Caroline Brunne grew up in a large, fun-loving, close-knit Mauritian family in Australia. At age ten, she experienced four years of abuse by a family member, learning early about trauma responses like fawning and shrinking herself to stay safe in her own home. During her teens, Caroline struggled to cope and kept her secret for years. At 16, she disclosed the abuse to two family members amidst complex family reactions. Adulthood brought Caroline both success as a business owner and ongoing challenges from trauma. She sought healing, different types of therapy and took steps to reclaim self-care and autonomy. Caroline bonded powerfully with Louis, a border collie who arrived just as she began publicly sharing her story and writing her memoir. Training Louis as a therapy dog, she noticed how his gentle presence helped others feel safe. Together they began offering support to survivors through breathwork sessions, workshops and animal-assisted coaching. For over two decades, Caroline, a high-functioning trauma survivor, has supported individuals in transforming their lives through coaching, life management, and personal growth. Her work has been featured on many platforms, such as Channel 7’s Sunrise, Mamma Mia, Women’s Health, and numerous podcasts and publications. She has spoken at conferences and events across Australia, contributing to media discussions and sharing insights that empower others to embrace their healing journeys. In 2020, she took her first steps toward unpacking and healing her lived experiences. That journey led her to a place of transformation, and in 2022, Caroline self-published her debut book, More Than One Thing Can Be True. In her book, Caroline shares her lived experience of overcoming child sexual abuse, incest, and trauma. Her goal is to inspire individuals and communities to open conversations about these experiences, to replace shame with understanding, and to illuminate the path to healing. In 2024, Caroline created The Survivor Coach – a space where coaching and breathwork come together to support transformation. Today, alongside Louie, she works with clients to move beyond trauma, reclaim their power, and step into lives of purpose and authenticity. Caroline strives to ignite a movement of change, one that creates a better world for survivors today and for generations to come. Links https://www.instagram.com/caroline_brunne https://www.instagram.com/deepbreathswithlouie/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-brunne/ https://www.facebook.com/cgb.mgmt ***** We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Animals & Us (Kintsugi Heroes). Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group. If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories! Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes team YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website Theme Song: "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd
