What happens when survival becomes your default — until your body says “no more”?

In this powerful episode of Suddenly Different, financial advisor and Ironman triathlete Amanda Thompson shares her harrowing and inspiring journey through domestic violence, financial trauma, and rebuilding from rock bottom.

After collapsing during a morning run and waking up in a cardiac ward, Amanda discovered she had blood clots from a violent attack a year earlier — hidden scars her body could no longer carry in silence. What followed was a full-body reckoning: with trauma, with denial, and with a lifetime of endurance pushed to its limit.

Amanda speaks with fierce clarity and compassion about:

• The different faces of domestic abuse — including coercive control and financial restriction

• The guilt, shame, and silence that keep women trapped

• Why money is never just money — and how to reclaim your financial voice

• How to begin again — with courage, planning, and support

This is a raw, wise, and deeply human conversation about turning survival into sovereignty.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence, trauma, and psychological abuse. Please listen with care.

🎧 Guest: Amanda Thompson
💼 Founder, Endurance Financial
📘 Author: Financially Fit Women
🌐 Website: www.endurancefinancial.com.au
🔗 LinkedIn: Amanda Thompson
📩 Speaking enquiries: amanda@endurancefinancial.com.au

• Amanda’s “suddenly different” moment and life-threatening collapse

• Financial abuse and how it’s often disguised as “care”

• The impact of coercive control, gaslighting, and identity erosion

• What it means to become your own CFO: Confident, Focused, On top of your Finances

• The link between physical endurance and emotional resilience

• Why we need to teach our daughters — and sons — differently

• How Amanda helps women step into financial autonomy without shame

• From silence to storytelling: the power of owning your truth

If you or someone you know needs support:

• 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732

• Lifeline – 13 11 14

• Financial Counselling Australia – 1800 007 007

• Women’s Legal Services – [Check your state directory]

• Share it with someone who might need it

• Leave a review or rating on your favourite podcast app

• Connect with us at leigh-annesharland.com or follow Suddenly Different on Instagram

📌 Spotify Show Notes🔥 Topics We Cover:📞 Support Services (Australia)🗣️ If this episode speaks to you:

What if you were asked to write your own eulogy — not once, but twice?

In this deeply honest episode of Suddenly Different, Leigh-Anne Sharland sits with Ashley Jo Janssen, author of Tides of Great Waves of Grace, to explore the moment that radically changed the trajectory of her life.

During addiction recovery, Ashley was asked to write a eulogy as if her life had ended due to substance abuse. Later, she was asked to write a second eulogy — one that reflected a long life shaped by sobriety, healing, forgiveness, and truth. Placing those two eulogies side by side revealed something undeniable: two possible endings, and one powerful choice.

In this conversation, Leigh-Anne and Ashley explore:

• How trauma and unresolved grief shape coping mechanisms

• Why self-forgiveness is one of the hardest and most essential parts of recovery

• The difference between surviving and truly living

• The role of family, faith, and community support in healing

• Why sobriety is not just about abstaining, but relearning how to feel

• And how choosing a little “razzle dazzle” — joy, presence, and intention — can be an act of rebellion and hope

Before you listen, a gentle note: this episode includes references to addiction, grief, and recovery. Please take care and pause if it becomes heavy.

If you’ve ever felt caught between who you’ve been and who you could become, this episode is a reminder that the pen is still in your hand.

Because even after destruction, redemption is possible.
And even after the storm, life can be Suddenly Different.

For more information about Ashley Jo here are the links

website: https://www.thisisashleyjo.com/

book: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FV134LCV/

Also available on Kindle Unlimited

⚠️ Trigger Warning:
This episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

Silence is not neutral.
Silence is where abuse hides.

In this powerful and unflinching episode of Suddenly Different, I’m joined by Fur Wale, award-winning speaker, founder of SHE Talks, and ambassador for Project Karma.

Together, we break the silence around child sexual exploitation and trafficking — crimes that continue to thrive in secrecy, stigma, and social taboo.

Fur speaks with raw honesty about:

• The global and local reality of child exploitation

• Why silence protects perpetrators and isolates victims

• How grooming, abuse, and trauma hide in plain sight

• The long-term nervous system and identity impact of childhood sexual abuse

• Why speaking openly is not just healing — it is protective

We also explore what ordinary people can do to help protect children, how survivors can reclaim voice without re-traumatisation, and why awareness must lead to action.

This conversation aligns deeply with my advocacy around Taking the Boo out of Taboo — because when we name what is hidden, we reduce its power.
When we speak truth, we create the possibility of safety, justice, and healing.

If this episode brings up difficult emotions, please don’t carry them alone.
In Australia, support is available via Lifeline (13 11 14) or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
International listeners can find local support at findahelpline.com.

To learn more about Fur’s work, visit shetalks.com.au.
To support or learn about Project Karma’s work in rescuing and rehabilitating children, visit projectkarma.org.au/what-we-do.

Because silence is the abuser’s shield — and voice is how we begin to dismantle it.