Breaking the Silence with Christina L. Woods
What happens when the “perfect” life you’ve built starts crumbling beneath your feet? At 50 years old, Christina L. Woods faced a life-altering reality—autoimmune issues, anxiety, and the breakdown of her 25-year marriage. Despite a successful corporate career, she couldn’t escape the truth she’d been hiding for years: deep-seated trauma stemming from childhood sexual abuse.
In this emotional episode, Christina opens up about her journey from a childhood of sexual abuse to a life spent hiding pain behind the façade of perfectionism. As the eldest daughter of teen parents in a chaotic household, she learned to survive by excelling at everything. But this coping mechanism, while it served her well for years, eventually led her to physical and emotional breakdowns at 50.
As she transitioned from a high-pressure corporate career to become a clinical hypnotherapist and empowerment coach, she faced the challenge of rewriting her identity and healing the wounds that had been buried for decades. Most notably, she had to learn the revolutionary concept of setting boundaries: “Boundaries became a lesson in what I am available for and how I choose myself first.”
For women who identify with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or burying trauma, Christina’s message is empowering: “It’s not your fault.” Her journey offers practical guidance on how to begin healing, with simple, everyday practices that lead to long-term transformation.
Christina’s story provides hope for anyone carrying the weight of past trauma. It’s never too late to reclaim your life and discover your authentic worth.
For similar stories on overcoming abuse, check out episodes 116 and 126 of Aging With Purpose And Passion.
Ready to break free? Listen now and discover how you can turn trauma into strength and live life on your own terms.
Key Takeaways from Breaking the Silence with Christina L. Woods
| 1:50 | Early Childhood and Growing Up Fast |
| 5:30 | Striving for Perfection and External Validation |
| 6:38 | The Breakdown in Midlife |
| 8:15 | Healing Through Therapy and Self-Compassion |
| 11:15 | Learning Boundaries and Redefining Identity |
| 13:17 | Helping Women Step Into Worth and Wholeness |
| 14:21 | The Power of Support and Letting Go of Secrets |
Early Childhood and Growing Up Fast:
Christina shares the complexities of her childhood, being the eldest of four with teen parents. Amidst divorce, financial hardship, and instability, she took on a caretaker role early in life. Driven to be the “good girl,” she coped through perfectionism and achievement, even while silently enduring trauma, including childhood abuse that she buried deep to maintain stability.
Striving for Perfection and External Validation:
Throughout her youth and early adult life, Christina channeled her energy into becoming the high achiever—homecoming queen, straight-A student, and family role model. Her identity became wrapped around being flawless and pleasing others, always trying to do and be more to earn love and approval.
The Breakdown in Midlife:
In her late 40s, the facade began to crumble. Despite career success and a long marriage, Christina faced autoimmune illness, anxiety, divorce, and disillusionment. These crises forced her to re-evaluate everything she built her life around and brought her into therapy, where long-buried trauma resurfaced.
Healing Through Therapy and Self-Compassion:
Through deep therapy and techniques like EMDR, Christina confronted the childhood abuse she had minimized for decades. This healing journey helped her name and process the shame she’d carried, and begin treating herself with the compassion she had long denied. She speaks candidly about going from denial to acceptance, and the inner transformation it sparked.
Learning Boundaries and Redefining Identity:
One of Christina’s biggest lessons was redefining boundaries—learning to say no, to rest, to prioritize her needs. This marked a total identity shift from self-sacrificing pleaser to self-respecting individual. She now helps other women understand that putting themselves first is not selfish—it’s essential.
Helping Women Step Into Worth and Wholeness:
Christina encourages women to explore the “why” behind their emotional blocks, emphasizing self-awareness, breathwork, and giving themselves even small moments of space. Her message is clear: we are all more capable and worthy than we believe—and we need to give ourselves permission to feel that truth.
The Power of Support and Letting Go of Secrets:
Reflecting on her journey, Christina’s one regret is not seeking support sooner. She urges others not to delay healing out of fear, and reminds listeners that their pain is valid and not their fault. By opening up, they can begin the process of reclaiming their self-worth.
Connect with Christina L. Woods
Connect with Bev:
Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenover50rock
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/
Need advice? Schedule a time to talk: https://calendly.com/reinventimpossible/15min
