“Moving is medicine. There's something with moving that you don't need to know why or how, or how it relates to your emotions or trauma. And just like how trauma rewrites pain, it is also the opposite when you feel safe, embodied, and in a compassionate relationship with yourself, you can rewrite your story for safety.” —Donna Piper

Sometimes pain isn’t just in your head—it’s woven deep into your body, shaping how you move, feel, and even how you see yourself. When life keeps telling you to “push through” but your body keeps shutting down, it’s easy to wonder if you’re missing something bigger. What if the real story behind your pain is hiding in places you haven’t looked yet?

From childhood migraines to years of being dismissed by doctors, Donna lived through the confusion and frustration of chronic symptoms. This week, Donna breaks down how trauma gets trapped in your tissues and why real healing starts with listening to your body’s truth.

Hit play and discover the real link between trauma and pain, the science of fascia, connective tissue, and why your body might be stuck in survival mode, myth-busting truths, practical advice on finding safety and community, and a simple fascial release exercise you can try today—so you can finally start rewriting your own story.

Connect with Donna:

Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper

Episode Highlights:

01:47 From Childhood Migraines to Movement Specialist

09:28 The Connection Between Trauma and Chronic Illness

12:02 The Role of Movement and Trauma Therapy

15:32 The Impact of Trauma on the Body

29:43 Practical Tips for Healing and Safety

33:19 Addressing Trauma for Overall Health

Resources:

🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I’d love to hear from you!

Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to [email protected], and you just might hear your answer on the show.

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Your body remembers what your mind tries to forget. This week, Donna gets real about pain, trauma, and healing by letting your body feel safe first.

#DearBodyImListeningPodcast #Lymphedema #lipedema #MCAS #ChronicIllness #TraumaSupport #TraumaRecovery #SelfCare #ConnectiveTissue

Quotes:

03:24 "The body carried the secrets the mind couldn't always speak." —Donna Piper

05:20 "I learned to tough it out, to keep going, and to push through. I thought that was strength, and that was my only option if I wanted to be present in my life." —Donna Piper

10:04 "Until my body really, really broke, I had to face the truth that there was something I was missing." —Donna Piper

11:23 "Trauma doesn't have to be a big thing that came down. A significant distressing event is something your body holds on to and creates trauma." —Donna Piper

13:21 “Moving is medicine. There's something with moving that you don't need to know why or how, or how it relates to your emotions or trauma. And just like how trauma rewrites pain, it is also the opposite when you feel safe, embodied, and in a compassionate relationship with yourself, you can rewrite your story for safety.” —Donna Piper

19:35 "The connective tissue is the scaffolding of the body… When trauma happens and doesn't get discharged, fascia reacts, it tightens, hardens, and knots up, and that restriction can last for years and even decades." —Donna Piper

22:16 "The body really needs to feel safe for any sort of trauma work to happen. We think we can force our way through, but all that really does is create more defenses." —Donna Piper

33:44 "You're not broken, you're not lazy. There's nothing wrong with you. Your body has just been carrying stories, and these stories can be rewritten." —Donna Piper

Meet Your Host:

Donna Piper is a Relationship Coach, Trauma Expert, and Akashic Records Healer dedicated to empowering successful single women to transform their love lives and attract fulfilling partnerships without sacrificing their professional ambitions.

With a holistic approach blending therapeutic coaching, trauma-informed techniques, and Akashic Records wisdom, she guides clients to release limiting beliefs, heal emotional blocks, and cultivate unshakable self-trust. Her work focuses on aligning mind, body, and spirit to create lasting change—helping clients refine communication, deepen self-worth, and build the foundation for healthy, loving relationships.

Donna’s sessions are a safe haven for those ready to break cycles, embrace vulnerability, and design a love life that harmonizes with their thriving careers. For women committed to both personal and professional fulfillment, she offers tailored strategies to unlock their full potential and step into the relationship of their dreams.