On this week’s episode of Unshakeable Belief, I’m joined by a woman whose story embodies resilience, grace, and the power of divine redemption — Dana Hildebrand.
Dana’s journey is not an easy one to hear, but it’s one that so many women will see themselves reflected in. She courageously shares her experience of overcoming childhood sexual abuse, an abusive marriage, and the breakdown that led her to the edge — only to find that God still had a plan and a purpose for her life.
In this heartfelt conversation, Dana opens up about her darkest moments, her path to forgiveness, and how she learned to regulate her body, mind, and spirit through nervous system healing and faith.
From Breakdown to Breakthrough
At just 26 years old, Dana was a new mother in an abusive marriage, doing everything she could to hold her life together. But when she reached the end of her strength, she made the brave decision to leave — and that’s when her body finally collapsed under the weight of unprocessed trauma.
“I couldn’t hide behind the mask anymore,” she recalls. “My body said, You’re going to have to feel this now.”
After being hospitalized and barely able to function, Dana describes a moment when a friend visited her every night, reading Scripture aloud and reminding her that God still had a purpose for her life.
That moment became the spark that changed everything.
“When he said, ‘You have to get well because God still has a plan for you,’ I felt Jesus call my name out of the darkness,” Dana shared. “Even in all the brokenness, there was still hope.”
Faith, Safety, and the Slow Work of Healing
Healing didn’t happen overnight. Dana explains that it took time, layers, and the creation of a safe environment to truly begin to restore.
“Our healing needs to take place in a safe space,” she says. “You can’t heal when your nervous system is in constant fight, flight, or freeze. For me, my husband created that environment — one where I could feel, rest, and be loved without judgment.”
In that safety, she began to peel back the layers of trauma that had been stored for years. Later in life, as she continued her personal and spiritual growth, Dana felt called to confront her past — not to reopen wounds, but to speak truth and release what was never hers to carry.
“When I finally spoke truth to my family, it disrupted everything,” she admits. “But it also took my healing to the next level. Forgiveness didn’t excuse what happened — it freed me from being anchored to it.”
The Body Keeps the Score — and It Can Heal
As a counselor and coach, Dana now helps women understand how trauma lives in the body — and how simple, daily practices can begin to restore peace.
“It’s not complicated,” she says. “Healing starts with awareness and consistency.”
Her go-to tools include:
- Breathwork and somatic movement: Deep breathing activates the vagus nerve and helps regulate the nervous system.
- Journaling: Writing helps bring subconscious emotions to the surface.
- Movement: Gentle walks, stretching, or bilateral movement support emotional release.
- Faith: “Meditate on God’s truth and remember who you are,” she adds.
When combined, these practices create the foundation for emotional stability, spiritual renewal, and physical well-being — a core reflection of holistic healing.
Living in Purpose, Not Performance
Through her decades of ministry, counseling, and personal transformation, Dana has come to define success not by achievement, but by alignment.
“I’m a high achiever,” she laughs, “but I’ve learned that I have to take care of the vessel God gave me. That means protecting my energy, honoring my boundaries, and living on purpose — not on autopilot.”
Her daily rhythms now reflect that commitment: quality sleep, morning quiet time, physical movement, intentional boundaries around work hours, and regular check-ins with herself about what truly matters in each season.
“I used to fill every minute with doing,” she says. “Now I choose what’s aligned with my calling. If something doesn’t bring peace or purpose, it’s a distraction.”
Legacy Through Transparency
As a mother, wife, and mentor, Dana defines legacy not just by what she builds — but by what she models.
“For me, legacy is letting my daughters see me as human,” she shares. “To let them see the process, not just the outcome. I want them to know it’s okay to struggle, to heal, and to start again.”
By sharing her story, Dana gives other women permission to take off the mask, confront the pain, and begin their own journey toward freedom.
“When you show up authentically,” she says, “you give everyone around you permission to do the same.”
Called and Dangerous — A New Chapter
Today, Dana is stepping into a bold new season. She’s rebranding her coaching and speaking work under the name Called and Dangerous — a declaration that every woman has divine purpose and power when she walks in truth.
“Being ‘dangerous’ doesn’t mean aggressive,” Dana explains. “It means when you know who you are in Christ, you become dangerous to the darkness. You carry light, authority, and confidence.”
Her upcoming Called and Dangerous Podcast launches October 1, featuring real conversations about trauma, purpose, and biblical truth — all designed to help women break chains and reclaim their voice.
Monica’s Reflection
Conversations like this remind me why Unshakeable Belief exists — to remind women that no matter what they’ve walked through, healing and hope are always possible. Dana’s story is a testament to the beauty that can rise from the ashes when faith, courage, and truth come together.
If you’ve ever felt too broken, too tired, or too far gone, let this episode be your reminder: you are never too far for redemption.
Listen to the Full Episode:
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts
Connect with Dana Hildebrand:
RISE AND THRIVE with Monica 
Leave a comment