From Abuse to Awakening: Cari on Healing Childhood Trauma and Reclaiming Her Life

In this emotional episode, Rachel speaks with Cari Rickabough, who survived decades of abuse within her own family and carried the impact of that trauma into adulthood through seizures, chronic illness, and a deep belief that she was “too broken to be helped.” After years of feeling unheard in traditional therapy, Cari discovered neuro-linguistic and somatic healing work that allowed her to gently process what she had been holding inside. Her health began to return, her seizures stopped, and she slowly found herself again. Now, Cari helps others release what they were never meant to carry - reminding them that healing is possible, even after the darkest beginnings. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Impact of Trauma: The guest shares her experience of living with severe abuse for over 30 years, highlighting how trauma can manifest physically and emotionally, leading to chronic illnesses like seizures and fibromyalgia. The Role of Coaching: After years of traditional therapy with little success, the guest found healing through coaching with neurolinguistic programming (NLP), which helped her process and reframe her traumatic experiences. Validation of Experience: A significant turning point came when a neurologist confirmed that her seizures were trauma-related, providing validation for her feelings and experiences, which was liberating and affirming. The Importance of Finding the Right Support: The guest emphasizes that not all therapists or coaches are equipped to handle trauma effectively. Finding the right person who understands and can guide you through the healing process is crucial. Empowerment Through Self-Discovery: Through the coaching process, the guest learned to reconnect with her younger self and support her through trauma. BEST MOMENTS "I was 20 when I started having seizures... they said, you'll be on this for the rest of your life." "I thought I was too broken to ever be healed." "I went from feeling like I grew up in this toxic family... to this is who my father was." "I was about 24 hours away from ending my own life, and nobody knew." "Neuro-linguistic programming helps you go back and meet that experience and that version of you at that age."  To connect with Cari:  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/resiliencemindandbodycoaching To connect with your host follow Me HERE: Insta:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/rachel_unspokenemotions/⁠⁠⁠⁠  TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠www.tiktok.com/@rachel.unspoken.em⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.elimelech   To Buy Rachel a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/unspokenemotions  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-elimelech-a07a1a46/  To join the waitlist for Rachel’s Unspoken to Unstoppable Breakthrough Programme - email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ quoting reference “Breakthrough". HOST BIO Rachel Elimelech is the warm, courageous voice behind Unspoken Emotions - a podcast that gives voice to the feelings we so often keep buried. A qualified Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate, Rachel combines professional insight with deeply personal lived experience - from surviving sexual abuse, loss, and single parenthood to rebuilding her life with quiet strength and unwavering resilience. Her journey from teenage single mum to respected legal professional has shaped her gift for deep connection. With empathy and authenticity, Rachel creates a safe, judgment-free space where guests are invited to speak the unspoken - grief, guilt, shame, anger, fear - and begin to let go of what no longer serves them. Through honest, unfiltered conversations, Unspoken Emotions explores how real people have turned pain into purpose and silence into healing. Rachel believes that healing begins the moment we speak the truth of our experiences - and that none of us should carry our emotions alone.