Thriving not Surviving

Content note: This episode includes some sensitive themes around childhood trauma and sexual abuse. Nothing is described graphically, but please listen with care and compassion for yourself.

A little note: this episode had a few unexpected “gremlins” during recording, with some tech dropouts along the way. So this one has been edited a bit more than usual and definitely put my (slightly questionable!) editing skills to the test. I hope you won’t notice too much and apologies if there are a few funny transitions.

Keywords

Trauma healing, inner child, relationships as mirrors, spirituality, astrology, personal growth, addiction recovery, emotional healing, nervous system, empowerment, feminine energy, thriving

Summary

In this deeply raw and powerful episode, Kristy shares her extraordinary journey from childhood trauma and abuse to profound healing and self-discovery. Growing up in a challenging environment and experiencing early violation of trust, Kristy carried deep wounds into adulthood which played out in relationships, addiction and survival patterns. Through spiritual awakening, inner work and holistic healing, she began to unravel those layers. From building her own crystal business to navigating domestic abuse, single motherhood and ultimately stepping into her purpose, her story is one of resilience and transformation. She speaks openly about relationships as mirrors, the importance of accountability and how true healing goes beyond the mind into the body and energetic system. Her journey into astrology adds a powerful lens on purpose and alignment. Now travelling the world and stepping into a new chapter, Kristy embodies what it means to move from surviving into thriving as a way of being.

Takeaways

Healing must include the body, emotions and energy, not just the mind

Relationships act as mirrors reflecting our inner world

Addictions often stem from disconnection from self

You cannot truly help others if you are abandoning yourself

Healing is an ongoing journey, not a destination

Self-love, compassion and surrender are essential for true transformation

Resources

The Celestine Prophecy – James Redfield

A New Earth – Eckhart Tolle

The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle

Women Who Run With the Wolves – Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Read “Breathe” by Becky Hemsley

Rebecca Campbell – oracle cards

Connect with Kristy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristy.hodges.98

Clarity Queen Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theclarityqueen/

Instagram: @theclarityqueenuk

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-j-hodges-953179106

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

FB: Inspired Healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions

🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios

🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords

resilience, healing, brain injury recovery, grief, trauma, personal growth, mindset, neuroplasticity, thriving, purpose, emotional wellbeing, boundaries, self-development

Summary

In this deeply moving episode, Helen is joined by fellow podcaster Jena, creator of Resilience Brilliance, who shares her extraordinary journey from a life-altering brain injury to building a life rooted in purpose, resilience and alignment.

After a skiing accident left her unable to walk, talk or retain short-term memory, Jena was forced to completely rebuild her life from the ground up. What followed was a powerful journey through recovery, identity loss, and ultimately rediscovery.

But her challenges didn’t stop there. Jena also opens up about profound personal loss, including the death of her partner and navigating deep grief while already in survival mode. Through it all, she chose not to stay stuck in pain, but to transform it into purpose.

This episode explores what it really means to be resilient — not pushing through, but learning to bend without breaking. Together, Helen and Jena reflect on growth in dark times, the importance of community, asking for help, and how life’s hardest moments can shape us into stronger, more compassionate versions of ourselves.

A powerful, honest and hope-filled conversation for anyone navigating challenge, change or simply wanting to move from surviving to truly thriving.

Takeaways

• Resilience is not about pushing through — it’s about learning how to bend without breaking

• Growth often happens in the darkest moments, even if we can’t see it at the time

• Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness

• You can transform pain into purpose and use your story to help others

• Small, consistent steps create powerful long-term change

• Alignment between your values and your life reduces inner conflict

• Boundaries are essential for protecting your energy and wellbeing

• You always have a choice — even in the hardest moments

• Healing is not about returning to who you were, but becoming who you are meant to be

• Thriving comes when resilience becomes a natural way of being

Resources Mentioned 

Brain Injury Hope Foundation (support, workshops and community: https://braininjuryhopefoundation.org/

Connect with Jena

Facebook:         

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferltaylorauthor

https://www.facebook.com/TheWordTailor/

Instagram:        @resiliencebrilliance

Twitter/X:         @JenniferLTaylor

LinkedIn:            https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferltaylor/

Clubhouse:        @jennifer.taylor

Tiktok   @resiliencebrilliance13

Clapper @Jennifer.L.Taylor            

What’s App       @thewordtailor

Pinterest             https://www.pinterest.com/ResilienceBrilliance/

YouTube:             https://www.youtube.com/@thewordtailor

Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/05AnHRTV4b0xQKz3qnUSgm

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resilience-brilliance/id1853437257

https://www.youtube.com/@thewordtailor/podcasts

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

FB: Inspired Healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions

🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios

🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content Warning:

This episode includes open discussion of intimacy, sex, consent, sexual behaviour, body image, and the portrayal of intimate scenes in the film industry. It also contains references to sexual misconduct and abuse.

Listener discretion is advised. Please take care while listening and feel free to pause or step away if anything feels triggering or activating. Seek support if needed.

From Hollywood sets to real life, pioneering Intimacy Coordinator Ita O’Brien explores a new way to approach intimacy, healing our relationship with our bodies, pleasure and boundaries.

Keywords

intimacy, consent, boundaries, relationships, sexuality, embodiment, pleasure, self-worth, communication, thriving

Summary

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Helen sits down with intimacy coordinator, movement director, and author Ita O’Brien to explore the truth about intimacy—both on screen and in our personal lives.

From the lack of guidance actors once faced during intimate scenes to the revolutionary “intimacy on set guidelines” Ita helped create, this conversation dives deep into consent, communication, and the importance of understanding our own bodies.

Together, they unpack how societal conditioning, shame, and outdated beliefs have shaped our relationship with intimacy—and how we can begin to reclaim it. This episode is honest, thought-provoking, and at times deeply personal, offering listeners a new lens on connection, pleasure, and self-awareness.

Takeaways

• Intimacy begins with your relationship to yourself, not your partner
• Consent is ongoing, evolving, and essential in all relationships
• Many of us were never taught what healthy intimacy actually looks like
• Open communication and boundaries create deeper connection, not less
• Body awareness and self-acceptance are key to fulfilling intimacy
• What we see in media and pornography often distorts reality
• Shame around sexuality is learned—and can be unlearned
• Choreography, communication, and consent are transforming the film industry
• You deserve pleasure, respect, and agency in your intimate life

Resources:

Cup of Tea video about consent

Book –The Mists of Avalon was written by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

Book – Rose McGowan: Brave

Book – Unfu#k your Intimacy by Faith G Harper

Book – Unfu#k your boundaries by Faith G Harper

Book – Intimacy Ita O’Brien

Audible – Intimacy Ita O’Brien

Soma Temple – Melisa Lumina (Self Pleasure ritual & more…) IG: somatemplegreece

Web: www.somatemple.com

Connect with Ita

Intimacy On Set Instagram

Intimacy On Set Facebook

Ita O'Brien Instagram

Ita O'Brien Facebook

Intimacy On Set Website News Page

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

FB: Inspired Healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions

🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios

🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content Warning: This episode explores themes of sexual abuse, trauma, and ritual abuse. Some listeners may find this distressing. Please listen gently and seek support if needed.

Keywords

thriving, trauma healing, inner child work, light language, spiritual awakening, resilience, nervous system healing, somatic awareness, soul connection, childhood trauma, healing journey, energy work, empowerment

Summary

In this deeply raw and expansive episode, Helen welcomes Ishala, a healer and spiritual guide whose journey into light language and energy work began spontaneously and evolved into a powerful healing path.

Ishala shares how light language acts as a soul-to-soul communication, bypassing the mind and speaking directly to our energetic and emotional bodies. She explains how it can unlock stored trauma, facilitate healing, and reconnect us to a deeper sense of self.

The conversation gently but courageously moves into Ishala’s personal story of surviving extreme childhood trauma. Through this, she explores how healing is not about fixing ourselves, but about understanding the different parts of who we are — the body, the inner child, and the soul.

Together, Helen and Ishala reflect on trauma, resilience, addiction, and the importance of learning to feel rather than numb. They speak about the power of curiosity, the wisdom of the body, and how nature, movement, and awareness can help us process and heal.

This episode is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is hope — and that thriving is not about avoiding pain, but learning how to move through it with support, compassion, and connection.

Takeaways

• Thriving doesn’t mean life is easy — it means having the tools and support to navigate the hard times

• Light language is a form of energetic communication that bypasses the mind and speaks to the soul

• Trauma is stored in the body and can be accessed through awareness, curiosity, and somatic experience

• Healing is not something done to us — it’s something we learn to access within ourselves

• The “three selves” — body, inner child, and soul — all have their own language and wisdom

• Childhood trauma isn’t just what happened, but also what didn’t happen

• Feeling emotions fully is a key part of healing — avoidance keeps us stuck

• Nature, movement, and presence can help regulate the nervous system and process triggers

• There is no hierarchy of trauma — all experiences deserve compassion

• Even in deep darkness, there is always the potential for healing, growth, and transformation

Resources & Mentions

Man's Search for Meaning – by Viktor Frankl

Start with Why – by Simon Sinek

Netflix Documentary “Trust Me – The False Profit”

College of Psychic Studies

Terry Waite (referenced story – resilience and captivity)

Connect with Ishala

Website: www.ishalapeace.com

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ishala_peace?_r=1&_t=ZN-96qUdzSs77O

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ishala_peace?igsh=aXRzMTVtMzl1N28z&utm_source=qr

Free Download: https://stan.store/IshalaPeace/p/unlock-your-blueprint-to-life 

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

FB: Inspired Healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content warning: This episode includes sensitive themes including sexual abuse and trauma. Please be gentle with yourself while listening and pause if you need to.

Keywords

trauma, healing, shame, grooming, EMDR, hypnotherapy, self-worth, nervous system, abuse recovery, thriving

Summary

In this deeply moving and courageous episode, Helen is joined by trauma hypnotist, EMDR practitioner, author, and former A&E nurse Sarah Grace.

Sarah shares her powerful story of childhood abuse, the long-lasting impact of grooming, and how subconscious survival patterns shaped her adult life in ways she didn’t fully understand—until everything came to a head.

From dissociation and people-pleasing to abusive relationships and a devastating financial scam, Sarah reveals how unhealed trauma can quietly run the show beneath the surface.

But this is also a story of profound transformation.

Through hitting rock bottom, Sarah found clarity, healing, and ultimately a path back to herself. She now helps others understand their own patterns, release shame, and reconnect with their authentic selves.

This episode is raw, real, and full of hope for anyone who has ever felt stuck, broken, or not enough.

Takeaways

• Trauma doesn’t just live in the past — it shapes our present behaviours and patterns
• Grooming creates deep subconscious programming that can follow us into adulthood
• Dissociation and hypervigilance are survival responses, not personal failings
• Shame thrives in silence but begins to dissolve when we speak our truth
• Understanding why we behave the way we do is key to self-compassion
• Healing is not about “fixing” yourself — it’s about reconnecting with who you truly are
• Tools like EMDR, IFS, and embodied therapies can access deeper healing than talk therapy alone
• Your biggest breakdown can become your greatest breakthrough

Resources

Gabor Mate - Scattered Minds and other books

Robin Norwood - Women who love too much

The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk

The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis

Connect with Sarah Grace

Substack - Brave not Broken

Facebook – Sarah Grace

Instagram - sarahgraceonline

Linked In – Sarah (Dawn) Grace

Website - Living Limitlessly – Sarah Grace Childhood Trauma Therapist

15 minute chat for those that want to connect with me - Click here

Order your copy of Sarah Grace's book " From Shadows to Self-Love" here - Book - Living Limitlessly

🔥🔥🔥Scammer Survival Cheat Sheet, my gift for anyone wanting to recognise the tactics scammers all use, and recognise the red flags community to all scams - Click Here

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions

🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios

🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords

thriving, regression therapy, past lives, life between lives, self-realisation, spiritual awakening, healing journey, subconscious mind, transformation, personal growth, soul purpose, integration, feminine energy, plant medicine, consciousness

Summary

In this deeply expansive episode, Janna shares her extraordinary journey from a successful career in banking to becoming a regression therapist helping others access the deeper layers of their subconscious.

Originally from Kazakhstan, with a life spanning the US, UK and France, Janna followed the traditional path of success - education, finance, family - yet found herself feeling deeply unfulfilled. What looked like a perfect life on the outside felt empty within.

A pivotal moment came after a relationship breakdown and a growing sense of disconnection from her true self. This led her to explore therapy, spirituality, and ultimately regression work after discovering Journey of Souls by Michael Newton.

Through her own healing and training, Janna uncovered the powerful role of the unconscious mind and how past experiences, whether from this life or beyond can shape our present patterns.

She also speaks openly about plant medicine, the importance of integration, and why true transformation comes not just from insight, but from understanding and re-patterning deeply held beliefs.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that sometimes everything has to fall apart… so we can rebuild in alignment with who we truly are.

Takeaways

· External success doesn’t always equal inner fulfilment

· Sometimes a breakdown is the gateway to a breakthrough

· The unconscious mind often drives more of our life than we realise

· True healing comes from integration, not just insight

· Spiritual experiences are powerful but need grounding and meaning

· Self-realisation is about becoming whole, not just finding a purpose

· Listening to your heart will always guide you more accurately than logic alone

· There is always more to you than you currently perceive

Resources & Links Mentioned

Journey of Souls & Destiny of Souls – Michael Newton

Michael Newton Institute (Life Between Lives Regression Therapy)

Connect with Janna

Zhanna Aidarkhanova, or simply Janna, is a Transpersonal and Regression Hypnotherapist certified by Alliance Training Program and MNI certified Life between Lives therapist. A professional member of the EARTh Association for Regression Therapy, Janna is a Director of Research for Spiritual Regression Therapy Association, promoting research in the area of Regression therapy. She was also Michael Newton LBL certifiers case reviewer and a contributor to the latest MNI book of therapists' cases FINDING PURPOSE. 

A financial analyst in the past, Janna has had a transformative experience with hypnotherapy in 2015 and ever since, her passion became to study and apply this powerful technique for the benefit of others. She is now also pursuing an MSc in Transpersonal Psychology (LJMU/Alef Trust). 

Janna offers therapy in person and ONLINE.

https://www.newtoninstitute.org/profile/zhannaaidarkhanova/

https://www.regressionassociation.com/therapists-zhanna-aidarkhanova

http://transcendence-coach.com/tools/regression/

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

FB: Inspired Healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions

🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios

🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords

thriving, mental health, ADHD, music industry, X Factor, reality TV, grief, self-worth, authenticity, personal growth, resilience, creative expression, overthinking, acceptance

Summary

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Helen is joined by singer-songwriter George Windsor, who shares his journey from being fast-tracked onto The X Factor to navigating the emotional aftermath that followed.

At just 19, and in the same year he lost his mum, George found himself thrust into a world he wasn’t prepared for—one filled with pressure, expectations, and a loss of control over his identity as an artist. What followed was a challenging period of confusion, self-doubt, and mental health struggles, amplified by undiagnosed ADHD and a lack of support after the spotlight faded.

George speaks openly about the realities behind reality TV, the impact of broken promises, and the toll of feeling like a “novelty” rather than being taken seriously. But this is ultimately a story of growth.

Through the support of a close friend, learning to let go of expectations, and making the difficult decision to walk away from what no longer served him, George began to rebuild—this time on his own terms.

Now thriving, creating meaningful music, and working with the right people, George is living proof that success isn’t about fame—it’s about authenticity, connection, and staying true to yourself.

Takeaways

• There is no such thing as an overnight success—what you don’t see is years of work behind it

• Expectations can create pressure—aspirations allow freedom

• Trust your intuition, even when others doubt you

• Comparing your journey to others will only hold you back

• Being “loyal” shouldn’t come at the cost of your wellbeing

• Mental health challenges often come after the “high” of success

• ADHD can amplify overthinking—but awareness is power

• The right people will support you without making false promises

• Walking away can be the beginning of thriving

• True success is connection, authenticity, and meaning—not money

Connect with George

www.imgeorgewindsor.com

www.instagram.com/imgeorgewindsor

www.tiktok.com/@imgeorgewindsor

www.facebook.com/imgeorgewindsor

Music:

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/george-windsor/1090056105

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Q4kiQIQodzVREi88I4AUa?si=NWVUP5GPS82lb3ZWF90nLg

The Audition : X Factor 2016

Band I Mentioned: Ragati String Band - Face book: Ragati String Band You Tube Bandmix

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

FB: Inspired Healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions

🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios

🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords: thriving, burnout recovery, neurodivergence, ADHD, functional neurological disorder, nervous system, healing, self-awareness, mental health, workplace wellbeing

Summary

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Helen is joined by Jodie Steele, founder of Neuro Talks, who shares her extraordinary journey from high-performing corporate success to complete physical and neurological burnout.

After years of pushing through stress, masking mental health struggles, and navigating life as a single parent, Jodie’s body ultimately shut down. Diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), she experienced loss of speech, mobility issues, chronic fatigue, and severe health complications that left her bed-bound for long periods.

This episode explores what burnout can really look like at its most extreme—and more importantly, how recovery is possible.

Jodie now uses her experience to educate organisations on neurodiversity and burnout prevention, while also sharing accessible, practical tools that helped her rebuild her life.

Together, Helen and Jodie dive into the importance of self-awareness, nervous system regulation, kindness, and learning to truly listen to your body before it forces you to stop.

Takeaways

• Burnout is not just feeling tired—it can lead to serious physical and neurological conditions
• Neurodivergent individuals may be more susceptible to extreme burnout
• Your body will always give you signals—learning to listen early is key
• Breathwork, nature, and slowing down are powerful (and often free) healing tools
• Recovery is a journey, not a destination
• You don’t need expensive interventions—simple daily practices can create profound change
• Alcohol and coping mechanisms can mask deeper issues rather than resolve them
• Kindness—to yourself and others—is a foundational part of healing
• Creating psychologically safe environments at work benefits everyone
• You cannot pour from an empty cup—self-care is not selfish, it’s essential

Resources

Parenting Autism and ADHD - Podcast

The Five Side Effects of Kindness by David R. Hamilton

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

Calms App _ 👉 Download or explore the Calm app

Connect with Jodie

Jodie Steele is the Founder of NeuroTalks and Alchemy Souls Travel, a keynote speaker and consultant specialising in neurodiversity, psychological safety, and high-performance workplace culture. With over 25 years’ experience across marketing, media, and business development, Jodie combines professional expertise with lived experience to help organisations unlock the hidden potential within their people. Her work focuses on creating environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive - driving both wellbeing and performance.

Neurotalks - https://neurotalks.co.uk/

Alchemy Souls Travel: Family inclusive travel https://alchemysoulstravel.com/

IG: alchemy_souls_travel

Linked In: Jodie Steele

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions

🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios

🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords

thriving, resilience, overcoming adversity, single motherhood, immigration journey, career transformation, mindset, purpose, healthcare, personal growth

Summary

In this deeply moving episode, Helen is joined by Dr Liliya, whose journey from rural Ukraine to becoming a private GP in London is nothing short of extraordinary.

Raised by her grandmother on a farm without running water, Liliya’s early life was shaped by separation, hardship, and resilience. From becoming a young mother during medical school, to surviving extreme poverty, divorce, and starting again in a new country with no English — her story is one of unwavering determination.

Arriving in London with just a dream, she took on cleaning jobs, lived on £1 a day, and worked tirelessly to rebuild her life. Against all odds, she retrained, passed her medical exams, and went on to create a thriving private practice on Harley Street.

This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, your circumstances do not define your future — and that every challenge can become a stepping stone to something greater.

Takeaways

• Resilience is built through life’s challenges, not despite them
• You don’t need to have it all figured out — just keep moving forward
• Asking for help and support is a key part of thriving
• Your past does not limit your future
• Passion and persistence will take you further than talent alone
• Every setback holds a lesson — and often a hidden opportunity

Connect with Dr. Liliya

Dr Liliya’s private GP Practice - drliliyaburrettpractice.co.uk

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions

🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios

🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords

thriving, community, belonging, empowerment, motherhood, immigration, resilience, women in business, confidence, connection

Summary

In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, Helen is joined by Rukaya Chounwie (Ruki), founder of Together We Rise — a growing community created to support women, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, to feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Ruki shares her powerful journey from growing up in Northern Ghana in a large, close-knit community, to moving to the UK and suddenly finding herself navigating motherhood, isolation, and a completely different way of life — largely on her own.

What unfolds is an honest conversation about the realities many women face but rarely speak about openly — the loss of community, the emotional impact of isolation, the financial pressures of starting again, and the quiet identity shift that can come with becoming a mother in a new country.

Despite these challenges, Ruki didn’t just adapt — she transformed.

From full-time mum to stepping into the world of work, exploring property, and eventually discovering her true calling, she shares how her own experiences led her to create Together We Rise — a space where women can rebuild confidence, find belonging, and support one another.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that thriving doesn’t mean everything is perfect — it means having the tools, the courage, and the community to keep going, even when things feel hard.

It’s raw, real, and full of heart — and a powerful testament to what can happen when women come together.

Takeaways

• Thriving is not about having an easy life — it’s about having support, tools, and resilience
• Losing community can have a profound impact on mental health and identity
• Motherhood, especially in isolation, can be both beautiful and deeply challenging
• You don’t have to wait until you “make it” to start making a difference
• Community creates confidence — and confidence creates opportunity
• Representation and safe spaces matter, especially in business and networking environments
• Collaboration over competition is where real growth happens
• Sometimes your purpose is born directly from your pain

Connect with Rukaya

https://www.togetherwerisecommunity.co.uk

Phone: 07467879998

Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/rukaya.bukari.7

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rukibaya/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rukaya-chounwie-359616292?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

Connect with Helen

Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk

IG: helens_inspired_healing

LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn

WhatsApp: +447971798462

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions

🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios

🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne

For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

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