In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Nikki Allen, award-winning author, filmmaker, R&B artist, and spiritual disruptor.  Nikki is candid and opens up about her healing journey from heartbreak and abuse to radical self-awareness, self love, and personal empowerment. Through storytelling and soul work, Nikki shows us that healing isn’t always about going back to who we were — sometimes, it’s about meeting the version of ourselves we've never met before.

From emotional trauma to identity loss, self-worth, and boundary-setting, Nikki takes us behind the scenes of her book Loved You, Hated You and the inner work she calls “soul surgery.” We talk about why women stay, how trauma impacts identity, and how to rebuild life on your own terms.

This episode is full of truth-telling, inspiration, and actionable insight for anyone who has ever felt stuck, silenced, or disconnected from themselves.

Top Takeaways:

• Abuse isn’t always loud — sometimes it hides in kindness and charm.
• Healing requires going deeper than coping skills — we must uncover the root.
• Your frequency attracts your relationships — when you elevate, your circle shifts.
• Boundaries are not selfish — they are sacred acts of self-protection.
• Self-discovery isn’t going back — it’s choosing who you’ll become next.

Chapter Breakdown / Episode Segments

1. Why Women Stay – Understanding the Patterns 
2. Breaking the Charm–Harm–Harm Cycle 
3. Soul Surgery – Healing the Root vs. Band-Aid Fixes 
4. Boundaries & People Pleasing 
5. Identity After Healing – Meeting Your True Self 

💬 Powerful Quotes

“I had to sit down and do some soul surgery.”
“If you can’t help yourself, you can’t help anybody else.”
“I’m not reclaiming myself—I’m meeting myself for the first time.”

🔗 Connect With Today’s Guest — Nikki Allen

Website : https://officialnikkiallen.com

Order the Book, https://www.amazon.com/Loved-You-Hated-Nikki-Allen/dp/B0FF2BHB21

(Books, music, filmmaking projects, philanthropy, and more)

Send us a text

Follow us on social media:
@DaringWell

Are you looking for ways to feel more calm and happy? Do you want more stress management tools and techniques? Sign up to get on the email list to get more details for our upcoming wellness retreat (in-person and online).
https://www.daringwell.com/retreat

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies