Embracing the Jaguar: Babs Walter's Journey of Healing and Empowerment
In a world where silence often shrouds our deepest fears, Babs Walter emerges as a beacon of truth, courage, and healing. In this powerful episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, Babs shares her deeply personal journey of confronting trauma — a journey she captures through the haunting and potent symbolism of the jaguar.
The Jaguar as Fear — and a Path to Healing
In her memoir Facing the Jaguar, Babs recounts the moment her trauma took form:
“The eyes were on fire and the fangs were hanging low.”
The jaguar became the symbol of fear that pursued her — a predator in the shadows. But rather than run, Babs chose to face it. Her story reminds us that healing often begins the moment we stop running.
Breaking the Silence: From Separation to Self-Discovery
As Babs says in the episode:
“In order to live, we have to separate ourselves.”
That separation — a survival instinct many trauma survivors know well — helps us get through the moment. But over time, it can become a wall that keeps healing out. Babs speaks to the courage it takes to reconnect with the parts of ourselves we’ve silenced, and how storytelling became her bridge back to wholeness.
Finding Your Voice Through Story
Babs doesn't only share her story, but she offers others permission to share theirs.
“Find a way to find your voice,” she encourages.
Storytelling became her lifeline — and now it’s her gift to others. In facing her jaguar, Babs not only transformed her pain — she opened a path for others to do the same.
Why This Episode Matters
This conversation is a must-listen for:
- Survivors of trauma seeking inspiration and solidarity
- Anyone struggling with fear, silence, or shame
- Listeners interested in the healing power of metaphor and storytellingBabs Walter’s story is not just about surviving trauma — it’s about transforming it. And her message is clear: you are not alone, and your healing begins when you give your story a voice.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or https://podcast.wespeake.com/show/break-the-silence-build-a-future-3/facing-the-jaguar-babs-walters-journey-of-healing-and-empowerment/
📚 Read the book: Facing the Jaguar https://babswalters.com/book/
🔗 Connect with Babs Walter on https://babswalters.com/ or @FacingTheJaguar across platforms