Bob Wilkie heard Erin Brown speak at a the Legends Charity Classic in Canmore, Alberta. He knew he wanted to have her on the podcast. Erin is an adaptive athlete and amputee whose story spans childhood bullying, postpartum depression, secondary trauma, and the sudden illness that led to the loss of her leg. Erin recalls growing up in Flin Flon, Manitoba, facing vicious bullying that eroded her confidence and kept her from sports she loved.

She later rebuilt her sense of self working in the mine, moving to Calgary, and eventually becoming a mother—only to be plunged into crisis when her young son nearly died and then, years later, when a minor bike fall spiraled into sepsis and amputation. Erin shares how Rocky Mountain Adaptive, skiing on one leg, deep therapy work, and community helped her rediscover purpose. Her honesty about body image, fear, and resilience offers hope to anyone living with trauma.

Find Erin on Instagram: @brokenbarbie11.

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In this episode of "Tear Off the Tape," host Bob Wilkie and guest Alan Canerva discuss the emotional and psychological toll of trauma. Alan shares his experiences, including childhood traumas like getting stuck in a cave and a bicycle accident, and how these events impacted him later in life. They explore the three hallmarks of trauma: fear, terror, and helplessness, and how witnessing trauma in others can also be traumatizing. Alan introduces the "7Ts" framework for trauma: Tragedy, Theft, Torment, Torture, Tenacity, Treatment, and Triumph, emphasizing the importance of addressing trauma quickly and effectively. He also shares success stories of individuals who have healed from severe trauma, highlighting the potential for recovery at any age. Alan Canerva discusses the prevalence of sexual trauma, noting that two out of five men and one out of three women have experienced it. He emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues and shares his personal journey of gaining respect and better boundaries. Alan offers free 30-minute consultations through his website, inspired.com, and encourages people to reach out for support. He also highlights the significance of creating a vision for future self-improvement, referencing Bob Proctor and Matthew McConaughey. The conversation concludes with a call to action for those struggling with trauma to seek help and improve their lives.

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I shared my life’s arc—from a mobile childhood in Saskatchewan after my father’s business failed, through anxiety and codependency, to finding stability in marriage and raising two children. My mother’s long cancer battle and later death left deep scars, and years later I discovered I carried the same cancer gene, leading to multiple surgeries that changed my body and sense of self. My first husband developed PTSD; his struggle and eventual death upended my family and forced me into grief work. Art—painting, candle-making, and writing—became my refuge and path to self-love, culminating in my book Finding My Fire. I learned the power of boundaries, honest conversations, and group support. I now speak for first-responder families, advocate for education about trauma, and volunteer with veteran and frontline organizations. Today I continue healing, living authentically, and helping others find purpose, resilience, and compassionate strength. I encourage others to explore creative outlets and seek connection for recovery daily.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.