Storm Rises, Part 2: From Losing Everything to Taking Her Power Back
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In Part 2 of our two-part conversation with Storm, we continue uncovering the raw, unfiltered truths behind surviving medical trauma, chronic illness, and emotional isolation — and how one woman pulled herself out of the darkest corners of her life to reclaim her voice, her joy, and her power.
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Mental Health Quote of the Episode
"It’s not weak to acknowledge your pain. It’s not weak to share it. And if you don't deal with your sh!t, it will deal with you." — Storm
What This Episode Is About
In this continuation of Storm’s journey, we dive into what happens after you’ve lost everything — your health, your child, your marriage, your career, and your voice — and how one woman chose to rise.
Storm opens up about what it really takes to rebuild a life from rubble. We talk about Medicaid and medical poverty, managing invisible illnesses, grieving family loss, finding community after isolation, healing through music, and learning how to be your own damn hero.
Storm doesn’t sugarcoat it: recovery isn’t linear, self-love isn’t easy, and waiting for someone else to save you might keep you stuck. This is a story about owning your truth, speaking it out loud, and refusing to go quietly.
Keywords: mental health recovery, chronic illness survivor, toxic relationships, trauma healing, female empowerment, fluoroquinolone toxicity, self-worth, manifestation, emotional resilience
Meet Our Guest – Storm
Storm is a survivor, a storyteller, and a force of nature. After enduring a catastrophic reaction to a commonly prescribed antibiotic, Storm found herself bedridden, silenced by the medical system, and abandoned by the people who should have stood by her. Her journey took her through the darkest depths of chronic illness, emotional abuse, medical gaslighting, divorce, financial instability, and the heartbreaking estrangement from her only child.
But she refused to stay down.
Armed with resilience, radical self-talk, and a deep well of inner fire, Storm clawed her way back—physically, mentally, emotionally, and creatively. She transformed pain into purpose, reclaiming her identity as a writer, singer, and woman in full. Through music, manifestation, and unmatched grit, Storm built a new life brick by broken brick.
Today, she uses her voice to speak out against medical injustice, normalize hard conversations about mental health, and remind others that it’s never too late to start over.
She isn’t just weathering the storm. She is the storm.
Key Takeaways
- Why Storm refused to stay down after losing her son, parents, and partner
- How grief, anger, and loss can fuel a comeback
- What “toxic positivity” is and why it’s harmful to healing
- The importance of building a support circle that truly sees you
- Why it’s okay not to be okay — and to say so out loud
- Storm’s thoughts on love, trust, and dating after narcissistic abuse
Actionable Items
- Find your fire. Rediscover the thing that makes you feel alive — creativity, movement, music, anything.
- Start small. Tiny checkboxes, such as “take a shower” or “go outside,” can help rebuild a routine.
- Avoid toxic positivity. Surround yourself with people who let you speak your truth.
- Reclaim your voice. Whether through writing, music, or therapy, your story matters.
- Rethink your circle. Be around people who make space for your healing, not your silence.
- Prioritize self-care. It's not optional — it’s survival.
References Mentioned
- Fluoroquinolone toxicity & black box warnings
- Cipro-induced mitochondrial damage
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- MTHFR genetic mutation
- Medicaid’s critical role in medical recovery
- Neuroplasticity exercises for mental healing
- Music as somatic and emotional therapy
- The suicide prevention hotline: 988 (USA & Canada)
Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 – Opening: Medicaid, finances, and the fallout
03:00 – Breaking bones and breaking cycles
07:00 – Losing her son: “What’s the point anymore?”
10:00 – Music therapy, friendships, and laughter return
14:00 – Losing both parents, and her father's reaction to Cipro
17:00 – Calling out the broken healthcare system
21:00 – Toxic positivity and the right to speak your truth
25:00 – Self-love, empathy, and protecting your energy
28:00 – Advice to women: Red flags, financial abuse, and boundaries
33:00 – Letter to her younger self: “Never lose who you are”
36:00 – The power of self-approval
38:00 – Bonus questions: Favorite word, theme song, and lessons learned
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#StormsStory
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If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
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- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
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148 episodes