Turning Pain into Strength

Michelle Eberwein
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to "Turning Pain into Strength," podcast where real people share true stories and unforgettable journeys of strength. I’m Michelle Eberwein, and after living with chronic pain from breaking my back, autoimmune diagnosis' & enduring multiple surgeries, I understand the challenges of "pushing through"and navigating a flawed medical system.  I invite you to join me as we share uplifting stories, explore new ideas, and provide hope and encouragement. Together, we’ll uncover tools and strategies on turning pain into strength and empower each other on this journey of healing and personal growth. You are not alone.❤️

  1. 1d ago

    Meet Jonathan Marion: Can Injury Steal Your Worth?

    One morning, Jonathan’s life was shattered by a sudden injury that left him bedridden. Months of nerve pain, delayed diagnosis, and slow recovery forced him to face impossible choices—about his body, identity, and what “worth” means when you can’t do what you used to. In this episode, we get raw about three truths of chronic pain: how recovery moves in small, painful steps; why shifting from “should” to “could” changes everything; and how the BEING strategy— Begin where you are, Explore what you want, Identify your options, Now start, and Go. You can rebuild your life on your own terms. Jonathan also shares simple ways to calm your nervous system.Learn and use “future casting” to avoid regret in tough moments. If you’re struggling with chronic pain or burnout, this honest talk offers real tools and a clear perspective to help you keep moving forward. Please subscribe, share, and leave a review.  https://jonathanmarion.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-s-marion/

    Meet Jonathan Marion: Can Injury Steal Your Worth?

  2. Aug 3

    Meet DeDee Cai: Fear - Your Door, Wall or Window?

    Fear can feel like a brick wall - but what if it’s actually a window?  In this episode, I talk with DeDee Cai, a wife, mom, business owner, professional coach, and author of Overcomer: Conquer Your Fear to Achieve Your Goals. She shares how fear, anxiety, and depression shaped her journey and how she turned those challenges into courage, clarity, and renewed energy. We talk about mindset coaching, regulating your emotions, and the everyday words that can either build awareness or instill fear. “Fear dies with action” is more than a motivational line—it’s a mindset shift that has changed her life. You’ll hear her unforgettable story of skydiving to face her fear of heights, and what it taught her about trust, surrender, and taking action. Undercharging isn’t a math problem—it’s often a self-worth problem. You’ll hear how DeDee’s From Worth to Wealth program helps women entrepreneurs move forward in business with more clarity and purpose. If you or someone you know are ready to feel empowered, build confidence, and face your fears, this episode is for you. https://fittoprofit.com/ *Please hit SUBSCRIBE*

    Meet DeDee Cai: Fear - Your Door, Wall or Window?

  3. Jul 3

    Meet Lori Verton: Living With Unseen Fire

    Imagine a constant, burning, stabbing pain deep in your spine that spreads unpredictably throughout your body—like a wildfire racing along nerves tangled like sticky spaghetti. This is arachnoiditis. The pain is relentless and impossible to escape. It takes hold of your life, challenging your strength and testing your endurance. Today, I’m honored to speak with Lori Verton, who faced years of uncertainty and misdiagnosis before finally getting the truth about her condition. Through her journey, Lori found strength not only in understanding her illness but also in connecting with others facing similar challenges. Together, they built a research network to provide education, support, and hope for those living with arachnoiditis. If you or someone you know lives with arachnoiditis, stay tuned—you’ll find both hope and valuable insights in this episode.

    Meet Lori Verton: Living With Unseen Fire

  4. Feb 2

    Meet Kristin Hass: The Best Blessed Life

    Pain can reshape a life without ever showing on the surface. Michelle sits down with Kristin Hass—a mother, wife, former personal trainer, and caregiver—to unpack what fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s, and TMJ actually feel like day to day, and how she found strength and boundaries that make life livable. This is a candid, practical talk through misdiagnosis, self-advocacy, and the gritty tools that keep her moving. We explore how symptoms first showed up as “flu-like” aches, collided with thyroid nodules and jaw dysfunction, and intensified during menopause. Kristen shares the moment a doctor dismissed her pain, the relief of finding a team that believed her, and how procedures like biopsies and arthrocentesis (her “jaw oil change”) ripple through her body for days. She walks us through the coping stack: Epsom salt baths that release the sting, stretching for seconds of relief, acupuncture and TENS with realistic expectations, sleep strategies, and brain fog workarounds using phone notes and spoken reminders. What stands out is her mindset. She enters each day “armored,” paces tasks before sitting, and refuses to give pain too much oxygen. Babysitting two young kids provides purpose and motivation; short nature walks reset her mood; animals offer wordless support. Kristin also talks about setting firm boundaries, assembling a supportive “tribe,” and teaching her daughters to respect their limits. Her YouTube channel, The Best Blessed Life, extends that mission with simple recipes, movement ideas, and positive affirmations aimed at sustainable health. If you’re navigating fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s, TMJ, or any invisible illness, you’ll find support, meaningful connection, and practical solutions here: pacing that prevents crashes, rituals that calm the nervous system, and language for standing up to dismissive care. Listen, share with someone who needs to feel seen, and leave a review to help more people find these stories.

  5. 09/23/2025

    Meet Karen Duncan: Learning to Win Without Surrender

    Karen Duncan's Story:  Living with an invisible illness often brings relentless self-doubt: “Am I really sick, or just being lazy?” Through my experience, I’ve learned that embracing your limitations is not a sign of weakness—it’s a crucial step toward managing chronic health effectively. One key lesson: focus on just three important tasks a day—prioritize them, and treat everything else as extra. This simple approach completely changed how I navigate life with chronic illness while running a business. In this conversation, I share how my life shifted when Covid altered my body’s abilities, taking away basic functions like proper breathing and pain-free movement. I found strength by using digital tools to turn the “spoon theory” into concrete data, helping me make wiser decisions and maintain balance. As co-host of the "Three Spoonies" podcast, I discuss how entrepreneurs managing chronic illness can succeed by setting clear boundaries, building strong support systems, and communicating openly. If you’re on a health journey or supporting someone who is, this talk offers practical tips, heartfelt insight, and encouragement to live well within new limits. Tune in to discover how adapting can unlock unexpected strength and new opportunities. YOUTUBE link: https://youtu.be/m_mW_CyeKro

    Meet Karen Duncan: Learning to Win Without Surrender

  6. 07/13/2025

    Meet Castera Charles: Surviving and Thriving

    How much could you overcome when life is stacked against you from the beginning? Meet Castera Charles. Taken into child slavery in Haiti and physically branded (under 5 yrs old!), he defied the odds and built a new life in America—becoming a college football player and a dedicated sports coach and mentor, inspiring youth across the country.  Castera’s story is unforgettable. Join us as we talk about how he turned every pain into strength, showing what it really means to not just survive, but thrive. YOUTUBE link: https://youtu.be/7y34QmBnV0Y

    Meet Castera Charles: Surviving and Thriving

  7. 04/29/2025

    Meet Eva Nevarez St. John: A Salute to Strength

    Eva's story is one of resilience and transformation, shaped by military service, profound friendship, loss, addiction, and recovery. Joining the Army in 1976 to escape an abusive relationship, Eva served in Korea, where she formed a deep bond with Janice, a fellow servicewoman. Their friendship continued over the years, until Janice's disappearance in 1981. Authorities largely dismissed Eva's concerns, but one detective believed her, leading eventually to the discovery of Janice's body. Grieving, Eva struggled with addiction for years. In 2019, a reconnection with the detective inspired her sobriety and the writing of her memoir, "When Tough Cookies Crumble." Now, Eva is planning a military burial for Janice and channels her energy into healing and honoring her friend, showing that transformation is achievable at any stage of life. YOUTUBE link: https://youtu.be/yCbVLrUvQ4g

    Meet Eva Nevarez St. John: A Salute to Strength

  8. 03/17/2025

    Meet Geena Hymer: From Hard Story to Hope Story

    Geena Hymer is a woman who fought binge eating disorder stemming from childhood trauma, including her parents' divorce and sexual abuse. Food became her escape, especially after a sexual assault at 20. This led her to gain weight as a form of protection. Her struggles included self-harm and suicide attempts. After reaching 320 pounds, she decided on bariatric surgery, which helped her lose 150 pounds. Geena now leads a healthier life and is writing a memoir to inspire others. Her journey emphasizes that recovery is about personal growth and intention, highlighting resilience and hope through faith and therapy. YOUTUBE link: https://youtu.be/_nzQWkKZs5I

    Meet Geena Hymer: From Hard Story to Hope Story
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Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Turning Pain into Strength," podcast where real people share true stories and unforgettable journeys of strength. I’m Michelle Eberwein, and after living with chronic pain from breaking my back, autoimmune diagnosis' & enduring multiple surgeries, I understand the challenges of "pushing through"and navigating a flawed medical system.  I invite you to join me as we share uplifting stories, explore new ideas, and provide hope and encouragement. Together, we’ll uncover tools and strategies on turning pain into strength and empower each other on this journey of healing and personal growth. You are not alone.❤️

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Eberwein
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Turning Pain into Strength
  • Show Website
    Turning Pain into Strength