Advertise on podcast: Life After PTSD Podcast: Healing From Trauma

What if the thing that once protected you is now holding you back? Lindsay Roberts shares her powerful story of surviving a devastating car accident at 15, enduring numerous surgeries and years of physical recovery, and later recognizing how trauma continued to shape her life. She talks openly about parenting while healing from childhood trauma, sobriety, breaking generational cycles, and the realization that the mental protections that once helped her survive could eventually become barriers to the life she wanted. Her decision to train for Hyrox became an unexpected part of her healing journey, forcing her to confront a belief she had carried for years: that she could never run again. Along the way, she discovered the difference between physical limitations and the protective stories trauma can leave behind. The conversation also explores the power of lived experience, community, vulnerability, and helping others while you're still healing yourself. At its heart, this episode is about surviving, healing, breaking cycles, and discovering that the things that helped you survive may not always be the things you need to move forward. What if the thing that once protected you is now holding you back? At 15, Lindsay survived a horrific car accident that nearly took her life—and she was told she might never walk, let alone run, again. She survived the accident. But years later, she realized the trauma hadn't necessarily survived with her—it had become part of how she lived. What happens when your biggest limitation isn't your injured body, but the story your brain has been telling you for years? Lindsay was told never to run again. Years later, she signed up for a competition that required five miles of running—without even realizing what she'd signed up for. Can healing mean doing something that terrifies you? Lindsay's answer is yes—but maybe not in the way you think. She broke one cycle by getting sober. Then she realized she was also breaking a generational cycle for her children. You don't always need to be completely healed before you help someone else. Sometimes being one step ahead is enough. What if you could become the parent, partner, or person you needed when you were younger? Lindsay's story asks a powerful question: Are you still living by rules that were created to keep an earlier version of you safe? Lindsay Roberts survived a catastrophic car accident at 15, underwent numerous surgeries, and was told she might never walk—or run—again. Years later, she confronted the emotional impact of that trauma through sobriety, motherhood, fitness, and a determination to break generational cycles. In this episode, Lindsay talks about trauma, memory, addiction, parenting, healing, and the unexpected ways our survival mechanisms can become limitations. Her story is ultimately about moving forward—even when you don't know exactly where the road leads. Important: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The stories, conversations, and information shared here are not therapy, counseling, diagnosis, or a substitute for professional mental health or medical care. Everyone's experience with trauma is different, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. If you're struggling with trauma, PTSD, substance use, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out to a qualified mental health or medical professional. If you are in the United States and are experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are in immediate danger or need emergency medical assistance, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You don't have to navigate a crisis alone. This podcast is sponsored by FirstOrlandoCounseling.com and LifeAfterPTSD.org

Each week the Life After PTSD Podcast shares stories of about creating a Life After PTSD. FirstOrlandoCounseling.com The show is intended to provide encouragement for the listener but is for entertainment purposes and NOT a substitute for treatment or to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever. Please seek help from a qualified mental health provider. Are you in crisis? Call:or TEXT: 988

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In this episode we welcome 97 year old World War II Veteran Mel Jenner, who for 70+ years has carried the trauma of war and coped in the only way he knew how: by weekly attendance at a PTSD support group for World War II Veterans.  ...until he found himself as the only one remaining.  Mel's story, "Flying Fortress," is an Emmy Award winning documentary-style short film. Mel began working to clear his trauma and in this week's episode he demonstrates the progress as he shares part of his World War II story. - The show is intended to provide encouragement for the listener but is for entertainment purposes only and NOT a substitute for proper treatment or to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever. Please seek help from a qualified mental health provider.

Join us to listen to WWII veteran and champion of mental health healing, Mel Jenner, as he shares part of his life story and his journey-from the Michigan Air National Guard to the skies over Europe. In a few short sessions, he is free from 90+ years of trauma. Each week the Life After PTSD Podcast shares stories of about creating a Life After PTSD. LifeAfterPTSd.org FirstOrlandoCounseling.com The show is intended to provide encouragement for the listener but is for entertainment purposes and NOT a substitute for treatment or to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever. Please seek help from a qualified mental health provider. Are you in crisis? Call: 988 or TEXT: Talk to 74174

First Responder, veteran and mental health therapist, Ed Maerkl shares about the training and therapy he worked with a psychiatrist to develop and how people are gaining mental resilience with this simple technique. This is Part 1 of 2

Each week the Life After PTSD Podcast shares stories about creating a Life After PTSD.  FirstOrlandoCounseling.com The show is intended to provide encouragement for the listener but is for entertainment purposes and NOT a substitute for treatment or to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever. Please seek help from a qualified mental health provider. Are you in crisis? Call Text or Chat: 988. Dr. Joseph Dituri and Dr. Janelle Royster, both veterans, have taken their experience to create processes, procedures and protocols to change lives! The world needs more fearless trend setters like Dr. Dituri and Dr. Royster!! After nearly twenty-eight years of service to the United States, Commander Joseph Dituri retired from active duty and earned a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, with a focus on life support equipment design, high carbon dioxide environments, and both hyperbaric and hypobaric medicine. Dr. Dituri is a contributing author to Hyperbaric Medical Practice (4th edition), the author of numerous diver-training manuals, a co-author of Tao of Survival Underwater and the Navy Diving Manual, and has been published in several journals produced by the Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society, the American Society of Naval Engineers, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Dr. Dituri is a consultant for the International Board of Undersea Medicine and serves as the Director of the Undersea Oxygen Clinic and as Course Director for an approved forty-hour introductory hyperbaric course. Dr. Dituri is an assistant professor at the University of South Florida (USF) in both the Medical Engineering Department and Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. J Royster is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia. Dr. Royster has a doctorate in Industrial Organizational Psychology and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Traumatology. Dr. Royster is considered a solution focused trauma therapist. She is certified in 25 therapeutic modalities. Dr. Royster sits on the board of directors for Project Vet Relief, and as the treasurer for Virginia Clinical Counselors Alliance. Dr. Royster is connected to several organizations to assist in the fight against 28 suicides a day in the veteran community, three suicides a day are active-duty deaths. Police, fire, and emergency services have numbers that are even more alarming, one suicide is too many. Dr. Royster is currently completing a book called, Change your language, Change your life. Dr. Royster works with a myriad of non-profit organizations to help those who put on a uniform to serve a higher purpose than themselves. Libertyove, she is the clinical director and uses the TRIP protocol she developed to separate negative emotions from the traumatic events. Dr. Royster has worked with over 3000 people using these neurolinguistic processing techniques over the last few years and has shown over 95% effective success. Dr. Royster is the Medical Director of CISM. Dr Royster works with Blue Guardian Network and educates cadets on trauma and how to process events to prevent PTSD. Dr Royster works with Hyperbaric Oxygen Clinic as a psychologist, completing neurofeedback and assessments to determine the needs of the NFL players and veterans as they complete the 28-day intensive treatment to alleviate traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Royster works with a chiropractor in Virginia to alleviate symptoms of trauma to assist those patients in healing. Lastly Dr Royster owns her own practice called Semper Motis, which translates to always motivated, or always on the move. Dr. Royster’s mission to help others heal and continue to work with those who are struggling and moving toward a better outlook and perspective with her patients.

Life After PTSD has a chat with siblings Mohammed and Maria, who they met through missionary work in the Tyre (Lebanon) Counseling Center and were trained in the "Quick Protocol" the Arabic version of Managing Emotional States Effectively.

Join the Life After PTSD Team as we catch up with Chris who hosted us in Lebanon. Chris is a missionary living in Tyre, Lebanon serving primarily refugees of the Syrian War. Chris's ministry there serves educating children as well as their newly opened community counseling center. Chris and his mission hope to spread this model and state of the art counseling techniques throughout the Middle East and other war torn areas. If you would like to know more about Chris's ministry or would like to support please go to : https://www.wordsofisa.com/

Veteran and Counselor shares his journey to help heal his comrades

Hear from Jeff, Kari and Ed and learn more about Managing Emotional States Effectively (MESE) and how you can feel a new sense of meaning and provide MESE to others. --- For more info on Managing Emotional States Effectively, visit www.lifeafterPTSD.org or text MESE 4074300100. --- Each week the Life After PTSD Podcast shares stories of about creating a Life After PTSD.  FirstOrlandoCounseling.com The show is intended to provide encouragement for the listener but is for entertainment purposes and NOT a substitute for treatment or to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever. Please seek help from a qualified mental health provider. --- Are you in crisis now? Call: 8002738255 or TEXT: Talk to 74174.

In March of 2021, at the age of 41, co-host Ed experienced an unexpected stroke. Join us as he shares the experience of his stroke for Stroke Awareness Month 2023. If you believe you or someone you know are exhibiting stroke symptoms, call 911 or emergency medical services in your area and seek medical advice immediately, remember time is tissue! F.A.S.T. Warning Signs Use the letters in F.A.S.T. to spot a Stroke F = Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven? A = Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S = Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? T = Time to call 911 Other Stroke Symptoms Watch for Sudden: NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause For more information on Strokes https://www.stroke.org Each week the Life After PTSD Podcast shares stories of about creating a Life After PTSD. FirstOrlandoCounseling.com The show is intended to provide encouragement for the listener but is for entertainment purposes and NOT a substitute for treatment or to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever. Please seek help from a qualified mental health provider. Are you in crisis? Call: 988 or TEXT: Talk to 74174

In this episode we welcome Jesse Simpson, Marine Corp Veteran and former fire fighter who battled thoughts of ending it all.  Jesse details his childhood years and how he battled these thoughts even then but how he enlisted in the service out of high school and numbered himself among our finest and bravest, though the struggles still remained, eventually leading him to find a bigger purpose that saved his life.  Connect with Jesse at @Action_Jesse, his podcast “The Action Hour” or action-oriented.com. - The show is intended to provide encouragement for the listener but is for entertainment purposes only and NOT a substitute for proper treatment or to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever. Please seek help from a qualified mental health provider.

Join the Life After PTSD Team as we speak with Tracie and Lindsey about Darkhorse Benefits and their upcoming Golf Tournament Fundraiser, as well as the mission of Darkhorse Benefits in assisting veterans heal and giving them purpose through the challenge of combatting domestic human trafficking. To Learn more about Darkhorse Benefits: https://www.darkhorsebenefits.com/ If you are in the Orlando Area and would like to participate in the golf tournament on March 15, registration is at 07:30am, 08:30am Shotgun Start, you may contact [email protected] for more information.

Valentine's Day or Singles Awareness Day