Her Attacker Was Sentenced to Life in Prison - What It’s Really Like (2/2)

This is Part 2 of my conversation with the incredible Leigh Collins. After surviving a violent home invasion that changed her life forever, Leigh shares what happened next. We talk about living with PTSD, navigating the criminal justice system, facing her attacker in court, the trial, the life sentence that followed, and what it has really taken to rebuild her confidence, sense of safety, and life after unimaginable trauma. If you haven't watched Part 1 yet, head to last week's episode first. Leigh walks us through the terrifying 13 minutes that changed her life forever, from waking up to find a stranger standing in her apartment holding a knife to the moment she escaped and fought for her survival. Whether you've experienced trauma yourself or want to better understand what life looks like after surviving violent crime, I hope Leigh's story reminds you that healing is possible, even when the road is long. Watch Part 1 here:    • She Survived a Violent Home Invasion - Wha...   Follow Leigh Collins: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymisscoll... TikTok:   / heymisscollins   Listen to Leigh's podcast, Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival: https://www.extraordinary-podcast.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Listen to What It's Really Like on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo... Watch more full episodes:    • What It's Really Like with Molly Burke   Subscribe for new episodes of What It's Really Like every Friday, where we go beyond the headlines and stereotypes to have honest conversations about the experiences that shape our lives. Chapters: 00:00 Part Two: Leigh Collins’ Story 02:07 Discovering Her Attacker Had Stalked Her for Years 13:24 Her Injuries, Surgery, and Physical Recovery 20:01 Reclaiming the Parts of Her Body That Changed 23:56 Molly Opens Up About Her Own PTSD 25:13 Why the Aftermath Was Worse Than the Attack 33:39 Childhood Trauma and the Origins of Molly’s PTSD 38:34 Medication and the Turning Point in Molly’s Recovery 41:42 Leigh’s Lowest Point and Her Mother’s Plea 47:10 How Police Found Leigh’s Attacker 50:50 Rejecting a Seven-Year Plea Deal 56:08 Facing Her Attacker in Court 1:05:05 The Guilty Verdict and Life Sentence 1:08:34 Grieving the Years Trauma Took Away 1:13:32 Finding Healing and Community Online 1:17:10 Narcissistic Discard and a Smear Campaign 1:22:48 Reclaiming Her Body, Strength, and Safety 1:26:17 The Mindset That Helped Her Survive 1:31:12 The Awkward Question: Is True Crime Ethical? 1:37:32 Can True Crime Help Women Prepare? 1:42:06 Disability, Vulnerability, and Staying Informed 1:43:23 Where to Follow Leigh Collins 📚 ORDER MY MEMOIR: UNSEEN: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice — available now! Tap the link in bio to get your copy. 🐾 Support My GoFundMe for The Mira Foundation (guide dogs for the blind): https://gofund.me/5d8fc57f 🛍 Shop My Amazon Favorites: www.amazon.com/shop/mollyburke (Find my go-to vision boarding book, motivational stickers, and more in the Health & Wellness section!) 🐝 Join the Killer Bee Club on Patreon:   / mollyburke   🎧 Listen to my audiobook “It’s Not What It Looks Like” on Audible: https://audible.com/mollyburke 📲 FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram: @mollyburkeofficial TikTok: @mollyburkeofficial Twitter: @mollybofficial Facebook: Molly Burke Official 🌐 Learn more about me: http://mollyburkeofficial.com Hi! I’m Molly Burke — a fashion-loving, sushi-obsessed, makeup-wearing millennial who just so happens to be blind. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at 4 years old, I began public speaking at age 5 and haven’t stopped since. From motivational talks to modeling, I’m passionate about creating a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Even though I can’t see, I believe there’s always a bright side — and I’m here to help you find it. 💕