Navigating Life After Traumatic Brain Injury with Jennifer Soames

Forgive Yourself

In this episode, I talk with Jennifer Soames, a traumatic brain injury survivor and advocate who is passionate about helping others affected by TBIs get the information, care, and support they need to live their best life.

Jennifer Soames is a former holistic health practitioner and yoga instructor who has over a decade of firsthand experience navigating life with a chronic, debilitating condition after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a horseback riding accident. She understands the pain, grief, frustration, and loneliness that can come with losing one's sense of self and purpose due to a life-altering trauma. However, Jennifer has also experienced the post-traumatic growth that can arise from these challenges.

"I was angry that I had no control over any of it, and that all this had upended my life and really affected my brain, my body, my business, my family. Like, all of these things that I just had no say in, and I had no culpability in either."

During our interview, Jennifer shares the harrowing details of her TBI journey - from the initial concussion and car accident that followed, to the gradual realization that her "mild" injuries were actually causing debilitating long-term effects. She candidly discusses the difficult decision to close her thriving holistic health practice, as well as the profound grief she experienced during that process. Jennifer also opens up about the forgiveness work she's done with me, including overcoming deep-seated beliefs of not being "enough" that had plagued her for most of her life.

I believe this episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by traumatic brain injuries, chronic illness, or life-altering disabilities. Jennifer's raw honesty and hard-won wisdom provide a beacon of hope, reminding listeners that it is possible to create your "best possible life," even if it looks dramatically different than what you envisioned. Jennifer and I also discuss valuable resources like the Brain Injury Association of America and Jennifer's own book, "Head of Hope: A Resource and Empowerment Guide for Living and Thriving with a Traumatic Brain Injury."

"One myth is that you have to lose consciousness. So people are like, oh, but I didn't get knocked out. Well, guess what? You don't have to be knocked out or lose consciousness to have a brain injury."

For those struggling with the profound loss and grief that accompanies major health challenges, I feel this episode offers a compassionate exploration of how forgiveness can be a transformative tool for reclaiming one's power and self-worth. Jennifer's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that with determination, support, and self-compassion, it is possible to not only survive, but to truly thrive after unimaginable trauma.

To learn more about Jennifer Soames and her work, visit her website at HeadofHope.com. Her book "Head of Hope" is available on Amazon and her site. You can also connect with her through various brain injury support groups on social media.

Thanks again for listening! Please share with someone you know who could benefit from this episode, I appreciate it, and so will they.

Resources:

Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/

Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60

About Jennifer Soames

Jennifer Soames is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor and advocate, author, and former holistic health practitioner and yoga instructor. She is passionate about helping those affected by TBI get the information, care and support they need to live their best life, even with a new normal. She understands firsthand the pain, grief, frustration, loneliness and other challenges of living with a life-altering trauma; chronic, debilitating illness; becoming disabled; losing one’s sense of self and purpose; and the post-traumatic growth that also comes from these experiences. Outside of teaching and writing, Jennifer enjoys being in nature, traveling, and spending time with her husband, family, friends, and animals. She lives near Seattle, Washington.

Jennifer’s Website and Links:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/headofhopeTBI
• IG: @headofhopetbi
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@headofhope
• Website: www.headofhope.com

Brenda’s Website/Links

• Website – https://brendareisscoaching.com/
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Brenda.Reiss.Coach/
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/brendareisscoaching/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/brendareiss1
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendareiss/