Every Contact Leaves It's Trace
- Andrew Lord
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 15
15th September, 2025
An Inspiring STORY OF Adversity to Advocacy
with Charmain Woods
Charmain Woods' story is a powerful testament to the human spirit's ability to not only survive but thrive in the face of immense adversity. As a survivor of childhood domestic violence, addiction, and homelessness, Charmain has channeled her past traumas into a force for good, building a remarkable career as a police officer, lawyer, and community advocate.
In this week's episode, Charmain shared the profound lessons she learned from her challenging beginnings. Growing up in fear with a mother who had mental health issues and a stepfather who was a chronic alcoholic, she developed a fierce sense of resilience. She credits her early ability to compartmentalise her experiences and her unwavering focus on an "escape plan" as the foundations for her later success. This resilience became a central theme in her life and career, particularly during her time in law enforcement.
Charmain’s journey from a childhood of chaos to a career in law enforcement and law highlights a unique perspective. She brings a deep sense of empathy to her work, viewing clients as individuals with their own complex histories rather than just a number or a case. This approach, she explains, is crucial to achieving the best possible outcomes and avoiding unconscious bias. She has found her legal career to be the "best side for using the law to help others," particularly through her work in criminal profiling and understanding client backgrounds.
Her life is a living embodiment of the principle she holds dear: "every contact leaves its trace." Charmain has put a positive spin on this forensic principle to focus on the positive and uplifting effect that we can all have - and she aims to create this positive impact on everyone she meets. Her goal is to be a source of positivity and encouragement, drawing on her own experiences to show others that they too can overcome hardship.
Today, Charmain continues to balance her legal career with guest speaking and volunteering on various community boards. Her mission is to mentor and guide the next generation, inspiring them to find their own paths to success and resilience.
To learn more about Charmain Woods and her work, you can find her on LinkedIn. Her story is a powerful reminder that even the most difficult beginnings can pave the way for a life of purpose and positive impact.
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