first step.

Connect with Evelyn on Instagram, her website, and check out her podcast.

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

In this solo episode, I open up about something huge, not just for me, but for the heart and soul of my hometown: Sunderland’s emotional return to football success.

I reflect on what it means to leave everything familiar behind, rebuild your identity, and pursue a new path. From growing up in a working-class city to moving abroad, becoming a woman in business, and making a new life. This episode is a journey through my childhood memories, cultural identity, and community pride.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What it means to grow up in Sunderland
• The cultural pride behind being a “Mackem”
• My connection to the city, and why the team’s recent play-off victory after an eight-year setback isn't just a win on the field, it’s a sign of renewed hope for an overlooked city
• Why Sunderland A.F.C. is more than just a football club
• My reflections on starting over, home, identity, and the power of community

Even if you’re not a football fan, this episode will speak to anyone who’s ever felt the power of belonging, community, and returning to their home city.

Whether you're a woman in business navigating a new chapter, someone who’s left your hometown to chase a dream, or just trying to reconnect with who you are, this episode is for you.

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

In this episode of Life After I Left, I’m joined by the phenomenal Justine Stockings, a woman who has worn many titles: engineer, educator, entrepreneur, and entertainer. But more recently, she's been known for escaping cancer.

At just 33, Justine received a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis. What followed was a whirlwind of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, but also deep self-discovery, faith, community, and an unwavering commitment to turning her experience into something meaningful.

In this conversation, Justine walks us through the exact moment she knew something wasn’t right in her body, and what it was like to be diagnosed, all while juggling a career, a promotion, and a future that suddenly looked very different.

In this episode, we cover:

• How a conversation with her GP months before diagnosis may have saved her life
• Why self-advocacy is non-negotiable in the medical system, and in life
• The moment she received a long-awaited job promotion… 12 minutes before hearing “you have cancer”
• How she faced multiple surgeries, unexpected complications, and navigating private vs public healthcare
• How she’s on a mission to remove stigma around heavy topics and empower other people
• The power of controlling the narrative, shifting perspectives and self-talk during challenging times

If you’re a woman navigating your own health challenges, know of someone navigating challenges, or want to hear from someone who found power in a difficult time, this one’s for you.

Connect with Justine on Instagram and TikTok.

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.