Beyond Surviving with Rachel Grant

Finding flow and balance in our lives really creates this beautiful sweet spot where we are able to “allow the wisdom of [our] emotions and the structure of [our] thoughts to become our teachers and guides. Trying to navigate life when we are overextended and under supported (in other words, out of balance) is, well, simply, a shit show :) Let’s explore how we can gently but firmly parent ourselve...

I know having a strong sense of self and believing in and loving yourself is one of the biggest hurdles we have to jump when it comes to healing from trauma. The good news is, you don't have to wait until you "have it all together" for you to start feeling good about who you are and celebrating that and loving yourself for that! To embracing your unique self! #beyondsurviving #yearoftheinnerchild...

Communication is the bedrock of our interactions, yet few of us are taught to talk and listen in a way that fosters clarity and connection. Too often, our communication habits lead to confusion, misunderstandings, bruised feelings, damaged relationships, and avoidable conflict. In this episode of the Beyond Surviving Podcast, I connect with Mudita Nisker and Dan Clurman, authors of Let's Talk: An...

For sure, abuse leads us to create elaborate defense structures and mechanisms all towards to goal of, "That will never happen again! I will never be hurt that way again!" Trouble is, those walls don't just keep others out - they keep you in. To heal and to free our inner child, we must learn how to slowly and bit by bit and with discernment lower our walls. #beyondsurviving #yearoftheinnerchild #...

Sometimes, those of us who have been abused become too independent and fall into the trap of believing that we have to do everything on our own. But there is a different type of independence that we are celebrating today - the separation from our past, our pain, those who harmed us. We can remove the limits to our freedom and dream and achieve. Get ready to clap! #beyondsurviving #yearoftheinnerch...

There is a whole movement called Earthing, started back in the late 90's. "Earthing is to sync the body to the natural rhythms of the earth. We envision a future where everybody understands how essential it is to be connected to the earth in order to restore and maintain health." Google it - it's pretty fascinating! And sooooo on point. One of the greatest ways we can nurture our inner child is to...

There is so much to say about the way trauma compounds our fear response. We see butterflies and are terrified, but walk right over to tigers. We globalize (everyone is out to get me, nothing ever works out, nobody likes me). We are paralyzed. We hide. This week’s invitation is to stop hiding and instead initiate – action, a conversation, a hobby – anything! Coming out of these frozen states and i...

In this episode, I am joined by John DiGirolamo, author, speaker, and anti-human trafficking advocate. We discuss his effort over the years to shine a light on the cultural influences that lead to human trafficking, including pornography, as well as his tips for protecting children from online predators. We are also joined by Angela Rae Clark who is a dear friend of mind and was profiled in John’s...

When you've grown up with a lack of nurturing and comfort, knowing how to do this for yourself and your inner child is a journey of discovery!  There's so much to gain from learning what makes you feel "comfy cozy". This will also be a huge benefit for times of fear, terror, activation - especially if you're experiencing lots of disruption to your sleep. #beyondsurviving #yearoftheinnerchild...

Exploring the ways we experienced the loss of protection in our lives can help us to understand why our inner child reacts to and fears abandonment in our present day lives. But it's important to understand that what we are facing as adults is different from what we went through as children, so that we can begin to shed the behaviors that are geared towards trying to prevent the loss of connection...

I often say that trauma covers, hides, conceals our true nature, and a big part of the healing process is learning to shed those layers to allow your best, most wonderful self to shine through. Clearing the "debris" of the past also creates space for new growth, new discoveries! Here's to creating a healthy future! #beyondsurviving #yearoftheinnerchild #spring #healthyfuture #exploration #shedthel...

Discernment has a lot to do with the "act of perceiving and observation." Unfortunately, abuse often leads us to have skewed perceptions and to only observe evidence that supports what we already believe. A huge part of re-parenting ourselves has to do with shedding the trauma that obscures or confuses our ability to discern who we are, what we like, what we need, what we want. And a great way to...

One of the things I often end up discussing with my clients is work and the ways in which they feel stuck, scared, or confused about how to navigate this area of their lives. Trauma can impact the way we think and feel about work and success and being able to unpack and challenge that messaging is so important. Also important is learning how to let your adult self lead even while still drawing on...

In this episode, I have the joy of talking with Kalpa Gupta about the common ways that childhood trauma can impact our work, such as hiding behind achievement, overcompensating, not using our voice, and getting triggered. We discuss ways that we can enter into the workplace more grounded, empowered, and self-aware. Kalpa wants you to know, “You are perfect just the way you are and you are not alon...

Have you lost that playful feeling? Has it been forever since you just cut loose and let yourself be silly and present and playful? If so, I hope you'll embrace this week's invitation to do at least one enjoyable thing that the child within you never had the freedom to do. I did that very thing this past weekend, and whoa - it turned out to be a weekend of miracles! #beyondsurviving #mondaymini #y...

When we experience trauma, we are taught the lesson that external forces have great ability to impact us. This is true. AND - what's tricky is that as we come out of abusive situations, we continue to look to something external - not only as a source of potential pain, but as the source of happiness and safety. This is an error. We are responsible for our own happiness. And re-parenting ourselves...

I can swim in the waters of life! I know you sometimes feel like you're drowning ... or that you're in big ol' ocean of feelings with only arm floaties on ... or the waves are crashing one after the other and you can't catch your breath ... I get it. BUT! You know how to swim (and if you don't, let me be a guide to support you in learning how to!). Also - did you know that courage isn't just about...

I feel and express my true feelings. I know, I know -- I can already hear ya saying, "Yeah right, Rachel!? I barely know what I'm feeling most of the time, let alone how to express my feelings." I get it. I've so been there. Yet, developing our capacity to feel and express is a crucial step when it comes to re-parenting ourselves. I share a few tips for how to make friends with your feelings! #bey...

In this episode, I connect with Emma Jane Taylor to discuss the journey of going from denial, to silence, to speaking out. We explore the importance of having a game plan and really understanding why you want to speak out before doing so. Emma Jane wants you to know that you can be, “…too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful, and too determined to be defeated!” Check out The Real...

Now I know that can be a hard one to fully get and embrace, and yet it's a huge part of healing from trauma. You are worthy just because. You do not have to earn it. You deserve love. What is one way you can love on your inner child and coax her/him/them out of hiding this week? #beyondsurviving #mondaymini #yearoftheinnerchild #love #cuddle #nurture #comeoutofhiding #youareworthy #youaredeserving...

Smile. Laugh. Let your inner child giggle and delight. I know you are facing a lot when it comes to healing from trauma. And I also know that taking recovery time outs and tapping into the healing quality of laughter will make a huge difference in your healing process! #beyondsurviving #mondaymini #yearoftheinnerchild #LOL #delight #laughterishealing #joy #power #silliness #coachrachelsays #nervou...

Words shape the world. Shape the self. Shape identity. Shape our character. Shape our outlook on life. Shape possibilities. Trauma turns language into a weapon for destruction of self, hope, options ... but it does not have to remain so. We can lift up our inner child out of the patterns of language that were created by others, by abuse ... and we can use language as a weapon for healing! #beyonds...

Do you feel like the creator of your life? Or do you feel like you are just the product of your dysfunctional upbringing or trauma? Well, I'm here to encourage you to put your hands back on the steering wheel and lean into your ability to create the life you want. Also, get your snaps ready - it's poetry reading time! #beyondsurviving #mondaymini #yearoftheinnerchild #healing #creating #invictus #...

In this not to be missed episode, I have the great joy of connecting with “Come As You Are” author, Emily Nagoski, who shares with us about the work she does combining sex education and stress education to teach women to live with confidence and joy inside their bodies. We tackle a hugely important topic – that of unwanted sexual arousal and the shame survivors often feel as a result of the physic...

One of the best things we can do to heal our inner child is to give them permission to feel angry! Especially all of that stuffed away, not allowed to express, don't you dare feel that anger. I know you may think you'll just explode if you tap into it, but I promise you, on the other side of releasing anger is deep freedom. Let's build a new relationship to anger and find healthy outlets for expre...