What if your deepest wounds could become your greatest strength?

Blanca's journey began with loss, silence, and hardship that could have defined her life. Instead, she chose healing, self-worth, and purpose. In this episode of Urge to Surge, Ruchika speaks with Blanca E. Rodriguez, author, speaker, and founder of Wounded Healer, LLC, about turning trauma into strength and pain into possibility. This moving conversation offers raw honesty, powerful lessons, and hope for anyone ready to rise above their past. Don't just listen, let this episode remind you that you are worthy of healing, love, and a life of purpose.

Follow Blanca on Instagram: instagram.com/woundedhealer.blancae

Who Should Listen

• Anyone carrying childhood wounds or unresolved trauma

• Survivors of abusive or toxic relationships

• Women seeking strength, healing, and self-worth

• Coaches, therapists, and healers supporting others in pain

• Listeners looking for stories of resilience and faith in the face of hardship

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• A deeper understanding of forgiveness as a tool for growth

• Hope that change is possible no matter your past

• Practical healing practices through movement, self-compassion, and mindset

• Insights on breaking generational trauma and codependency

• Inspiration to reclaim your voice and live with purpose

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(1:05) Finding power in forgiveness and healing

(6:46) Breaking cycles of trauma and abuse

(10:26) Speaking your truth and reclaiming your voice

(15:04) How dance became medicine for the soul

(26:17) The real meaning of forgiveness

(37:33) Escaping toxic cycles for good

(50:02) Why your past doesn't define your future

What would you do if success were costing you your health?

Professor Pete Alexander nearly lost his life to stress. His story proves that health is the real success, and no career is worth more. In this powerful episode of Urge to Surge, Ruchika chats with Pete to unpack his decision to walk away from security, redefine success, and build a life rooted in health, gratitude, and purpose. He shares how stress-induced diabetes became the turning point that reshaped his values, why boundaries are essential in work and life, and the practical tools he uses to help leaders avoid burnout. Honest, inspiring, and full of takeaways, this episode is a reminder that true success starts with protecting your well-being.

Follow Pete on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petealexander/

Who Should Listen

• Professionals feeling burned out or stressed

• Leaders seeking tools for healthier workplaces

• Anyone at risk of sacrificing health for career success

• Entrepreneurs and executives managing heavy workloads

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How to recognize the warning signs of stress before it's too late

• Practical ways to set boundaries with managers or clients

• Why personal values are key to reducing stress

• Daily tools to build resilience and improve well-being

• Inspiration from Peter's story of turning crisis into purpose

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(2:06) Lifelong struggle with stress

(4:06) Early warning signs ignored

(6:17) Hospitalization and breaking point

(11:07) Shifting values and gratitude practice

(19:25) Laughing off perfectionism

(23:24) Cost of burnout Vs. Income

(27:01) Setting boundaries at work

(36:22) Daily stress relief strategies

(36:54) Final message of advice

What if the key to reclaiming your health, energy, and purpose was sitting on your plate? 

At 46, Olivier Mankondo was battling high blood pressure, chronic pain, and exhaustion, convinced he’d be on medication for life. Instead, he chose a different path. In this inspiring episode of Urge to Surge, Ruchika jives with Olivier Mankondo about how he lost 35 kilos, regained his health, and found a new purpose through plant-based living. From silencing critics to building resilience, Olivier’s journey reveals how small, consistent choices can unlock lasting transformation. If you’ve ever struggled with weight loss, energy, or motivation, this story will inspire you to see health in a whole new way. Press play and start rewriting the story your future self will thank you for.

Follow Olivier on Instagram: instagram.com/omankondo 

Who Should Listen

• Anyone struggling with weight loss or chronic health issues

• People who are curious about plant-based living but unsure where to start

• Wellness seekers looking for motivation and simple steps

• Coaches, entrepreneurs, and leaders wanting mindset inspiration

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How a plant-based diet can reverse health problems

• The role of mindset vs. willpower in achieving goals

• Ways to stay motivated when progress feels slow

• How to overcome criticism and stay true to your choices

• Practical, beginner-friendly steps to shift toward healthier eating

• A powerful reminder that health and resilience are choices you can make

Episode highlights:

(1:05) Reversing chronic pain through nutrition

(6:06) Finding clarity, calm, and inner strength

(8:10) Why mindset matters more than willpower

(10:11) Handling critics and family resistance

(13:26) Redefining purpose and creating new life goals

(17:09) Small, simple steps to begin plant-based living

(19:50) Building a winning mindset for lasting change

What would you do if one moment changed everything?

After a near-fatal car accident at 26, Alan Lazaros found himself asking hard questions about purpose, success, and happiness. In this episode, Alan shares how he turned trauma into growth, left the safety of corporate life, and built a global top 100 podcast that now inspires millions. Alan opens up about adversity, resilience, therapy, and the mindset shifts that helped him transform pain into purpose. Packed with practical wisdom and real stories, this episode shows how courage, humility, and self-belief can fuel both success and fulfillment.

Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88

Who Should Listen

• Entrepreneurs and professionals at a career crossroads

• Anyone recovering from trauma, setbacks, or self-doubt

• Growth-minded listeners seeking practical strategies for personal transformation

• Couples and individuals curious about therapy, coaching, and intentional living

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How Alan turned tragedy into a second chance at life and success

• Why self-belief, humility, and work ethic form the foundation of achievement

• The difference between therapy and coaching—and why you need both

• How to break free from fear of failure and fear of success

• Alan's "Triad of Transformation" formula for lasting change

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(0:18) The car accident that changed Alan's life

(2:27) His "quarter-life crisis" and redefining success

(7:13) The mental and emotional toll after the crash

(10:31) Why therapy and coaching both matter

(14:01) How early family loss shaped his identity

(19:10) The truth about resilience and high ACE scores

(28:48) Turning pain into power through self-belief

(39:35) Advice for those afraid to take the leap

(42:44) Final message of encouragement for anyone feeling stuck

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