Breaking the Silence: Sexual Assault, PTSD Recovery & Reclaiming Your Life

Breaking the Silence: Sexual Assault, PTSD Recovery & Reclaiming Your Life

🌙 Episode Summary In this powerful episode of Break the Cycles Podcast, host Alisha Sheri sits down with Simone Swartz — author, mother, mental health advocate, and PTSD recovery coach. Simone shares her deeply personal journey of surviving sexual assault in the military and spending nearly 20 years living with undiagnosed PTSD before finding healing. Together, they explore the many faces of trauma, the body's role in storing it, and why speaking out is one of the most powerful acts of reclaiming your power. Simone also shares details on her step-by-step PTSD recovery book and companion workbook, and the importance of community and integration in the healing process. ✨ Key Takeaways * PTSD is not just a combat condition — it can stem from sexual assault, domestic violence, childhood trauma, gun violence, and more. This message is critically underrepresented in media. * PTSD shows up in surprising ways — isolation, adrenaline-seeking behaviors, perfectionism, overworking, sleep dysregulation, and digestive issues can all be signs. * Trauma lives in the body, not just the mind — healing requires physical movement, body-based therapies, and somatic release alongside mental work. * Silence protects predators — the more survivors speak out, the safer the world becomes for others. Shame must switch sides. * Healing is not linear, and it's not one-size-fits-all — there are dozens of therapy modalities (FDA-approved and otherwise) that can support recovery. Finding what works for you is key. * Breaking cycles is a choice — and it starts with being willing to do the inner work, including revisiting painful moments in order to release them. 🎙️ Sound Bites "PTSD is treatable, and from sexual assault, we should not be quiet — and we don't have to be."  "Breaking the cycles means having victory in your life. It means taking back your power."  "Trauma makes more trauma. It doesn't make you stronger."  "Healing is not for them. It's not closure for them. It's for yourself — so you don't have to carry that pain and anger."  ⏱️ Chapters 0:00 — Intro & Welcome 1:30 — What "Breaking the Cycles" Means to Simone 2:30 — Simone's Background: Military Sexual Assault, PTSD, and the Nonprofit for Survivors 6:00 — Why She's Speaking Out: PTSD Beyond Combat 10:00 — Alisha Shares Her Own Experience with Sexual Assault & PTSD 14:00 — The Statistics: How Sexual Assault Compounds Over Time 17:00 — PTSD as a Full-Body Injury, Not Just a Mental Disorder 21:00 — Common Signs of Undiagnosed PTSD 26:00 — Healing Motivation: Children, Parenthood & Breaking Generational Cycles 31:00 — The Importance of Community in Healing 34:00 — Creating a New Identity: Resetting Your Life for Recovery 37:00 — Exercise, Physical Health & PTSD 40:00 — Simone's Book: A Step-by-Step Guide to PTSD Recovery 44:00 — Integration: Why Healing Doesn't Stick Without It 46:00 — Lightning Round: Daily Habits & The Cycle Women Must Break 48:00 — Where to Find Simone & Closing Thoughts 🌿 Call to Action Are you tired of repeating the same cycles? Alisha offers private and group coaching for cycle breakers — focused on nervous system regulation, healing generational patterns, and rebuilding self-trust. 👉 Book a free clarity call at alishashari.com/coaching 👤 Guest Bio + Links Simone Swarts is an Army Veteran, author, founder of one of the first nonprofits to give sexual assault survivors service dogs for sexual assault-ptsd victims. Simone is also a mother and mental health advocate.  Book & Workbook: Available on Amazon Website: Www.ptsdandwhathelpedme.com [http://www.ptsdandwhathelpedme.com] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ptsdandwhathelpedme?_r=1&_t=ZP-94MLnpDdJr5 [https://www.tiktok.com/@ptsdandwhathelpedme?_r=1&_t=ZP-94MLnpDdJr5] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsdandwhathelpedme?igsh=cGluMGt4NGllbjM2 [https://www.instagram.com/ptsdandwhathelpedme?igsh=cGluMGt4NGllbjM2] YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ptsdandwhathelpedme?si=5JDcPnheHGppov-2 [https://youtube.com/@ptsdandwhathelpedme?si=5JDcPnheHGppov-2] Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear this message. Every share helps more survivors find their path to healing. 💙

Breaking Generational Anger: From Inherited Patterns to Nervous System Healing

🌙Episode Summary Alisha Sheri explains anger as a protective nervous-system response shaped by emotionally unsafe or unpredictable childhood environments, where people learn to suppress emotions or explode, not because of personality but conditioning that can be rewired through awareness. She describes generational patterns in her own family: explosive, controlling anger on her father’s side and addiction and mental illness on her mother’s side, with suppression as the shared legacy. She recounts becoming hypervigilant, silencing herself, storing anger in the body, turning to substances around age 10, escalating to intense rage, panic attacks, and ongoing irritability into adolescence and adulthood, including repeating patterns in parenting. She outlines cycle-breaking steps: name what you witnessed, locate anger in the body, practice the pause, repair after emotions arise, and regulate consistently, ending with a guided breathing practice and affirmations. ✨Key Takeaways Awareness is the first step to breaking the cycle of anger. Suppressed emotions store in the body and can manifest physically. Practicing the pause and repair can interrupt long-standing patterns. Healing involves recognizing what anger protects and addressing root causes. Emotions are valid and necessary for healing, not to be suppressed. 🎙️Sound Bites "Anger didn't show up randomly in my family" "Unpredictability feels uncomfortable and unsafe" "Cycle stops where awareness begins" ⏱️Chapters 00:00 Anger as Protection 00:51 Welcome and Theme 02:00 Temper or Pattern 02:55 Dad Side Explosive Anger 04:36 Mom Side Addiction Pain 05:47 Suppression as Legacy 07:07 My Childhood Hypervigilance 09:19 Suppressed Anger in Body 10:14 Teen Escalation and Numbing 13:28 Adult Life and Parenthood 15:25 How to Break the Cycle 17:09 Hidden Forms of Anger 18:30 Reset Resource Offer 19:12 Somatic Breathing Practice 20:17 Closing Legacy and Choice 🌿Call to Action If this episode resonated with you, it’s time to go deeper. ✨Start with my Break the Cycles Reset—a guided nervous system reset designed to help you move from survival mode into safety and clarity. It includes a guided meditation, breathwork practices, affirmations, and journaling prompts for full integration. 🔗 Access it here:⁠https://www.alishasheri.com/freereset⁠ ✨Ready to experience this work on a deeper level? Become a Cycle Breaker 🔗 Book clarity call now: alishasheri.com/Coaching I offer private Reiki sessions in Honolulu and distance healing sessions designed to help you regulate your nervous system, release emotional weight, and reconnect with yourself. 🔗 Book your session now: ⁠https://www.alishasheri.com/experience⁠

How Breathwork Heals Trauma & Rewires Your Nervous System | Eric Rosso

🌙 Episode Summary In this episode, I sit down with breathwork facilitator Eric Rosso to explore the power of the breath as a tool for healing, regulation, and transformation. We dive into how breathwork can access the subconscious, release stored trauma, and create profound emotional breakthroughs—without the use of substances. This conversation goes beyond breathwork. We unpack nervous system regulation, childhood conditioning, and how the patterns we learned early in life continue to shape our relationships, behaviors, and sense of safety. Eric shares real-life experiences from his sessions, including powerful moments of emotional release, inner child healing, and reconnecting with loved ones who have passed. If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode, overwhelmed by your emotions, or disconnected from yourself—this episode will help you understand why, and more importantly, how to begin shifting it. ✨ Key Takeaways Breathwork can access the subconscious and create deep emotional release• Many “personality traits” are actually unprocessed trauma responses• The nervous system must be regulated before true healing can occur• Childhood experiences shape adult patterns, relationships, and self-worth• Healing requires action—awareness alone is not enough• Small, consistent steps create lasting transformation• You cannot heal in the same environment or mindset that created the pattern• Community and belonging are essential for growth and healing 🎙️ Sound Bites“Breath is the only tool you have with you at all times.”“You’re not broken—your nervous system just learned what felt safe.”“Healing isn’t just emotional… it’s physiological.”“To heal means to change.”“You can’t solve adult problems with childhood survival strategies.” ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & Eric’s Background 03:00 – What “Breaking the Cycles” Means 04:20 – Eric’s First Breathwork Experience 07:00 – What People Get Wrong About Breathwork 10:00 – Physical Sensations & What to Expect 12:30 – Emotional Release & Real Client Transformations 18:30 – Breathwork, Grief & Personal Healing 20:30 – Nervous System Regulation Explained 25:00 – Childhood Trauma & Survival Patterns 33:00 – Life Before Breathwork & Yoga Journey 37:30 – Healing Requires Action 41:00 – Building New Habits & Self-Trust 45:00 – The Four Pillars of a Meaningful Life 49:30 – Final Advice: Keep Moving Forward 🌿 Call to Action If this episode resonated with you, it’s time to go deeper. ✨Start with my Break the Cycles Reset—a guided nervous system reset designed to help you move from survival mode into safety and clarity. It includes a guided meditation, breathwork practices, affirmations, and journaling prompts for full integration. 🔗 Access it here:⁠https://www.alishasheri.com/freereset⁠ [https://www.alishasheri.com/freereset] ✨Ready to experience this work on a deeper level? I offer private Reiki sessions in Honolulu and distance healing sessions designed to help you regulate your nervous system, release emotional weight, and reconnect with yourself. 🔗 Book your session now: ⁠https://www.alishasheri.com/experience⁠ [https://www.alishasheri.com/experience] 👤 Guest Bio + Links Since 2021, Eric has facilitated more breathwork sessions than anyone in Hawaii, helping thousands of people unlock deeper levels of healing, clarity, and personal transformation. His breathwork sessions combine several powerful modalities and techniques that many people have never experienced in a traditional breathwork class. These carefully designed methods help participants go deeper into their breathwork journey and access profound emotional and mental breakthroughs. Eric Rosso is one of the owners of Yoga Room Hawaii, named best Yoga Studio by Honolulu Magazine three years in a row. Eric ran an advertising agency that he retired after 30 years in 2023. He is a father of two and is a graduate of Brown University where he played football. Website:  ⁠www.breathworkwitheric.com⁠ [http://www.breathworkwitheric.com/] Instagram: @breathworkwitheric

The Real Reason You Struggle With Consistency in Fitness & Nutrition

🌙 Episode Summary In this episode, I sit down with fitness and nutrition coach Allison to have a deeper conversation about health—beyond just weight loss. We talk about how so many women start their fitness journey focused on appearance… but struggle to stay consistent because the real issue isn’t discipline—it’s patterns, mindset, and what we’ve been conditioned to believe about our bodies and habits. I share my own experience with emotional eating, survival mode, and rebuilding my relationship with food… while Allison breaks down how sustainable fitness and nutrition actually comes from awareness, small habit shifts, and learning to meet yourself where you’re at. We also get into: * How your environment and upbringing shape your habits * Why mindset is the foundation of lasting change * The difference between reactive vs proactive health choices * And how to move out of survival mode so you can actually show up for yourself This conversation is about more than fitness. It’s about breaking the patterns that keep you stuck…and rebuilding your relationship with your body from the inside out. ✨ Key Takeaways • Why consistency in fitness and nutrition is really a mindset issue• How survival mode impacts your ability to take care of yourself • The role of emotional eating and learned behaviors • Why small, realistic habits create long-term change • How awareness helps you recognize and break unhealthy patterns • The importance of self-compassion in your health journey 🎙️Sound Bites“You don’t struggle with consistency… you struggle with patterns.” “I wasn’t eating because I was hungry… I was eating to cope.” “It’s not that you don’t know what to do… it’s that you don’t stick with it.” “Survival mode isn’t living… it’s just getting through the day.” “You don’t need more discipline… you need to believe you’re capable.”⏱️Chapters00:00 Introduction & Guest Welcome 01:30 Allison’s Journey: From Weight Loss to Lifestyle 07:45 Survival Mode & Losing Yourself in Motherhood 12:10 Why Consistency Feels So Hard 16:20 Awareness: Identifying Your Patterns 21:05 Mindset & Identity Shifts 26:00 Emotional Eating & Coping Habits 30:45 Slowing Down & Mindful Eating 34:00 Survival Mode vs Self-Care 39:30 Breaking Generational Patterns 43:15 Alignment: Why Growth Isn’t Linear 47:00 Women’s Health, Hormones & Fitness 51:45 Where to Start: Building Sustainable Habits 54:30 How to Connect with Allison & Final Thoughts🌿Call to Action If this episode resonated, you don’t have to hold it alone. ✨ Follow me on Instagram for grounded reflections, healing insights, and gentle reminders IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamalishasheri [https://www.instagram.com/iamalishasheri] ✨Start with my free Break the Cycles Reset. It’s a guided nervous system reset that includes: • A short guided meditation • 2 breathing exercises • Affirmations • Journal prompts This is designed to help you regulate your body, slow down your mind, and begin shifting the patterns you’ve been stuck in. Access it here: alishasheri.com/freereset [https://www.alishasheri.com/freereset] ✨ Awaken Your Highest Self – 3-Day Workshop If you’re looking for a clear, grounded introduction to the framework behind this work, this workshop offers gentle structure, guided practices, and orientation — without pressure to go deeper Learn more or register here: https://www.alishasheri.com/workshop [https://www.alishasheri.com/workshop] Catch us on video at https://youtu.be/wDveX0ykQ_M 👤 Guest Bio + Links Allison is a mother of three who helps other moms step into the best version of themselves, both physically and mentally. Through realistic fitness, balanced nutrition, and supportive mindset shifts, she helps women build a lifestyle they love without adding more stress to motherhood. Her mission is to help moms move out of survival mode, recognize their strength, and show up fully for themselves and their families. Website https://allisonhalliefitness.com [https://allisonhalliefitness.com] Instagram - @allisonhalliefitness Facebook - Allison Hallie

Breaking the Cycle: Healing Father Wounds and Reclaiming Identity

🌙Episode Summary In this episode, I sit down with Counsellor Shalina to explore the impact of growing up without a father figure—and how that experience shapes identity, relationships, and emotional patterns into adulthood. We talk about what fatherlessness really looks like beyond physical absence, including emotional wounds, attachment patterns, and the ways we learn to seek validation and safety. This conversation is about more than understanding the pain. It’s about becoming aware of the patterns it created, learning how to regulate your nervous system, and beginning the process of redefining who you are—outside of what you didn’t receive. This is the work of breaking generational cycles and rebuilding self-trust. ✨Key Takeaways • I explore how fatherlessness impacts identity, self-worth, and relationship patterns • We discuss how emotional wounds show up through attachment styles and validation-seeking behaviors • I highlight the role of awareness and therapy in beginning the healing process • We talk about breaking generational cycles through intentional inner work • I share how self-compassion and nervous system regulation support lasting change • We introduce tools like the Wheel of Emotions to better understand and process feelings 🎙️Sound Bites “I realized I might never be able to forgive him.” “You are worthy of love and enough.” “Identity is something we can actively shape.” ⏱️Chapters 00:00 – Introduction + Why This Topic Matters 02:49 – Shalina’s Story and Background 04:50 – When the Impact Became Clear 08:34 – Letting Go of the Need to Forgive 11:14 – Attachment Styles and Relationship Patterns 15:34 – Separating Identity from Father Absence 20:33 – Self-Compassion and Inner Work 27:15 – Understanding Grief and Emotional Awareness 31:19 – Healing as an Ongoing Process 34:49 – Final Reflections and Encouragement 🌿Call to Action If this episode resonated, you don’t have to hold it alone. ✨ Follow me on Instagram for grounded reflections, healing insights, and gentle reminders IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamalishasheri [https://www.instagram.com/iamalishasheri] ✨ Awaken Your Highest Self – 3-Day Workshop If you’re looking for a clear, grounded introduction to the framework behind this work, this workshop offers gentle structure, guided practices, and orientation — without pressure to go deeper Learn more or register here: https://www.alishasheri.com/workshop [https://www.alishasheri.com/workshop] ✨ Catch us on video at https://youtu.be/AbZLS9xqLfI 👤 Guest Bio + Links Counsellor Shalina: Raised by a single mother who courageously escaped domestic violence overnight, Shalina experienced firsthand the profound effects of abuse, fatherlessness, and intergenerational trauma. These realities shaped her childhood and ignited both deep struggles and a search for meaning experiences that would later inspire her journey toward healing and advocacy. In Shalina’s early life this instilled empathy and determination, especially for women who may have faced the same struggles as herself. Now Shalina works as a counsellor specialising in trauma, fatherlessness, domestic violence, narcissistic/sexual abuse and abortion grief. All of which have been part of her own experiences.  Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/counsellorshalinalodhia [https://www.facebook.com/counsellorshalinalodhia] IG: https://www.instagram.com/counsellorshalina/ [https://www.instagram.com/counsellorshalina/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counsellorshalina/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/counsellorshalina/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@counsellorshalina [http://www.tiktok.com/@counsellorshalina] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SED8official [http://www.youtube.com/@SED8official]