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Dr. Trudy Simmons on Trauma and Mental Health Counseling

December 29, 2025 by John Ray

Dr. Trudy Simmons, Milton Counseling & Coaching, on Trauma Recovery, Faith-Based Counseling, Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Restoration, and Ironman Discipline (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 927), with host John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Dr. Trudy Simmons on Trauma and Mental Health Counseling

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Dr. Trudy Simmons, Milton Counseling & Coaching, on Trauma Recovery, Faith-Based Counseling, Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Restoration, and Ironman Discipline (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 927)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Dr. Trudy Simmons, founder of Milton Counseling & Coaching. Dr. Trudy is a counselor, author, speaker, and Ironman world champion athlete who brings a holistic approach to mental and emotional wellness. With a doctorate in counseling and 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and relationship restoration, blending evidence-based therapeutic practices with biblical truth.

Hearing clients’ stories of defeat and feeling stuck inspired Dr. Trudy to transition from personal trainer to counselor. She explains the difference between counseling (which addresses past trauma) and coaching (which propels clients forward into action). Drawing on her completion of 16 Ironman races, including the Kona World Championship, and a 100-mile race in honor of her late father, she discusses how endurance sports demonstrate that hard things are possible and mirror the discipline needed for life transformation. Dr. Trudy describes her practice serving clients from age 16 to 80, helping them address anxiety, hopelessness, relationship struggles, and feeling stuck in their personal or professional lives.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Dr. Trudy transitioned from 20 years as a personal trainer to counseling after recognizing she could help people get unstuck not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Counseling addresses past trauma and helps pull clients out of difficult experiences, while coaching focuses on moving forward and taking action toward future goals.
Completing 16 Ironman races, including the Kona World Championship and a 100-mile race, demonstrates that seemingly impossible challenges are achievable with consistency, discipline, and determination.
Common signs someone may benefit from counseling include anxiety, loneliness, hopelessness, loss of passion, relationship struggles, and feeling stuck or unable to move forward in life.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Dr. Trudy Simmons
02:06 Dr. Trudy Simmons introduces Milton Counseling & Coaching
02:47 Dr. Trudy’s backstory and transition from personal trainer to counselor
03:47 Completing 16 Ironman races and the Kona World Championship
04:38 How endurance sports discipline informs her counseling practice
06:02 The difference between counseling and coaching
08:17 Dr. Trudy’s holistic approach to body, mind, and spirit
11:42 Faith-based counseling and integrating biblical truth with therapy
14:08 Working with emotions and creating safe space for clients
19:24 Signs that indicate someone should seek counseling
20:17 What happens in the first counseling session
21:00 Success stories from Dr. Trudy’s practice
22:39 How to connect with Milton Counseling & Coaching

Dr. Trudy Simmons, PhD

Dr. Trudy Simmons, PhD, is a highly respected counselor, author, speaker, Ironman world champion athlete, and the host and producer of the award-winning Christian talk show The Christian View. As the founder of Milton Counseling and Coaching and The Christian View Media, Inc., she is dedicated to equipping individuals, families, and communities with the tools to live healed, purposeful, and wholehearted lives.

With a doctorate in counseling and decades of clinical experience, Dr. Trudy is known for her compassionate, practical, and faith-centered approach to mental and emotional wellness. She specializes in trauma recovery, emotional regulation, relationship restoration, and mind-body-spirit wholeness. Her work blends evidence-based therapeutic practices with biblical truth, empowering others to break cycles, renew their minds, and step boldly into their God-given purpose.

A fierce endurance athlete, Dr. Trudy has completed 16 Ironman races, competed in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, and finished multiple ultra-distance races—including a 100-mile run. She draws on these transformative athletic experiences to teach principles of perseverance, resilience, and identity, helping others push past limitations and embrace a lifestyle of purpose, discipline, and victory.

Dr. Trudy is a sought-after speaker for women’s events, corporate trainings, leadership retreats, churches, and podcasts. She teaches on topics such as purpose, emotional healing, spiritual formation, overcoming limiting beliefs, leadership development, and becoming “Fit for Purpose” in body, mind, and spirit. Her upcoming book, Fit for Purpose, weaves her personal journey, Ironman discipline, biblical wisdom, and counseling insights into a compelling guide for whole-life transformation.

As a wife, mother of two, and influential voice in Christian media, Dr. Trudy is deeply committed to helping people rewrite their stories, deepen their faith, and live with courage, clarity, and joy. Whether through counseling, coaching, television, writing, or endurance sports, her mission remains the same: to help people heal, grow, and live out the purpose for which they were created.

Milton Counseling & Coaching

Milton Counseling & Coaching, founded and led by Dr. Trudy Simmons, PhD, is a premier mental and emotional wellness practice dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families heal, grow, and thrive. Rooted in evidence-based therapeutic practices and a compassionate, faith-informed approach, the practice specializes in trauma recovery, emotional and relational health, anxiety, depression, and whole-person transformation.

With a focus on creating a safe, confidential, and supportive environment, Milton Counseling & Coaching empowers clients to navigate life transitions, rewrite unhealthy patterns, strengthen relationships, and discover renewed purpose and clarity. Through counseling, coaching, workshops, and customized growth plans, the practice equips clients with practical tools to build resilience, cultivate emotional intelligence, and experience long-term change—body, mind, and spirit.

Milton Counseling & Coaching has become known for its warm professionalism, client-centered care, and firm dedication to helping people live emotionally healthy, purpose-driven lives.

Website | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, host of *North Fulton Business Radio* and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

The studio is located at 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the author of the five-star rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

The Great Awareness, “Rapture?” Ep: 1 with Brian Peart

June 2, 2022 by Amanda Pearch

Forsyth Studio

The Great Awareness, "Rapture?" Ep: 1 with Brian Peart

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Note from Brian:

Welcome to “The Great Awareness” podcast, focused on helping
Christians make sense of this world we are in. The goal is to encourage, but never at the expense of truth. We will take the truth found in Scripture and apply it to the real spiritual battles going on today. Ignoring pre-conceived beliefs, we will look at
actions-what is really going on, then use this truth of Scripture to accurately discern the times and how to respond.

Jesus said in John 8:32

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free”.
This is what we are going to attempt to do with each podcast, get to the truth, so we can live as we have been called.

Angry Black Woman E2

July 10, 2020 by Karen

E2-Racism-in-Small-Business-and-the-Arts

Phoenix Business Radio

Angry Black Woman E2

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Angry Black Woman E2

Three African-American panelists discuss how and why the angry black woman description may or may not be a myth. Panelists shared experiences with white Americans that may trigger reactions commonly described as being an “angry black woman”. Experiences include interactions experienced in the military, corporate America, and tech fields that would cause the average person to express anger.

For those who are not people of color, you’re getting a rare chance to walk in the shoes of a person of color to understand the subject of racism, and better be able to see it when it rears its ugly head.

Wendy C Williams, Intl. provides leadership consulting, coaching, speaking and training services in-person and online. They coach new leaders within corporations, small business owners and solo entrepreneurs how to run teams with high performance, engagement and loyalty.

Their unique approach to building leadership skills includes teaching each new leader how to tap into their inner wisdom, strength and confidence so that they may become a servant based leader grounded in values.

They also teach solo entrepreneurs how to easily attract and build relationships with their first clients without cold calling, a website, or list building online.

Lunch-and-learn sessions and speaking engagements on leadership, team building, career success and inclusion topics are available as well.

Wendy C. Williams, MS, EFT-Adv. is a trained counselor, international speaker, educator and course creator. She has lived and worked overseas in many European countries in her technology career which includes time as a Director of Professional Services at a tech startup.

Currently, she is a coach, consultant and mentor for many people providing career guidance, small business consulting and leadership training. As a spiritual teacher, she trains people to tap into their source of personal power and mental fitness through meditation and intentional focus.

She is the associate director of the Sacred Inclusion Network, a non-profit focused on the intersection of spirituality and inclusion. She is also the director of an online academy providing training on personal growth, spiritual growth, the arts and food.

When the world is not on lockdown, Wendy loves to live and travel all over the world as a digital nomad.

Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The Emerson Theater Collaborative (ETC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to serve youth, under-represented communities and artists with an emphasis on diversity, by producing innovative and thought-provoking theater both in southeastern Connecticut and Sedona, Arizona. One such example is a wonderful play called Vivian’s Music 1969 by Monica Bauer that was a featured program at ETC in February 2020.

Camilla Ross is the President and Chairman of Emerson Theater Collaborative, Inc., Producer and Actress (Portray’s Harriet Tubman – Harriet Tubman’s Dream written by Lisa Giordano). She is also the President and Chairman of the Sedona Arts Academy.

“To be a catalyst for social change is really where it’s at for me,” Camilla said. “I believe theater should always be a venue for social change. I love the art of live theater and love what it does to the human soul and spirit. It moves us to look at life differently. To leave off the rose-colored glasses and really see the human condition.”ETC is a shining example. Founded in 2008 to give voice to actors’ innate talent for character development, Camilla has since produced more than 20 inspired, original performances. Emerging and professional cast and crew have blossomed under her guidance. And together they’ve created profound, can’t-ever-forget shows that illuminate social issues, and transform audience curiosity into concern and action.

Camilla has a deep well of experience and mentorship to tap into for her ETC roles—from her days at Emerson College and then in regional theaters and commercials. Among her favorite portrayals? Capturing the heart, spark, and essence of Harriet Tubman in the one-woman show Harriet Tubman’s Dream. Camilla is also deeply involved with youth, their visions for social change, and the desire to see the world as a stage of peace. To that end, she’s a tireless advocate for children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. She gives kids and teen real-life theatrical experience through ETC’s Summer Youth Program and enlivens their eagerness to learn about the history and genuine heroes through ETC’s school programs. Camilla is a steadfast suicide prevention advocate too, helping teens and adults avoid this tragedy and move forward to a happier, more positive future.

Camilla has taught business courses part-time at Three Rivers Community College since 2005, Sat on the Emerson College Alumni Board for ten years, and is past president of the Connecticut Alumni Chapter. In May 2014 Camilla was honored by the Writer’s Block of New London, Conn., for her past work as an instructor. In June 2013 she was named Woman of The Year by the Women’s Network of Southeastern Connecticut, and she’s been featured in many periodicals for her community service. In 2019 Emerson Theater Collaborative was nominated as Collaborator of the year in Sedona AZ. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and member of Kappa Beta Delta, Camilla earned her BA in Performing Arts: Acting from Emerson College in 1985 and her MBA in Finance from Baker College in Michigan.

Connect with Camilla on LinkedIn and follow ETC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Karen Loomis, Oracle and Founder of No Moss Brands, is no stranger to the impact of racism; not only in her personal life, but professional life as well. In 2000, Karen moved from Spokane, Wa to Phoenix, AZ to find better opportunities as promised by the fifth largest city in the U.S. With only 2% AA, Spokane proved to be a challenging environment, as is Phoenix, with only 6% AA.

Karen has never shied away from the many barriers racism presented. She has always felt her extensive education and professional experiences could overcome these often invisible challenges.Unfortunately, institutional racism has proven to be too big of a hurdle for one person to take on. Using No Moss Brands as the vehicle, Karen will use her voice to open the eyes of others who are willing to join all People of Color on this journey to change. You in?

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow No Moss Brands on Twitter and Facebook.

Marcia Bench with Conscious Experts Academy and Lynne Cockrum-Murphy with Desert Jewel Institute

November 6, 2018 by Karen

Marcia-Bench-Conscious-Experts-Academy-Lynne-Cockrum-Murphy-Desert-Jewel-Institute

Phoenix Business Radio

Marcia Bench with Conscious Experts Academy and Lynne Cockrum-Murphy with Desert Jewel Institute

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Marcia Bench with Conscious Experts Academy and Lynne Cockrum-Murphy with Desert Jewel Institute

Conscious Experts Academy is a coaching, training and resource company for coaches, speakers, authors and other experts who want to grow their message into a worldwide brand and change the world with their gifts.

Marcia Bench is a best-selling author, professional speaker, intuitive guide and coach, founder of Conscious Experts Academy and the author of 26 books including Conscious Client Attraction and Tao of Entrepreneurship. Known as the Manifesting & Marketing Mentor, she is the go-to expert when you want to attract more ideal clients easily and profitably, whether to turn around strategies that aren’t working or to leap to the next level of your success. Using Conscious Client Attraction™ and the roadmap of the chakras as her primary marketing approach, Marcia launched her initial business part time while working as an attorney. It rapidly grew to serve clients in more than 50 countries and has generated more than $2.7 million dollars in revenues.

Connect with Marcia on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Desert Jewel Institute offers spiritual guidance, energy healing and counseling to support spiritual people in creating life changes in work, relationships and health.

Lynne Cockrum-Murphy is an intuitive consultant specializing in supporting spiritual people achieve freedom from limiting beliefs, change work and life conditions to a happier state and to embrace an expanding sense of self and possibility. She uses ThetaHealing®, Access Bars®, channeling and counseling skills to support clients in all their personal goals. With decades of experience teaching and counseling, she uses her broad skill set to guide people in their quest.

Lynne received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Master’s Degree from the University of Oregon and her doctorate from Arizona State University. She is a certified ThetaHealer® and Instructor, a certified Access Consciousness Bars® healer, a channel, a licensed substance abuse counselor since 2003, a meditation instructor, an Amazon best-selling author and a retired adjunct university professor.

Her previous books, Living Hope: Steps to Leaving Suffering Behind and Unfolding the Mystery of Self – We are Never Alone, were both Amazon #1 Bestsellers. Living Hope describes how she moved beyond traumas in her childhood, loss, and family dysfunction. The book is a model of hope, action and success for those who also suffered trauma and seek a life of spirituality and inner peace.

Unfolding the Mystery of Self goes well beyond her story of tragedy and trauma in Living Hope and explores the spiritual journey of study and mystical experiences. She describes the development of psychic and healing gifts. Moving beyond one’s personality to the awareness that enlightenment isn’t just for Buddhists.

A Journey with Matityahu, her first fictional work, is a story of an ordinary young man, Daniyyel who observes miraculous moments in his friend Matityahu’s life and wants that same awareness in his own. After questioning, studying and trying out Matityahu’s spiritual practices, we watch Daniyyel’s growth from traditional religious thinking to an awakening of his own spiritual nature as they travel the road together. The journey portrays passage to self-realization, accessible to everyone.

Lynne has taught spiritual practices throughout the Northwest, Southwest and Caribbean. She has a private practice in the Phoenix – Scottsdale, Arizona area. Lynne offers one-on-one services, group sessions, workshops based on her books, and multiple ThetaHealing certification seminars. She is available to help clients move to their next level and provides nurturing and gentle guidance in their spiritual growth.

Connect with Lynne on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.