Episode 246

full
Published on:

9th Jul 2026

"The Surrender Agenda: Chronic Pain, Clarity & Becoming"

Grace talks with Lorraine Ansell, the author of "The Surrender Agenda, a memoir recognised by the 'Ink Book Prize.' She's also a speaker and creator who lives with Hypermobile Ehlers - Danlos Syndrome. Her symptoms were minimised, misunderstood or misread for years-until clarity arrived in form of a diagnosis.

Quotable Quotes:

“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” — Viktor E. Frankl

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” — Rumi

Key Takeaways:

Chronic pain is often invisible long before it is diagnosed, shaping identity in silence.

Misdiagnosis can create emotional and psychological layers of suffering beyond physical symptoms.

Understanding connective tissue disorders like hEDS can change how patients are treated and believed.

Pain can become both a limitation and a lens—altering perception, creativity, and awareness.

Thriving with chronic illness is not about elimination of pain, but adaptation and meaning-making.

Small daily practices often matter more than large breakthroughs in managing chronic conditions.

Creativity can emerge as a response to constraint, not just inspiration.

Journal Prompts

Where in my life have I been trying to “push through” instead of listening more closely to what my body or emotions are communicating?

What parts of my experience have I dismissed because they were not immediately understood by others? What would it look like to validate them myself?

If my challenges were not something to “fix,” but something to understand, what new questions would I begin asking about my life?

Contact Lorraine Ansell:

Email: lorraineansellauthor@gmail.com

The Surrender Agenda-Memoir

My Witty & Honest Journey Of Learning To Accept & Love My Pain -

By Lorraine Ansell

Genres: Self-help, Memoir, Humour | Publication date: | 25th June 2024

Availability: International, EB (£3.99) PB (£6.99) AB (variable, from £0.99) |

ISBN: 9781838383084 (PB) 9781838383091 (EB) | ASIN: B0F22Y848QA (AB)

Publisher: Amazon | Page count: | 172 Media folder & enquiries: https://bit.ly/LorraineAnsell | info@literallypr.com | Author online:

Website: https://www.lorraineansellauthor.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinglavoiceart/

Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineansellcontentcreator/

MEDIA FOLDER & ENQUIRIES: HTTPS://BIT.LY/LORRAINEANSELL INFO@LITERALLYPR.COM

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MBACP- Certified. (British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy)

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About the Podcast

Rising Above Shadows Of Abuse
Society & Culture/Abuse
Rising Above Shadows Of Abuse Show with Grace Ovba, is about the topical issues of abuse prevalent in our society and culture. The impact on lives and possible reformation strategies. The show portrays real life stories of exceptional valiant women, who suffered pain, shame, trauma and guilt. Some of these individuals, used the tools of healing, forgiveness and compassion to serve as a positive propellant to actualising their dreams and breaking barriers in their various fields of human endeavours.
Each episode showcases case studies, stories, inspirational talks; involving interviews, conversations, solo/panel sessions with survivors, everyday people, professionals, charities, thought leaders and notable guests(Celebrities)
KEY TAKEAWAYS
"Abuse changes your life... Fight back and change the life of your abusers by breaking your silence on abuse" - Patty Rase Hopson
''So many people suffer abuse and suffer alone'' -Pamela Stephenson
''To those who abuse: The sin is yours, the crime is yours and the shame is yours. To those who protect the perpetrators: blaming the victim only masks the evil within, making you as guilty as those who abuse. Stand up for the innocent or go down with the rest.'' - Flora Jessop
#I take back my power
#Voice for the Voiceless
#Resilience
#Courage
#Mental health
ABOUT THE HOST - GRACE OVBA
Grace is a survivor of Domestic Violence, who is passionate about using her experiences to pave the way for other victims who are stuck in any form of abusive situations. She is a transformational coach, mentor, author, inspirational speaker and mother. She has a background in education, law and psychotherapy. She's on a mission to bring healing and wholeness to bruised and broken women.
Registered member of BACP (British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Registered member of Law Society UK
Connect via email: risingaboveshadowsofabuse@gmail.com
Social media platforms: twitter @risinaboveabuse
YouTube @risingaboveshadowsofabuse
Patreon @risingaboveshadowsofabuse.com
Support This Show

About your host

Profile picture for Grace Ovba

Grace Ovba

Grace is a Survivor of Domestic Violence, who is passionate about using her own experiences to pave the way for other abusive victims who are stuck in any form of abusive situations. She is a mentor, transformational coach, author, inspirational speaker and mother. She has a background in education, law and psychotherapy. She is on a mission to bring healing and wholeness to broken and bruised women. She is an accredited member of the British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the Law society United Kingdom.