Transforming Pain into Reslience and Drive with Tone it Up Co-founder Karena Dawn
Feel Good Podcast with Kimberly SnyderShow Notes
Karena Dawn shares her deeply personal journey of healing from childhood trauma, mental illness in her family, and her transformative path through forgiveness, acceptance, and self-love. This episode explores the power of vulnerability, emotional resilience, and holistic wellness.
Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Writing 'The Big Silence' 02:57 Mother-Child Relationships and Acceptance 06:07 Transforming Trauma into Strength 08:54 Navigating Abandonment and Trust in Relationships 11:59 Healing Through Therapy and Self-Discovery 14:49 Building Healthy Family Dynamics 17:45 Redefining Motherhood and Personal Choices 20:29 The Influence of Family on Fitness Journey 22:58 Building a Fitness Brand: Tone It Up 25:32 Authenticity and Sharing Personal Stories 28:53 Navigating Fear and Anxiety 30:49 Establishing a Healthy Routine 34:07 Healing Relationships and Personal Growth 37:21 A Message of Hope and Healing
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Karena Dawn Resources:
Book: The Big Silence: A Daughter's Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing (July 25th, 2025)
Website: karenadawn.com
Social: IG: @kerenadawn (204k)
Bio: Karena Dawn is a co-founder of Tone It Up, the leading women’s fitness community, the founder of The Big Silence, the mental health nonprofit foundation, and host of The Big Silence Podcast, a leading mental health and self-development podcast.
Karena has authored several books focused on fitness, wellness, and personal growth including New York Times bestseller Tone It Up: 28 Days to Fit Fierce, and Fabulous, Balanced and Beautiful: 5-Day Reset for Your Body, Mind, and Spirit, and The Big Silence: A Daughter’s Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing. In her memoir, Karena shares her personal story of growing up with a mother suffering from severe mental health issues and schizophrenia, her own struggles with depression and addiction, and her path to healing and self-discovery.
Karena has been featured on Good Morning America and Tamron Hall, and in People, Shape, Oprah, Parade, Business Insider, E!, and in Forbes for creating a “fitness empire.” She was also named on the Create & Cultivate 100 list honoring women who are masters in their field. She has also headlined the POPSUGAR Play/Ground Festival, has been a keynote speaker at the PoWer Up Women’s Conference, is a regularly featured speaker and instructor for TED Women, and is a mindful meditation coach for Chopra Global.
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