In this deeply powerful episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast, host Melissa Crook sits down with Suzy Ryan—author, educator, Ironman athlete, and SCAD survivor—to explore the layers of healing, resilience, and purpose that rise from even the darkest traumas.
Suzy shares her journey from surviving Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection and personal trauma to becoming an award-winning teacher and author of Saving Summer, a novel created to give students hope and a sense of empowerment. Her insight into turning pain into purpose is an inspiring reminder of what it means to choose healing and victory over victimhood.
💬 In this episode:
How trauma impacts identity and resilience
The importance of storytelling in healing
Empowering students through empathy and connection
Suzy’s survival journey with SCAD
From victim to victor: re-authoring your life
The healing power of literature and education
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions around sexual assault and trauma. Listener discretion advised.
Triumph Over Trauma
SCAD Survivor Story
Suzy Ryan Author
Trauma Healing Journey
Empowering Trauma Survivors
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection
Healing Through Storytelling
Student Trauma Awareness
Mental Health in Education
From Victim to Victor
Emotional Recovery Podcast
Trauma-Informed Teaching
Inspirational Survivor Stories
Healing Through Writing
Women’s Empowerment After Trauma
#FEELPodcast
#TriumphOverTrauma
#SuzyRyanAuthor
#SCADSurvivor
#SavingSummerBook
#TraumaHealing
#EmpowerThroughStory
#EmotionalResilience
#WomenWhoInspire
#MentalHealthAwareness
#TraumaSurvivorSupport
#FromVictimToVictor
#HealingJourneyPodcast
#StudentEmpowerment
#ResilientWomen
Ways to Engage: Throughout the episode, Suzy says that she changed her mindset by becoming “unoffendable.” What did the word mean to you before listening to the episode, and what does it mean to you after listening? How can you implement this idea into your everyday life that can affect it for the better? Track your ideas and progress from this so you can look back and see how far you’ve come.
Timestamps:
Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:49 )
Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 11:34 )
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 19:26 )
Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 33:43 )
Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 38:09 )
Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 49:33 )
Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 1:03:24 )
Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 1:06:47 )
5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:09:32 )
5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:11:14 )
Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis
