Adult Child of Dysfunction

E 238: When Life Feels Impossible: Helen Ngo on Pain, Purpose, and Healing


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In this powerful episode, I sit down with Helen Ngo — speaker, writer, and courageous truth‑teller who is sparking honest conversations about loss, grief, and the messy path toward healing.

After the sudden deaths of her boyfriend, niece, and best friend, Helen didn’t just lose people she loved — she says she “lost her Self (with a capital S).” What followed were twenty years of what she calls “zombie‑ing through life”: surviving the day-to-day through hyper‑independence, workaholism, and perfectionism.

Helen opens up about what she now calls gold‑star syndrome — tying her worth to productivity, achievement, and taking care of everyone else. On the outside, she was a high‑performing financial advisor, mom, sister, and friend. On the inside, she was drowning in unprocessed grief.

Her breakthrough came in therapy — the moment her walls finally cracked and she felt connection again. That support literally saved her life.

Now Helen is using her voice to help others feel less alone. Through her writing, conversations, and community meetups, she reminds us that:

✅ Healing is messy and nonlinear

✅ Grief doesn’t have a timeline

✅ You don’t have to pretend you’re fine

✅ Your story isn’t over — even when life feels unbearable

Helen’s message is simple and full of hope:

“If someone can see themselves in my experience — if my story can be that one spark of hope that says ‘me too, and I made it through’ — then every vulnerable moment is worth it.”

We explore:

✨ What it’s like to spend decades in survival mode

✨ Why productivity becomes a coping mechanism

✨ How connection — not isolation — is what truly heals

✨ What she wishes the world understood about grief

✨ The moment she chose to start living again

If you’re grieving… if you’ve been holding everything together for too long… if you feel invisible in your pain — this episode will remind you: you are not alone, and there is still so much ahead of you.

Connect with Helen Ngo

🔗 Links to learn more, join her community, or dive into her writing:

https://www.helenngo.com/links

https://ngohelen.substack.com/

https://helenngo.com/meetups

https://www.helenngo.com/8weeks

Hey there, I’m so glad you’re here and tuning in! If this episode spoke to your heart, just know there’s even more support waiting for you.

I work with people who are ready to heal from the inside out — especially those dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, inflammation, gut issues, or burnout. If you’ve been struggling with symptoms your doctors can’t fully explain, it may be that your past is still living in your body. Unhealed emotional wounds and nervous system dysregulation often show up as physical and mental health challenges — and I’m here to help you break that cycle. If you are curious about where you stand energetically, or just need a frequency boost, book your FREE biofrequency voice scan here: https://calendly.com/tammyvincent/complimentary-scan-demo

As an international inspirational speaker, NLP Practitioner, Trauma-Informed Coach, Neurofit Trainer, and Best-Selling Author, I bring both deep personal experience and professional training to the work I do. I believe in prevention, not just intervention — and use a body, mind, and spirit approach to guide others toward becoming the happiest, healthiest versions of themselves.

My holistic toolbox includes nervous system regulation, trauma-informed coaching, nutritional support, and natural healing strategies,

Most of all, I’m your friend on this journey — cheering you on and reminding you that you absolutely can live your best life EVER. 💛

🔑 Start Your Healing Journey

Find ALL THE THINGS HERE: Anything that I have to offer is right here

🆓 Signature Course – Trials to Triumph: An Adult Child's Emotional Freedom Blueprint

Unpack the past, embrace your truth, and build emotional freedom — without overwhelm.

👉 Start here: www.tammyvincent.com/course


🧠 Work With Me – Head-to-Toe Wellness Consultation

Let’s explore what’s really going on in your body, mind, and spirit. During this free discovery call, we’ll assess where you are and what tools can support your healing.

👉 Book your session: https://calendly.com/tammyvincent/head-to-toe-wellness-consultation

✈️ Bonus for Travel Lovers!

Did you know I also offer access to an amazing travel savings program that can help you save up to 70% on hotels, resorts, cruises, and more? Let’s compare your next upcoming itinerary and see how much you could save.

👉 Try the Trip Check: https://calendly.com/tammyvincent/trip-check


📺 Subscribe to My YouTube Channel

👉 Adult Child of Dysfunction on YouTube


🌟 Book Me to Speak at Your Event

👉 Let’s connect: https://calendly.com/tammyvincent/speakers-event-chat

🫶 Let’s Connect

📩 Email: [email protected]

📱 Text: 513-280-3555

🌟 If this episode helped you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and hit follow. Every share helps break generational cycles and brings healing into more lives.

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Adult Child of DysfunctionBy Tammy Vincent

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