***TRIGGER WARNING - this episode contains conversations about sexual violence and abuse. Welcome to Without Regret, the podcast where stories of resilience and redemption take center stage. and in each episode, we delve into the lives of individuals who have faced adversity head-on and emerged stronger on the other side. Today, we're honored to share the remarkable journey of Michelle Shekhinah, a survivor whose life took an unexpected turn in 2014. What began as a fairy tale marriage soon turned into a nightmare of abuse and exploitation. But in the face of unimaginable darkness, Michelle found the courage to break free and reclaim her life. Join us as we explore her path from despair to empowerment, from victim to advocate. Through her resilience, she not only saved herself but has also become a beacon of hope for others who have experienced trauma and abuse. Get ready to be inspired, moved, and uplifted in Part 1 of Michelle's story. At the end of this episode, there are a couple of messages I want to leave you with. The first is that what Michelle has experienced IS Trafficking. This is not normal behavior and if you are in a similar situation, you are not alone, you are not crazy, and there is help out there. The second is to believe the survivors when they tell their stories. It can be easy to hear all of this chaos and think "Oh this is just a jilted wife looking for revenge". That is not the case. Michelle is in hiding, she isn't naming any names or even her location. She has nothing to gain by talking about this other than helping other women who are being abused. I don't want to wait until the end of part 2 to talk about her foundation From the Floor to the door, which will be explained in more detail in part 2, but you can visit her website www.fromthefloortothedoor.com for help. Stay tuned for part 2 in the coming days.