katrina carter Certified Mental Health Coach and Domestic Violence Advocate’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

katrina carter Certified Mental Health Coach and Domestic Violence Advocate shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

katrina, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What battle are you avoiding?
There was a time when I constantly felt like I was in a battle with failure. I kept measuring my worth by where I thought I should be, and when life didn’t match that vision, I felt like I had fallen short. It’s easy to get caught in the comparison, especially when you know you have so much potential but feel stuck in a season of waiting or rebuilding.

But I’ve come to realize that failure isn’t the enemy — it’s the teacher. I’m learning to embrace the process, to see every delay and detour as part of my development. I may not be where I want to be yet, but I’m evolving, healing, and preparing for what’s next. Every step, even the uncertain ones, is moving me closer to the version of myself that’s ready to receive everything I’ve been working for.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Katrina Carter. The founder of: Incapable Bondage T.H.R.I.V.E. mental health coaching and motivational speaking.

At Incapable Bondage T.H.R.I.V.E. mental health coaching and motivational speaking, our vision is to create a world where trauma survivors are not defined by their past but empowered by their resilience. We envision a future where every survivor has access to comprehensive and holistic support, encompassing mental, emotional, financial, and physical resources. Our commitment is to nurture an environment where survivors can heal, grow, and flourish, enabling them to break free from the chains of their past and realize their fullest potential. Through our unwavering dedication, we aim to build a community that fosters strength, restoration, and the limitless possibilities of thriving beyond adversity.”

At Incapable Bondage Thrive, we empower trauma survivors through a holistic approach by providing long-term mental, emotional, financial, and physical resources so that they can thrive and reach their full potential. I am currently working on a walk for domestic violence, where participants wear one heel and one sneaker, while walking a mile.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I grew up believing I was unworthy of love. I carried the weight of feeling like a burden rather than a blessing, and that belief shaped how I saw myself for years. When love didn’t come from the people who were supposed to give it first — my parents — I started searching for it in all the wrong places, hoping someone else could fill the void I didn’t understand how to heal.

That search led me into toxic relationships where I mistook attention for affection and survival for love. It took time, pain, and self-reflection to realize that my worth was never tied to who failed to love me — it was always mine to own. Now, I’m learning to redefine what love truly means, starting with the kind I give myself.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a moment when I almost gave up — when life hit me with a diagnosis that felt like a life sentence. I was broken, not just by what my body was facing, but by the emotional weight of feeling unseen and unloved. I couldn’t understand how someone could devalue me when I had given them everything. It hurt deeply to realize that the same love I poured out so freely was never returned with the same care or sincerity.

But even in that pain, something inside me refused to die. I began to understand that my worth was never meant to be defined by how others treated me, but by how I chose to rise after being broken. That moment of despair became the spark for my healing — the moment I decided that giving up would never be my story.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The version of me the public sees is only part of who I really am. I’m naturally a private person, yet when it comes to advocating for others — especially those who’ve experienced pain like mine — I become an open book. I find comfort in solitude and often recharge in quiet spaces, but I still crave affection from those closest to me, especially my children. I value peace, not noise; respect, not condescension.

Behind the smiles and strength I show, there are moments when happiness feels like a process rather than a constant state. I’ve learned that joy, for me, isn’t something that just happens — it’s something I have to nurture, protect, and sometimes rebuild. Every day, I’m learning to balance who the world sees with who I am when the lights are off — a woman still healing, still growing, but still choosing to show up with love.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I could do things differently, I would stop holding onto the what ifs. I spent too much time replaying moments in my mind, wondering how life might have turned out if I had chosen myself sooner. Now, I’m learning that peace comes from acceptance — from releasing the past and embracing the present with grace.

I would live life to the fullest, unapologetically. No more shrinking to make others comfortable or putting myself last to keep the peace. I would show up boldly, authentically, and completely as Katrina — the woman who survived, healed, and finally decided she’s enough.

Contact Info:

• Other: https://linktr.ee/Incapablebondage