Storm Rises, Part 2: From Losing Everything to Taking Her Power Back

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. Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is proud to be the 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health and the 2024 Women In Podcasting Award Winner for Best Mental Health Podcast . With over 2 million downloads , we’re here to break stigma, amplify real stories, and remind you that you’re not alone. We want to hear what you think. Leave us a voice message or written feedback at: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a 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 Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Love what you hear? Don’t miss a single story. Subscribe to Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads wherever you listen to podcasts. ⭐️ Leave us a rating and review — it helps more people find these powerful conversations. Visit us: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaRecovery #ChronicIllnessWarrior #MedicalGaslighting #WomenEmpoweringWomen #SelfLoveJourney #EmotionalHealing #FluoroquinoloneAwareness #ToxicPositivity #PodcastCommunity #Neuroplasticity #ReclaimYourPower #EmpathProblems #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #InvisibleIllness #SurvivorStories #StormsStory *************************************************************************** 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. 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