Unlock Inner Strength: Carla Calderas' Journey

If you’ve ever wondered whether you really have the strength within you to heal from the hardest parts of your past, this episode is for you.

I sat down with Carla Calderas—therapist, coach, retreat leader, and author of the brand-new book Healing Is Within You—for one of the most heartfelt and practical conversations we’ve had on Love & Trauma: The Real Deal.

Carla’s healing journey began when she was just 14 years old. Facing poverty, sexual abuse, and deep loneliness, she made a decision that changed everything: she wasn’t going to let her past define her. That moment set her on a path to becoming a teacher, counselor, and eventually, founder of Calderas Counseling and co-founder of the Calderas Self-Care Center, where she now leads retreats and workshops that help people reconnect with themselves and others.

And her story? It’s proof that healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence.

🌱 What We Talked About

In our conversation, Carla shared:

• How the coping armor we build after trauma can protect us—but also keep us disconnected.

• The difference between therapy and coaching, and how to know which you need.

• Simple, real-life steps to regulate your emotions and start rebuilding self-trust.

• The three “women” from her book—Nancy, Gabby, and Victoria—and the powerful truths each one represents for anyone navigating anxiety, depression, or disconnection.

📚 Books & Resources Mentioned

• ✨ Healing Is Within You by Carla Calderas — A guide blending personal stories and professional insights to help readers learn from the past, find compassion, and step into a future they love.

💛 The Real Deal: My 3 Biggest Takeaways

1️⃣ Healing starts with looking back—with compassion, not judgment.
Like Carla said, we can’t just shove the past into a box and hope it disappears. True healing happens when we look at what happened, learn from it, and reframe it with empathy. When we choose compassion over criticism, we stop reliving the pain—and start releasing it.

2️⃣ Self-trust is built in the small things.
Carla reminded us that big transformation starts with tiny promises. It’s not about massive leaps—it’s about showing up for yourself in the small ways: drink the extra glass of water, take the five-minute walk, have that uncomfortable but honest conversation. Every small act of follow-through rebuilds your confidence that you can count on you.

3️⃣ You’re already whole.
This one hit me straight in the heart. Healing isn’t about adding more—it’s about peeling away the layers that pain built. You don’t have to earn your worth or prove you’re enough. You already are.

🌻 Why You’ll Want to Watch

Carla brings this mix of clinical insight and lived experience that makes everything she says land. She’s walked the road, she’s done the work, and now she’s helping others remember that healing is already happening—inside them.

🎬 Watch the full episode: [WATCH NOW]
📘 Grab Carla’s book: https://www.carlacalderas.com/

✨ Final Thought

Healing isn’t about chasing something outside of you. It’s about remembering what’s already within you.

If this episode speaks to you, share it with a friend who’s on their own healing journey. Because when one of us heals, we all grow a little stronger. 💛