She Survived Foster Care & Homelessness — Now She’s Changing Lives

From foster care and homelessness to becoming a powerful advocate for vulnerable young people — this is an unforgettable conversation about resilience, healing, and turning pain into purpose.

In this deeply moving episode of Hey Soul Sista, host Mel Histon, sits down with physiotherapist, youth advocate, and ultramarathon runner Natalia Hogan to talk about the childhood trauma that shaped her life — including experiences of foster care, homelessness, domestic violence, instability, and growing up without safety or security.

Natalia shares what it was really like navigating childhood in survival mode, couch surfing as a teenager, living in youth accommodation at just 15 years old, and carrying the hidden shame of feeling “different” while trying to appear normal at school.

But this episode is also about hope.

Natalia opens up about the inner work and healing that helped her rebuild her life, the powerful role exercise and endurance played in her recovery, and the extraordinary 175km ultramarathon she completed to raise awareness and funds for youth homelessness services.

Together, Mel and Natalia explore:

Childhood trauma and survival
Foster care and youth homelessness
Healing the inner child
Therapy, resilience, and emotional healing
The connection between trauma and endurance
Learning to feel worthy of love and support
Running 175km for change
Turning adversity into purpose

This is a raw, emotional, and inspiring conversation that shines a light on what so many young people experience behind closed doors — and the incredible strength it can take to rewrite your story.

Connect with Natalia:

Instagram: @natalia.s.hogan

Connect with MEL HISTON: 

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Instagram @melissahiston
Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Website: heysoulsista.com
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

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