THE TRANSFORMATION: She Created Her Vagina and Confronted the Shame

What does it take to reclaim your body and rewrite your story when society labels you as broken? How do you confront shame head-on and emerge stronger than ever? Today, we’re tackling the deep connection between shame, stigma, and self-worth. In this episode, Lisa welcomes Ally Hensley, author of Vagina Uncensored: A Memoir of Missing Parts. Diagnosed as a teenager with a rare medical condition, Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKH), which changed her life forever, Ally faced decades of shame, self-blame, and disconnection from her body. But through her journey of creating her vagina and confronting her trauma, she found resilience, purpose, and a voice that refuses to be silenced. Ally and Lisa dive deep into the power of confronting stigma and societal censorship around topics like abuse, body image, and sexual health. Together, they explore how storytelling and radical honesty can transform pain into strength, breaking the cycle of shame and empowering others to embrace their truths. This episode is all about transformation—healing from within, reclaiming your power, and redefining what it means to live authentically. From now on… let’s refuse to negotiate with our truths and embrace the courage to transform. Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of Domestic violence, emotional abuse, and PTSD. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. Ally Hensley is an author, speaker, and global ambassador for women's health. Born with MRKH syndrome, she advocates for awareness and support of this condition. Ally co-founded MRKH Australia and Global MRKH, and serves on the board of UK's MRKH Connect. Her podcast, Stigma Shakers, tackles taboo topics and has gained international recognition. VAGINA UNCENSORED: A Memoir of Missing Parts is her debut memoir, continuing her mission to redefine womanhood and challenge stigma surrounding sexual health. Follow Ally on Instagram @ally__hensley. To learn more about Ally’s work, check out allyhensley.com. Buy her book VAGINA UNCENSORED: A Memoir of Missing Parts here. Check out her podcast, Stigma Shakers, here. Follow Lisa Phillips @iamlisaphillips on Instagram. From Now On is produced by LA PHILLIPS MEDIA. Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Have a story to share with us? Email us at [email protected]. Join our movement and keep up to date on all things From Now On by following us @fromnowonpod on all socials. If today’s conversation resonated with you and you are seeking more support in your own healing journey, here are some resources below: If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) If you or someone you know is being trafficked, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Text 233733 (befree). PAVE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit creating a world free from sexual violence and building communities to support survivors. Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR) is dedicated to providing a safe and empowering space for survivors of sex trafficking to reclaim their stories and stand up for themselves and each other.