By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Jena Taylor aka The Word Tailor

As a child, Helen Valentino found herself in a world of silent shadows, fraught with betrayal and fear. But now, decades later, she stands empowered, a testament to the healing power of forgiveness. Her story, shared on the Resilience Brilliance podcast with host Jena Taylor, is one of courage, resilience, and transformation.

The Weight of Unspoken Trauma

Helen Valentino, an ex-army nurse and successful entrepreneur, shares a haunting narrative of her early life in East Sussex, England. From the age of eight, following the death of her grandmother, Helen became a victim of sexual abuse by her father. This trauma was compounded by her mother’s implicit complicity, as she turned a blind eye to the abuse, likely out of fear and shame. As Helen recalls, “I think that was almost more painful when I found that out than the abuse, really.” The lack of societal awareness and support at that time left her feeling isolated and confused, struggling to understand her circumstances without the vocabulary to express them.

Finding Solace in Escape

Helen’s journey towards healing began when she left for boarding school at the age of 16. The move was not just an escape from her abusive environment but also a chance to redefine her identity away from the shadow of her father’s actions. Despite challenges like undiagnosed ADHD and bullying, this period marked the beginning of her transformation. Boarding school offered her a new perspective and the opportunity to form meaningful relationships, allowing her to start processing her trauma in a safer space.

The Power of Forgiveness as Medicine

Today, Helen Valentino is a practicing shamanic healer and medicine woman, working with plant medicines such as cacao and mushrooms. Her work emphasizes the role of forgiveness as a tool for healing. “Forgiveness is a powerful medicine,” she shares, highlighting how acknowledging and releasing past pain can pave the way for profound personal freedom. Through her retreats in the woodlands of East Sussex, Helen helps others find their path to healing, encouraging them to move from surviving to thriving.

Resilience in Action

Jena Taylor, host of the Resilience Brilliance podcast, knows firsthand the power of resilience. After a traumatic brain injury left her unable to walk or talk, she rebuilt her life and career, guided by her mantra: Reclaim My Life. Jena’s platform provides a space for stories like Helen’s, offering inspiration and practical tools for overcoming adversity. Their shared mission is clear: to empower individuals to embrace their resilience and reclaim their lives with heart, humility, and humor.

A Journey of Transformation and Hope

Helen Valentino’s story is a powerful reminder that even the most profound traumas can be transformed through resilience and forgiveness. It speaks to the strength of the human spirit and the capacity for healing that lies within us all. By sharing her journey, Helen not only reclaims her narrative but also inspires others to embark on their own paths of healing and forgiveness.

The full episode of Resilience Brilliance is available on OBBM Network TV.