<p>In this powerful episode of <em>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</em>, we talk with trauma survivor, speaker, and Author <strong>Melissa Osorio</strong>, who shares her raw and deeply moving journey of rediscovering her childhood trauma and healing through <strong>ayahuasca</strong> and intentional self-work.</p> <p>As a <strong>2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health</strong>, a <strong>2024 Women In Podcasting Award Winner for Best Mental Health Podcast</strong>, and with over <strong>2 million downloads</strong>, we’re proud to keep amplifying real, unfiltered stories like Melissa’s.</p> <p>🎧 We want to hear from YOU! Leave us written or voice feedback here:<br> <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></p> <p>We’ve been nominated again — in the <strong>Adam Curry</strong> and <strong>Health</strong> categories of the Podcast People’s Choice Awards! Vote for us before <strong>July 31, 2025,</strong> at:<br> <a href="https://www.podcastawards.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.podcastawards.com/</a><br> (Use a valid email — they’ll verify it!)</p> <hr> <p><strong>Mental Health Quote</strong></p> <blockquote>“You don’t have to heal all at once—just show up for yourself, one small step at a time.”</blockquote> <hr> <p><strong>What This Episode Covers</strong><br> In this episode, we explore:</p> <ul> <li>How suppressed trauma shapes adult identity</li> <li>What ayahuasca is—and isn’t</li> <li>The path from personal breakdown to community healing</li> <li>The importance of safe spaces for trauma processing</li> <li>How healing your past transforms your present and impacts future generations</li> </ul> <strong>SEO Keywords:</strong> mental health podcast, ayahuasca healing, childhood trauma recovery, Melissa Osorio, psychedelic therapy, hidden memories, trauma integration, self-compassion, healing retreats, Rythmia Costa Rica, women’s healing stories, reclaiming your life <hr> <h3>Meet Our Guest – Melissa Osorio</h3> Melissa Osorio is a trauma survivor, speaker, entrepreneur, and author of <em>Hidden Memories: Discover What’s Blocking You From Life and Love</em>. After unlocking long-buried memories of childhood abuse triggered by the sudden death of her father, Melissa found profound healing through <strong>ayahuasca</strong>. Today, she helps others reclaim their wholeness by teaching at <strong>Rythmia</strong>, a life advancement retreat center in Costa Rica. <p>Website: <a href="https://melissa-osorio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://melissa-osorio.com</a><br> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissaosorio_remembers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/melissaosorio_remembers</a></p> <hr> <h3>Key Takeaways</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Healing isn’t linear</strong> — Grief and growth go hand-in-hand.</li> <li><strong>Your body remembers what your mind forgets</strong> — Trauma is stored physically and spiritually.</li> <li><strong>You don’t have to be where you’ve always been</strong> — Sometimes, the most significant healing starts with a single step in a new direction.</li> </ul> <hr> <h3>Actionable Tools From This Episode</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Practice Self-Compassion Daily</strong>: Start your morning by saying one kind thing to yourself out loud.</li> <li><strong>Choose Community Over Isolation</strong>: Join a healing circle, retreat, or online support group—even if it feels scary.</li> <li><strong>Educate Yourself on Trauma</strong>: Read Melissa’s book or others that explain the neuroscience behind trauma and healing.</li> </ul> <hr> <h3>Episode Chapters & Timestamps</h3> 00:00 – Intro and Welcome 01:07 – Melissa's journey from the East Coast to San Diego 04:23 – The moment everything changed: “You don’t have to be here anymore.” 10:46 – Melissa’s early life, family secrets, and childhood in Venezuela 15:22 – Discovering Rythmia and ayahuasca 18:56 – Remembering the trauma and understanding hidden memories 24:29 – The grief cycle and navigating acceptance 28:04 – Life after the retreat: What integration means 33:36 – Finding purpose through healing and becoming a teacher 41:47 – Healing later in life and how it helps your family too 46:19 – Advice to your younger self & reclaiming your essence 49:43 – Melissa’s tools for self-love and daily care <hr> <h3>References</h3> <ul> <li><em>Hidden Memories: Discover What’s Blocking You From Life and Love</em> by Melissa Osorio</li> <li>Rythmia Life Advancement Center – <a href="https://rythmia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://rythmia.com</a></li> <li>Cast Feedback – <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></li> <li>Vote in the 2025 Podcast People’s Choice Awards – <a href="https://www.podcastawards.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ht