Childhood Trauma & Homelessness Don’t Have to Define Your Future | Altovise “Unmuted” Interview

When we talk about health at Good Living Now, we usually focus on nutrition, fasting, juicing, and fitness. But true wellness also depends on what’s happening in our minds and hearts. In this week’s podcast episode, Harold Leffall sits down with author and speaker Altovise “Unmuted”—a woman who survived childhood abuse, seasons of homelessness, and more than a few detours on her road to publishing 20 books.
Below is a written recap for readers who prefer to skim, share, and revisit the most important points.

Meet Altovise “Unmuted”

• Who she is: Speaker, writing coach, and host of the “#SpeakEasy” podcast
• Why she’s here: To show that buried trauma becomes a “seed” that eventually grows fruit—affecting our relationships, self-talk, and even physical health
• Quick fact: She once juggled homelessness and a full writing schedule before finding stability through community and faith

“We think we’re hiding pain, but really we’re just burying it—and seeds always grow.” – Altovise
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Trauma, Homelessness, and the Long Road to Stability
Altovise opens up about teenage years blurred by abuse, grooming, and eventual homelessness. Survival mode felt “normal,” so she buried the memories—until the consequences surfaced in adult relationships and career choices. Her turning point? Realizing that “busy” and “productive” aren’t the same when old wounds drive the workload.

The “Seed vs. Fruit” Analogy—Why Burying Pain Backfires

• Seed: An untreated traumatic event or belief (“I’m unworthy,” “Chaos is normal”)
• Fruit: Self-sabotage, addiction, repeating toxic relationships, chronic anxiety

Uprooting a tree means yanking out roots and filling the hole with healthy soil. Likewise, emotional work requires new habits—faith practices, exercise, therapy, or community—to fill the gap left behind.

Body Signals & Anxiety: What Perimenopause Taught Her
At 45, Altovise noticed stubborn weight, mood swings, and a racing mind. Her takeaway: Get the lab work. Sometimes “emotional” symptoms have hormonal triggers—and digging deeper prevents the Google-rabbit-hole panic spiral.

Parenting & Generational Patterns
Both Harold and Altovise highlight how unexamined trauma can lead to extremes:

• Over-permissive “gentle” parenting or
• Harsh, fear-based rule-setting

Neither extreme is truly healing. Real growth happens when we model balanced boundaries and admit mistakes to our kids—no matter their age.

Celebrate Mile-Markers, Not Just Finish Lines
Trauma recovery isn’t a straight path. Altovise’s favorite metaphor: a dark room with a light switch. Turn the light on, and you’ll find you weren’t alone—help was always there. Each small revelation or therapy breakthrough is a mile-marker worth celebrating (yes, cake or a new journal count).

Watch & Share
​Share this post or the video with anyone navigating past pain—childhood trauma, homelessness, or otherwise. Stories heal when they’re heard.

Resources Mentioned

• Kuvings AUTO10 Juicer – Use code JUICEGUY for 10 % off.
• Altovise’s Books – Browse her 20-title catalog on Amazon.
• Therapy Directories – Psychology Today, Therapy for Black Girls, or your local church/clinic.

Final Thoughts
Your history shapes you, but it doesn’t have to own the script. Whether your challenge is childhood trauma, homelessness, or another life curveball, remember Altovise’s advice: “Don’t just identify the finish line—celebrate every mile-marker.”

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