#163 From Hiding to Healing and Wholeness

Today, I interview Elisa Negroni, who grew up silenced—not just by family secrets and trauma, but by a culture that told her to stay small, stay quiet, and never question authority.Raised in Puerto Rico and Jamaica, Elisa learned early that speaking up came with consequences. A teacher once told her she wasn’t “college material,” and a cruel stepmother punished her for simply existing.The silence followed her into adulthood. For years, Elisa avoided the spotlight, convinced she had nothing to say. But deep down, she longed to be seen. Everything changed when she discovered Speaking Circles and began her journey inward—toward healing, self-trust, and the voice she thought she’d lost forever.Today, Elisa is a coach who helps others drop their masks, rewrite old stories, and reclaim their power to speak. In this powerful episode, she shares what it really takes to break free from silence and stand in your truth.Her story is a testament to what’s possible when you stop hiding and start honoring who you are.__________________Elisa Negroni is a certified coach, facilitator, and storyteller who helps people break free from silence and reconnect with their true voice. Trained by Radiant Coaches Academy, Speaking Circles International, and in the Peace Circle process, she brings both deep training and lived experience to every session.With 30+ years in community relations, personal development, and transformational coaching, Elisa blends professional insight with her own powerful journey—from growing up silenced to guiding others through their healing.She helps clients uncover the stories that have kept them hidden and speak from a place of truth, presence, and self-compassion.__________________Find Elisa here:https://www.elisanegroni.com/https://relationalpresence.com/Free Gift: https://power2speak.myflodesk.com/d7gv7aooheSupport the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.