Getting Past Survivor

A Journey to Wholeness

Blog & Podcast

Hey there! Welcome to "Getting Past Survivor, A Journey to Wholeness," a blog and podcast where I openly share my personal journey of triumphing over trauma and loss. And, through my writing and speaking, you'll hear stories from other trauma survivors who really want to share their own experiences but prefer to remain anonymous, entrusting me to speak on their behalf.

This podcast is dedicated to creating a safe haven for vulnerability and fostering meaningful connections. Through sharing my stories, my aim is to offer guidance, hope, and inspiration to those who may be navigating their own healing paths. Together, we will unravel the complexities of trauma and loss, unearthing the strength within us to overcome adversity.

Whether you have encountered personal hardships or are looking to understand and support others who have, "Getting Past Survivor, A Journey to Wholeness" is here to accompany you on your journey. I firmly believe that by acknowledging our pain and embracing our vulnerabilities, we can discover the inner strength necessary to triumph over any challenge.

To read more about my story: The Reason for Getting Past Survivor

Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Unconscious Key to Change

Change feels hard because your brain craves ease. Learn how aligning your unconscious mind makes transformation effortless.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The One True Brain (and the Other Two "Brains" People Like to Talk About)

Explore the fascinating connection between the brain, heart, and gut—the three "brains" that influence your emotions, physical health, and overall well-being. Learn how these systems communicate with each other and how understanding this connection can help you improve mental clarity, emotional resilience, and even physical health.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Neuroplasticity: How to Rewire Your Brain for Growth

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to adapt and change, helping you build new neural pathways and strengthen cognitive flexibility. By engaging in activities like learning, physical exercise, mindfulness, and proper nutrition, you can enhance brain function, recover from emotional and physical injuries, and improve overall well-being. Discover how neuroplasticity supports growth, creativity, and emotional resilience, empowering you to thrive in all areas of life.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Brain-Body Connection

Our bodies respond to stress, pain, and emotions in ways that might seem mysterious, but it all comes down to the brain. Let's talk about the science behind how your brain controls every sensation through a complex network of communication pathways. Learn how to tap into this connection using visual, auditory, and sensory techniques to manage stress, reduce tension, and create lasting calm.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Little Things Matter

Micro-traumas—those small, often overlooked moments of hurt or rejection—can have a big impact on your emotional well-being. While they might seem insignificant at the time, these subtle experiences can accumulate over the years, shaping your self-esteem, relationships, and even your everyday decisions. It’s not just the big, life-changing events that leave a mark; the little things matter too.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Remember to Forget / Forget to Remember

Have you ever considered how much control you have over your own memories? The concepts of “remembering to forget” and “forgetting to remember” reveal that we can actively choose how we deal with our past and present experiences.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Power of “YET”

In facing challenges, the words we use shape our mindset. "YET language"—phrases like “so far,” “until now,” or “beyond this point”—shifts our focus from past limitations to future possibilities. Instead of seeing problems as permanent, "YET language" helps us view them as temporary obstacles with the potential for growth.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

15 Things You Can Be Okay With While Healing from Trauma

Healing is a personal journey, and it’s okay to experience various feelings and needs along the way. This blog explores 15 aspects of the healing process and offers sensory-focused tips to help you connect more deeply with yourself. Embrace each part of your journey with compassion and remember, support is always here if you need it.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Move Beyond "I Don’t Know"

The phrase “I don’t know” can show up during simple choices, like picking what to have for lunch, and when we’re faced with major life decisions. It happens because we’re disconnected from our unconscious mind, where intuitive wisdom resides. By listening to sensory cues, we can move beyond indecision and gain clarity, and move into “I DO know!”

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Easy Nervous System Reset

In today's busy world, stress is common and can lead to anxiety and other health problems. Purposeful breathing helps manage stress by balancing the autonomic nervous system. Learn how techniques like belly breathing and box breathing can promote relaxation and improve well-being.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Achieve Those Lingering Goals!

Uncover and overcome hidden blocks in your long-standing goals. Reflect deeply, identify obstacles, and develop strategies to finally achieve your dreams with structured journaling.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

You’ve Mastered Your Problems

Recognizing unconscious patterns developed from past experiences can greatly impact our daily lives. These ingrained behaviors often stem from childhood and can dictate our emotional and psychological responses as adults, sometimes in ways that no longer serve our current needs.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Forgiveness On My Terms

Here, I share my story—not to prescribe, but to offer solidarity in the search for a healing process that honors our individual truths. This is a dialogue about the courage to heal on our own terms, and a challenge to the one-size-fits-all solution often imposed upon survivors of trauma.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Uncovering Hidden Struggles

Did you know that our past experiences can deeply influence our present reality, even if we're not consciously aware of it? Meet Lily, whose outward success belied a hidden struggle rooted in childhood emotional neglect. Follow her journey of self-discovery as she uncovers the unconscious patterns driving her behavior and learns to rewrite her story from the inside out.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Downside of Speaking Goals

Discover the surprising downside of sharing your goals aloud in today's digital age. Uncover how the social reality effect can hinder your progress, leaving you feeling satisfied without taking meaningful steps forward. Learn practical strategies to navigate this phenomenon and stay focused on your aspirations. Read on for tips on selective sharing, action-oriented planning, and celebrating real milestones. Find the balance between external validation and internal drive. Dive into the full blog for insights and actionable advice.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Your Mind is Literally Uniquely You

Explore the depths of the unconscious to understand how past experiences influence our present reality. From revealing hidden conflicts to changing negative patterns, delving into our minds can lead to clarity, healing, and personal growth. Discover the power of self-awareness and embark on a journey to unlock your true potential.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Understanding the Limbic System and Our Sensory Experiences

Discover the power of your limbic system, the brain's emotional center, in shaping how you see, hear, and feel the world. From interpreting visual cues to attaching emotions to sounds and sensations, it influences every aspect of our sensory experiences. Understanding this connection empowers us to navigate our emotions, recognize triggers, and make conscious choices for personal growth and well-being. Unlock the secrets of your mind and embrace the marvels of neuroscience!

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Unlock the Hidden Mind

Did you know that 95% of your mind's activity happens beyond your conscious awareness? This hidden realm holds the key to your automatic emotional and behavioral responses. Feel like you're lacking control? It's because you haven't learned to speak the language of your unconscious mind. By learning how to communicate with it, you’ll tap into the power of your whole mind and achieve the changes you really want.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Your Opposite Can Reveal Your True Self

Diving into the idea of your opposite self is a fun trip into “What if?” land. It’s about being curious enough to flip your view around, just to see what’s on the other side. Give it a shot - Ask yourself, “If I were totally different, what would I do?” You might be surprised by what you find. There could be brilliant sides of you waiting in the shadows of the unconscious mind ready to say, “Hey, where have you been?”

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Group Healing: The Vicarious Experience and the Unconscious Mind

Dive into the world of group healing and discover how our senses play a massive role in our experiences. Ever felt a story resonate so deeply you thought it was yours? This piece unpacks why that happens and how to navigate these sessions without getting lost. With personal insights from a seasoned facilitator, you'll learn to harness the power of your senses for a more genuine healing journey.

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