Healing Happens in Layers: How to Rebuild After Trauma | Lee-Ann O’Brien

Send us Fan MailHealing after trauma does not happen all at once. It happens in layers, often resurfacing as life, motherhood, relationships, and identity change.In this powerful conversation, Julie Fairhurst speaks with Lee-Ann O’Brien, an author, speaker, certified resilience coach, survivor, and police officer with more than two decades of experience. Lee-Ann shares her journey from surviving childhood abuse and gun violence to building a life rooted in courage, service, purpose, and what she calls “headfire.”What is headfire? It is the fierce inner strength that keeps moving through changing conditions—just like the powerful center of a wildfire. It is more than resilience. It is the force within us that helps turn pain into purpose and a spark into strength.Lee-Ann opens up about recognizing that her past was still affecting her, returning to therapy, testifying in court, and discovering that healing is not a single destination. A difficult memory or emotional trigger does not mean you have failed or undone your progress. Sometimes it means you have finally created enough space for another part of yourself to be acknowledged and healed.Julie and Lee-Ann also explore the difference between surviving, coping, and truly living; why strong women often struggle to ask for help; and how boundaries can protect your peace without erasing love or compassion.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why trauma healing often happens in layersThe difference between surviving, coping, and healingHow survival mode affects the mind and bodyWhy being “the strong one” can delay asking for helpSimple grounding practices that help regulate the nervous systemHow humming, breathing, movement, and self-talk can reduce stressWhy resilience is built rather than something you are simply born withHow writing can help survivors reclaim their storiesWhy forgiveness does not require giving someone access to your lifeHow to support a trauma survivor without pushing them to discloseWhy boundaries, self-awareness, sleep, and daily routines matterHow Lee-Ann is helping bring resilience training into policingWhat can become possible when you stop seeing yourself as brokenLee-Ann is the author of Breaking Trail and Raising Fire. Through her books, speaking, and resilience coaching, she helps people recognize the strength already living within them and move from merely surviving to truly living.Her books are available through Amazon, Indigo, and other major booksellers.Connect with Lee-Ann O’Brien:  https://linktr.ee/LeeAnnFOBrienWebsite:  https://www.leeannobrien.ca/If this conversation reminds you of someone who has been carrying too much alone, please share it with her. One story can become the match that helps another woman rediscover her fire.If this conversation stirred something in you… good. That’s where change begins.Make sure you’re subscribed, share this with someone who needs it, and if you’re ready to tell your story, step into your voice, or build a life that actually feels like yours… You’re in the right place.I’m Julie Fairhurst, and this is where stories turn into power.Go to my website if you would like to be a guest on the Women Like Me Stories & Business in the toolbar click Let's PodcastJulie's Website