PJ Smyth and Fiona Rugg
Siblings | Speakers | Survivors
Co-founders, Survivor-2-Survivor.
Our father, John Smyth, is widely recognised as the most prolific abuser connected to the Church of England in the twentieth century.
Our own healing has been deeply shaped by fellow survivors, and the therapists and organisations who supported us along the way. Out of that journey — and the conviction that pain can become purpose — Survivor-2-Survivor was born.
We are currently becoming a registered charity in both the UK and the USA.
Our first mission is simple: to raise awareness and to raise funds for exceptional organisations in the UK, USA, and beyond who are serving survivors of childhood trauma.
Thank you for being here.
Together, let’s help make healing contagious.
Meet PJ
Find out more at pjsmyth.com
PJ Smyth is a speaker/author, survivor and advocate for trauma survivors.
He is the co-founder of Survivor-2-Survivor, a movement that raises awareness and raises funds for organizations supporting adult survivors of childhood trauma.
Survivor-2-Survivor is built on the belief that when it comes to escaping the pit of trauma, no one climbs out alone, and that trauma can become raw material for transformation.
As the youngest and longest-abused victim of the 20th Century’s most prolific abuser connected to the Church of England — his own father — PJ found some rescue ropes to escape his pit of trauma. He is now on a mission to help others find those rescue ropes and climb to freedom.
With thousands of hours communicating from stages, and his own tumultuous journey, PJ is a uniquely compelling communicator. He is the author of See No Evil: The Shed, My Dad, and the Church and The Rescue Ropes: Out of the Pit of Trauma.
PJ married Ashleigh 32 years ago. He is father to three stunning sons, a couple of adorable daughters-in-law, and grandson Charlie. He has lived in the UK, Africa, and now lives the USA. He gyms and enjoys a round of golf … although golf doesn’t enjoy him much.
Find out more at fionarugg.com
Fiona Rugg is a writer, occasional speaker, and advocate for childhood trauma survivors.
As the youngest child of the notorious abuser John Smyth, Fiona is no stranger to childhood trauma. Taking years to recognise the toxic environment she grew up in, she is (still) on a decades-long journey of healing, forgiveness, and freedom.
With hundreds of hours of professional help, Fiona has benefitted from the life-changing power of therapy, and now fights for that same help to be available to everyone.
Alongside the regenerative strength of therapy, inspiration and support have come to Fiona from immersing herself in the stories of other survivors who have overcome adversity and found hope.
Fiona is the co-founder of Survivor-2-Survivor, a vehicle to deliver this inspiration to as many people as possible.
Fiona has been married for just over 20 years and has two fantastic children. Relationships are what make her world go round, but her happy place is when she can combine relationships with movement – ideally a walk or game of tennis.