I’m so glad to have you here and hope you stay for a bit longer. You can call me Katy or Smiley – I don’t really mind. I was born in Slovakia but have lived out of the country for longer than I was living there. Saying this, I still love that small country with a big heart in the middle of Europe. I’ve been living in several European countries and have settled with my husband in the South of England a few years ago. Yes, my hubby is British, and yes, I love it here.

I’m a trauma-informed well-being writer, grief and loss coach, and mental health mentor. My work is rooted in helping others navigate invisible grief in a world that often doesn’t understand it. I’m passionate about creating spaces where people can express their pain, reclaim their voice, and begin to move forward—with purpose, peace, and even joy—especially when life hasn’t turned out the way they imagined.

As a trauma survivor and chronic pain warrior, I truly believe that God kept me here for a reason. My lived experience of trauma and resilience has shaped everything I do. I share my journey of healing and hope on my Journeyofsmiley blog, and I’ve created safe spaces like the PTSD: My Story Project and the Grief Stories series—places where people from all walks of life can share their hardest moments and feel heard.

My work is grounded in empathy, faith, and the healing power of storytelling and community. I hold a degree in Education and co-authored Rising Above: Stories of Overcoming. Originally from Slovakia, I now live on the South Coast of England with my amazing husband, Chris.

My mission is to inspire and empower others to heal—to reconnect with hope, discover meaning, and grow beyond just surviving. I believe healing shouldn’t be a privilege, but a right that everyone deserves. That’s why I created a free resource called ‘7 Keys to Self-Healing: A Trauma Survivor’s Guide’—to support others on their own journey.