Getting Past Survivor

Finally Be The Real You

There comes a point when surviving just isn’t enough.

You’ve made it through the worst—but life still feels like a holding pattern. You’re not falling apart, but you’re not thriving either. That quiet sense that something more is possible? It’s not wishful thinking. It’s truth. And it’s what this space is all about.

Getting Past Survivor was born from that very moment—when I realized I was no longer in crisis, but far from feeling whole. I’d lived through childhood sexual abuse, relentless bullying by both other kids and teachers, and a difficult marriage that drained me. I had done a lot of healing — but something was still missing. And deep down, I knew something better was possible. So I went looking for it.

In the years that followed, my healing was tested in ways I couldn’t have predicted—especially when I lost the love of my life at 54. It was another kind of survival. But even through that grief, the work I’d done helped me keep going. And now, I help others do the same.

This space is a blend of blog and voice. Every post can be read, and many include audio so you can listen right here or on my podcast. Take in the words however they land best for you.

You’ll find:
🧠 Brain-based tools—NLP, hypnosis, and unconscious rewiring that actually work
❤️‍🩹 Real talk on grief, growth, and healing (the non-linear kind)
🌱 The messy, beautiful journey to becoming you again
💬 Support from someone who gets it—not to fix you, but to walk with you

If you feel like there’s something beyond the pain—even if you can’t name it yet—you’re right. And you don’t have to get there alone.

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

Michelle Anne VA Michelle Anne VA

Your unconscious mind is driving more than you think

Your unconscious mind is working behind the scenes, making choices long before you notice. In those hidden seconds, it shapes your actions, reactions, and even emotions. The good news? You can reprogram these automatic patterns and harness your mind’s power to create the life you actually want.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

When Gratitude Feels Out of Reach

If you’ve ever felt like gratitude is just out of reach, this blog is for you. It’s not about resistance—it’s about protection. Explore why your brain might not feel safe enough for gratitude yet, and how true healing begins with listening, not forcing.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

When Survival Was the Plan

You’ve probably heard it: “Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.”
Sounds poetic—unless your only “plan” was to survive.
This post explores what happens when surviving is the whole story… and how healing makes room for more.

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Michelle Anne VA Michelle Anne VA

The Battle Between Knowing and Feeling

You know you’ve grown. You know the relationship is over. So why does your chest still tighten? Why do you still flinch, worry, or overthink even when life feels calm? This post explores the hidden reason your healing hasn’t felt like healing—and what you can do about it.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

I’m Raising People Not Pets

Being a mom doesn't end when your kids grow up—but the role changes. Learn how to stop over-caring, trust the adults you raised, and stay lovingly connected without hovering.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

How to Stop Expecting the Worst

Still on edge, even though nothing bad has happened in years? Your brain may be stuck in fear. Learn how to begin retraining unconscious patterns and finally feel safe—without forcing yourself to “just get over it.”

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Are You Gaslighting Yourself?

Think gaslighting only comes from others? Learn how self-gaslighting shows up, why we do it, and what happens when we finally stop minimizing our truth. The most convincing lies are the ones we tell ourselves.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Change Can Be Easy

Change doesn’t have to be a battle.
If your brain feels stuck, it’s not broken—it’s just following old instructions. Real change starts when you stop pushing and start listening.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

You’re Not Broken

You’re not broken.
Even after healing, something can still feel off. There’s a reason—and a way through it.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Why Affirmations Don’t Work—Until You Do This

Affirmations aren’t magic spells—they’re only effective when your unconscious mind believes them. In this blog, I revisit the real reason positive affirmations often fall flat and share how to speak to your brain in a way it can actually hear.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The 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

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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