From rock bottom to mountain summits - literally. LeiLani Quiray is proof that you can break every statistic stacked against you. LeiLani joins Kara Duffy to share how after surviving addiction, trafficking, and a near-death spiral, she rebuilt her life step by step, eventually launching a successful HR company and a coaching business dedicated to helping women transform their trauma into purpose.

In this episode, she shares how healing, self-awareness, and resilience can become your greatest superpowers, and why high-performing women are uniquely positioned to change the world once they do the inner work.

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

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CTA’s for the Guest:

@iamwildfreeandme

@bethechangeHR

bethechangehr.com

wildfreeandme.com

00:00 – Introduction to LeiLani E. Quiray

01:00 – LeiLani’s Mission & Current Work

02:00 – Building Be The Change HR & Wild Free and Me

03:00 – Childhood & Family Background

04:00 – Addiction, Mental Health & Suicide Attempt

05:00 – Trafficking Experience & Rock Bottom

06:00 – Beginning the Healing Journey

07:00 – Volunteering & Helping Survivors

08:00 – Trauma, Memory & Suppression

09:00 – Understanding Trafficking & Its Nuances

10:30 – Realizing Her Own Trafficking Experience

12:00 – Coercion vs. Force Explained

13:30 – Non-Sexual Trafficking Examples

15:00 – Why Trafficking Is Often Misunderstood

16:30 – Building a Business While Healing

18:00 – Resilience & Relentlessness

19:30 – Endurance Sports & Mental Strength

21:00 – Breaking Statistics & Choosing Change

22:00 – Motherhood & Life-or-Death Turning Point

23:30 – Addiction Recovery & Leaving the Past Behind

25:00 – Trauma, Addiction & Escapism

26:30 – Turning Pain into Purpose

27:30 – Helping Others & Life Philosophy

28:30 – Sharing Her Story Publicly

30:00 – Overcoming Shame & Finding Her Voice

31:30 – Speaking Truth & Personal Power

33:00 – Mind-Body Healing & Physical Transformation

34:30 – Trauma Stored in the Body

36:00 – Fear of Being Fully Seen

37:00 – HR Career & Human-Centered Work

38:00 – Coaching High-Performing Women

39:30 – Turning Healing Into Impact

41:00 – Performance vs. Listening to Your Body

42:30 – Redefining Strength & Letting Go of Comparison

43:30 – What It Means to Be a Powerful Woman

44:30 – Ideal Client & Coaching Approach

45:30 – Creating Balance & Life Design

46:30 – Childhood Dreams & Purpose

47:30 – What She’s Most Proud Of

48:30 – Slowing Down & Enjoying Life

49:30 – Moving to New York & Finding Alignment

50:30 – NYC Energy, Diversity & Inspiration

51:30 – Scaling a 7-Figure Business

52:30 – Business as a Platform for Impact

53:30 – Financial Freedom & Women in Business

54:30 – Starting With Nothing & Building Wealth

55:30 – Entrepreneurship vs. Traditional Work

56:30 – Expansion, Freedom & Designing Your Life

57:30 – Where to Find LeiLani & Final Reflections

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