53. The Anti-Guru Guide to Healing Yourself with Karena Dawn

What if the anxiety you feel, the mood swings you hide, or the “off” feeling you can’t shake… aren’t just yours to carry but part of a story that started long before you? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Karena Dawn to talk about healing from trauma, rewriting the stories we inherited, and finding peace in the chaos. We explore how movement becomes medicine, how therapy and EMDR help process pain held in the body, and why community and vulnerability are essential to lasting transformation. Karena opens up about her mother’s mental illness, generational trauma, and the moment she chose to live differently—and how that one choice led her to a life of purpose, service, and self-love. If you’ve been holding it all in, this episode reminds you: your story matters, your healing is possible, and you're never too far gone to begin again. ​​Karena Dawn is a wellness entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of The Big Silence, a nonprofit dedicated to ending the stigma around mental health. We Also Discuss: (00:01) Wellness routines or wellness pressure? (03:59) The moment she said: “Enough. I choose healing” (18:47) How yoga and strangers saved her life (23:04) Can anxiety be inherited? Let’s talk generational trauma (29:18) From burnout to breakthrough: choosing self-healing (42:44) What no one tells you about forgiving your past (51:56) Why your story might be someone else’s survival guide Thank You to Our Sponsors: Rooted Academy: Join Rooted Academy by Mona Sharma, a science-backed, community-driven wellness platform designed to help you heal from within. Start your journey to balance, vitality, and lasting transformation. https://www.monasharma.com/rooted Stress Quiz: Answer a few simple questions—honestly! And get a customized healing guide with practical tools to support your well-being.Ready to find your path to stress relief? Take the quiz now at https://www.monasharma.com/quiz OneSkin: Get 15% off your first order with the code MONA at oneskin.co/MONA Learn more about Mona Sharma: Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips. Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation. Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma. Learn more about Karena Dawn Website: https://my.toneitup.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenadawn/ Book: https://thebigsilence.com/pages/memoir