Getting Past Survivor
Because “surviving” was never meant to be the whole story
If you’ve ever felt stuck replaying the same patterns — overthinking, people-pleasing, shutting down, or trying to prove your worth — you already know survival mode doesn’t end just because the danger did.
It lingers in the brain, shaping how you think, feel, and show up in life.
This space is about understanding how your brain learned to survive, how to rewire it, and how to live freely, fully, and intentionally.
You may have survived something big or small — but survival isn’t the end of your story.
Getting Past Survivor is about moving beyond those automatic patterns — fight, flight, freeze, or fawn — and into a life led by choice, not fear.
It’s the journey of letting go, retraining the mind, and becoming someone you can trust to treat yourself well.
If you sense there’s something beyond survival — even if you can’t name it yet — you’re right.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
💙 Helen
To read more about my story: The Reason for Getting Past Survivor
If you’d like to explore specific topics or themes — from self-trust to rewiring the brain
— visit the Getting Past Survivor Library.
It’s a listing of the blogs in my every growing collection, sorted into 6 healing pillars (w/ links):
💫 Self-Trust | 🌱 Self-Design | 🧠 Rewire Your Brain | 🤝 Relationships | 🎯 Tools & Sensory Awareness | 💬 Own Your Voice
Forgiveness On My Terms
Here, I share my story—not to prescribe, but to offer solidarity in the search for a healing process that honors our individual truths. This is a dialogue about the courage to heal on our own terms, and a challenge to the one-size-fits-all solution often imposed upon survivors of trauma.
Your Mind Behind the Curtain
"Your Mind Behind the Curtain" offers a behind-the-scenes look at how I leverage NLP and hypnosis to catalyze change. Discover my approach to unlocking your unconscious, reshaping your experiences, and steering towards your fullest potential.
Introspection/Self-Perception
Introspection is a natural process where our minds reflect on ourselves, but it often leans toward negativity due to our brain's survival instincts and external influences. However, exploring our sensory experiences can help us understand our thoughts and emotions better. By being curious and embracing this journey, we can grow and become more authentic. Introspection isn't about getting lost in negativity; it's about understanding ourselves deeply.
Uncovering Hidden Struggles
Did you know that our past experiences can deeply influence our present reality, even if we're not consciously aware of it? Meet Lily, whose outward success belied a hidden struggle rooted in childhood emotional neglect. Follow her journey of self-discovery as she uncovers the unconscious patterns driving her behavior and learns to rewrite her story from the inside out.
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 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.
Your Mind is Literally Uniquely You
Your unconscious mind is running more of the show than you think. When you start paying attention to the patterns beneath the surface, things finally start to make sense.
Understanding the Limbic System and Our Sensory Experiences
Discover the power of your limbic system, the brain's emotional center, in shaping how you see, hear, and feel the world. From interpreting visual cues to attaching emotions to sounds and sensations, it influences every aspect of our sensory experiences. Understanding this connection empowers us to navigate our emotions, recognize triggers, and make conscious choices for personal growth and well-being. Unlock the secrets of your mind and embrace the marvels of neuroscience!
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.
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.
Unlock the Hidden Mind
Did you know that 95% of your mind's activity happens beyond your conscious awareness? This hidden realm holds the key to your automatic emotional and behavioral responses. Feel like you're lacking control? It's because you haven't learned to speak the language of your unconscious mind. By learning how to communicate with it, you’ll tap into the power of your whole mind and achieve the changes you really want.
Your Opposite Can Reveal Your True Self
Diving into the idea of your opposite self is a fun trip into “What if?” land. It’s about being curious enough to flip your view around, just to see what’s on the other side. Give it a shot - Ask yourself, “If I were totally different, what would I do?” You might be surprised by what you find. There could be brilliant sides of you waiting in the shadows of the unconscious mind ready to say, “Hey, where have you been?”
It Happened *For* Me
In this post, I share a personal journey of transformation through life's hardest moments, from losing a job to the deeper pain of losing a loved one. It's a story of how these experiences have reshaped my understanding of the unconscious mind, leading to growth, resilience, and a newfound depth of empathy. Join me as we explore the hidden lessons in life's challenges.
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.
My Guest Appearance with Mollie Sommer
I recently joined Mollie Sommer's podcast to discuss my journey of self-discovery and resilience, emphasizing the rediscovering a love for learning, transformation, positive decision-making, finding joy and self-expression through dance, exploring alternative change modalities like NLP and hypnosis, and truly go through the journey of Getting Past Survivor.
Empowering Questions
Every day we have decisions, questions, quandaries, dilemmas to figure out, understand. Here are some questions that can help enlighten the process.
Turning to Belief
Imagine this: a battle within, one part cheering, "You deserve the best!" The other whispers, "No, you don't.” You try to believe, to break free from doubts. Looking back, you long for that confident step into a fulfilled life.
Ever notice resistance holding you back? What if you could let it go, embracing your truth and transforming your life?
Talking About CSA: 10 Beliefs That Keep Parents Silent — And Why That Has to Change
Many parents avoid talking about CSA (child sexual abuse) because they’re afraid, unsure, or believe it doesn’t apply to them. But silence only protects abusers. In this post, I share 10 common reasons people avoid the conversation — and the truths that can help you feel more confident, prepared, and empowered to protect the children in your life.
Group Healing: The Vicarious Experience and the Unconscious Mind
Dive into the world of group healing and discover how our senses play a massive role in our experiences. Ever felt a story resonate so deeply you thought it was yours? This piece unpacks why that happens and how to navigate these sessions without getting lost. With personal insights from a seasoned facilitator, you'll learn to harness the power of your senses for a more genuine healing journey.
