<p>In <strong>Part 2</strong> of our two-part conversation with <strong>Storm</strong>, 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.</p> <p><strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> is proud to be the <strong>2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health</strong> and the <strong>2024 Women In Podcasting Award Winner for Best Mental Health Podcast</strong>. With over <strong>2 million downloads</strong>, we’re here to break stigma, amplify real stories, and remind you that you’re not alone.</p> <p>We want to hear what you think. Leave us a voice message or written feedback at:<br><strong><a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></strong></p> <p></p> <hr> <h3><strong>Mental Health Quote of the Episode</strong></h3> <p><strong>"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</strong></p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>What This Episode Is About</strong></h3> <p>In this continuation of Storm’s journey, we dive into what happens <em>after</em> you’ve lost everything — your health, your child, your marriage, your career, and your voice — and how one woman chose to rise.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> mental health recovery, chronic illness survivor, toxic relationships, trauma healing, female empowerment, fluoroquinolone toxicity, self-worth, manifestation, emotional resilience</p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Meet Our Guest – Storm</strong></h3> <p><strong>Storm is a survivor, a storyteller, and a force of nature.</strong> 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.</p> <p>But she refused to stay down.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>She isn’t just weathering the storm. She is the storm.</strong></p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h3> <ol> <li>Why Storm refused to stay down after losing her son, parents, and partner</li> <li>How grief, anger, and loss can fuel a comeback</li> <li>What “toxic positivity” is and why it’s harmful to healing</li> <li>The importance of building a support circle that truly sees you</li> <li>Why it’s okay not to be okay — and to say so out loud</li> <li>Storm’s thoughts on love, trust, and dating after narcissistic abuse</li> </ol> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Actionable Items</strong></h3> <ol> <li><strong>Find your fire.</strong> Rediscover the thing that makes you feel alive — creativity, movement, music, anything.</li> <li><strong>Start small.</strong> Tiny checkboxes, such as “take a shower” or “go outside,” can help rebuild a routine.</li> <li><strong>Avoid toxic positivity.</strong> Surround yourself with people who let you speak your truth.</li> <li><strong>Reclaim your voice.</strong> Whether through writing, music, or therapy, your story matters.</li> <li><strong>Rethink your circle.</strong> Be around people who make space for your healing, not your silence.</li> <li><strong>Prioritize self-care.</strong> It's not optional — it’s survival.</li> </ol> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>References Mentioned</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Fluoroquinolone toxicity & black box warnings</li> <li>Cipro-induced mitochondrial damage</li> <li>Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome</li> <li>MTHFR genetic mutation</li> <li>Medicaid’s critical role in medical recovery</li> <li>Neuro