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 abuse, relentless bullying, and a 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
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!
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.
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.
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.
NLP Presuppositions
Discover how the NLP (neurolinguistic programming) presuppositions can deepen your understanding of yourself and others, enhance communication, and improve relationships.
The Downside of Speaking Goals
Discover the surprising downside of sharing your goals aloud in today's digital age. Uncover how the social reality effect can hinder your progress, leaving you feeling satisfied without taking meaningful steps forward. Learn practical strategies to navigate this phenomenon and stay focused on your aspirations. Read on for tips on selective sharing, action-oriented planning, and celebrating real milestones. Find the balance between external validation and internal drive. Dive into the full blog for insights and actionable advice.
Boost Your Self-Esteem: Transformative Tools for Positive Change
Explore the transformative journey of overcoming low self-esteem, guided by the concept of mindful debugging. Uncover the power of self-guided experiences through purposeful workbooks designed for personal growth. Discover tangible benefits and witness the transformative process that leads to a more empowered and resilient self and ultimately raise your self-esteem!
Understanding and Navigating Trauma: A Comprehensive Guide for Survivors and Their Loved Ones
The belief that "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" doesn't always hold true for trauma survivors. Trauma can lead to behaviors like excessive accommodation, tolerance of negativity, emotional clutter, quick forgiveness, and difficulty asserting oneself. Loved ones should encourage survivors to express needs, set boundaries, and be patient. Survivors may also face challenges in speaking up, excessive sensitivity, trust issues, and navigating relationships. The path to healing involves understanding these changes, fostering open communication, and providing support for a balanced and fulfilling life.
The Power of Words
Our words shape our brains. Expressions like "I feel depressed" reinforce negativity. Discussing problems offers temporary relief but often leads to frustration and limited change. Positive affirmations benefit those with high self-esteem but may worsen negative beliefs for those with low self-esteem due to confirmation bias. Understanding how our brains interpret language, including sensory experiences, is crucial for lasting change and personal growth.
My Dad
As the strong, silent type and a devoted executive and family man, my dad dedicated himself to self-improvement and our family's well-being. He actively worked on his marriage and was a constant in our lives despite a demanding career. After his passing, I uncovered his deep-seated struggles through a letter about my childhood abuse. This revealed his inner conflict and regret for not protecting me more, shedding light on the complex emotional challenges men face in balancing societal strength with vulnerability. His journey deeply resonates with me, highlighting the intricate dance between masculinity and emotional openness.
Why Listening to CSA Survivors Matters More Than Ever
Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) often feel silenced, dismissed, or disbelieved — even by those closest to them. In this heartfelt episode, I share why it’s so important to truly listen. Because silence doesn’t protect anyone — but empathy and belief can change everything.
What Propels You?
This blog post explores two mindsets: "go-getter" (enthusiastic and goal-oriented - moving towards) and "avoider" (cautious and problem-focused - moving away from). Let’s talk about the importance of language patterns in shaping our reality and encourage a balanced communication style that considers both pursuing goals and addressing challenges.
The Cost of Silence: CSA, Shame & the Power of Communication
Survivors of CSA often learn to suppress their voice before they even know they have one. In this honest and deeply personal reflection, I explore how silence shaped my early life—and how opening communication with my own children became the greatest healing of all.
The Family Dinner
When my children were growing up, our dinner table was a special place. Each night, one of them would be the moderator, asking questions that brought us closer together. We shared the best and worst parts of our day, what made us laugh and cry, something we learned, and our favorite memory. These conversations created a bond that will forever be cherished.
The Opportunity of Chaos
Life is full of chaos. And that’s a bad thing, right? Or is it? Reframing what we perceive as negative into something that’s positive will shift your focus into finding the bright side of life!
The Map is Not the Territory
The map and territory are metaphors used to illustrate the difference between the actual world and our understanding of the world as we perceive it to be. The ‘map’ is our understanding of the ‘territory’ of reality, and we must be careful to remember that the map is not the territory! Let's talk about how distorted maps affect relationships so we can become more aware of how we're seeing the world. The more we understand our views, the more we can update our maps, the better we can relate to others and with ourselves!
Woobies
The Power of the Woobie
We don’t really know the power of stuffed animals and blankets when we first give them to our babies, but as babies are developing they are developing attachment to the objects around them and these woobies become much more than objects to babies. They’re comfort within that last a lifetime.
Technology is a Stalker
You can run, but you can’t hide. Technology always has a way of getting through.
Wanderlust
My mind raced…How could I go by myself?? But I knew that if I didn’t go, I’d be missing a chance of a lifetime!
The Empathetic Heart
Caregivers and survivors often take on more than their share of emotional weight. In this post, I share a client story about how grief and guilt collided—and how we used unconscious mind work to shift from a sympathetic heart to an empathetic one. If you’ve ever felt responsible for someone else’s healing, this is for you.