Josie Released from Within

About the Book

Josie Released from Within is based on a true story about a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her—family, security, popularity, beauty, and a bright future. But amongst the most vulnerable set of circumstances, she faced serious trauma caused by a set of events that would change her life forever. This is an inspiring story covering three decades of one woman’s life, a success story worth reading, with a message for those who struggle with mental illness and with great insight into her world when it crumbled around her.

About the Author

My name is Josie Coghlan. I am forty-five years of age. I am Australian and live in Central Victoria. I have been married to my husband for twenty years and have a sixteen-year-old son. My journey so far in life has taught me many things, but I still have a lot to see and do. One of my goals in life is to travel the world and be inspired to write and learn from other cultures. My faith in God and my love for my husband and son are the centre of my life. Growing up, I was one of eight children and a very happy person who excelled in most sports and music. I love music and singing and later developed a skill for poetry and writing. I have written many of my own lyrics for songs that I have performed with my brother and friend. We recorded our own album, The Shy, and I thoroughly enjoyed that part of my life. It wasn’t always an easy ride for me, but I hope my belief to ‘live and learn’ has been good for me. I am forever grateful for my friends. Leading the choir at Mass on a Sunday and having such quality of life nowadays, I feel that giving back and reaching out are what I should do. To set projects and achievements for myself—like writing a book, for example—inspires me. I could help and give hope to someone. As an older woman, I see things from a different perspective, and I have a new appreciation of what I might have to offer.