2d ago

She Was Clinically Dead for 70 Days. Here's What She Saw. | Trauma Rock Stars™

Send us Fan Mail What if 70 days between life and death gave you the clearest picture of your purpose you've ever seen? In this episode of Trauma Rock Stars™, Tracy Smaldino sits down with Holly Porter — entrepreneur, author, hypnotherapist, and near-death experience survivor — who contracted the Delta variant of COVID in fall 2021 and spent 70 days across two hospitals. Intubated twice. Sepsis. Organs shutting down. Oxygen at 63%. And on the other side? Out-of-body experiences traveling 165 years back in time. A Stadium of Light filled with thousands of prayer warriors. A divine message that would later transform a therapist's entire perspective. And a 2-year journey back that she now calls her greatest teacher. In this episode: - The difference between out-of-body, spiritual transformative, and near-death experiences - The Stadium of Light — seeing her prayer army fight for her - Why her life review only showed the good - The divine message: "Love them where they're at" - The hypnosis session that revealed the rest of the story - The SHIFT Framework: Surrender, Hope, Intuition, Faith & Transformation - Why you don't have to almost die to find your purpose - How purpose can be as simple as changing one person's life Holly's SHIFT Framework, her book Near Death Shift, the Adventure Bucket Wish Foundation, and the International Retreat Association all grew directly from this experience. "You don't have to almost die to truly live and find your purpose." — Holly Porter Connect with Holly: https://hollyporterinternational.com/ 🎯 Free Life Audit Quiz: https://traumarockstars.com 🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/traumarockstars 💛 SUPPORT THE SHOW: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/traumarockstars Become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526063/supporters/new Support the show

57 min

4d ago

The Set List: Build Your Intentional Healing Roadmap | Trauma Rock Stars™

Send us Fan Mail Are you healing in chaos — reacting to whatever is loudest and never actually choosing what you're working on? In this solo episode, Tracy introduces The Set List: a 5-step method for building an intentional trauma healing roadmap across the 3 lanes of your life — emotional, physical, and mental. Just like a professional band builds their set list before a single fan walks through the doors, your healing deserves a strategy. Without one? You're just making noise. In this episode: - Why trauma keeps you in reactive mode — and how to break out of it - The difference between working on what hurts most vs. what needs to come first - The 3 lanes of healing and how to prioritize without overwhelm - A 5-step process to build your personal healing set list - Why 30 days is the perfect opening set for your recovery - How the Rock Star 30™ program gives you a fully guided roadmap Your 5 Steps: 1. Take the free Life Audit Quiz 2. Choose one thing per lane 3. Put them in order 4. Give it a 30-day time frame 5. Review it weekly You are not a passenger in your healing journey. You are the artist. You get to decide what's on the set list. Rock Stars always play with intention. 🎯 Free Life Audit Quiz + Rock Star 30™ Program: https://traumarockstars.com 💛 SUPPORT THE SHOW: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/traumarockstars 🎙️ Become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526063/supporters/new 🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/traumarockstars 🎯 Free Life Audit Quiz + Rock Star 30™ Program: https://traumarockstars.com 🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/traumarockstars Support the show

11 min

May 28

"You're On Your Own" — Firefighter Survives 18 Years of Betrayal, Bullying & Trauma | Trauma Rock Stars™

Send us Fan Mail Female firefighter bullying, workplace trauma, and PTSD recovery — this episode covers it all. Lynette was the first and only woman ever hired at her fire department, and on her very first day as a career firefighter, a captain pulled her into a room and told her: "If you ever get into trouble — we're not coming to save you." She carried that secret for over a decade, walking into burning buildings never knowing if her team would have her back. In this powerful episode, retired firefighter, trauma coach, and author of You're On Your Own, Lynette opens up about 18 years of workplace bullying, misogyny, and betrayal — and how she finally broke the cycle, found her voice, and rebuilt her life from the inside out. 🧠 In This Episode You'll Learn: How hypnotherapy completely transformed her trauma healing journey (and what happened in session TWO)Why trauma can be caused by betrayal — not just crisisHow a childhood pattern of abuse showed up in every area of her lifeWhat post-traumatic growth actually looks likeWhy talk therapy wasn't enough — and what finally workedThe moment she handed in her early retirement and said two words: "Plot twist."💡 Key Takeaway: You are replaceable at your job. You are not replaceable in your own life. Choose yourself — even when it's terrifying. That's Rock Star Resilience™ 🎸 Take the FREE Trauma Rock Stars™ Life Audit™: 👉 https://form.typeform.com/to/qeZfPouw Find out exactly where you are on your healing journey in less than 5 minutes. Your personalized Rock Star 30™ guide is waiting for you on the other side. 💬 Drop "PLOT TWIST" in the comments if this episode hit home for you! That's Rock Star Resilience™ 🎙️ Connect with Lynette: 📖 Book — You're On Your Own: https://a.co/d/0frzuxt4 📲 Instagram: @FireWithinCrisisServices 🌐 Website: https://firewithincrisisservices.com 🎙️ Listen & Connect with Trauma Rock Stars™: ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRockStars 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/traumarockstars 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/traumarockstars 🌐 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@traumarockstars 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracysmaldino 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/traumarockstars 🌐 Website: https://traumarockstars.com 💛 Ways to Support Trauma Rock Stars™: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/traumarockstars 🤝 Become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526063/supporters/new 00:00 — Introduction: Meet Lynette 01:45 — From Hairstylist to Firefighter — How It All Began 04:00 — Fire School: The Camaraderie She Thought She'd Have 05:30 — Fighting to Volunteer: They Made It Clear She Wasn't Wanted 07:00 — The Chief Who Had Her Back 08:45 — Her First Day on the Job — The Threat That Changed Everything 11:30 — Living With Fear: A Decade of Silent Pep Talks 14:00 — Small Town, Big Secrets: The Weight She Carried 16:30 — The Breaking Point — Reconnecting with Her Feminine Side 18:00 — The Counselor Who Said: "That's Abuse." 19:30 — Childhood Trauma, Abusive Relationships & the Pattern She Finally Saw 22:00 — "I Didn't Cry for Nine Years" — Stuffing It All Down 24:00 — The Aha Moment: "Plot Twist." — Her Early Retirement 25:30 — Fighting the Union That Was Supposed to Protect Her 27:00 — Writing It All Down: Thousands of Pages, One Book 28:30 — What Led Her to Hypnotherapy 31:00 — Session Two: The Absolute Rodeo That Changed Her Life 33:30 — Past Life Regression: The Castle, the Clay Hut & Standing Up 35:30 — The Moment the Fear Left Her Body 37:00 — What Hypnotherapy Is Really Like (Not What You Think) 39:00 — The Book: You're On Your Own 41:00 — Post-Traumatic Growth & Why PTSD Is Not a Life Sentence 43:30 — The Chief Who Believed in Her — Where He Is Now 45:00 — Finding Her Voice at the End of Her Career 47:00 — What She Does Now: Trauma Coaching & Crisis Services 50:00 — Advice for Anyone Stuck in a Cycle of Suffering 52:30 — Choosing Yourself — Even When It's Terrifying 57:00 — How to Find Lynette & the Phoenix Society women in firefighting, trauma healing, PTSD recovery, workplace bullying, first responder mental health, toxic workplace, hypnotherapy, post-traumatic growth, female firefighter, trauma coach, women empowerment, healing journey, mental health podcast, first responder trauma, abuse survivor, trauma recovery, firefighter mental health, memoir, rock star resilience, Tracy Smaldino Support the show

52 min

May 26

Load-In & Load-Out: Are You Carrying Too Much? | Trauma Rock Stars™

11 min

May 21

Bullied by Women in a Bills Mafia Group — Trauma Nurse Heidi's Story | Trauma Rock Stars™

Send us Fan Mail When trauma nurse Heidi posted a fun photo in a Bills Mafia women's group, she never expected what came next — anonymous attacks, body shaming, and a wave of cruelty from women who should have been cheering her on. 💙 In this raw and powerful episode of Trauma Rock Stars™, host Tracy sits down with Heidi to talk about adult bullying on social media, body image, the courage it takes to show up anyway — and why anonymous cruelty says everything about the bully and nothing about you. Whether you've been bullied online, watched it happen to someone else, or maybe even been guilty of a snarky comment yourself — this episode is for YOU. Go Bills. Be a buddy, not a bully. 🏈 🧠 In This Episode You'll Learn: Why adult bullying on social media is more damaging than people admitHow anonymous cruelty reflects the bully — not the victimWhat 15 years as a trauma nurse taught Heidi about the power of wordsHow to handle online attacks with grace and strengthWhy we need to teach the next generation to be upstanders — not bystanders💡 Key Takeaways: Anonymous cruelty says everything about the person posting it — and nothing about you. Your healing is worth protecting. 💙 0:00 — Welcome & Intro — How Heidi Became a Bills Fan 2:21 — What Prompted This Episode — The Post That Started It All 5:00 — The Photo, the Boudoir Shoot & the Backlash 8:00 — Anonymous Bullying — Why It's Still Bullying 11:44 — Trauma, Grace & Why Words Can Devastate 13:47 — Just Keep Scrolling — Don't Yuck Someone's Yum 16:08 — Supporting Small Businesses & Local Love 18:26 — Adult Bullying — We're Not in High School Anymore 20:35 — Heidi Fights Back — Why She Reposted 22:31 — Body Image, Burns & Building Confidence 24:41 — How to Handle It Constructively 26:44 — Teaching the Next Generation to Be Upstanders 29:00 — Protecting Kids from Social Media Bullying 31:14 — What's Going On Inside You Is What You Put Out 33:25 — 15 Years in Trauma — How Heidi Copes 35:50 — Relationship Goals — 18 Years & Still Newlyweds 39:30 — The Bills Game Experience in Buffalo 41:30 — Buffalo Food Tour — Wings, Ted's, Duff's & Wegmans 47:25 — Decompressing After Trauma Nursing Shifts 50:00 — A Message of Gratitude to Healthcare Workers 52:16 — Final Thoughts — Find Your Happiness & Be a Buddy 🎸 Take the FREE Trauma Rock Stars™ Life Audit™: 👉 https://form.typeform.com/to/qeZfPouw Find out exactly where you are on your healing journey in less than 5 minutes. Your personalized Rock Star 30™ guide is waiting for you on the other side. 💬 Drop "BUDDY" in the comments if you stand against online bullying! That's Rock Star Resilience™ 🎙️ Connect with Heidi: 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidi.kleinwillis 🛍️ Bills Gear by Abigail Lee: https://byabigaillee.com/ 🎙️ Listen & Connect with Trauma Rock Stars™: ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRockStars 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/traumarockstars 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/traumarockstars 🌐 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@traumarockstars 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracysmaldino 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/traumarockstars 🌐 Website: https://traumarockstars.com 💛 Ways to Support Trauma Rock Stars™: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/traumarockstars 🤝 Become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526063/supporters/new Bills Mafia bullying, adult bullying, online bullying, body shaming, social media bullying, women bullying women, cyberbullying, Buffalo Bills, trauma nurse, body image, anonymous bullying, women empowerment, trauma healing, mental health, be a buddy not a bully, trauma rock stars, rock star resilience, Tracy Smaldino, Heidi trauma nurse, upstanders Support the show

46 min

May 14

From Broken to Gold: One Woman’s Raw Journey Through PTSD

Send us Fan Mail A mental health advocate shares her real journey through complex PTSD and trauma after multiple traumatic events working in the prison system. The discussion covers dissociation, trauma stored in the body, phantom pain, journaling for healing, alternative therapies, triggers, intuition, and the role of community in recovery. Key topics include: • Complex PTSD and cumulative trauma • Dissociation and trauma symptoms • Trauma stored in the body and phantom pain • Journaling and using both sides of the brain for healing • Triggers as signals for healing • Alternative therapies and recovery tools • Community vs. individual healing approaches • Turning trauma into purpose through writing Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Nikki and her trauma journey 00:45 Working in prisons and repeated traumatic events 02:00 The stabbing incident that changed everything 04:30 Dissociation and early PTSD symptoms 06:30 Leaving work and beginning treatment 08:00 Physical trauma and phantom pain explained 11:00 Trauma stored in the body 12:40 Kintsugi metaphor for healing trauma 14:00 Trauma talk and losing the ability to speak 15:20 How journaling started the healing process 18:00 Why handwriting helps trauma recovery 20:00 Life after medication and alternative therapies 22:30 Microdosing, medical marijuana, and healing paths 23:40 Listening to intuition during healing 26:00 Understanding the brain and removing shame 27:30 Learning to lean into triggers 29:30 Writing the book and finding purpose 32:00 Cultural perspectives on trauma and healing 35:00 Community healing vs Western approaches 36:00 Finding support and connection 🎸 Take the FREE Trauma Rock Stars™ Life Audit: 👉 https://form.typeform.com/to/qeZfPouw Find out exactly where you are on your healing journey in less than 5 minutes. Your personalized Rock Star 30™ guide is waiting for you on the other side. traumarockstars.com | linktr.ee/traumarockstars That's Rock Star Resilience™ Get in touch with Nikki: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoleeverettauthor/posts/10234447950639761/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sheismental_ptsd/ Website - https://sheismental.com.au/ Blog: https://sheismental.com.au/blog Connect with Trauma Rock Stars: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-smaldino-484b373b1/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: `https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRockStars` 📸 Instagram: `https://instagram.com/traumarockstars` 📘 Facebook: `https://facebook.com/traumarockstars` 🌐 TikTok: `https://tiktok.com/@traumarockstars` 💌 Email: podcast@traumarockstars.com Ways to support: buymeacoffee.com/traumarockstars https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526063/supporters/new PTSD recovery, complex PTSD, trauma healing, journaling for trauma, trauma stored in the body, dissociation trauma, healing after trauma, mental health podcast, trauma triggers, trauma therapy, phantom pain trauma, trauma and intuition, trauma recovery tools, trauma survivor story, healing journey podcast Support the show

44 min

May 11

How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt (Your Nervous System Knows the Truth) | Trauma Rock Stars™

Send us Fan Mail 🎸 Have you ever felt completely drained just from being around certain people — even though nothing "bad" happened? That's not in your head. That's your nervous system sending you a signal. 🌊 In this episode, Tracy breaks down how to do a full Life Audit™ for your emotional and mental health — using your nervous system as your guide — and how to set boundaries that actually protect your peace without guilt. If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like something just feels off — this one is for YOU. 🧠 In This Episode You'll Learn: What a Life Audit™ is and why NOW is the perfect time to do oneHow to read your nervous system's signals about safety vs. stressA simple writing exercise to identify who drains you vs. who energizes youWhy boundaries are NOT punishment — and what they actually meanHow to spring clean your emotional world and create space for healing 💡 Key Takeaway: Your body already knows the answers. Learning to listen to your nervous system is the first step to setting boundaries that actually protect your peace — without guilt. 🎸 Take the FREE Trauma Rock Stars™ Life Audit™: 👉 https://form.typeform.com/to/qeZfPouw Find out exactly where you are on your healing journey in less than 5 minutes. Your personalized Rock Star 30™ guide is waiting for you on the other side. 💬 Drop "AUDIT" in the comments if you're ready to do your emotional spring cleaning! That's Rock Star Resilience™ 🎙️ Listen & Connect with Trauma Rock Stars™: ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRockStars 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/traumarockstars 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/traumarockstars 🌐 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@traumarockstars 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracysmaldino 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/traumarockstars 🌐 Website: https://traumarockstars.com 💛 Ways to Support Trauma Rock Stars™: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/traumarockstars 🤝 Become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526063/supporters/new 🕐 CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Introduction & Hook 00:45 — Why Spring Is Life Audit™ Season 02:00 — How to Read Your Nervous System's Signals 03:30 — The "Key People" Writing Exercise 04:45 — What Boundaries Actually Mean 05:45 — Spring Cleaning Your Emotional World 06:30 — Take the Life Audit™ Quiz + Closing how to set boundaries without guilt, nervous system regulation, trauma healing, PTSD recovery, mental health, boundary setting, emotional healing, trauma survivors, healing journey, trauma informed, life audit, emotional well-being, spring cleaning, mental health podcast, USA podcast, rock star resilience, trauma recovery, childhood trauma, sobriety stories, Tracy Smaldino Support the show

7 min

May 7

Can a Neck Adjustment Cause a Stroke? Her Survival and Healing Story!

Send us Fan Mail 🎸 NEW: Take the free Trauma Rock Stars™ Life Audit → https://form.typeform.com/to/qeZfPouw Medical trauma! What happens when a routine visit for neck pain leads to a life-changing stroke? In this episode, Nikki shares the full story of how a medical treatment triggered a vertebral artery dissection, leading to a brain stroke, years of chronic pain, long-term medication use, and a breaking point that forced her to take control of her healing journey. This conversation answers the questions many people silently ask: • Can neck manipulation cause a stroke? • What happens when doctors run out of answers? • How do you heal after years of chronic pain and medications? • What does it actually mean to “take your power back”? After 15 years in pain clinics and on heavy medications, Nikki chose a different path. She shares how she slowly weaned off medications, explored holistic health, rebuilt her identity, and learned to live with chronic pain while creating a meaningful and empowered life. This episode explores medical trauma, patient advocacy, chronic pain recovery, meditation, nutrition, and the mindset shift required to reclaim your life. Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Nikki’s story 02:00 – The appointment that changed everything 05:30 – The stroke in the bathtub 09:00 – Hospitalization and lack of answers 12:00 – 15 years in pain clinics and medication cycles 16:30 – Feeling dismissed and searching for real help 19:00 – The breaking point and decision to take her power back 22:00 – Weaning off medications and detox journey 25:00 – Nutrition, juicing, and holistic healing 28:30 – Meditation and rebuilding mental health 32:00 – Learning to live with chronic pain 35:00 – Gratitude, mindset, and body relationship 38:00 – Helping others and sharing her story Get in touch with Nikki: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikki.hillhouse.1 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikkihillhouse/ Website - https://www.nikkihillhouse.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-hillhouse-a6b25529b/ Connect with Trauma Rock Stars: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-smaldino-484b373b1/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: `https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRockStars` 📸 Instagram: `https://instagram.com/traumarockstars` 📘 Facebook: `https://facebook.com/traumarockstars` 🌐 TikTok: `https://tiktok.com/@traumarockstars` 💌 Email: podcast@traumarockstars.com Ways to support: buymeacoffee.com/traumarockstars https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526063/supporters/new stroke after neck manipulation, vertebral artery dissection, chronic pain recovery, medical trauma recovery, weaning off pain medication, holistic healing journey, meditation for healing, patient advocacy, trauma recovery story, health empowerment, mental health, trauma journey Support the show

50 min

Trauma Rock Stars | USA BASED PODCAST

She Was Clinically Dead for 70 Days. Here's What She Saw. | Trauma Rock Stars™

The Set List: Build Your Intentional Healing Roadmap | Trauma Rock Stars™

"You're On Your Own" — Firefighter Survives 18 Years of Betrayal, Bullying & Trauma | Trauma Rock Stars™

Load-In & Load-Out: Are You Carrying Too Much? | Trauma Rock Stars™

Bullied by Women in a Bills Mafia Group — Trauma Nurse Heidi's Story | Trauma Rock Stars™

From Broken to Gold: One Woman’s Raw Journey Through PTSD

How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt (Your Nervous System Knows the Truth) | Trauma Rock Stars™

Can a Neck Adjustment Cause a Stroke? Her Survival and Healing Story!

Ratings & Reviews

Life changing

About

Information

Trauma Rock Stars | USA BASED PODCAST

Episodes

She Was Clinically Dead for 70 Days. Here's What She Saw. | Trauma Rock Stars™

The Set List: Build Your Intentional Healing Roadmap | Trauma Rock Stars™

"You're On Your Own" — Firefighter Survives 18 Years of Betrayal, Bullying & Trauma | Trauma Rock Stars™

Load-In & Load-Out: Are You Carrying Too Much? | Trauma Rock Stars™

Bullied by Women in a Bills Mafia Group — Trauma Nurse Heidi's Story | Trauma Rock Stars™

From Broken to Gold: One Woman’s Raw Journey Through PTSD

How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt (Your Nervous System Knows the Truth) | Trauma Rock Stars™

Can a Neck Adjustment Cause a Stroke? Her Survival and Healing Story!

Ratings & Reviews

About

Information