Carla Miller’s Story of Healing and Inner Transformation
In this inspiring episode, we feature Carla Miller, the creator behind BeautyHealsYou.com. Carla is a beauty artist, equine therapy advocate, and the author of the transformative book, Wonder and Beauty: My Journey From Heartbreak to Healing Through the Wonder of Horses. Her story is one of courage, compassion, and the rediscovery of self-worth through connection with animals, nature, and beauty.
Carla joins the Radical Remembrance Podcast to share how she turned trauma into transformation. In this powerful conversation, she explores how beauty, healing, and the human spirit are intricately linked. Her message is simple yet profound: when we learn to care for ourselves inside and out, we begin to create a life worth living.
From Heartbreak to Healing
Carla’s story began with deep emotional pain. Years of personal loss, including separation from her child, left her searching for hope. Rather than allowing grief to define her, she chose to see her experiences as an invitation to grow. Her healing journey began when she discovered equine-assisted therapy, an approach that uses horses to help individuals process emotions and build self-awareness.
According to the National Institutes of Health, equine therapy can significantly improve emotional regulation, confidence, and mindfulness. For Carla, being around horses helped her reconnect with her intuition and find peace in the present moment. She describes each encounter as a mirror to her inner world — where horses reflect back the emotions we hide from ourselves, encouraging honesty and vulnerability.
The Healing Power of Horses
Horses, Carla explains, are powerful empaths. Their sensitivity to human emotions allows them to help people find calm, balance, and connection. When she first entered the world of equine therapy, she had already tried traditional counseling and holistic healing methods. Yet, none had offered her the same clarity that came from standing quietly beside a horse. The gentle presence of these animals taught her to slow down, breathe, and release the tension she had carried for years.
This concept aligns with findings from Frontiers in Psychiatry, which notes that human-animal interaction reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and enhances emotional resilience. Carla’s relationship with horses became a sacred practice — one that connected her body, mind, and soul. Through these moments, she began rebuilding her confidence and rediscovering the beauty of life itself.
Beauty as a Path to Inner Wellness
While many associate beauty with vanity or appearance, Carla views it differently. For her, beauty is energy — a reflection of the love, peace, and self-respect we cultivate within. As a professional makeup and hair artist, she has spent years helping women enhance their outer appearance. However, her experiences with trauma and healing reshaped her understanding of beauty’s true purpose. She realized that genuine beauty begins with emotional wellness and self-acceptance.
Her website, embodies this philosophy. It serves as a space for women to learn how skincare, self-care, and mindfulness work together to create confidence and peace. Carla teaches that self-care is not indulgence — it is a necessity. According to Harvard Health Publishing, intentional self-care helps reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall quality of life. These benefits reinforce Carla’s belief that taking time to nurture one’s body and spirit is an act of love.
Integrating Beauty and Healing
Carla bridges the gap between beauty and therapy. Her workshops and talks encourage participants to see beauty as a holistic journey rather than a cosmetic goal. She believes that looking good and feeling good are interconnected. When we honor our physical bodies with care, our inner world begins to reflect harmony.
This integration aligns with principles from the Positive Psychology Center, which emphasizes that physical self-care and emotional well-being are inseparable. Whether through a skincare ritual, mindful breathing, or simply standing still with a horse, Carla’s approach helps people reconnect with themselves. Her work reminds us that beauty can be healing when approached with intention and authenticity.
Creating a Life Worth Living
Carla’s journey ultimately led her to a new mission — helping others create lives worth living. In this episode, she shares that transformation does not happen overnight. It requires awareness, patience, and compassion for oneself. Through equine therapy, writing, and self-expression, Carla rebuilt her identity and discovered her purpose. Her life today is grounded in gratitude, creativity, and connection.
“Creating a life worth living,” she explains, begins with forgiveness. Letting go of resentment allows space for peace and new possibilities. Studies from the American Psychological Association reveal that forgiveness lowers anxiety and strengthens relationships. Carla embodies this truth by extending grace to herself and others, proving that healing always begins within.
She also speaks about the importance of community. Healing does not occur in isolation; it thrives in connection. Whether through friendships, mentorships, or shared experiences, being surrounded by supportive individuals accelerates recovery. Her collaboration with other women leaders, coaches, and healers — including platforms like Ladies Who Lead Podcast — demonstrates her commitment to uplifting others on similar paths.
The Role of Mindfulness and Self-Reflection
Carla attributes much of her personal growth to mindfulness practices. Meditation, journaling, and time in nature allow her to stay grounded. She encourages listeners to explore these tools to manage emotions and maintain clarity. The Mindful Foundation describes mindfulness as the act of being fully present, without judgment. This practice has been shown to decrease anxiety, enhance emotional regulation, and improve empathy.
When combined with beauty rituals or equine therapy, mindfulness creates a powerful formula for personal transformation. Carla reminds us that self-awareness is the foundation of healing. “When you learn to listen to your heart,” she says, “you begin to live from a place of authenticity. That’s where beauty and peace reside.”
Lessons in Resilience and Courage
Throughout the podcast, Carla discusses how adversity often becomes the teacher we never expected. Her ability to find meaning in hardship demonstrates resilience — a quality researchers define as the capacity to recover and thrive after difficulty. The APA emphasizes that resilience can be developed through self-awareness, supportive relationships, and a sense of purpose. Carla’s story beautifully illustrates these principles in action.
She reflects on her transition from heartbreak to hope, explaining that her challenges were steppingstones toward discovering her purpose. Each hardship strengthened her resolve to help others find healing. Through speaking events, retreats, and creative projects, she continues to encourage people to transform pain into empowerment.
Carla’s Message to Listeners
Carla’s message to listeners is clear: no matter where you are in life, you have the power to create something beautiful from your experiences. She urges everyone to embrace self-compassion, to trust their intuition, and to see challenges as opportunities for growth. For those struggling with emotional wounds, she suggests seeking healing through creativity, nature, or animal-assisted therapy. Even small acts of self-love can lead to profound transformation.
She also encourages listeners to explore her book, Wonder and Beauty, as a companion for healing. The book serves as both a memoir and a guide, filled with reflections that inspire readers to reconnect with their inner wisdom. Her work demonstrates that beauty, when rooted in love and mindfulness, has the power to restore balance and bring joy back into our lives.
Continuing the Journey
Today, Carla continues her work as an advocate for holistic healing, beauty, and equine therapy. She collaborates with women’s organizations and wellness leaders to create retreats that combine emotional support, self-care, and creative expression. These events bring together community, mindfulness, and compassion — elements essential to long-term healing.
Her journey reminds us that a life worth living is one built on authenticity, gratitude, and service. Whether through art, nature, or simple acts of kindness, every person has the ability to contribute beauty to the world. Carla’s life serves as a testament to the idea that healing is not just possible — it’s transformative.
Final Thoughts
In this moving episode of the Radical Remembrance Podcast, Carla Miller embodies resilience, hope, and the beauty of healing. Her journey — from personal loss to empowerment through horses and self-care — illustrates how every person can create a life that feels meaningful and full of purpose. Through her artistry and advocacy, she continues to inspire others to look beyond the surface and discover the beauty that comes from within.
