Martha Glory Kartaoui: Resilient Cult Survivor, Influential Leader in the Wellness Industry, Set to Launch Show, Let Glory Shine: The Power Within Ascends

Martha Glory Kartaoui is a resilient cult survivor turned influential leader in the wellness industry. As the owner of PIC Wellness, LLC, and the creator of Trauma-x, a community of trauma-healing “battle angels”—Martha empowers others to achieve their highest and best holistic health in mind, body, and spirit. She has been committed to her own healing journey for the last 14 years and now finds purpose and passion in helping others navigate their next steps toward healing. Martha combines professional expertise, personal experience, and spiritual wisdom to inspire survivors to reclaim their lives and thrive. She is also an Amazon Bestselling International Author of Glory: Going All In: Cult Survivor to Courageous Warrior, a dynamic speaker, trauma-informed coach, and an event/workshop facilitator. Martha will be adding TV host to her resume shortly as the host of Let Glory Shine: The Power Within Ascends beginning on May 15, 2025, on Prospera TV.

Let Glory Shine: The Power Within Ascends is a powerful, soul-stirring show created to walk alongside trauma survivors—whom I call Battle Angels—as they reclaim their truth, rise in their healing, and awaken the divine power within. Rooted in my story from Glory: Going All In, this show is a sanctuary for transformation where pain meets purpose, and where freedom becomes more than a dream—it becomes your new reality.

Real. Raw. Empowering. Sacred.

Each episode will feel like sitting down with someone who’s been in the valley and made it through the fire. Viewers will experience warmth, healing, and fierce truth, all wrapped in love and spiritual depth.

The mission is to dismantle shame, normalize healing, and offer spiritual and emotional tools to those ready to step out of survival and into sovereignty.

Trailer for Let Glory Shine: The Power Within Ascends https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSf1V1eQNTk&authuser=0 

You were born and raised in a dangerous religious cult and escaped 20 years ago. Take us through that time and how you escaped. 

I was born and raised in a high-control religious cult located in Shawano Wisconsin. The cult leader dictated every part of mine and my family’s existence, what we wore, what we ate, what we believed, child rearing practices, and even what we thought politically, spiritually, and everything in between. I was given my name by the cult leader, not my parents. As a child, I was taught to fear the outside world and to “want no part of it.” We believed that “Cultman” (what I now call the leader of our Cult) had divine authority over our lives, our decision making, our salvation and survival. Blind faith was a must. Individuality and independence was sinful. And questioning anything was dangerous. 

By the time I was a young woman, I felt suffocated by a system that used fear, shame, physical abuse, brainwashing, isolation and manipulation to keep its members obedient, but at the same time, it was all I knew. I didn’t know it was wrong, I just knew I didn’t like it and I began to dare to dream of a different future. 

At age 21, I started working for one of the cult owned businesses so I had some exposure to the outside world, and this minimal exposure would end up changing everything, because I met Papa. Papa was a local elderly man that took an interest in me the first time that he visited the shop I was managing for the cult. Over the next four years he would become a grandfather figure, my life line, my secret keeper, and the one who first introduced me to Jesus. It was because of our almost daily conversations that I began to quietly question the Cult’s teachings, the abuse of power, and why the “truth” we were promised felt more like a prison than freedom. But shifting my thinking and imagining a life outside of this bubble and all that I had ever known was scary and the uncertainty kept me stuck. That was until I had a reason to be strong, and courageous for someone other than myself. I found my sister Smyrna on the internet as she had separated herself from the cult years prior. In connecting with her, I found out that she was pregnant. This news flipped the switch in my head, heart and spirit. I was willing to do anything that I had to in order to get back to NC to be with my sister while she was pregnant. It pained me so deeply that she had no family support, and I felt like I owed this to her. Growing up in the cult, we weren’t allowed extended familial relationships if they weren’t part of the cult. I had gone my whole life without grandparents, aunts and uncles, or cousins, and something rose up inside of me that said, “I will not allow the next generation to feel the way that I have my whole life, this baby will know that their Auntie risked everything to know them and love them!” I knew that an escape was risky, tricky, and close to impossible. My every move was monitored because I lived in Cultman’s compound. I had tried escaping once before and had gotten caught and the repercussions for that attempt were excruciating. My head was shaved 15 times, all of my worldly possessions were burned, and I was ostracized, shamed, physically abused and humiliated for months because I dared to try to leave. 

My escape was dramatic in the Hollywood sense. Papa, and I painstakingly planned, calculated, and prayed over every single detail leaving nothing to chance. Well except for the unaccounted for divine winter blizzard that blew in at the exact time of my planned escape, which made my voluntary evacuation so much simpler. You have to read my book Glory: Going All In for the details on my escape, but to say that God was in it is an understatement. 

Leaving the cult, and everything I had ever known with childlike tools and no roadmap for life was daunting to say the least, but my spirit was infused with a life force I had never known. My worldly possessions consisted of a couple of bags of my belongings, a $1000 white Dodge Neon that Papa had bought me as my get away car, and $1500 that Papa had given me to start my new life. My heart and mind were full of fear, but my spirit whispered to me in a fierce, courageous and insistent way, “You are meant for more! This baby will always know that you did this so you could be with them!” 

It has been 20 years since I escaped the cult. The first several years out of the cult are a blur because I was still merely surviving. When I left the cult, I packed my trauma away in a proverbial lockbox, chained it shut and left it anchored in the pond on the compound property. But to my chagrin, my trauma followed me home, and to work, and into my new life like a shadow or a black cloud just waiting for me to notice it and release it.  

The years that followed, and the healing journey that I have been on for the last 14 years have been some of the hardest and most beautiful times of my life. I had to totally recalibrate my nervous system as I had spent the majority of my life in a state of fight or flight. I had to learn emotional regulation. And, I had to unlearn everything I was taught, understood and believed in order to rebuild from the ground up—my beliefs, my worth, my spirituality and my voice. I had to release identities that were forced upon me that were never mine in the first place like, fat, ugly, defiled, worthless, and will amount to nothing. Glory: Going All In was born from that healing journey. It’s a love letter to the battle angel who is still stuck, still silenced, still afraid. It’s proof that even from the deepest darkness, light can break through. My escape wasn’t just about leaving a cult—it was about choosing myself for the first time and giving myself permission to become the woman that I God meant for me to be.

“When we surrender our desires to God’s needs, miracles happen.” Explain 

When we surrender our desires to God’s need, we often let go of our limited understanding of what we think we want and open ourselves to the divine possibilities that God has in store for us. This act of surrender is not about losing our ambitions or dreams; rather, it’s about transforming them into something more profound and impactful. 

For many this shift in understanding can lead to extraordinary transformations. When we trust in a higher power and seek to fulfill His needs, we often find that our paths align with our true calling. Miracles can manifest in various forms—healing from past wounds, unexpected opportunities, or even a newfound sense of peace and purpose. 

By embracing the belief that our struggles can be part of a larger narrative, we can inspire others who are on similar journeys. The way I see it is when we prioritize spiritual alignment over personal desires, we create space for miracles to unfold in our lives and the lives of those around us. In doing so, we not only find fulfillment but also contribute to a greater good, embodying the essence of true empowerment. 

You are an influential leader in the wellness industry. Tell us about PIC Wellness, LLC and your holistic approach to helping others. 

PIC Wellness, LLC represents a transformative approach to holistic health, integrating mind, body, and spirit to foster overall well-being. At the heart of our mission is the Trauma-X coaching program, designed to guide individuals through their healing journeys by addressing the root causes of their struggles. 

Trauma-X recognizes that trauma affects not only our mental and emotional states but also our physical health and spiritual connection. Our holistic approach involves personalized coaching sessions that combine therapeutic techniques, mindfulness practices, and wellness strategies. We aim to create a safe space where clients can explore their past experiences, understand their impact, and develop practical tools for healing. 

Through this program, we emphasize the importance of self-awareness and self-compassion, encouraging individuals to embrace their vulnerabilities. By integrating practices such as meditation, breathwork, and nutrition guidance, we help clients cultivate resilience and empower them to reclaim their lives.

At PIC Wellness, we believe that true wellness encompasses every aspect of a person’s life. Therefore, our holistic approach is not just about overcoming trauma but also about fostering a sense of purpose, community and connection. We guide our clients to align their goals with their core values, facilitating a journey toward wholeness that honors their unique experiences. 

Ultimately, our mission at PIC Wellness, LLC is to inspire and empower individuals to transform their pain into purpose, creating a ripple effect of healing that extends beyond themselves and into their communities. 

What are some of the recurring themes from your clients and how do your programs enable them to reclaim and thrive in their lives? 

In my experience working with clients through my Trauma-X coaching program several recurring themes emerge that highlight the common struggles and aspirations individuals face. These themes include: 

1. Desire to overcome past trauma that is holding them back mentally, physically, emotionally etc: Many clients grapple with the lingering effects of past experiences that hinder their ability to move forward. They often express feelings of being stuck or unable to fully embrace their potential. 

2. Desire for Empowerment: A strong desire to reclaim their lives and sense of self often motivates clients to seek coaching. They want to cultivate resilience and learn how to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and a better equipped tool belt. 

3. Struggles with Self-Worth, Self- Awareness and Self-Compassion: Many individuals struggle with negative self-talk and feelings of unworthiness. They seek tools to foster self-love and understanding, essential components of the healing process. 

4. Searching for Purpose: Clients frequently express a yearning for meaning in their lives, wanting to transform their pain into a source of inspiration for themselves and others. 

To address these themes, my programs are designed with a holistic approach that encourages clients to reclaim their lives and choose to thrive. Here’s a brief overview of how the programs work: 

Trauma-X Coaching Program 

Assessment and Awareness: We begin with an in-depth assessment to understand each client’s unique experiences and challenges. This helps to create a personal tailored plan that addresses their specific needs. 

Mindfulness Practices: Clients are introduced to mindfulness techniques that promote emotional regulation and self-awareness, enabling them to stay present and grounded.

Empowerment Strategies: We focus on building self-esteem and resilience through goal-setting exercises, positive affirmations, and cognitive reframing techniques. Healing Modalities: Incorporating various healing modalities such as journaling, visualization/meditation, and breathwork allows clients to process their emotions and release trauma stored in the body. 

Community Support: Clients are encouraged to connect with others through group sessions or the Trauma-x community, fostering a sense of belonging and shared experience, in order to feel less alone on their healing journey. 

Integration of Spirituality: We explore the role of spirituality in their healing journeys, helping clients to find deeper meaning and connection with a higher purpose. 

Ongoing Support and Growth: Regular follow-up sessions ensure continued support and accountability, allowing clients to share their progress and challenges. Resources and Tools: Clients receive access to a wealth of resources, including workbooks, guided meditations, and recommended readings to aid their ongoing journey. 

By addressing these recurring themes and providing a comprehensive, supportive framework, my programs empower clients to reclaim their lives, heal from past wounds, and thrive. The goal is to facilitate a transformation that not only impacts their personal lives but also inspires those around them, creating a ripple effect of healing and empowerment. 

Tell us about your book, Glory: Going All In: Cult Survivor to Courageous Warrior which is more than your story; you provide a path to healing that intertwines spirituality with practical recovery strategies.

“Glory: Going All In” is a transformative narrative that goes beyond just telling my story; it serves as a guide for those seeking healing and ready to rewrite their own story. We don’t choose our trauma, but we do get to choose whether we heal from it. Our past does not have to define us, and at any time we can make a choice to reclaim, release and re-identify with who we are and who we want to be. My book intricately weaves together my personal experiences with practical recovery strategies, emphasizing the importance of spirituality in the healing process. 

In “Glory,” I share my journey through my own challenges and traumas. The narrative unfolds with raw honesty, reflecting the struggles and victories that shaped my path as well as the ups, downs, twists and turns of my faith journey. Readers will find relatable moments that resonate with their own experiences, fostering a sense of connection and understanding.

In Glory: Going All In, you will:

• Learn practical steps to overcome trauma and reclaim your life through Martha’s unique coaching program.
• Gain insights into harnessing the power of God’s love to rewrite your life story.
• Find inspiration from Martha’s own journey from darkness into light.
• Connect with spiritual practices that can support your healing and growth

What sets “Glory” apart is its comprehensive approach to recovery. Alongside personal anecdotes, the book provides actionable strategies for healing—drawing from the principles of my Trauma-X coaching program. These strategies encompass mindfulness practices, self-compassion exercises, and practical tools that encourage readers to take ownership of their healing journeys. 

The intertwining of spirituality and recovery is a central theme, demonstrating how surrendering to a higher purpose can unlock new possibilities. “Glory: Going All In” invites readers to explore their own paths, encouraging them to embrace vulnerability and courage as they navigate their unique challenges. 

Overall, this book is not just a memoir; it’s a roadmap for anyone seeking to turn their pain into purpose, empowering them to go all in on their journey toward healing and fulfillment. 

You are a much sought-after keynote speaker. Please share your topics and upcoming engagements. 

As a keynote speaker, I focus on topics that remove the stigma of trauma and inspire and empower audiences to embrace transformation and healing as a choice and a way of life. Some of the key topics I cover include Journey back to You, you are who you say you are, look at You! All of these speak about the importance of reclaiming your identity and doing the work to figure out who you are and who you want to be as you step into this healing season. 

In terms of upcoming engagements, I am excited to be speaking at various conferences, women’s empowerment events, and faith-based seminars. While specific dates and locations may vary, I encourage you to stay tuned to my website and social media channels for the latest updates on my speaking schedule. Each event is an opportunity to connect with individuals seeking inspiration and practical tools for their own journeys of healing and empowerment. 

What is next for you? 

There are so many exciting things ahead that I’d love to share! My show Let Glory Shine debuts on Prospera TV on May 15th!  I am facilitating a powerful in person Trauma Transforming Event (UNBOUND) in Charlotte, NC on Sept 12-14, tickets are on sale now and seats are limited. https://abauthentically.com/unbound (Use the promo Code Unbound25 for a discount)

I am currently working on my 2nd book, (Unlocking Freedom: Taking Back Her Keys), 3rd book (You can’t make this sh*t up: God Did It) and 4th book (Deliverance: A Battle Angel Anthology). I am working towards getting a mainstream book deal this time around. 

 www.trauma-x.org and www.letgloryshine.com 

www.linkedin.com/in/martha-kartaoui-a7840b291 

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