How Writing Can Open Up New Worlds of Opportunity and Healing, with Laura Khoudari, Trauma-Informed Speaker, Author, and Personal Trainer

A lot of people who write a nonfiction book start out very focused on the information that they're sharing and what the reader will get out of it—and that's great. But what they might not know at the outset is that the act of writing itself can open up totally new worlds of opportunity for us as creative beings, and even bring us closer to ourselves and help us heal our own wounds. 

Today's guest describes herself as a "closeted writer of personal essays" since adolescence. It wasn't until she set out to write a how-to book at the age of forty that she found the courage to share her creative side with the world. And now there's no stopping her. Laura Khoudari is a pioneer in trauma-informed strength training and the author of Lifting Heavy Things: Healing Trauma One Rep at a Time. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, Buzzfeed, Upworthy, Elephant Journal, and many other outlets. In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the “no pain, no gain” gym-mindset isn’t helpful when working through trauma in your body or your writing—and why it’s important to go slow.
• How to listen to your body and identify your feelings. (Is it anxiety or excitement?)
• Why opening yourself up to feedback is critical to writing a good book.
• How to incorporate trauma-informed mindfulness into your writing practice. 
• How to set boundaries around your privacy as an author. (You might not necessarily need to “spill your guts" to deliver your message.)

For more, check out:
laurakhoudari.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press

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