Maria Trusa: Turning Trauma into Healing and Leadership for Women Everywhere

The Imperial Council is a curated group of women leaders, creators, and change-makers who are shaping the future of business—together.

When you meet Maria Trusa, you feel her energy immediately. It is the kind of presence that makes you believe healing is possible, not someday, but right now.

Maria is the CEO of Formé Medical Center, the founder of Yo Digo No Más, and the creator of the Forgive to Live Movement. She is also an author, speaker, and tireless advocate for trauma survivors. Her mission is simple but profound: to help women and communities transform their pain into purpose.

“Before I die, I want to impact millions of people,” Maria says. “Healing should not be a privilege, it should be accessible to everyone.”

The Expertise She Brings

Maria’s background blends healthcare leadership, trauma recovery advocacy, and entrepreneurship. She has built a career that sits at the intersection of wellness, community empowerment, and business.

Through her work, she offers:

• Forgive to Live Retreats & Seminars – transformational spaces where women and men begin the deep work of healing trauma.
  
• Yo Digo No Más Movement – a platform breaking the silence on sexual abuse in Latino communities and beyond.
  
• Healthcare Access through Formé Medical Center – providing affordable, dignified care to underserved populations.
  
• Daily Reflections & Podcast – short, powerful messages on forgiveness, resilience, and building a life you love.
  
  Her expertise lies in helping people transform personal pain into collective healing and in guiding them to reclaim their sense of power and choice in life.

A Lesson You Can Apply Today

When asked what she wishes more women knew, Maria does not hesitate:
“Your story is not your prison. It’s your power.”

Too often, women carry trauma silently, believing it will define them forever. Maria teaches that healing begins the moment you acknowledge your story and give it voice.

Her tip for trying this today:

• Take five minutes to reflect on one moment from your past that still carries weight.
  
• Write down how it shaped you, not just in pain, but in strength.
  
• Share it, even if only with yourself. Awareness is the first step toward freedom.
  

A Client Story

At one of Maria’s Forgive to Live retreats, a woman arrived feeling consumed by shame. She had never spoken openly about her past, convinced it would diminish her. Over four days, guided by Maria’s methods, she released years of silence.

By the end of the retreat, she was not just lighter, she was transformed. She left with renewed confidence, started speaking publicly, and even began mentoring younger women.

That ripple effect, one woman’s healing sparking healing in others, is exactly what Maria is committed to creating at scale.

Busting the Healing Myth

One mistake Maria sees repeatedly is the belief that talking about trauma keeps you stuck in it.

“The truth is the opposite,” she explains. “Silence is what traps you. Speaking your truth is what sets you free.”

Instead of fearing your story, Maria suggests practicing micro-sharing—small, intentional ways of expressing your experience that honor your voice and move you toward liberation.

The Practice That Keeps Her Grounded

Maria swears by a deceptively simple practice: her daily reflections. For years, she has recorded short six-to-ten-minute reflections on forgiveness, resilience, and purpose.

These reflections began as personal healing moments, but they have now become a podcast and a library of over 500 messages.

“They remind me every day of why I do this work,” she says. “They ground me and keep me joyful, even when the work is heavy.”

Maria with Empressa

Maria joined Empressa to extend her mission globally. For her, the platform offers not just visibility but true legacy.

“I have been creating for years, sometimes wondering, is anyone listening?” Maria admits. “With Empressa, my content becomes part of a living digital legacy, helping women around the world long after I am gone.”

She is especially excited about building a dedicated healing section inside Empressa, ensuring that survivors everywhere, no matter their location or resources, can access guidance and hope.

Her legacy goal is to democratize healing and ensure that trauma survivors across cultures and generations know they are not alone.

Takeaways You Can Use Now

• Your story is not your prison. It’s your power. Start by acknowledging it.
  
• Healing multiplies. When you find your voice, you give permission for others to find theirs.
  
• Silence is not safety. Speaking truth, even in small and private ways, creates freedom.
  
• Make reflection a daily practice. Five minutes of awareness can re-center your entire day.
  
• Build your legacy intentionally. Use platforms and systems you control to ensure your wisdom reaches the people who need it most.

Maria’s story is a reminder that healing and leadership are not separate, they are intertwined. By transforming her own trauma into a movement, she shows other women what is possible when you choose courage over silence.

If her journey inspires you, imagine what could happen when you connect with more women like Maria. Join Empressa to meet her and other Council members who are redefining leadership and legacy on their own terms.

If you’re a woman expert, founder, or mentor and want to share your wisdom while building your legacy, apply to the Imperial Council today.