Episode Details

Send us Fan Mail

A school shooting. A childhood shaped by addiction and neglect. A brother’s sudden death witnessed up close. Melissa’s story is hard to hear at times, but it also explains something many of us feel and cannot name: trauma does not stay in the past just because we stop talking about it. 

We continue our conversation with Melissa, an RN turned holistic trauma and anxiety coach, as she shares how complex PTSD, anxiety, and grief showed up in her life through nightmares, hypervigilance, risky coping, and a deep sense of self-blame. We also talk about the way trauma can steer our choices, including how working in a pediatric ICU can be meaningful while still keeping the nervous system in constant survival mode. If you have ever wondered why you feel “fine” on the outside but your body says otherwise, you will recognize the mind-body connection in her experience with physical symptoms like IBS, hives, migraines, and chronic stress. 

From there, we shift into healing. Melissa breaks down nervous system regulation in plain language and offers a powerful reframe: trauma is not the event, it is what happens inside you when you do not feel safe, seen, or supported. She challenges the habit of ranking pain as “big T” or “little t,” and we explore why validating your emotions matters, without letting emotions drive the bus. We also discuss meditation, neuroplasticity, somatic work, and how prayer and faith can become part of recovery for some people. 

If trauma, anxiety, PTSD recovery, or holistic healing is part of your world, this conversation will help you feel less alone and more equipped. Subscribe to Words of Wellness, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a rating and review so more listeners can find these stories.

CONNECT WITH MELISSA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holistichealthbymelissa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaArmstrong

holistichealthbymelissa.com

CONNECT WITH SHELLY:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswithshellyj https://www.instagram.com/momswhoflourish
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShellyJefferis 

A few of Shelly's favorite clean products:

High quality, clean nutrition and beauty products: https://shellyjefferis.isagenix

Clean-crafted wine, free from chemicals & pesticides:
https://scoutandcellar.com/?u=healthyhappyhours

JuJu Non-toxic candles & air fresheners:
https://goodjujucandles.com/?ref=mrtgnygh
Coupon code for 10% off: ShellyJefferis

Thank you for listening to the Words of Wellness podcast with Shelly Jefferis. I am honored and so grateful to have you here and it would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to follow, leave a 5-star review and share  the podcast with anyone you love and anyone you feel could benefit from the message.

Thank you and God Bless! And remember to do something for yourself, for your wellness on this day! 
In Health, 

Shelly