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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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 continue to prioritize the unique concept of mental beauty, episode 119 of the Dare To Share Your Untold Story Podcast, Mental Beauty Segments, focuses on Abuse and Red Flags, finding courage, dealing with Narcissism. In relation to this episode topic the prior episode 61 has been selected for further exploration and deeper dive. In episode 61, titled “Relationship Toxicity, Red Flags, Abuse and the Impact of not Even Knowing it”, with guest, Dr. Shelley Morgan. Her journey is a powerful example of what it means to reclaim oneself after enduring emotional, verbal, and financial abuse. Her story sheds light on the insidious nature of toxic relationships and the transformational power of self-rediscovery. Dr. Shelley’s open sharing serves as a reminder that abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of intelligence, success, or background. It's a call to recognize the red flags, break free from the cycles of manipulation, and embrace the healing process of finding oneself again. She reflects on how her mental health impacted her physical appearance, it reminds us of the intricate connection between our inner and outer selves. As she says, when you're happy on the inside, it can't help but show on the outside. Good mental health radiates beauty. This idea aligns beautifully with the concept of Mental Beauty—the consistency between what we feel internally and what we project externally. When we prioritize our mental well-being, it reflects in every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our self-expression. Dr. Shelley's headline, "Woman Finds Herself Again," encapsulates the heart of her journey. It's about rediscovering the vibrant, active person she once was, before nearly losing herself in a toxic relationship. It's a story of resilience, of coming back to life after facing mental and emotional death.
3 Practical ‘Mental Beauty Tips’ inspired by Episode 119:
1. Cultivate a Daily Self-Connection Ritual
Abuse often disconnects you from your own feelings, needs, and desires. Re-establishing this connection is crucial:
- Set aside 10–15 minutes daily for a grounding practice such as journaling, mindfulness, or deep breathing.
- This ritual reminds you that your emotions and needs matter and creates a space where your voice is heard—by you.
2. Create a Financial and Emotional Safety Plan
Abusers often use financial and emotional control to keep you trapped. Reclaiming even small amounts of independence can help you stay anchored to your sense of self:
- Open a private bank account and begin saving discreetly, even in small amounts. Build a support network of trusted friends, family, or a therapist to validate your feelings and remind you of your worth.
- These small steps toward independence reinforces your ability to make choices and gives you a foundation for reclaiming control over your life.
3. Reaffirm Your Identity Outside the Relationship
Abuse can make you lose sight of who you are outside of the relationship. Reconnecting with your values and interests strengthens your sense of self.
- Make a list of things you once loved doing or were passionate about before the relationship. Choose one activity to reintroduce into your life, like reading, taking a class, or reconnecting with old friends.
- Exploring your personal interests reminds you that your identity is multifaceted and not defined by the abuse or the relationship.
Episode 119 Takeaway:
A self-care technique called ‘The Love Letter to Self’:
- Grab a Notepad or Phone:
Set a timer for 5 minutes to keep it short and intentional. - Write as if to Someone You Deeply Love:
Imagine you’re writing to someone you care about unconditionally—except this time, it’s you. Use loving, kind, and affirming language. For example: - “Dear Self, I just want you to know how proud I am of you.”
- “You are enough exactly as you are, even on hard days.”
- “No matter what happens, I’m here for you. I’ll always be on your side.”
- Reflect on One Strength or Victory:
End the letter by naming something you admire about yourself or a small win, like: - “I’m amazed at how resilient you are, even when things feel tough.”
- “Thank you for being so kind to others and for showing up for yourself today.”
- Close With an Affirmation:
Wrap up with a loving affirmation: - “I love you, no matter what.”
- “You are my safe place, and I’ll always have your back.”
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 email to mentalbeautycommunity@gmail.com.
Spread Mental Beauty, Stop the Stigma!