One ordinary walk home changed Charly’s life forever.
After surviving a violent attack while working overseas, nothing felt safe anymore.
The physical injuries healed, but the panic attacks, hypervigilance and fear stayed for years.
In this incredibly honest episode of Becoming Lucy, Charly shares the story of the night that changed everything. She opens up about surviving a violent attack abroad, navigating PTSD, rebuilding her confidence, and learning how to feel safe in the world again.
Together, we explore trauma, panic attacks, anxiety, the body’s response to traumatic experiences, therapy, the criminal justice system, resilience, and what it really takes to reclaim your life after everything you once knew has been turned upside down.
This isn’t just a story about surviving.
It’s a story about learning how to truly live again.
Whether you’ve experienced trauma yourself, supported someone who has, or simply want to better understand the long-term effects of trauma, this conversation is raw, educational and ultimately full of hope.
In this episode we discuss:
• The night that changed Charly’s life forever
• Surviving a violent attack while living overseas
• PTSD, panic attacks and the hidden effects of trauma
• How trauma changes the brain and the body
• The police investigation and navigating the criminal justice system
• Therapy, hypnotherapy and finding the right support
• Rebuilding confidence after violence
• Resilience, healing and post-traumatic growth
• Why recovery isn’t linear
• Becoming authentically yourself after trauma
If this episode resonates with you, please follow Becoming Lucy, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who may need to hear this conversation.
⸻
Support
If you’ve been affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode, support is available.
• Mental Health Foundation – https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
• RAINN – https://www.rainn.org
• Hypnotherapy Directory – https://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk
⸻
Connect with Charly
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlyylouise?igsh=djhiOTllajA2Mndx
⸻
Follow Becoming Lucy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becominglucy?igsh=dXdtNTdqbjB4MG5u
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@becominglucy?_r=1&_t=ZN-97cJn8Zyj9G
⸻
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: The Night That Changed Charly’s Life
06:18 – Living the Dream Before Everything Changed
11:25 – A Ten-Minute Walk Home
21:20 – When Your Instincts Tell You Something Is Wrong
30:08 – Running for Her Life
32:26 – Fighting to Survive
33:44 – “I Thought I Was Going to Die”
35:46 – The Attack Ended. The Trauma Didn’t.
37:19 – Reaching Safety
39:35 – The Police Response That Shocked Her
49:51 – Searching for the Men Who Attacked Her
56:46 – Living With Trauma
57:34 – Learning to Feel Safe Again
01:00:16 – Starting Over in a New Country
01:02:03 – ‘Jazz Hands Charly’: The Mask That Hid Her Pain
01:06:30 – When Trauma Lives in the Body
01:12:27 – Healing, Hypnotherapy & Finding Herself Again
01:18:38 – Becoming Charly
01:23:16 – Final Reflections
⸻
⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer
• Informational Only: This content is for general information and entertainment. It is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise).
• No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or outcomes from using the information shared.
• Personal Views: Opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official positions of any affiliated organisations.
• No Liability: We are not liable for any actions taken based on this podcast.
• External Links: We are not responsible for content found on any external sites mentioned.
