Reclaiming Purpose after the Fire
Trauma can strip a life down to the studs. For former firefighter Natalie Nugent, one on-duty accident exposed how tightly her identity was fused to the role of serving others. The loss wasn’t just physical; it was existential. Without the daily call to protect her community, the silence at home grew into isolation, sleeplessness, startled responses to small noises, racing thoughts, and a tightening sense that the world, and even the grocery store, was unsafe. That spiral is familiar to many who endure post-traumatic stress: the instinct to withdraw, the shame around mood swings or anger, the belief that you should be the strong one with no needs. Natalie learned that trauma doesn’t ask permission and it isn’t selective, first responders, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and parents can all carry it. What matters is not whether you were “tough enough,” but whether you’re supported enough to process what happened and build new routines that protect your mind, body, and relationships. Eve...