Healing Trauma & Chronic Illness: Vicki Durfee’s Mind Change Transformation
What happens when old trauma doesn’t just stay in the past—but shows up in your body decades later?
In this episode of The Mind Change Podcast, host Heather McKean sits down with Vicki Durfee, who shares her remarkable journey of breaking free from trauma, chronic illness, and the invisible walls that kept her trapped in survival mode.
💔 A Past of Trauma, a Present of Pain
Vicki is a survivor of domestic violence, but years after leaving that chapter of her life, the impact was still running her world. Shame, fear, and emotional triggers followed her into relationships, parenting, and—most painfully—her health.
She developed interstitial cystitis, a condition so severe it required invasive bladder procedures every three months for eight years. PICC lines, ER visits, surgeries—yet no real relief.
📖 A Book That Changed Everything
Her turning point came when a friend handed her the Mind Change book. What started as tentative self-work soon led to surprising shifts: emotional breakthroughs, improved health, and even natural weight loss.
But the biggest leap forward came when she chose herself and signed up for a private retreat in Hawaiʻi during the pandemic.
✈️ The Retreat That Rewired Everything
In a safe and supportive environment, Vicki began releasing deep-seated patterns her body had been holding onto for decades.
The result was nothing short of life-changing:
Her bladder procedures stopped—permanently.
Her marriage moved from tension to intimacy and joy.
She shed 65 pounds naturally, not through dieting but through aligning her choices with self-worth.
Her children and husband were inspired to begin their own Mind Change journeys.
🌱 Beyond Healing: Growth, Love, and Leadership
Vicki’s transformation didn’t stop with her health. She stepped into greater confidence, spiritual growth, and self-love. She joined retreats, became part of the Mind Change intern program, and even launched her own book club to help others begin their healing.
Her story is living proof that healing trauma and chronic illness doesn’t require reliving every painful detail—it requires rewiring the brain and changing how the body holds memories.
🌟 The Takeaway
If you’ve “tried everything” and still feel stuck in cycles of pain, symptoms, or old patterns, Vicki’s story is a reminder:
✨ Healing is real.
✨ Permanent change is possible.
✨ The time to start is now—don’t wait.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation with Vicki Durfee on The Mind Change Podcast:
