Getting Past Survivor

A Journey to Wholeness

Hey there! Welcome to Getting Past Survivor, a blog and podcast where I share what it really takes to heal from trauma, loss, and the patterns that keep us stuck.

I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse—
😔 The kind of trauma that lives in your nervous system long after the danger is gone.

I went through a long, expensive divorce—
💸 Choosing myself was the right decision… but it came at a cost.

Three days after it was finalized, I lost the love of my life—
💔 My first love. My safe place. Losing him was the deepest grief I’ve ever known

🌟 But this blog isn’t really about what I’ve survived. It’s about who I became on the other side of surviving.

I share this blog/podcast for people who are tired of just surviving and wondering if life can feel good again. I’m here to let you know — it can.

Inside, you’ll find:

🧠 Tools that actually work—from neuroscience, NLP, hypnosis, and unconscious change methods I’ve used myself

❤️‍🩹 Honest insights on grief, resilience, and rebuilding—because healing isn’t linear, and you’re not doing it wrong

🌱 Truth-telling about growth—the messy, beautiful, real kind, not the Instagram version

💬 Support from someone who gets it—no fixing, no fluff, just encouragement from someone who’s walked this road

If you're still in it, but deep down suspect there’s more waiting for you — you’re right. And you’re in the right place.

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

Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Create Your Future

Ready to shape your future? Future pacing helps you align your mind and emotions to turn your goals into reality. Discover how this powerful technique can transform your path—read more!

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Day I Didn’t Stay Silent

He counted on me staying quiet. But something in me had changed. Years ago, I might’ve frozen. This time, I found my voice—right there in the middle of the holiday crowd.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Connections That Thrive

Want to strengthen your most important relationships? Discover how to nurture trust, build intimacy, and create bonds that truly thrive. Read more now!

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Are You Reacting to Life or Proactively Shaping It?

Do you feel like life is happening to you, leaving you scrambling to catch up? Living in reaction mode can be exhausting, driven by fear and the need to survive the moment. But what if you could step out of the cycle? What if you could purposefully create your life starting now?

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Love Starts with Self-Trust

Discover how true love starts with self-trust. Explore the role of trust and attachment in building relationships that last—beginning with trusting yourself first.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Healing from the Inside Out

For most of my life, food was my comfort, and weight was my shield. Losing 50 pounds felt like a victory, but as the pounds dropped, so did my sense of security. Looking good on the outside doesn’t heal the wounds you carry inside. Real change happens when you heal from within and learn to love yourself at every size. It’s not about the number on the scale—it’s about shedding the emotional weight that’s been holding you back.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Detaching from Attachment

Explore how attachment, as vital as food and oxygen, shapes our lives and emotions. From early unhealthy connections to the deep, mutual bond of true love, the journey of detaching from attachment can lead to profound healing and self-discovery. This reflection delves into the balance between honoring meaningful relationships and maintaining one's sense of self after loss.

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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

A People Pleaser Reclaims Herself

For years, she carried the weight of others' expectations, always putting herself second. Raised in a home filled with guilt and shame, her need to please turned into perfectionism. But now, she’s letting go of those burdens and living for herself. Read her full story of transformation.

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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

NLP Presuppositions

Discover how the NLP (neurolinguistic programming) presuppositions can deepen your understanding of yourself and others, enhance communication, and improve relationships.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

From Chaos to Clarity

Embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation as you explore the profound insights of hypnosis and the unconscious mind. Through these posts, unlock practical tools to accelerate your personal growth and understand yourself on a deeper level. Gain invaluable insights into how your subconscious influences your actions and learn to harness this power for positive change. Dive into the fascinating revelation that the brain reacts before conscious awareness, offering a new perspective on the mysteries of your mind.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Hope

What does hope mean to you? How does it show up in your life, in your healing journey? Do you have hope for yourself? I didn’t for a long time, even though I was determined to find it. And when I did find it, I found me.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

You Have to Move…Immediately

What do you do when your home life is turned upside unexpectedly? How do you react within when you learn that you have 3 weeks to move everything you and your 3 children own? It was chaos, but I didn’t feel it in my body. Rather than panic, my brain was in control in a way that was calm and focused on solutions. How do you want your brain to respond in times of chaos?

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Childhood Sexual Abuse & The Dentist

The dentist office is a scary place for most people I know. It’s even worse for survivors of sexual abuse. Here is some insight for both survivors, and professionals who serve them, so we can create a feeling of safety in the dentist chair.

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