Description

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Survival isn’t the same as living.

In this powerful episode, Anna Marie Lopes—domestic violence survivor and founder of Brave + Free—shares her journey of moving beyond stress, fear, and silence to reclaim her life. With raw honesty, Anna reveals the hidden patterns of trauma, the toll of toxic dynamics, and the strength it takes to rebuild.

Her story is one of scars turned into strength, and survival transformed into leadership. Today, she empowers others through Brave + Free, a safe haven for survivors, challenging stigma and building community.

If you’ve faced trauma, isolation, or wondered how to find your way back to self, Anna’s story offers hope and a reminder: you are not alone.

About Anna Marie Lopes:

Anna is a domestic violence survivor, advocate, and winner of Mental Health Hero of the Year. Through Brave + Free, she creates a safe space for survivors to heal and thrive, while challenging the stereotypes that silence them.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How survival mode impacts stress and wellbeing

• Why toxic dynamics are hard to escape

• The role of isolation and community in healing

• What it takes to rebuild identity and trust

• How giving back can become a route to healing

Time Stamps:

00:00-02:13 Meet Anna Marie Lopez

02:14 - 05:20 Surviving as a way of life

05:24 - 06:18  Enduring Stress and 

06:18 - 08:50 Going Beyond Stress 

08:51 - 09:59 Finding Your Baseline

10:00 - 11:56 When Stress & Trauma Overspills

11:56 - 12:08 Finding Safety in Stress

12:09 - 15:32 Patterns, Trust, Domestic Violence

15:32 - 17:57 Navigating Toxic Dynamics 

17:58 - 24:00 Isolation, Speaking Up & Finding Community 

24:01 -34:00  Escaping for Safety

34:00 - 39:20 The Journey Back to Self

39:20 - 46:30 Giving Back as a Route to Healing

46:30 What’s next for brave and free

This episode proves that healing is possible—and that freedom after trauma is not only possible but powerful.

Be sure to follow Anna’s work here:

https://www.instagram.com/iambraveandfree/ 

https://braveandfree.co/trauma-coaching 

Free Gift: Rediscovering Yourself After Abuse Workbook: https://braveandfree.co/rediscoveringyourself