Abuse can take different forms—it can be mental, emotional, or physical. The heartbreaking part is, most of the time, it comes from the people we love and who are very close to us. Many women are going through or have survived traumas like domestic violence, emotional manipulation, betrayal, and divorce. These traumas take a significant toll on a person's self-esteem and cause a lasting feeling of loneliness and unworthiness.
This week, we're joined by Miki Sturges. Miki is a life coach and an expert in the field of resilience and survival from domestic abuse. She established a company called the Rise Up, Women Movement, where she aims to empower, encourage, and inspire women in conquering challenges from abuse. Today, she shares her story and more with us.
Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and make sure that you tune in to this episode to know more about the cycles of shame and abuse and the steps you need to take to break that cycle.
Let's go through a brief rundown of this episode:
(02:11) Miki talks about her journey and how she became a life coach.
(08:16) Leaning into your fear.
(09:13) Miki shares about her healing from an abusive marriage. "I put up the facade, I was very confident at my job, but when I went home, I was this little person, worth nothing."
(14:06) The cycle of abuse.
(20:02) How the fear of leaving effects women in an abusive marriage and why it's not easy to leave.
(21:41) Transforming beliefs.
(25:50) Emotional and verbal abuse cuts through your core.
(26:55) The cycle of shame.
(29:36) Learning to get through your subconscious.
(34:10) Miki shares how the need to protect her son was the biggest jump in finding the courage to leave her abusive husband.
(36:55) We live in a patriarchal society, and that plays a significant role in perpetuating abuse.
(40:17) The importance of having support in escaping and recovering from abuse.
(47:55) You are not responsible for anyone else's feelings.
(49:00) What is angel syndrome?
(52:15) Approaching a relationship in a healthy marriage.
(56:47) Freeing and forgiving yourself from thoughts of the past.
(1:03:48) The Rise Up, Women Movement.