In the world of personal transformation and healing, few stories resonate as deeply as the person behind Phoenix Raiin. Born into a life marked by adversity from her earliest days in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Tina’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. As a single mother of four, she navigated the tumultuous waters of addiction, low self-esteem, childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, chronic pain, and mental health challenges. Plagued by self-hatred and lacking in self-love, she felt like she continually fell short in her roles as a mother, daughter, wife, and friend.
Six years ago, Tina began a transformative journey of self-healing, tackling her deepest struggles head-on. Returning to Minnesota, she anticipated darkness but found an unexpected light, confronting severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and significant weight issues. At a critical moment, a divine intervention redirected her path towards profound healing and self-discovery, marking the start of a new, enlightened chapter in her life.
Now this woman behind Phoenix Raiin is more than just a survivor; she is a beacon of hope and a guiding light for those lost in the shadows of their past. Her transformation began at the brink of despair, a moment when the weight of her history nearly drove her to a tragic end. But it was in this darkness that she found her calling, choosing life and embarking on a relentless journey of self-healing. Shedding over 100lbs and liberating herself from the shackles of pain, addiction, and self-doubt, Tina’s story is a powerful reminder that our past does not define us. Her work today, teaching men and women to transcend their traumas and embrace their true potential, is a direct reflection of her own journey from Tina Metzger, rising from ashes to spreading her wings as Phoenix Raiin.
In this exclusive interview, we goes into the heart of her mission, exploring how her own experiences have shaped her approach to healing and why she believes that everyone, no matter their past, has the power to redefine their future.
1. Can you share a pivotal moment in your early life that inspired you to pursue a career focused on helping others overcome trauma and addiction?
I would say that the pivotal moment in my early life was in my 20s after my divorce from my first husband. This is when I knew that I wanted to help men, women, and children overcome domestic violence and the effects of trauma that it causes as well as knowing that I wanted to help other adults heal from the trauma of being in foster homes as a child.
2. What has been one of your most significant personal challenges, and how did you overcome it?
The most significant personal challenge that I faced was truly myself. I was stuck in that misery; I was sick in my mind and in my body. I was comfortable with my trauma, as well I only knew how to be a victim. I did not know any other way to live since my trauma started at such an early age.
3. How have your core values shaped the way you approach your work in trauma and addiction recovery?
How have my core values shaped the way I approach my clients is the truth, I always wanted to express to others that I understand what you have been through, and I can relate to your emotions, your fears, and your fight because I have experienced it. My values are being transparent, honest, and compassionate.
4. How has your journey in helping others influenced your personal growth and self-understanding?
My journey to helping others encourages my personal growth every day because it reminds me of the freedom that the clients get when they have the ah-ha moment. Shows me that what I have learned and what I apply to my own journey is working. Having the patience to talk to each client through the tough moments, when they really want to run away. Holding their hands to trust the process gives me the opportunity to continue to grow every day. One thing with healing childhood trauma or any trauma is there are always going to be amazing days but with that, there are going to be horrible days but that is ok. Because those bad days gave me the chance to trust the process once again us the tools that I have in my toolbox and get myself out of that bad day and that is pushing myself to continue growing each day. Because I am no longer that victim and there are going to be moments when the thoughts or memories come throughout any particular day and that is okay, I don’t have to stay in that bad place I can move on from the thoughts and not become miserable all over again.
5. In your opinion, what is a common misconception about addiction recovery that you wish to challenge?
In my opinion, the common misconception about addiction is. You can go to treatment and control your addiction (maybe for a little while if you are working the program going to AA/NA and you have a sponsor). I challenge that because if you don’t heal that underlying trauma you will relapse. Because you don’t learn how to control the thoughts, you don’t know how to shut down the horrible memories.
6. What is one lesson you’ve learned from your clients that has profoundly impacted your life?
One lesson that I have learned from my clients is not to give up on them, don’t take it personally, and keep trusting the process.
7. What motivated you to start Phoenix Raiin, and how does it differ from other addiction recovery programs?
What motivated me to Start Phoenix Raiin? I would say the biggest reason is my clients have asked me how I can continue to work with them after they leave treatment, can I continue to teach them how to overcome their trauma to get out of their head? With the passion and joy that I get every day, I see the growth in my clients. How Phoenix Raiin differs from other programs is that I am teaching the client how to begin loving themselves, going back and reintroducing them to their younger self. Encouraging them to “forgive the things you can’t forget”. I help them release trapped emotions that are trapped in their bodies. I teach them long life lessons that they can continue to use daily. Because this is truly a lifestyle change.
8. Can you discuss a particularly moving success story from your work with Silent Cry 4 Help?
I want to say that Silent Cry 4 Help will always be my baby, as I was a child, a teenager, a woman, wife, mother, and daughter who truly cried in silence. I would beg for help to get out of what seemed like a lifetime of horror, pain, and despair. I have lived 52 years in survival mode. I always felt as if I had to fight for everything, felt as if I was trapped in a life that I didn’t want anymore. Phoenix Raiin is Tina Rising out of those ashes, the pain, and the trauma to see that she is the definition of beauty, grace, and love. Silent Cry 4 Help was me understanding my pain so that I could begin healing the pain so I could begin walking on purpose… I am she.
9. What are the biggest challenges you face running a non-profit organization, and how do you address them?
I am not sure if I am going to make this a non-profit now, there are a lot of elements that go into making a non-profit. I am not saying that it could not happen so for now it is Phoenix Raiin LLC. I need more counsel on that.
10. How has your academic background in business and psychology influenced your approach to running your organizations?
I feel that the business degree is giving me the insight that I need to run a business. My psychology influenced me to know to understand the minds of individuals. I have always loved to prove that we are the way we are because of the key stages in our lives we did not get due to many reasons. I believe in the theories of Freud and Erickson.
11. What are your future plans for Phoenix Raiin and Silent Cry 4 Help? Are there new initiatives we can look forward to?
My future plans for Phoenix Raiin and Silent Cry 4 Help is to have retreats all around the US and in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and Bali to help men, and women have a safe place to come and begin to heal. I would love to have sober living homes beginning in WI. As well as having a storefront where people have a safe place to go to get sound healing, Reiki, and energy healing. A place to purchase natural herbs for healing, knowledge to grow, and a community that supports each other. I would also love to be a spiritual advisor for individuals who are on that platform of performing, singers, and actors. Clearing their space before they perform, clearing and protecting their energy after the performance, and teaching them how to protect themselves as energies attach to us every day. There is good energy and there is negative energy as we as humans have both of these energies and we have to have a balance. There is good energy and there is negative energy as we as humans have both of these energies and we have to have a balance. Help our local police departments, fire, and EMT with EMT online courses to help those who are struggling with mental health and how to let the day of the job go to heal their thought process.
12. You blend spirituality with trauma recovery—how do you navigate skepticism from traditional therapy practitioners?
I navigate skepticism with traditional therapy practitioners through conversations. Challenging them to see outside of the box. To trust the process and to participate in challenging the facts that if you don’t heal that underlying trauma our clients will continue to struggle.
13. How would you describe your leadership style, and how has it evolved over the years?
My leadership style is having the courage to step outside the box myself, to have an open conversation as to what is expected as well as understanding that this does not work if we are not here for the clients. We must be adaptable, compassionate, be transparent. If that is not what someone can do, then maybe Phoenix Raiin is not for you.
14. Securing funding is a crucial aspect of running a non-profit. What innovative strategies have you employed to ensure financial sustainability?
I would love to have black tie events that can help bring awareness to the communities, as well as other kinds of fundraising.
15. For those interested in learning more about your work or getting involved, how can they find out more? Please share any links, upcoming events, or platforms where people can connect with you.
I am working on upcoming events; I am available to do conferences or speaking events. I have a website that will have upcoming events posted in the future, retreats will be on there. Or one can call, and we have a private discussion about what it is that individuals or groups would like and we can develop a plan or as I call it develop a mind mapping on how to work on your trauma, learn tools that will get you out of your head and learn to move past your trauma because the biggest thing is understanding we all have a past, we all have -struggled but our past, our trauma, our addiction does not defy us. My website is –www.Phoenixraiin.net, My phone number is 608-481-2469.
Thank you for your time and for letting me reintroduce myself and sharing my journey of how I was me… while I am becoming she… I am Phoenix Raiin.
As we conclude our spotlight on Tina Metzger Braxton’s journey with Phoenix Raiin, it’s clear that her work in spiritual advising and energy healing is making real strides in the fight against trauma and addiction. Her personal experiences have shaped a formidable approach to helping others, and it’s inspiring to see the difference she’s making. We wish Tina all the best as she continues to expand her reach and help more people find their path to healing. If her story has moved you or sparked your interest, we encourage you to share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
