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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 brave@angelagillnelms.com.
@AngelaGillNelms
#TraumaHealing
#LeadershipPodcast
#Resilience
#MindsetShift
#EmotionalIntelligence
#VeteranStories
#HealthcareBurnout
#EntrepreneurMindset
#SelfAwareness
#AuthenticLeadership
#PTSDRecovery
#PersonalGrowthJourney
#WomenEntrepreneurs
#EnergyAlignment
#compassionfatigue
@startingabusinesssimplified
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 brave@angelagillnelms.com.
@AngelaGillNelms
#TraumaHealing
#LeadershipPodcast
#Resilience
#MindsetShift
#EmotionalIntelligence
#VeteranStories
#HealthcareBurnout
#EntrepreneurMindset
#SelfAwareness
#AuthenticLeadership
#PTSDRecovery
#PersonalGrowthJourney
#WomenEntrepreneurs
#EnergyAlignment
#compassionfatigue
@startingabusinesssimplified
Creators and Guests
Host
Angela Gill Nelms
Angela Gill Nelms is a founder, board leader, podcaster, and award-winning entrepreneur with a career spanning SaaS, medical devices, biotech, and clinical research. She builds high-impact teams and organizations rooted in culture, resilience, and strategic execution—helping innovators move ideas from lab to market and leaders grow with intention. She hosts three podcasts that reflect her mission to elevate leadership and accelerate biomedical innovation: Badass Leaders Podcast, Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow, and Recovery Advocate Network: Coffee & Conversation. Across each show, Angela creates space for honest conversations that drive impact, reduce stigma, and shape the future of leadership and health. A Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Alumni honoree and INC 500 award recipient, Angela serves on multiple boards across innovation and mental health ecosystems. Outside of work, she’s beekeeping, blacksmithing, turning wood, or training—6× IRONMAN and lifelong advocate for humans being human.
Producer
Katie Hart
Katie Hart is the Senior Client Relations Manager and Executive Podcast Producer at The AGN Group, where she leads podcast production, brand strategy, and client experience from concept to launch. Equal parts creative and operational powerhouse, she guides clients through branding, recording, and distribution while ensuring every detail runs seamlessly. Known as a customer experience magician, Katie is passionate about making every client and guest feel seen, supported, and celebrated—delivering a five-star experience that amplifies bold stories and builds meaningful impact.
What is Badass Leaders Podcast: Leadership, Career Growth, and Company Culture?
Welcome to The Badass Leaders Podcast: Leadership Without the Corporate BS.
This is where real leadership meets real life. Hosted by Angela Gill Nelms, founder, speaker, and executive coach, this show dives deep into the mindset, emotional intelligence, and bold decision-making today’s leaders need.
Each episode delivers raw, actionable strategies on leadership development, team culture, conflict resolution, personal branding, resilience, and navigating high-stakes moments. You’ll hear unfiltered conversations with founders, executives, innovators, and badass humans redefining modern leadership.
🎙️ Perfect for:
• Women in leadership
• Entrepreneurs
• Executive coaching & personal growth
• Leadership skills, communication, & EI
• High-performance teams & conflict mastery
👉 Subscribe to join the movement: @BeBraveBeBadass
Shop Badass Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeBraveBeBadass
#LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BadassLeadersPodcast #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #ConflictResolution #HighPerformanceTeams