Check Out Susan Snow’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Snow.

Hi Susan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story started when I was 17. It was Halloween night of 1985. It started in Canoga Park, California. My dad was a LAPD Detective who was ambushed and killed when he was picking up my then 6 yr. old brother from his church school daycare. My mother and I were called to the school where we witnessed his body and the aftermath. That night started my journey living with PTSD. After a failed experience with therapy at 17, I lived in fight,flight , freeze and fawn. I masked every day for 14 years hiding behind what others told me I was, brave or strong. I lived many years pretending to be someone I wasn’t. I lived with internal turmoil, depression, anxiety and at times suicidal ideation. I married in 1990, and now I had two small kids when we decided to leave Southern California and start a new life in Colorado. I worked as a master stylist in Greenwood Village and was working on April 20,1999 when I took a small break, went to turn on our small television, only for the live coverage of the Columbine shootings to come on, I was faced, in that moment,flashbacks of the night my father was killed. I didn’t know what to do as I stood there feeling the same emotions I felt at 17, but instead of acknowledging my emotions, I chose to mask my pain and finish my day like it didn’t affect me. It did, as soon as I left the salon to go home, every symptom of PTSD came flooding back. I once again was facing my mortality. My husband saw the masking and new I was not in a good place, so he met me at the door one morning and gave me an ultimatum, get help or he would put me in a hospital. I chose to surrender and seek help, which led me to the trauma therapist that changed my life, gave me hope and showed me that I could heal. After many years of mental health working through my trauma, I made the decision to write a memoir to help others needing that same message of hope and healing. My memior The Other Side of the Gun/ My Journey from Trauma to Resiliency was born out of the need to allow people to see my journey, my vulnerability and authentic path. I found my purpose in writing my story and now I speak on stages and over 100 podcasts telling my story to give others hope and to remind them that they are not alone and whatever trauma they have faced that they can heal and find resiliency.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has not been a smooth road. I had to make my mistakes and learn hard lessons about myself along the way. I had to learn to really listen to others, have empathy and compassion for them even if they treated me unkindly.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
After I went through my journey with many therapists, I found myself a different person and I didn’t know what to do with her. At the time I had a business as a real estate agent with Keller Williams introduced me to transformational coaching. Through the coaching, I realized that I was meant to be a coach to others, so I started my road to becoming a Trauma Resliency Coach and professional speaker. Whether I’m on a stage, a podcast or with a client, I create a safe space, meet them where they are and create a connection. I’m proud of who I’m becoming in order to help and guide as many people as I can. I found my purpose, that purpose is to be a messenger and healer of many.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up very quiet. I had friends that I loved to hang out with, but I also loved my alone time. I was shy, low self esteem. I always felt like I didn’t belong, so I tried many different activities , clubs and sports in order to fit in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.susansnowspeaks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan_snow1
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susansnowrealtor/

Image Credits
Shreffler Photography