Guest: Priscilla Quezada, Founder of Powerful Authentic Queen (PAC)
Content Warning: This episode discusses domestic violence, sexual abuse, and trauma. Listen at your own pace.
In this episode, Priscilla and Robrenna discuss:
Takeaway: Love should not hurt. Healing takes time and consistency. Be compassionate with yourself; it does get better.
Support Resources:
My Grandmother's Hands Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem MSW Licsw
Break the Cycle, A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma by Dr. Mariel Buqué
What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
TheHotline.org 800.799.SAFE (7233) (Domestic Violence Hotline)
RAINN.org Call 800.656.HOPE (4673)
Love is Respect (Teen Dating Violence) 1.866.331.9474 Text LOVEIS to 22522
Connect with Priscilla:
Powerful Authentic Queen Facebook: Facebook
PowerfulAuthentic Queen Instagram:Instagram
PowerfulAuthentic Queen YouTube
PowerfulAuthentic Queen Spotify Playlist
Connect with Robrenna:
Connect with Robrenna:
hello@reclaimingherresilience.com
Facebook: Reclaiming HER Resilience
Instagram: Reclaiming_HER_Resilience
Reclaiming HER Resilience is executive produced and edited by Robrenna Parker.
This podcast is published by RHR Media Co. Where voice is honored, and the story unfolds.
RHR Media Co. is the publishing and media arm of Reclaiming HER Resilience, LLC, creating story-centered media that honors voice, restores agency, and invites women back into authorship of their own lives.
For those of you hanging with me
on my pivot, I wanna say thank you.
2
:I'm trudging through,
but I'm making it happen.
3
:Thank you for your patience
and for your support.
4
:Before we begin, a gentle note.
5
:This episode includes discussions on
domestic and sexual abuse, which may be
6
:activating or tender for some listeners.
7
:Please listen at your own pace.
8
:You are always welcome to pause,
step away and come back when your
9
:body feels ready or not at all.
10
:This conversation is offered for
reflection and support and it's not
11
:a substitute for professional care.
12
:If at any point you need immediate
support, please reach out to a trusted
13
:person or a local support resource, and
I will have resources in the show notes.
14
:Welcome back, reclaiming Women.
15
:I am your story coach and host Parker.
16
:February is Teen Dating Awareness,
teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
17
:This episode was recorded in October, and
these conversations, as we know, don't
18
:expire, so we are naming the importance.
19
:Of disrupting early, abuse
and harmful patterns, and it
20
:is a necessary conversation.
21
:My guest, Priscilla Ada of powerful,
authentic queen, and yes she is.
22
:Well, today we're talking about
breaking generational cycles of abuse,
23
:including domestic and sexual abuse.
24
:And, uh, these are patterns that
often move quietly through families.
25
:And communities shaping how we relate,
survive, and make meaning of our stories.
26
:We discuss recognizing how abuse lives
in our bodies and our stories, and
27
:we're telling the truth about how our
bodies adapt to survive abuse due to
28
:the failure of people and systems.
29
:Priscilla is breaking the silence
around generational harm and imagining
30
:what healing and interruption.
31
:It can look like for ourselves,
and for those who come after us.
32
:Take what resonates.
33
:Leave the rest.
34
:Let's dive in.
35
:Robrenna: Thank you so much for
joining us today, Priscilla.
36
:We really appreciate you taking the
time to sit down with us and tell
37
:us a little bit about your story.
38
:Priscilla: Thank you.
39
:Thank you for having me.
40
:Robrenna: why don't you tell
us a little bit about yourself.
41
:Priscilla: Yeah, my name is Priscilla,
Priscilla, ADA, and I am founder of, I
42
:like to abbreviate things, so I always
say pac, but it stands for Powerful
43
:Authentic Queen, and it's a brand
empowering woman that have been sexually
44
:abused and gone to domestic violence
to reclaim their power after trauma.
45
:Mm-hmm.
46
:Um, and oftentimes, like the
number one question I get is why,
47
:you know, that specific niche.
48
:Um, and unfortunately due to
personal experience, Which I'm
49
:sure we'll probably get into
50
:Robrenna: Yep.
51
:Our
52
:Priscilla: conversation.
53
:But that's just a, um, a little bit about
me and as we, you know, get further into
54
:the conversation, I can elaborate more on
why I started powerful, authentic queen.
55
:Robrenna: Yep.
56
:That sounds great.
57
:Now I, um, yeah, I appreciate
you sitting down and talk to me.
58
:'cause one of the things that we do,
so I'm, I'm just gonna let my listeners
59
:know if they, if I hadn't mentioned it
before, that I like to do preliminary.
60
:Conversations with my guests.
61
:Um, I do it to make sure that we
are in alignment, um, and that we
62
:are both a good fit for each other.
63
:And when I, when we first sat down
and had our conversation, I was just
64
:really impacted by your generational
story and how your generational story.
65
:Um, also led you into your very personal
story and what you have been through.
66
:So I kind of wanted to start
with that, with, uh, what I
67
:like to call the origin story.
68
:So can you share a little bit about
your early experiences and your growing
69
:up and how your family shaped the
way you understood the relationships?
70
:Priscilla: Yeah, absolutely.
71
:Um.
72
:And it's, it's interesting.
73
:I, I believe in alignment a lot, right?
74
:And I, um, because October is
domestic violence awareness month,
75
:I was invited to do a talk, um,
like on stage here in Nashville.
76
:I'm located in Nashville, Tennessee.
77
:Um, and I shared that, and I'm like, one
of my very first memories as a child is
78
:seeing my mom in danger, seeing my mom in.
79
:A domestic, you know, like
violence, uh, relationship.
80
:But it wasn't romantic.
81
:It was with a family member.
82
:Robrenna: Mm.
83
:Mm-hmm.
84
:Priscilla: And I was three years old
and I remember when I shared this
85
:with my mom, she's like, oh my God, I
can't believe that you remember that.
86
:'cause you were so little.
87
:Mm-hmm.
88
:Um, in the Dominican Republic.
89
:Mm-hmm.
90
:And yeah, that's, so that's like
one of my very first like traumatic
91
:memories of seeing my mom, you
know, being in danger and me just
92
:feeling like frantic and scared.
93
:'cause I sensed that my mom was in
danger, although I was so little.
94
:Mm-hmm.
95
:So like very first memory that
I have at such a young age.
96
:And then I was sexually abused, um, around
the age of like five, six years old.
97
:Um, so that was another moment
in my life where very young,
98
:another traumatic experience.
99
:Um, and then that caused for my three
brothers and myself to be placed in the,
100
:uh, New York City care foster system.
101
:Hmm.
102
:Um, and I always say, luckily for
us, we didn't last long because
103
:we had family members that stepped
in to become legal guardians.
104
:Um, so, but still that
I, I still remember it.
105
:I don't know if my two younger
brothers remember it as much.
106
:Um, but I remember going from like a
family's house to a family's house.
107
:And then after that, you know, um, my
grandmother became my legal guardian.
108
:But growing up I saw, um.
109
:Just very toxic, abusive
relationships on both sides.
110
:So on my mom's side, anytime that I
was visiting my mom, um, and then I was
111
:raised by my grandmother and my father.
112
:So I saw abusive, like toxic
relationships on that end as well.
113
:So I felt like any place that I
was in it is just, I, I saw that.
114
:So I saw that growing up and you know,
once you start seeing those things like
115
:that growing up, when you, when I started
dating, when I was of age, I started
116
:repeating those same patterns, right?
117
:Because that's.
118
:I kind of all I knew and it was for
me, it was like, oh, that's kind of
119
:the way somebody shows you that they
love you by being like controlling.
120
:'cause if you're just not like being
controlling and wanting to know like
121
:what I'm doing and you know who I'm with
and all this other stuff, then like, you
122
:don't love me, you don't care about me.
123
:Um, so I, it was, yeah.
124
:Robrenna: So you saw jealousy.
125
:Someone jealousy, po.
126
:Jealous, possessive controlling
was actually meant that
127
:that person cared about you.
128
:Yes.
129
:And if they weren't that way,
they didn't care about you.
130
:Priscilla: Yes.
131
:Robrenna: Mm-hmm.
132
:Priscilla: Wow.
133
:Yeah.
134
:It was like, do you not care about me?
135
:Like, do you not?
136
:You know, and it was, and obviously now
after doing the intensive work that I've
137
:been doing and I'm like, whoa, what are,
that was like one of my red flags, right?
138
:Like thinking that that was love.
139
:But again, that's what I grew up.
140
:Um.
141
:And I'm not trying to say that like,
you know, maybe my mom and, and my
142
:grandmother and other women in my life
didn't tell me, Hey, that's not love.
143
:But it's hard to like believe
it when somebody's telling you
144
:one thing, but their actions
are showing you something else.
145
:Right.
146
:Because it's like, mm-hmm they're
telling me this, but yet you're in a
147
:relationship that is abusive and toxic.
148
:Mm-hmm.
149
:Like
150
:Robrenna: mm-hmm.
151
:Priscilla: Made them make sense.
152
:'cause it's not making sense.
153
:Robrenna: Right.
154
:They were actually modeling what you
thought relationships should look like.
155
:And then also your very first memory
you said you, you remember about
156
:your mother was her in danger.
157
:That right there was already, uh,
an imprint on your nervous system.
158
:On your cognitive belief systems.
159
:You are already thinking your
first memory's already danger.
160
:Priscilla: Mm-hmm.
161
:Robrenna: And harm and hurt.
162
:Uh, and so that trauma, you
just carried it with you.
163
:Um, one of the things you said too,
'cause you were talking about how the
164
:impact of generational trauma, how it
influenced, um, your later relationships,
165
:but one of the things that we really
talked about too is you had mentioned
166
:that not just romantic relationships,
but within your family there was
167
:a lot of violence with each other.
168
:So tell me about a little bit
about that and then how you came
169
:to the point where you were like.
170
:Um, I, I, I want something different
like this does, this isn't right.
171
:So first tell me a little bit about what
was going on in the family, the, the
172
:violence and the generational trauma
and how, how far back, if you know,
173
:how far back do you think that went?
174
:Priscilla: Well, the generational trauma,
I mean, the more I do my work and I'm
175
:able to have, you know, maybe those like
tough conversations with my mother, um.
176
:I also read a, um, a book that I'm like
drawing a blank on, on the name of it
177
:I can share with you after the podcast.
178
:And maybe you can include it like
in the captions or something.
179
:Robrenna: Mm-hmm.
180
:Priscilla: Um, it talks about
how generational trauma even
181
:starts before like you're born.
182
:And for women it's embedded in
like our, you know, the eggs.
183
:So my mom experienced trauma in her
adolescent years and you know, when she
184
:was in relationships, she also experienced
trauma while she was pregnant with me.
185
:Mm-hmm.
186
:And I know.
187
:She mentioned that, um, she was, you
know, like hit and, and, and kind of
188
:abused when she was pregnant with me.
189
:So it's like I was already
experiencing all that trauma
190
:before I was even, you know, born.
191
:Robrenna: Mm-hmm.
192
:Priscilla: So, yeah, I come from a lot
of that generational trauma and I've
193
:been trying, like, my heart is to, to
heal, to be the, the generational healer.
194
:Um mm-hmm.
195
:And it's a lot
196
:Robrenna: of cycle breaker.
197
:Mm-hmm.
198
:Priscilla: Yes.
199
:Robrenna: Do you wanna be the cycle
breaker of the generational, I'm sorry?
200
:You wanna be the cycle breaker
of the generational trauma?
201
:Priscilla: Yes.
202
:I, I'm trying so hard.
203
:Um, and it's a lot of work.
204
:It's a lot of unlearning to, to
relearn, um, and know what healthy,
205
:uh, love looks like in relationships
and even in family relationships.
206
:Um, but to answer your question,
I just saw a lot of, I come from a
207
:family that they don't know how to
use their words, and it's just like
208
:when they don't know how to use their
words, they, they express themselves by
209
:like, oh, you're not understanding me.
210
:I'm going to physically
like make you understand.
211
:Robrenna: Mm.
212
:Mm-hmm.
213
:Mm-hmm.
214
:Priscilla: Yeah.
215
:And then like I said, it took me
a really long time to understand
216
:like, okay, that's not okay.
217
:Like I don't care that you're losing
your cool, like you need to have
218
:the self-awareness to be like, okay,
I'm about to lose my cool, where
219
:I'm going to like physically, like
maybe like, you know, harm you.
220
:Mm-hmm.
221
:Let me take a break.
222
:Let me walk away and then we
can have this conversation when
223
:I'm like more like levelheaded.
224
:Robrenna: Mm-hmm.
225
:Mm-hmm.
226
:Priscilla: But if I'm being completely
honest with you, uh, it's still tough
227
:because some of them are just like,
no, this is the way I am and I'm just
228
:going to, you know, react the way I
react and you have to deal with it.
229
:I'm like, no, I don't.
230
:Robrenna: Yeah, I know that, um, you
and I, we have a similar story about,
231
:uh, like my mother also had a lot of
trauma in her life, um, through her
232
:whole growing up, and she also was
harmed while she was pregnant with me.
233
:So I, you and I share that, like
the, it was already, the trauma was
234
:already there and like you said.
235
:Uh, it's epigenetics.
236
:Were at least seven generations.
237
:It can be passed down and like you
said, it's within the woman's eggs.
238
:I would it, which is crazy, but
I know one of the books that I
239
:read was my grandmother's hands.
240
:Um, uh, Rema Menkin, I think
is how you say his name.
241
:But he basically kind of talks about
that too, uh, how generational trauma
242
:is passed down, passed down, passed
down, and it's already, uh, within us.
243
:but what was a moment where you
said, 'cause you said that you are
244
:now trying to break that cycle.
245
:Okay.
246
:First I wanna go back to when you were
in some of those romantic relationships.
247
:you said that you had a
series of relationships that
248
:were basically the same.
249
:You, they, they were basically abusive.
250
:So like same guy,
different face basically.
251
:Um, so what kind of made you realize.
252
:Okay, I don't want this anymore.
253
:Or even realize, hey, these
relationships are the same, and
254
:how do I get outta this pattern?
255
:Priscilla: Um, to answer how
that, I don't want this anymore.
256
:I've never wanted it.
257
:I remember being a little girl and even
in those moments, I'd be scared, right?
258
:And, um, I would tell myself, I'd be
like, in my room or maybe like, if I
259
:wasn't in my home and it was in another
place, I'd be like in a corner or scared.
260
:And I'm like, this is never gonna be me.
261
:This is never gonna be me.
262
:Mm.
263
:I'm never gonna be in a
relationship with Amanda.
264
:That doesn't value me.
265
:And.
266
:And like, care about me.
267
:Mm.
268
:Um, and then when I'm in these
relationships, it was kind of like
269
:Priscilla, like you, you told little
Priscilla that this will never
270
:be you, and then here you are.
271
:Robrenna: Mm.
272
:Same.
273
:Yes.
274
:Priscilla: Yeah.
275
:It was, it was tough.
276
:Robrenna: Mm-hmm.
277
:And I misspoke.
278
:I didn't, when I said, uh, that you
decided I don't want this anymore.
279
:I misspoke.
280
:I don't think any woman.
281
:Wants to be in an abusive relationship.
282
:And I, but I do think that we get
to a point in a relationship where
283
:we're like, I can't do this anymore.
284
:I can't be in this relationship.
285
:And so it's kind of interesting that
you're like, I like that you said
286
:I never wanted it, that I remember
when I was little and I was afraid
287
:and now I'm an adult and I'm feeling
the same way I did when I was little.
288
:And um, I spoke about that
before, that recognition piece.
289
:Within your body that says,
Hey, wait, this is familiar.
290
:This doesn't feel safe.
291
:It feels like I did at x, Y, Z
point, and I shouldn't be here.
292
:And I really appreciate that.
293
:You've said you told yourself when you
were little, I'm not ever gonna do this.
294
:Um, same with me and I, there's so many
aspects of my mother's story that I
295
:have relived, um, that I didn't realize
until when I was outta my marriage.
296
:And I was like, oh my goodness.
297
:Like she went through these
exact same things, including
298
:when she left the homelessness.
299
:I went through the same thing.
300
:And so it is interesting
how it's not an intent.
301
:We don't intend to get into those
situations, but they have been.
302
:Uh, modeled or we see it happening
and it is familiar and unfortunately,
303
:a lot of times we go to what's
familiar, even if it's painful.
304
:Yeah.
305
:And we don't want to be there.
306
:Um, so I really appreciate you, uh,
correcting that and saying that.
307
:So what was the moment for you,
um, where you said, uh, these
308
:relationships are painful and abusive.
309
:And violent, my family.
310
:Um, some of my family members are
abusive and violent and I just
311
:think there's something different.
312
:There's a different way to be.
313
:What, what was the point
that got you to that?
314
:I.
315
:Priscilla: Um, my family I've struggled
with, uh, because I've been raised,
316
:you know, like family is everything.
317
:Uh, blood is, uh, thicker than water.
318
:So that one has taken me a little longer
to be like, okay, I, I love you, but I
319
:gotta love you from afar because I want
different and we just aren't in alignment.
320
:What do you think it's right
and acceptable in your life?
321
:I don't.
322
:So again, I have to love you from
afar, but relationship wise, it was.
323
:Until, I wanna say like my
third abusive relationship.
324
:And I also wanna say that domestic
violence is not just physical.
325
:Like domestic violence can be
emotional, mental, spiritual,
326
:financially, um, verbally, you know?
327
:'cause sometimes we
328
:Robrenna: sexually
329
:Priscilla: Sexually as well.
330
:Thank you.
331
:Um, because I, and also by me sharing
my story, I talk to women sometimes.
332
:They're like, oh, I didn't realize
that I was in a, in a domestic violence
333
:relationship 'cause he never hit me.
334
:But it's just like everything else.
335
:Like he controlled my finances,
he didn't let me work.
336
:Um, I, he took the car away
from me, like just that control.
337
:Robrenna: Mm-hmm.
338
:Priscilla: So I always like to say
that because sometimes people are like,
339
:oh no, I, you know, I didn't get hit.
340
:And I'm like, that's not the
only way domestic violence shows.
341
:Um, but for me, in my relationships
was it wasn't until like the third one.
342
:And I was just like, okay, this again,
I felt like I was on a hamster wheel and
343
:repeating these patterns and I'm like,
like I had to check myself at that point.
344
:And I'm like, what is it about me?
345
:Robrenna: Mm-hmm.
346
:Priscilla: That I like me maybe
being attracted to these men, right?
347
:Like, avoid it.
348
:And, um, the conversations we were
having before, like starting this,
349
:uh, podcast recording and like that,
that love addiction and then like,
350
:being drawn to like men that aren't
emotionally available, um mm-hmm.
351
:So it wasn't until like I had that like
reality check with myself and then I was
352
:just like, I need to just not date and
work on myself so that way I can attract
353
:better and just have the confidence
in myself that I can pick up these red
354
:flags a lot easier and set the boundaries
and not negotiables to be able to like.
355
:Cultivate just healthy
relationships all around me.
356
:Whether it's family, friends,
romantic, like all around me.
357
:Robrenna: Mm.
358
:I don't love that
359
:Priscilla: like, last relationship
that I was like, okay girl,
360
:this is, this is too much.
361
:Robrenna: Mm.
362
:Mm-hmm.
363
:I love that.
364
:I love that because that's part
of the breaking the cycles.
365
:Um, like when people feel trapped, uh,
and you're repeating those patterns.
366
:I really like that you said I
had to look within myself and
367
:say, what is happening here?
368
:what is happening here that I am
drawing into this and sometimes.
369
:Um, people can deceive us into believing
that they're different than they actually
370
:are, and then we're in the relationship
and then all of a sudden they change.
371
:And so there are those times where
that occur too, but it's also
372
:good to look within ourselves
and say, what's going on here?
373
:and do I want something different?
374
:And if I want something different,
what can I do differently?
375
:And what areas inside of me do
I need to heal so that I won't
376
:continuously abandon myself?
377
:And self abandonment happens in those,
um, domestic violence, uh, relationships.
378
:And I appreci I appreciate
you, uh, confirming that.
379
:Not everyone's journey looks the same
in domestic violence relationships.
380
:It's not always in your face.
381
:Sometimes it's very subtle and builds
over time and doesn't always have
382
:to have a, a physical aspect to it.
383
:but what people don't understand
your physical in your.
384
:Your emotional pain, your
body feels it the same.
385
:And so pain is, pain is pain.
386
:And if you're in a relationship that's
bringing you a lot of pain, it's, it's
387
:a time for a reevaluation 'cause, and
this is a good thing to say, 'cause Yes.
388
:You said like right now while we're
recording it, it's um, domestic violence
389
:awareness month and love should not hurt.
390
:That's primary.
391
:Priscilla: Great.
392
:Robrenna: So you talked about how
you said, I wanna kind of get to
393
:know me 'cause I'm kind of where you
are, where you were right now too
394
:with the no dating, and we kind of
talked about that a little bit too.
395
:How I wanted to get to know me and what
is it that I want, what is it that I need?
396
:And the only way I could do that for
a period of time was to heal some of
397
:my wounds and to search within myself.
398
:Of like, how, how do I do my best
not to attract this type of person?
399
:Or, um, how do I just not abandon myself
and listen to myself in relationships?
400
:Like I pay attention to certain things and
don't try to talk myself out something.
401
:Uh, 'cause I've, I've
personally, I've done that.
402
:Uh, to myself also,
403
:And not saying that every, like, you're
a magnet, you know, that type of thing.
404
:But there is an imprint of trauma that
we are accustomed to, as we spoke about
405
:earlier, that's familiar and sometimes
draws us into those relationships.
406
:Other times, like we said,
it's someone who is decept.
407
:Deceptive in the initial getting to
know you, and then they all of, all
408
:of a sudden flip and they change into
a different person and you're kind
409
:of in the relationship and, um, and
they create that trauma bomb where
410
:you're always trying to get back to
the nice person that you were with.
411
:Before.
412
:And so you're staying in it 'cause
you, oh, well I know there's good
413
:in him 'cause he was like this.
414
:And so you're still always trying
to get back to that person.
415
:Priscilla: Younger generation's doing now.
416
:Robrenna: Yeah.
417
:Priscilla: Like yes girl, that
418
:Robrenna: Yes.
419
:But that person that you know
right now, that's that person.
420
:And so.
421
:You don't have to try to get back to
him, if anything, get back to you.
422
:And so I'm curious of what you did
as far as healing practices, like
423
:what practices, support, resources,
um, that have been most meaningful
424
:to you in your healing journey.
425
:And also, I don't think we
mentioned, we mentioned that you
426
:also, you currently working, uh, at
a domestic violence organization.
427
:Is that correct?
428
:Yes,
429
:Priscilla: yes.
430
:Uh, I'm a little bit of a workaholic,
so I, I do a lot of things, but yeah.
431
:One of them is I do work at a
domestic violence shelter, um,
432
:for the Middle Tennessee area.
433
:Um, and then I'm also a case manager
where I work with, um, a lot of,
434
:uh, families from Latin America that
are coming to the United States.
435
:And I help them like, you know, with
resources and, um, but a lot of them
436
:come from, from trauma as well, whether
it's sexual abuse, domestic violence,
437
:um, or other like sorts of, uh, trauma.
438
:Robrenna: Mm-hmm.
439
:And that's very important work
too, because sometimes they don't
440
:know where to go to get the help.
441
:And it could, it could have
other consequences if they
442
:start looking for help.
443
:what resources were helpful for you
as you were kind of moving out of this
444
:and, and trying to make the decision
of how can I help myself more and
445
:think about myself and not abandon
myself in these types of relationships?
446
:Priscilla: Yeah, so therapy,
uh, talk therapy has always
447
:been, uh, something for me.
448
:Um, I've been in talk therapy since
my early, younger years, um, after
449
:experiencing child sexual abuse.
450
:Um, but with that therapy
was always like on and off.
451
:Like I would start it, then I would stop.
452
:Um.
453
:I did also have a therapist in,
in moments of my life where I
454
:felt like it wasn't working.
455
:'cause I know I've heard that a lot
of people are like, I go to therapy
456
:and it's just like, it's not working,
it doesn't do anything for me.
457
:Mm.
458
:Um, so I definitely recommend to
like search, search for somebody
459
:that you feel comfortable with.
460
:Some, somebody that you feel like,
okay, this person does have the
461
:resources to help me overcome whatever
it is that I'm trying to work on.
462
:and for me, that was when I moved
to Florida and I went to, uh.
463
:UCF, the U, university of Central
Florida, and they had mm-hmm.
464
:A therapist, well, a lot of
different therapists on campus.
465
:It was like part of your tuition.
466
:So I was like, let me
take advantage of this.
467
:Um, and that's when I found my therapist
that like changed everything for me.
468
:Um, and she helped me and she
introduced me to like EMDR and tapping.
469
:Um, and she, you know, suggested
like meditation and breath work.
470
:And I share all that
because it has worked.
471
:But I also like to say like,
keep trying, like, don't give up.
472
:Because I remember the first time
I did breath work, I was like.
473
:This didn't do anything for me.
474
:I'm like, what is this?
475
:I just couldn't, like, I'm very anxious
and my mind is just always going,
476
:so I couldn't like quiet my mind.
477
:Mm-hmm.
478
:So it's like, don't give up.
479
:Don't, you know, like
lose faith, like keep, uh.
480
:Keep at it and keep trying or like
try different, you know, breath
481
:work, uh, mentors and guides.
482
:Mm-hmm.
483
:But those are some of the
things that help for me.
484
:Um, I also like a lot of like self-help.
485
:So reading books, I mean, my therapist and
other professionals that I've met along
486
:the way have recommended resources to me.
487
:Mm-hmm.
488
:Mm-hmm.
489
:Um, two books that I swear
by if people want to like,
490
:um, start reading, um mm-hmm.
491
:Is the Body Keeps the Score.
492
:Robrenna: There we
493
:Priscilla: go.
494
:Yeah.
495
:And then the other one
is what happened to you?
496
:Robrenna: Mm.
497
:That was good too.
498
:Mm-hmm.
499
:Priscilla: That one's a great book.
500
:Mm-hmm.
501
:So those two books, like literally
I was like, and like I just felt
502
:like, oh my God, it makes sense.
503
:Like everything that I'm experiencing
and even how you mentioned how trauma
504
:stored in the body and it's just
like, yeah, I'm talking about it.
505
:I'm going to therapy, but why am.
506
:Feeling anxious.
507
:Why am I still kind of
feeling depressed sometimes?
508
:Why do I feel like this knot in my
stomach or my chest feels heavy?
509
:Um, so all those things, and it's just
like understanding how trauma is stored
510
:in your body and it shows up for you.
511
:Mm-hmm.
512
:Um, so those are definitely like
resources that have helped me.
513
:Robrenna: Yes, I will put those
resources in the show notes.
514
:And, um, I am a body, uh,
somatic practitioner also.
515
:I've had training through the Embody
Lab and almost all of my sessions I do
516
:some sort of body work with my clients.
517
:Usually I start with the grounding, uh,
to get them just in their present moment,
518
:you know, leave everything else behind
you while we're in this space together.
519
:But a lot of breath work.
520
:Uh, visual meditation, like all
of those things because you are
521
:retraining your nervous system.
522
:Every time you, you are calming, you're
doing that breath work, you're slowing
523
:down your system, slowing down your
amygdala, which is your fight, fight
524
:system, and so it's giving your body
a chance to absorb something new.
525
:It's giving your mind a chance
to slow down, to be able to
526
:understand or to think more clearly.
527
:And so I am encouraged to hear that you've
had people that directed you to the body.
528
:'cause as you said, it's
all, it's stored in the body.
529
:It's stored in the body, and we can
talk about it and think about it.
530
:All we want.
531
:And those are very good because
I've also, myself personally, been
532
:through cognitive behavioral therapy,
which was a game changer for me.
533
:But also I did tapping then I,
when I went through the Embody
534
:lab for training, I went.
535
:Because I needed it, like
I needed it for my body.
536
:And so, yeah, it is so helpful.
537
:I'm really glad that, uh, you
mentioned that, that that was
538
:like game changer for you.
539
:where do you feel or where do you find
resilience to keep moving forward?
540
:Um, even when it felt overwhelming.
541
:Priscilla: Oh, that's a good question.
542
:Um, I found resilience,
honestly, in wanting better,
543
:but also just having faith.
544
:Having faith that it was going to
get better because I'm relentless
545
:and I'm not giving up even on the
days that I feel like giving up.
546
:Even on the days that I woke up and
I'm just like, ugh, like I feel heavy.
547
:I, you know, I'm depressed.
548
:I don't have the
motivation to do anything.
549
:I just wanna like lay in bed all
day and not talk to anybody like.
550
:And it was just like, I'm not
helping myself by, by doing that.
551
:And I also like to say like,
show yourself grace, because you
552
:are gonna have those moments.
553
:You are gonna have a moment where you're
just like, listen, it's been a week.
554
:I don't wanna talk to anybody.
555
:I don't wanna like, you
know, get outta bed.
556
:Like you're maybe just in your PJ's all
day and you're like in your like, show
557
:yourself and give yourself that grace.
558
:But also have like, you know.
559
:The will and the power to
be like, I want better.
560
:What can I do?
561
:Like, let me move forward
and just take it day by day.
562
:Um, and that's how I started in my faith.
563
:I'd be like, okay, this is how I feel.
564
:I'm having the self-awareness of my
emotions, but you know, I'm a, I'm
565
:a believer in, in God and in faith.
566
:And I'd be like, God, please give me
the strength to get through today.
567
:Mm-hmm.
568
:Gimme that, gimme the
strength to get through today.
569
:And like little by little it
starts getting better and actually
570
:like implementing the things
that I'm learning and using the
571
:resources that are available to.
572
:Available to me.
573
:And with time it, it gets better.
574
:Um, if you're anything like me
where you're very impatient and you
575
:wanna see results like yesterday
576
:Robrenna: mm-hmm.
577
:Priscilla: I stress that
like, it takes time.
578
:It takes time.
579
:Healing is not like, you know,
you fe reach a final destination.
580
:It's a rollercoaster ride.
581
:You have your low days, your
high days, your inbetweens.
582
:Um, but I promise.
583
:I promise, I promise.
584
:If you do the work and you stay
consistent, it does get better.
585
:Robrenna: Mm-hmm.
586
:Love it.
587
:So we did talk a lot about generational
trauma, uh, today, and I'm wondering
588
:as you think about the next generation,
whether it's in your family or
589
:within community, uh, or women
listening, uh, what, what is it that
590
:you hope this story offers them?
591
:Priscilla: Oh, another great question.
592
:What do I honestly, I, I hope
that it, it inspires hope in
593
:them that it does get better.
594
:That it can get better.
595
:That, um, my and my hope and my desire
is that anytime I share my story, I
596
:can impact even if it's just one woman.
597
:Right.
598
:I know we've mentioned that at
the beginning of this podcast.
599
:Mm-hmm.
600
:Or maybe prior to
601
:Robrenna: it.
602
:Yeah.
603
:That was our intention.
604
:We set an intention before we started
recording, and it was that one woman.
605
:Would be impacted at least one woman.
606
:Priscilla: Yeah.
607
:I mean, and that has
always been my mission.
608
:Even when I started sharing my story
and I started, um, and I funded,
609
:uh, PAC powerful, authentic queen,
and that's still my, my mission.
610
:I'm like, even if it's just one woman that
is like, oh my God, she shared her story.
611
:She comes from, you know, all this
trauma, but look at where she's at
612
:now, and if she can do it, I can do it.
613
:If it can get better for her,
it can get better for me.
614
:And it can, and I, I don't like to lie.
615
:I am very transparent.
616
:I'm not gonna say it's.
617
:Easy 'cause it's not right.
618
:But I promise you, if you stay
consistent and you have that faith and
619
:you remain to that faith that it is
getting better because you are doing
620
:the work, like it does get better.
621
:So
622
:Robrenna: mm-hmm.
623
:Priscilla: Hope, I hope that
they are left with that.
624
:Robrenna: That's wonderful.
625
:So what part of your life, um, are
you reclaiming or have you reclaimed?
626
:Priscilla: You are hitting me
with all these amazing questions.
627
:Um, what I'm reclaiming, uh, I guess a
little bit of what we had talked about
628
:in the beginning, just that generational
healing and generational wealth.
629
:I'm also very ambitious.
630
:I want generational wealth for
not only myself, but for my
631
:family, my nieces and my nephews.
632
:Because I don't ever want
money to be an issue.
633
:I don't ever.
634
:Mm-hmm.
635
:And also coming from seeing my
mom in experiences where she's,
636
:it's like she couldn't really
necessarily leave because of that.
637
:Right.
638
:Because it's like she didn't have
the money to go somewhere else.
639
:She, yeah.
640
:She's like, where I gonna go?
641
:Um, and that, like, anytime I think
about that, like, it like just pisses
642
:me off and I'm just like, mm-hmm.
643
:I don't ever want.
644
:That to be an issue.
645
:So like I'm very determined to
build this generational wealth.
646
:Mm-hmm.
647
:Um, so yeah, I'm reclaiming that recla,
uh, reclaiming our power, um, and
648
:Robrenna: love it.
649
:Power, um, generational wealth
and, uh, intergenerational healing.
650
:Love it.
651
:Well, to end, um, I'd like to guide
you through a breath and affirmation.
652
:Um, if you are willing to do that with me.
653
:Priscilla: Yes, of course.
654
:Robrenna: Okay.
655
:so let's just, gently take a
moment here and, we're just
656
:gonna do an inhale together.
657
:exhale, and then we'll follow
it with, an affirmation.
658
:And then I'd ask you to have a
grounding word that you would
659
:like to leave the listeners with.
660
:Okay.
661
:Okay.
662
:So we're gonna take a deep breath.
663
:We're gonna breathe in.
664
:we'll do a six count through our nose.
665
:We'll hold for three seconds, and then
we'll do a eight count through our mouth.
666
:Okay?
667
:Yep.
668
:So let's do a breathe in.
669
:6, 5, 4.
670
:3, 2, 1, hold, two, one.
671
:Exhale.
672
:6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
673
:One.
674
:Okay.
675
:And we're gonna just breathe a
little in, but take a deep breaths.
676
:We just breathe in a little bit.
677
:We'll give our affirmation.
678
:And for this one, uh, we're gonna, uh,
talk about that we are worthy of love.
679
:So we're gonna breathe in.
680
:I am worthy of love.
681
:And again, I am worthy of love.
682
:And Priscilla, what word would you like
to leave our listeners to carry forward?
683
:Priscilla: Courage.
684
:Robrenna: Mm.
685
:Priscilla: Courage to take that
first step to a life that they're
686
:happy to wake up to every day.
687
:Robrenna: Hmm.
688
:Mm.
689
:I love it.
690
:Amen.
691
:Thank you so much, Priscilla.
692
:Um, I also would like to, if you want
to share how, uh, interval listeners
693
:can contact you or connect with you.
694
:Priscilla: Yes, uh, I am active,
uh, I wanna say on all social
695
:media platforms, but there's so
many different apps nowadays.
696
:So on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram,
TikTok, YouTube, um, my personal
697
:pages on those, you can find
me by my name, Priscilla Ada.
698
:Um, if you're interested in learning
more about PAC and just following
699
:the mission with that, and like those
stories and like the talks that I
700
:do, it's powerful, authentic, queen.
701
:And I also have a website,
powerful authentic queen.com.
702
:where it has all my social
media links on there as well.
703
:Robrenna: All right.
704
:I will put all the
links in the show notes.
705
:Thanks for joining us, Priscilla.
706
:Remember, take courage with you today.
707
:Priscilla: Thank you.
708
:Robrenna: You can find information
about today's guest in the show notes.
709
:If something you heard today
stirred recognition or softened
710
:something within you, allow yourself
a moment to pause and breathe.
711
:Reclaiming her resilience is executive
produced and edited by me or Brina Parker.
712
:If this podcast encourages
you, I invite you to follow,
713
:subscribe, or leave a review.
714
:This podcast is published by RHR Media Co.
715
:Where voice is honored
and the story unfolds.
716
:RHR Media Co is the publishing and media
arm of reclaiming her resilience, LLC,
717
:creating story centered media that honors
voice restores agency, and invites women
718
:back into authorship of their own lives.
719
:Your story matters and you're not alone,
and it deserves to be held with care,
720
:consent, and choice until we meet again.
721
:Take gentle care.