Episode 130: The Story She Stopped Editing: Healing Through the Language of Scars
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
In this episode, Tracey shares the powerful parallels between the physical scars she carries and the emotional ones she spent years learning to understand. At eight years old, Tracey survived life-threatening burns when a candle ignited her homemade costume. She recalls going into survival mode instantly, brushing off her pain, and learning early on to fix problems quickly and minimize her own needs. This became the pattern that shaped much of her life. Tracey later joined the Coast Guard and found herself walking directly into the wounds of trauma through search-and-rescue missions. She...
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Episode 129: Perfectionism as a Shield: Rewriting a Childhood Marked by Sexual Abuse
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
In this episode, Nicole shares the story she once believed she would never speak — the decade of childhood sexual abuse she experienced while the world around her saw a bright, high-achieving, “perfect” young girl. At fourteen, a single, intuitive question from her mother led to a moment of truth that changed everything. Nicole reflects on her mother’s immediate protective actions and the fear, shame, and uncertainty that followed in the aftermath. Nicole describes how she learned to push her emotions down, stay busy, and shape herself into whatever version of “okay” she believed...
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Episode 128: Radical Self-Awareness: She Reclaimed Her Power
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
Jennifer was raised to be strong and independent—and she carried that identity proudly. As a critical care nurse, she believed she knew the answers to what it meant to be healthy and well. But life had other lessons waiting. Her journey shifted in 2002, when her second son suffered a massive neonatal stroke just one hour after birth. The experience awakened her to the many gaps in the healthcare system and inspired her to begin bridging those gaps through energy work, nutrition, and exercise. Several years later, on the same day she discovered she was expecting her fourth child, Jennifer...
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Episode 127: A Bold Step Led Her to the Journey of Healing and Calling
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
Julie’s story unfolds at the intersection of faith, identity, and self-compassion. Raised in a culturally and religiously conservative South Asian household, she grew up surrounded by clear definitions of what was right and wrong — spoken and unspoken rules that guided how one should live and belong. But how Julie was authentically wired didn’t always fit those expectations. The tension between who she was and who she was told to be became an early internal struggle, one she learned to carry as if it were her fault. When Julie was ten years old, she lost her father in a tragic car...
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Episode 126: Moving Through the Storm and Rebuilding from the Rubble: A Story on Trauma, Resilience, and Renewal
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
Felicity’s story is one of survival, silence, and rediscovery after enduring over forty years of physical, emotional, and mental abuse. At ten years old, she witnessed her father attempt to kill her mother with a crystal ashtray — a moment that changed everything and taught her to stay quiet, to shut down, and to carry fear as though it were part of her. Throughout her life, Felicity experienced repeated patterns of abuse. She grew up believing her worth was tied to endurance and her safety to silence — patterns rooted in a long line of generational trauma carried by her grandmother, her...
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Episode 125: The Silent Spiral: When Stage IV Cancer Became My Greatest Gift
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
In this deeply honest and transformative episode, Jenn Greenhut shares a story that began in quiet emotional suppression and perfectionism—and evolved into a journey of awakening, trust, and healing. As a young elite gymnast training for the Olympics, Jenn was conditioned to dismiss her emotions, believing that worth was only found through flawless performance. She trained intensely, travelled globally, and learned to disconnect from her needs—until a knee injury forced her out of the sport. That moment, she now says, was her body making the decision she couldn’t. Years later, she poured...
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Episode 124: The Silent Spiral: Walls Torn Down: A Story of Policing, PTSD, and Healing
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
In this raw and courageous episode, Glen opens up about the emotional cost of living behind the badge—sharing how years of witnessing trauma, bottling up pain, and keeping secrets from loved ones quietly unraveled his inner world. He speaks with striking honesty about the toll of suppressing his emotions to maintain a tough exterior, and how it led to walls of disconnection, impulsive choices, and a sense of losing himself completely. Glen describes how PTSD shaped his responses—through recurring nightmares, emotional shutdown, and what he calls “PTSD-influenced decisions” that felt...
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Episode 123: The Silent Spiral: Hidden Struggles and Racing Thoughts Before OCD Had a Name
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
In this honest and thought-provoking episode, Kevin shares his journey of living with racing thoughts that began in childhood—relentless mental loops he couldn’t fully articulate and believed no one else experienced. For years, he suffered in silence, overwhelmed by the belief that he was alone in his struggle. That changed the day he realized others faced similar internal battles—a pivotal moment that reshaped how he viewed himself and his mental health. At age 29, Kevin was diagnosed with OCD, and he describes the emotional resistance that often spiraled into panic attacks—waves of...
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Episode 122: Grief Will Change You, It Certainly Changed Me
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
In this profoundly moving episode, Julia shares a deeply personal untold story that begins with loss—the loss of her beloved mother, a woman who wasn’t just a parent, but also her best friend, protector, and guiding compass. As her mother’s health declined, Julia tried to remain fully present, asking tender questions and offering emotional support through the unknowns of anticipated grief. One moment that stayed with her was her mother describing how, as a child, she found comfort sitting beneath the soft canopy of a willow tree. That image became a symbol of comfort and connection—and...
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Episode 121: Against the Odds: Solo Parenting and Holding It All Together
Dare To Share Your Untold Story
In this deeply moving and reflective episode, Jennifer Gill courageously unpacks the layered experience of solo parenting, thoughtfully distinguishing it from single parenting. Her journey began in 2007 when her mother-in-law passed away, leaving a wave of grief in the family. Jennifer suddenly found herself juggling the emotional needs of her father-in-law, who was now widowed, while her husband relocated two provinces away for work. At home, she was raising two young daughters—ages 7 and 10—both diagnosed with learning disabilities, which came with their own unique set of challenges. At...
info_outlineAs we proceed to prioritize the unique concept of mental beauty, episode 117 of the Dare To Share Your Untold Story Podcast, Mental Beauty Segments, focuses on Reframing Struggles: Finding Flow Through Adversity. In relation to this episode topic the prior episode 87 has been selected for further exploration and deeper dive. In episode 87, titled “From Survivor of Circumstance to Warrior of Flow”, with guest, Inga Tkachenko Ramage. Her journey is a profound example of what it means to embrace the Mental Beauty Rethink in the face of life's greatest challenges. Her story sheds light on how we can transform our perception of struggles, moving from a mindset of merely surviving to one of thriving and finding flow. Inga’s open sharing serves as a powerful reminder that adversity can be a catalyst for growth and self-discovery. By reframing our challenges, we unlock the potential to not only overcome but to emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. Her words perfectly capture the essence of the Mental Beauty Rethink. When Inga speaks about redefining what truly matters in life, it reminds me that we always have the power to reframe our experiences. A single shift in perspective can open up new possibilities and pathways for growth. It's about creating a new foundation, a new way of seeing ourselves and our journeys. Inga also touches on the stigma surrounding mental health, especially in the context of trauma and accident recovery. In her field, there's often resistance to seeking psychological support due to misconceptions about what it means to prioritize mental well-being. Her role is to educate and empower, helping others understand that mental health is not about labels or diagnoses but about honouring our emotional experiences and finding healthy ways to cope.
3 Practical ‘Mental Beauty Tips’ to Move from Isolation to Empowerment and Reframe Struggles inspired by Episode 117:
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Cultivate Self-Compassion Through Mindfulness
Begin with small practices of self-compassion to shift how you respond to challenges. When faced with difficult emotions or self-doubt, ask yourself: What would I say to a loved one in this situation? Then, offer that same kindness to yourself. Incorporate mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or grounding exercises to stay present, especially when overwhelmed by stress or trauma triggers. Remember, self-compassion isn’t about ignoring pain—it’s about embracing it with gentleness and understanding, creating the foundation for healing and growth.
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Set Boundaries That Protect Your Energy
Learning to set boundaries is an act of empowerment. Identify areas in your life where external demands—be it from work, relationships, or systems—are draining your energy or interfering with your recovery. Start by practicing small, assertive "no's" or delegating tasks that feel overwhelming. Protecting your mental and emotional health is not selfish; it’s a necessary step toward reclaiming control over your life. This shift allows you to prioritize actions that align with your values and long-term goals.
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Reconnect and Seek Support
Breaking away from isolation starts with taking small steps to connect with others. Reach out to someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, family member, therapist, or support group, and share your story. If asking for help feels too vulnerable, start by engaging in environments where connection happens naturally—community centres, volunteer opportunities, or local classes. These spaces create opportunities to rebuild your sense of belonging and allow you to see your struggles through a broader lens, transforming pain into a source of resilience and strength.
Episode 117 Takeaway:
A self-care technique called ‘Reframe & Reclaim Journal’:
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Divide a Page into Three Sections:
- What Happened: Briefly describe the struggle or challenge you’re facing. Write it objectively, focusing on facts rather than emotions to gain clarity.
- What It Taught Me: Identify at least one thing the experience has taught you about yourself, others, or life. Even small insights—like recognizing your resilience—can be transformative.
- How I’ll Move Forward: Write one action you can take to reclaim control or find meaning in this struggle. This could be as simple as seeking support, setting a boundary, or practicing gratitude.
Of course, remember, if you want to share something amazing that you would like to have a shout out for on your behalf, just send an e-mail to mentalbeautycommunity@gmail.com.
Spread Mental Beauty, Stop the Stigma!