Living with Complex PTSD: What It Looked Like for Me

Free Spirit Academy Podcast

In this episode, I share a personal look at how Complex PTSD has shown up in my life — from disordered eating and chronic pain, to a critical inner voice, self-harm urges, and long stretches of isolation.

We’ll also talk about what Complex PTSD actually is, how it’s different from PTSD, and why understanding our adaptations is so powerful. Because what looks like being “messed up” or “weak” is often just our body’s best attempt to help us survive.

If you’ve ever struggled with shame, overwhelm, or feeling broken — my hope is that you’ll see yourself with more compassion, and know you’re not alone.

Toward the end, I’ll share how life feels for me now after years of intentional healing work — more regulated, more connected, and honestly, often delighted to be alive.

In this episode, I cover:

• What Complex PTSD is (and how it differs from PTSD).
• How chronic stress can shape identity, motivation, and self-acceptance.
• The ways C-PTSD showed up in my own life: disordered eating, shutdown, inner criticism, pain, self-harm, and isolation.
• Why adaptations are not weaknesses, but survival strategies.
• What’s different for me today after years of healing.

Resources & Links:

• Explore Rituals for a Free Spirit - a $19 mini-course with bite-sized practices to help you find relief and regulation, even when life feels overwhelming.
• Complex PTSD by Pete Walker
• The Complex PTSD Workbook by Arielle Schwartz

Links:
Work with Rande

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