From Veteran to CEO: Reinventing Yourself After PTSD | Suzy Wraines | Badass Leaders Podcast| S1 E41

How Trauma, Mindset, and Leadership Intersect: A Powerful Conversation with Suzy Wraines and Angela Gill Nelms

What happens when a military veteran, healthcare professional, and entrepreneur sits down with a leadership expert to unpack the truth about resilience, trauma, and purpose? In this powerful conversation, Angela Gill Nelms and Suzy Wraines dive deep into the real-life journey of healing, self-discovery, and the mindset shifts that define modern leadership.

From growing up in Alaska to serving in the military and navigating the emotional toll of transitioning to civilian life, Suzy shares lessons on identity, self-awareness, and the cost of compassion fatigue—especially in veterinary medicine and healthcare entrepreneurship. Together, they explore how trauma impacts leadership, why regulating trauma isn’t the same as resolving it, and how energy alignment influences success and relationships.

The discussion also tackles questions many leaders and entrepreneurs are asking:
- How does trauma affect decision-making and leadership?
- What’s the real difference between regulating vs. resolving trauma?
- How can healthcare professionals transition into entrepreneurship without burning out?
- Why is self-awareness the foundation of authentic leadership?
- How can accountability and structure accelerate growth in your first year of business?

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, veteran, or emerging entrepreneur, this conversation reveals how to build resilience, reclaim identity, and lead with authenticity. It’s a must-listen for anyone asking how to turn trauma into transformation and lead with courage, clarity, and compassion.

Key Takeaways:
- How Trauma Impacts Leadership—and How to Heal From It
- Why Self-Awareness Is the Most Underrated Leadership Skill
- The Hard Truth About Transitioning From Military to Civilian Life
- What Every Entrepreneur Gets Wrong in Their First Year
- The Difference Between Regulating and Resolving Trauma
- Why Compassion Fatigue Is Silently Burning Out Healthcare Workers
- How to Build a Strong Foundation for Long-Term Success
- How Curiosity Without Judgment Unlocks Personal Growth
- The Power of Authenticity: Why True Leaders Put Self-Care First
- How Accountability and Community Beat Entrepreneur Isolation

Themes: trauma healing, leadership, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, resilience, personal growth, veterans’ transition, healthcare burnout

Mentioned this Episode:
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: https://www.amazon.es/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748 
- Trauma Energetics Coaching — Suzy’s certification and current modality

Learn more about Suzy at:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzywraines/
- Website: http://www.startingabusinesssimplified.com
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@startingabusinesssimplified
- Podcast: https://www.startingabusinesssimplified.com/podcast
- Free Video Series: https://www.startingabusinesssimplified.com/5-steps-landing

Keywords:
resilience, military experience, PTSD, self-discovery, entrepreneurship, healing, Alaska, identity, trauma, leadership, mindset, leadership, entrepreneurship, trauma, health coaching, veterinary medicine, self-awareness, trauma energetics, personal healing, healthcare professionals, healthcare coaching, business structure, GAP planning, accountability, authenticity, conflict resolution, energy alignment, leadership, personal growth, entrepreneurship

About Angela:
Learn more about Angela at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.

About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time.Learn more at www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email [e-mail].

 @AngelaGillNelms

#TraumaHealing
#LeadershipPodcast
#Resilience
#MindsetShift
#EmotionalIntelligence
#VeteranStories
#HealthcareBurnout
#EntrepreneurMindset
#SelfAwareness
#AuthenticLeadership
#PTSDRecovery
#PersonalGrowthJourney
#WomenEntrepreneurs
#EnergyAlignment
#compassionfatigue

 @startingabusinesssimplified ​

What is Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, Badass Leaders?

Welcome to the Badass Leaders Podcast: Brave Hearts, Brave Conversations, and Badass Leaders. Industry experts join host Angela Gill Nelms for intimate and eye-opening discussions about the challenges and joys facing today's leaders. Listen in, and get ready to scale your company, grow your brand, and unlock your full badass potential. Guests include authors, CEOs, Fortune 500 advisors, serial entrepreneurs, heads of global marketing, nonprofit leaders, and educators. You'll discover new insights in every episode. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out!

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email [e-mail].

You can learn more about The AGN Group and its services on its website: www.TheAGNGroup.com. Learn more about the podcast at www.BadassLeadersPodcast.com.

About Angela:
Angela Gill Nelms is a trailblazer for building exceptional companies and teams. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The AGN Group and Recovery Advocate Network. She has held the position of Chief Operations Officer at Aetos Imaging, RenovoRx, and Florence Healthcare. With a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech, she has mastered navigating the FDA, leading diverse teams, and ensuring that customers and patients are always the top priority.

Angela is a passionate advocate for mental wellness and diversity. She is the CEO and co-founder of Recovery Advocate Network, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Through this organization, she addresses resource disparities for individuals with mental health disorders, trauma, and identity challenges. In addition, she hosts the Coffee and Conversation Podcast to educate the community and reduce the stigma around mental health and wellness.

She shares her lessons learned around the country in keynote speeches, coaching, and team-building workshops. Learn more about Angela at www.AngelaGillNelms.com.

About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. We offer keynote and panel speaking, leadership and team-building workshops, fractional and management consulting, brand and storytelling services. Email us at [e-mail] to connect. Learn more at www.TheAGNGroup.com.

#BeBraveBeBadass #BadassLeadersPodcast #BraveHeartsBraveConversationsBadassLeaders #TheAGNGroup

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