Initiated Survivor

Being Authentic with Danny Cygan

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Danny Cygan has traveled the country, from the east coast to the west, sharing his story with everyone he can. Currently settled in Portland, Oregon, Danny has been on a recovery journey after coming to terms with the sexual abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of his own brother. With his other siblings threatened into silence, Danny suffered for years before finally realizing that what he was experiencing was not normal. Once he opened up to someone about what he had lived through, he went down a path of healing. Transformed from his experience, Danny opens up about being a male sexual assault survivor, his struggles with masculinity, isolation, and balancing strength with vulnerability. He shares with us his trauma, what his thoughts are the term "survivor", why authenticity led him to share his story, and how he has sought wisdom throughout his recovery journey.

Topics/Triggers:

  • Being a male survivor
  • Reclaiming power and fighting against the status quo by being refusing to be silent
  • Detailed recount of being raped at 8 years old by his brother and what his family dynamics were
  • Going through therapy — and then multiple therapists — before finally finding someone that worked for him
  • Psychologists vs. Therapists
  • How he came to share his story after internalizing it for so long
  • Authenticity + Vulnerability restoring his sense of self
  • Internalization of shame, grief, and despair when coming face-to-face with the abuse
  • Battling a chronic lack of self-worth with journaling, writing, and reading (Esp. "The Mastery of Love" by Don Miguel Ruiz)
  • Why the term "survivor" is too limiting and stagnant
  • The importance of reaching out to someone you trust

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    If you took anything away from today’s podcast, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. And if you really want to support the podcast please give us a rate/review.

    If you or anyone you know is suffering through trauma contact the National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or online for 24/7 support. (This podcast is not a replacement for psychotherapy or mental health care. You can obtain a referral for mental health care provider from your primary care physician, or search on Psychology Today’s Find a Therapist directory)

    Find more Initiated Survivor content here and on Instagram!

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    Initiated SurvivorBy Kelsey Harper
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