Meet Wanda – Wanda Nordlie

Hi, I’m Wanda Elizabeth

Growing up, I faced many challenges which, in turn, led to an abundance of trauma that I needed to overcome. I lived with an alcoholic mother and an abusive stepfather on and off from the age of 2 to 7. While in the foster care system during those years; I would be placed in my final foster home at age seven before being adopted at age 13. It may have seemed like a positive change, but it led to something even more horrific. At the age of 8, I was abused sexually at the hands of my foster father. He forced me to carry so massive a secret; it felt like my heart would collapse, almost like small grapes crushed under the tremendous weight of a brick.

I withdrew into myself to keep the secret that I had never been asked to conceal. Everything I did to survive only served to push me further down into that dark hole; I thought I didn’t deserve to come back out.

I started my journey toward healing in 1989. Throughout my healing journey, I came to understand how the chain of events in my life had affected me. I had allowed these events to define who I was as a person and, as a result, I felt unloved, unaccepted, and unworthy. I blamed myself for what happened; I hated myself for what happened. It felt like all I could do was to put on an all-too-obvious mask in the hope that no one could see the pain I was hiding.

I eventually learned about the power of healing (and the process that it requires). I now understand how difficult healing can be and what a winding path it can take. Healing takes place inside of us. It occurs not because of the actions we take. Instead, it happens when we have a revelation that is so necessary to healing. I now realize this means that progress may seem elusive, but it is never impossible.

I have been in the Education field for about 20 years with my background in Early Childhood Development. I was fortunate to have exciting opportunities; working at Carnegie Hall in New York as the School Programs Coordinator for Link Up. Working with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Government in Connecticut, and as a substitute teacher while continuing my education. I am a single mother of one son, whom I raised from the time I was widowed, and my son was still an infant. Later in life, I had found my passion: I could listen, I could teach, and I could share. I developed a greater love for teaching, which led me to create a class in 2012 for a drug and alcohol treatment program.

Through my book Power to Heal My Whole Self and the program, I use to teach; I have created an online class. It is my mission to help others who have struggled. Guide them toward a deeper understanding and healing of what is holding them back from living their lives to the fullest. These classes are my gift to others. I am taking what I taught in the classroom for five years to more than 400 clients and now making it available to many more people online.

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." - Mother Teresa

Available on Amazon

Power To Heal My Whole Self
Written By: Wanda E. Nordlie

This book is powerful in so many ways. The author has been through immense and devastating trauma, and yet, has the bravery to tell her story and provide tools and guidance toward understanding and healing from trauma. The author offers perceptive insights that encourage one to take an active role in embracing loss and moving toward healing. This book offers and inspires hope.

This incredible story of one woman's journey from physical, mental and emotional abuse, to healing, forgiveness and reconciliation, evoked every emotion possible, for me, while reading it. Wanda's deep seeded, strength, courage and resilience is truly an inspiration, for everyone dealing with any kind of issue that makes them feel like lesser of a person. This book is powerful, a must read. Wanda is an amazing warrior and the epitome of grace, hope and most importantly love.

"A fantastic and inspiring read. It is stories like this that help to provoke courage in others. The assignments are practical and relatable to all."

I poured over this book with my heart rate elevated. Sadly, sadly, this is not the first true story on this topic that I know. But I hope, with the courageous and vulnerable sharing of victims like Wanda Elizabeth Nordlie, that we can forever change society and individuals and protect all children from abuse of any kind. NO MORE hiding these crimes behind "reputations" and shame and excuses for abusive behaviors! EVERYONE must speak up and stand up for the children and heal generations so this illness is not passed on. Thank you Wanda for sharing your Whole Self to help others Heal.

"The author has done a terrific job of taking her own real-life experiences of abuse, confusion, self-doubt, and feelings of not being loved and worthlessness and creating a self-help book explaining the important steps she used to heal her own feelings of guilt and inadequacies. With vigor, she has attacked her own anger and created a self-help book with self-reflecting questions after the chapters to help anyone suffering from a lack of self-worth regardless of what has caused it. I highly recommend this book for anyone suffering from depression for any reason no matter what has caused this in your own life. I'm buying books now for friends I know can use it."

"Power to Heal My Whole Self is courageous and inspiring. The author tells us of her experiences of horrid abuse, deep grief, and isolation, yet her book is about forgiveness, hope and healing. This book has the ability to touch the heart of so many who have had difficult experiences and put them on a healing path."

"This is the inspiring story of an "UnBroken Girl". The Victim of Sexual, Physical, Mental Abuse who rose above the suffering and insecurity to help others victims understand their lives have value! A story you will not forget!"

"This book is an honest and courageous account of one women's struggle to rise above extraordinary life circumstances and her successful journey through faith to peace. The study questions are universal and provide a guidepost to anyone who is seeking answers to life's questions. Powerful."

"I found Wanda Nordlie's book to be incredibly insightful and helpful to those who have suffered abuse, as well as those who have not. As a person who has not endured the type of abuse Ms. Nordlie describes, this book was informative without being sensational or overly focused on the offender. I can only imagine how instrumental this book might be for anyone who shares her experience. The questions she offers at the end of each chapter are thought-provoking and focused. I appreciated the book, especially Ms. Nordlie's constructive approach to presenting several traumatic and life-altering events."

"Great read. Lots of insight to help healing of all types."

"A great read was written with a true passion to help others who have experienced powerlessness throughout life. It's a statement to courage."

"The book is for anyone affected by trauma; I couldn't put it down. I suffer from PTSD and severe anxiety; knowing someone else has gone through some of the same struggles gives me hope that there is a path to problems I am going through. I am thankful Wanda Nordlie was courageous enough to share challenging times in her life, and I hope that in her sharing helps others like myself know we are not alone."

" A very personal account of one woman's struggle and ultimate healing."

"Loved the book. One women's courageous journey to show that there is life after abuse. Learning how to heal and face your secrets must have felt like a ton of bricks off this woman's shoulders. Very admirable I highly recommend."

"I just started reading this book and I'm hooked. I know this book will open up the eyes to many readers. Healing your past will help you forward in life in so many ways. Highly recommend this book!"

In Anchored in Healing: Navigating Resilience, Boundaries, and Trust, Wanda E. Nordlie takes readers on an empowering journey of resilience, forgiveness, and authentic living. Five years after revealing her family’s hidden truths in her debut memoir Power to Heal My Whole Self, Wanda returns with a compelling exploration of what it truly means to heal. As new revelations surfaced from within her family, she was faced with the complex challenge of navigating relationships transformed by honesty. Through her own journey, Wanda discovered that healing is an ongoing path—one that requires resilience, compassion, and a commitment to one’s own well-being.

With warmth and vulnerability, Wanda shares practical insights on building inner strength, setting healthy boundaries, and embracing self-worth. Her story is one of courage, offering readers both guidance and encouragement as they, too, navigate the complexities of healing from past trauma. Drawing on her background in Human Services and Psychology, she presents a powerful blend of lived experience and thoughtful reflection, creating a guide that resonates with anyone seeking to reclaim peace and purpose in their lives.

Anchored in Healing: Navigating Resilience, Boundaries, and Trust is a book for those ready to face the past, embrace the present, and create a life rooted in truth. Through Wanda’s story, readers will find hope, strength, and the reminder that healing is a journey—one that is both deeply personal and profoundly transformative.

Hi, I’m Wanda Elizabeth

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." - Mother Teresa

Available on Amazon

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