Ep. 118 What Your Hardest Season Is Actually Doing w/ Cara Thurman

There are moments in life that completely reshape the direction of our story…. moments of pain, fear, uncertainty, and healing that eventually reveal purpose we never could have imagined.In today’s episode of the Be S.H.E. podcast, Heidi welcomes Cara Thurman, nationally certified massage therapist and entrepreneur. Cara shares her deeply personal journey of being born with a congenital heart defect and enduring multiple open-heart surgeries beginning at just two years old. From childhood medical trauma to navigating a major surgery as a young adult, Cara opens up about the emotional, physical, and mental challenges that came with living through chronic illness.But in the middle of one of the hardest seasons of her life, something unexpected happened.While preparing for a twelve-hour open-heart surgery and an intense recovery, Cara was introduced to massage therapy, an experience that became transformational for her healing journey. What began as support for anxiety and recovery ultimately became the spark that led her to discover her life’s calling.Today, Cara is helping bridge the gap between traditional medicine and compassionate therapeutic care through her work with patients facing cancer, chronic illness, and recovery journeys of their own.This episode is a beautiful reminder that healing comes in many forms, and sometimes the very thing that breaks us open becomes the thing God uses to help others heal too.In this episode, we discuss:• Cara’s journey through congenital heart disease and multiple surgeries• Living through fear, uncertainty, and recovery as a young adult• The healing power of massage therapy and therapeutic touch• Finding purpose through pain• Supporting patients and caretakers through integrative care• How compassion can change someone’s healing journey foreverIf you’ve ever wondered whether your pain could still hold purpose, this conversation will encourage your heart.Cara Thurman, CMT, NCBTMB, is a nationally certified massage therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of Vinings Massage & Wellness. A lifelong congenital heart patient, her journey through multiple open-heart surgeries inspired her to bring compassionate, clinical massage therapy into medical settings. After discovering the power of massage therapy during her recovery, she pursued training in oncology massage therapy and has since become a national educator and leader in integrative care. Her practice supports people facing cancer, chronic illness & their caretakers. VMW also partners with major hospitals to provide patient facing massage therapy services, bridging the gap between traditional medicine and therapeutic touch.To connect with our guest, click on the links below:Website: www.theselfcarebearclub.square.site Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theselfcare.bear?igsh=Y204aXV4OHFxaGd4&utm_source=qr YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheSelfCareBear?si=QNKJJJHlQ7pq22Ve Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theselfcare.bear?mibextid=LQQJ4d Connect with me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoachingFB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleadersSpotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprintLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com