The podcast episode “Recovery is Worth the Hard Work” from Giving Voice to Depression highlights Renee’s personal journey of overcoming childhood trauma and depression through extensive emotional and psychological work.
Co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz introduce the episode by emphasizing the importance of sharing lived experiences to offer hope for those suffering from depression.
Renee, who was first featured on this podcast five years prior, reflects on her transformation over the past decade, focusing on group therapy, art therapy, and the hard emotional labor of facing past trauma. She explains how group therapy, where participants share similar experiences, provided validation and support. Art therapy also allowed her to express emotions for which words were insufficient.
Renee candidly discusses how depression, especially in her younger years, led to suicidal ideation and an attempt that resulted in hospitalization. Today, however, she emphasizes that while recovery is difficult, it is possible through hard work. Renee explains how her life and mindset have dramatically shifted, moving from a place of passivity and masking her emotions to becoming confident and proactive in her mental health.
She acknowledges that depression can make hope seem distant but insists that change and healing are achievable if individuals commit to the necessary effort.
The episode stresses that recovery requires consistent work, whether through therapy, boundaries, or other forms of self-care. Renee uses the metaphor of cleaning out a messy closet—healing can be chaotic and painful, but the result is worth the effort. She also notes that her mental health improvements have positively impacted her physical health, highlighting the mind-body connection.
The hosts end by emphasizing that recovery isn’t about simply overcoming depression but about actively working toward change. Through Renee’s story, they encourage listeners to recognize that while the journey is challenging, the reward is a better, healthier life.
Renee’s earlier episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/13540497
