Ep 48. From Trauma to TEDx: How Cristina P. Simmons Turned Grief, Cancer & Infidelity Into a Platform That Heals Other Women

What does it look like to walk through the fire — and come out restored? In this powerful episode of Mommas Who Lead, host Laura Caroffino sits down with bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and trauma-informed occupational therapist Cristina P. Simmons to talk about the kind of resilience most people never show the world.

Cristina opens up about losing four children to a rare genetic syndrome, surviving a tumor in her femur that nearly cost her a leg, navigating infidelity in her marriage, and raising a son on the autism spectrum — all while battling severe anxiety and functioning depression from unprocessed trauma.

But this isn't just a story of survival. It's a story of restoration.

In this episode, you'll hear:

* What "functioning depression" actually feels like from the inside — and why so many moms are living it without knowing it

* How Cristina went back to school for her master's degree at 39 — in the middle of all of it

* The miracle Christmas night phone call that changed everything

* Why people-pleasing costs you more than you think — including yourself

* How unhealed wounds become patterns in your leadership, your parenting, and your marriage

* The 3 things every mom needs to hear about self-care, trials, and speaking her truth

* What the vagus nerve has to do with your anxiety — and how to regulate your nervous system today

* How Cristina's book Eat Your Feelings hit #1 on Amazon in five categories