In this deeply personal episode of HIT Like A Girl, guest host Dana Trampas, MPH, sits down with Hilary Phelps — speaker, wellness coach, and woman in long-term recovery — recorded live at the Power and Women in Medicine Summit. Hilary pulls back the curtain on what happens after the initial victory, sharing the hard-won wisdom from her 18-year journey.
Hilary reveals:
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The myth of the "perfect" recovery: Why the real work begins years after getting sober, and how she faced a diagnosis of severe depression with a recovery toolkit already in hand.
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Motherhood in the messy middle: How becoming a single mom forced her to reframe "self-care" as "self-respect" — and why putting her own oxygen mask on first is the only way she can show up for her son.
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The stigma that silences women: The unique challenges women face in addiction and recovery, a topic she’s exploring in her upcoming book with Dr. Lipi Roy, which combines raw personal narrative with scientific insight.
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Building "The Right Room": How her platform creates a vital space for women navigating life’s transitions, moving beyond "cheerleaders" to find the "mirrors" we truly need.
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A simple, powerful grounding practice: The one question she asks herself with her hand on her heart to find calm on the toughest days.
This conversation is a testament to the power of vulnerability, the importance of community, and the ongoing courage required to choose recovery every single day. It’s a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt "not good enough," struggled with their mental health, or is supporting a loved one on their own path.
Listen now for a raw and hopeful look at how we heal, one day at a time.
00:00 Introducing Hilary Phelps: From Hopelessness to 18 Years Sober
02:45 The Messy Middle: Why Recovery is a Lifelong Unpacking
04:30 Motherhood, Self-Care, and Breaking Generational Cycles
09:39 The Right Room: Why Women Need Mirrors, Not Just Cheerleaders
12:42 Lightning Round: Treatment Access, Debunking Myths, and Mood-Lifting Songs
15:46 Finding Hope in Humanity and a Call to Listen
Stay Connected:
👉 Learn more about Hilary and her work at HilaryPhelps.com (http://hillaryphelps.com/) (remember: it's one "L" in Hillary)
👉 Follow her on Instagram (https://instagram.com/hillaryphelps) for daily insights on recovery and wellness
👉 Explore supportive communities for women at The Right Room (https://therightroom.com/) (or wherever you listen to her podcast)
👉 Connect with Guest Host, Dana Trampas (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dtrampas/) on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/make_my_dana/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@makemydana?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc)
🎧 This episode was recorded live at the Power of Women in Medicine Summit (https://womeninmedicinesummit.com/) and brought to you by Chirpy Bird Health IT (https://www.chirpybirdinc.com/) . Learn more about sponsorship opportunities (https://hitlikeagirlpod.com/sponsors) .
Stay connected with HIT Like a Girl Pod:
HITLikeaGirlPod.com (http://hitlikeagirlpod.com)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitlikeagirlpod)
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