From Survivor to Thriver

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Meditation has numerous benefits, especially when it comes to mental health. However, many people have the misconception that they can’t meditate or it just doesn’t work for them. The truth is, meditation doesn’t help all people the exact same way. It’s something you have to discover with time. 

Your meditation practice doesn't need to look like anyone else’s meditation practice. In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with a special guest Neil McKinlay to talk about the power of meditation, community, and enlightenment. 

Neil McKinlay has spent his adult life studying and practicing embodied meditation. Through this span, he has led events of 100+ people both in-person and online. He has also been a parent and partner, author, and competitive swim coach. In recent years, 'survivor' has been added to Neil's list of roles and accomplishments as he recovers from a relationship with a dysfunctional spiritual mentor. 

These diverse experiences lend Neil's presentation of meditation a unique flavor. Well aware of the challenges and opportunities a full contemporary life poses for meditation practice, he speaks to -and links -the realities of both with candor and freshness. 

In addition to offering in-person instruction in Victoria, BC, Neil leads two online communities (The Living Meditation Network and The Online Gatherings), and hosts the Bringing Meditation to Life podcast. He also mentors individuals wanting to bring meditation and embodiment more fully into their lives. 

In today’s episode we cover: 

• What meditation is
• Why people think that they can’t meditate
• Misconceptions about what meditation is
• Reaction vs. Response
• Enlightenment
• Neil’s journey with trauma and healing
• Survival exits 
• Allowing our worlds to change
• How meditation helped Neil through his loss
• Why he decided to also seek trauma therapy
• The importance of community
• How to get started with meditation
• Meditation takes time

We really hope you enjoyed this conversation with Neil. If you want to learn more about working with him, make sure to check out his website to learn more about his online gatherings and other offers!

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Neil’s website 

Check out Neil’s podcast

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“When we’re meditating, it’s really about bringing our intention back to our embodied experience.” -Neil

“The power with meditation, especially in the mental health space, is being able to take a deep breath and just begin again.” -Marc

“Enlightenment is a higher version of acknowledgment.” -Erik

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Many people base their self-worth on what others think. It can be scary to change something about yourself or break harmful patterns because of the fear of what others will think of you, even if it’s for your own highest good. We are all unique and oftentimes, we don’t recognize the power we truly have because this fear that we won’t be accepted holds us back.

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with special guest Kerri Hummingbird to talk about how we can finally break those patterns, stop trying to find our validation in other people, accept our differences, and start loving and fully embracing our true selves.

Kerri Hummingbird, Soul Guide and host of Soul Nectar Show, is also the #1 international best-selling author of “The Second Wave: Transcending the Human Drama” and the award-winning best-selling book “Awakening to Me: One Woman’s Journey to Self-Love” which describes the early years of her spiritual awakening. 

Kerri has over 30 years of experience in leading by inspiration and a special passion for reconnecting people to the guidance of our Mother Earth. She mentors women to rewrite the story of their lives through inner transformation, connection to essence, remembrance of purpose, and realignment to authenticity and truth.

She also inspires people to lead their lives wide awake with an authenticity, passion, and purpose that positively impacts others while catalyzing mind shifts that transform life challenges into gifts of wisdom.  

In today’s episode we cover: 

• The energy of manifestors
• The uniqueness of each person
• The feminist movement and trusting your instincts
• The power we each have 
• Relationship dynamics
• Confirmation bias 
• The impact of early childhood trauma
• The book that changed Kerri’s perception
• Finding true joy and love for yourself
• The messy process of healing
• Why acceptance is our greatest gift
• Why it’s okay to be wrong

We hope you enjoyed this conversation with Kerri as much as we did. If you are interested in learning more from Kerri, make sure to check out her books here or tune into the Soul Nectar Show! 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Check out Kerri's website

Check out her books

Listen to the Soul Nectar Show

Follow her on Instagram

Connect with her on LinkedIn

Follow her on Facebook

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“Acceptance is the greatest gift we can give others or ourselves.” -Kerri

“None of us need permission from anyone to do anything.” -Erik

“Many of us don’t understand our power.” -Marc

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There are many synonyms for pain. You can call it anxiety, stress, irritation, struggles, overwhelm… the list goes on and on. No matter what you call it, the same parts of the brain are being activated. Emotional pain can feel like physical pain, and there is no way to completely avoid it. 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Dr. Julia DiGangi to talk about how to embrace the idea of pain rather than avoid it so that you can begin to take back your power.

Dr. Julia DiGangi is a neuropsychologist who works with leaders, corporate teams and couples to address pain in their lives. An expert in the brain’s relationship with stress, resilience and relationships, she applies her expertise to help leaders think differently about their relationships, the pain they can cause, and what *actually* works to solve interpersonal problems.  

From overwhelmed corporate leaders to traumatized couples to dysfunctional teams, Dr. Julia has taught thousands to create a new relationship with their brain and, subsequently, improve their relationships with the people around them. By helping people understand the brain in new ways, she empowers people to achieve the interpersonal effectiveness they desire.  

 She is regularly the keynote speaker for corporate, healthcare, government and educational audiences, is presently writing a book for Harvard Business Review titled “From Pain to Progress: The Neuroscience of Smart Leadership in Tough Times” and has also given a TEDx talk on the relationship between our brains and stress. 

In today’s episode we cover: 

• Different types of pain
• Why it’s so important to talk about pain
• Tackling pain to get back home to yourself
• The Pain Tree
• Humiliation and feelings of unworthiness
• The power of a situation in childhood
• The difference between physical and emotional pain
• Emotional intelligence and connection
• The importance of harnessing our emotional energy for good
• Experiencing the emotional shake

If you are interested in learning how to harness emotional energy to become a more powerful version of yourself, make sure to watch for Dr. DiGangi’s book.  You can follow her on Instagram or LinkedIn to stay connected. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Check out her website

Follow her on Instagram  

Connect with her on LinkedIn

Follow her on YouTube

Watch her Tedx Talk

Follow us on Facebook

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“It’s only when we understand our pain that we can access our power.” –Dr. Julia DiGangi

“Breaking cycles takes a lot of work and it takes a lot of self-reflection.” -Erik

“It is actually that simple sometimes for us to take back the power in our brains.” -Marc

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Have you ever felt so overwhelmed with your emotions that you felt like you could just burst? This is a common feeling for people struggling with anxiety or trauma. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. There are ways you can release those emotions and heal in a healthy and safe way. 

Today on From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Lauren Fonvielle to talk about how you can release those emotions by using EFT and tapping. Through her own struggles with anxiety and overwhelm, Lauren found that trauma-informed yoga, EFT, and tapping helped her to feel better and now she helps others do the same. 

Lauren Fonvielle is an Integrative Energy Practitioner, specializing in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)/Tapping for stress, anxiety, and trauma. Lauren is also a trauma-informed yoga teacher and certified Reiki practitioner. She guides her clients on a journey of self-healing breaking through obstacles that are keeping them feeling stuck and in pain so that they can live a happier, healthier life. 

In today’s episode we cover: 

• The people that love you want you to ask for help
• What EFT and tapping are
• What tapping can help with
• How working with a practitioner can help you
• Moving emotions by moving energy
• What sound healing is
• The difference between the wisdom brain and the thinking brain

If you are interested in learning more about these healing methods, we highly recommend you take Lauren’s masterclass here where she helps you reduce anxiety, stress, and chronic pain with EFT and tapping. 

Thanks for tuning in. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Lauren’s website

Follow Lauren on Instagram

Follow Lauren on Facebook

Follow Lauren on YouTube

Check out The Journey of Souls

Check out E-Squared

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“If you’re getting this nudge over and over, it’s the universe’s way of saying trust it and go with it. See where it takes you and stop resisting.” -Erik

“If you’re not sure about things like EFT and tapping, give it a shot. There are so many thin

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Have you or anyone you know ever struggled with infertility? 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Meirav Zur to talk about infertility and the significant impact struggling to conceive can have on the mental health of those involved. 

Meirav experienced this firsthand and brought light to the issue by doing what she does best: comedy. In doing so, she inspired those around her to open up and talk about the mental health struggles they have experienced as a result of infertility as well. 

Meirav Zur is the naturally “that girl” who always “looks familiar,” like a neighbor’s summer guest, local diner waitress, or a distant cousin’s friend, even “that actress” in “that cool TV series” or “that Netflix show” or “that famous movie”.

In 2005, she founded the English-language professional traveling theater in Israel, English on Stage, subsequently writing, directing, and acting in its various original productions, as well as coaching unique theater workshops and classes for both children and adults. She thoroughly believes in both the power and magic of theatre, and loves sharing with people its many parallels with "real life". 

Her latest production, “Inconceivable: The Totally True One-Woman Semi-Fertile Quasi-Musical”, has given her the opportunity to get people laughing and thinking about things people don't often discuss (including herself until this show premiered). 

In today’s episode we cover: 

• Meirav’s journey with infertility and miscarriages
• The mental and emotional toll of infertility
• Why no one talks about infertility
• Using performance as therapy
• The lack of adequate sex education in schools
• The impact of infertility on the men involved
• The path to parenthood is not linear
• Why you shouldn’t bottle up your feelings

We hope you enjoy this conversation with Meirav as much as we did. It was so inspiring to hear how she used comedy to start a conversation about infertility and mental health and help people feel less alone. 

If you enjoyed hearing about Meirav’s journey and the show she created based on her experiences with infertility, make sure you check out her show. You can get tickets here! 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Make sure also to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Meirav’s website

Follow Meirav on TikTok

Follow Meirav on Instagram

Follow Meirav on Twitter

Get tickets to her show

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on TikTok

Get in touch: [email protected]

“When it comes to fertility or infertility, everyone’s path is different. The path to parenthood is not linear at all.” -Meirav

“Not only is there a physical side to infertility, but there is a significant mental health side to it as well.” -Erik

“No one talks about infertility.” -Marc

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PTSD and trauma can be extremely challenging to work through. Unfortunately, the western methods of treatment like medications and therapy just don’t work for everyone. Sometimes you need to branch out into non-traditional therapy forms to find the healing you’re looking for. 

Today on From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Anissa Hudak to talk about processing trauma and PTSD with yoga therapy. Anissa found freedom to heal on the mat and now she teaches other people how to find that freedom and healing as well. 

Anissa Hudak’s life has been intertwined with PTSD, Trauma, and the military. Not only is she the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, but she was also married to an active-duty member (and Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran) for over 20 years. 

After seeing others struggle and having her own personal struggles with trauma and PTSD, she was inspired to create the Trauma Healing Yoga Therapy Program. As a Yoga Therapist and founder of the Trauma Healing Yoga Therapy Program, she guides others in the use of effective, science-based yoga therapy and other holistic techniques for the management and healing of symptoms relating to PTSD and trauma for people who want to control their PTSD - not allow it to control them.

Most recently, she has focused her efforts toward working with women who have been sexually traumatized to help them heal their PTSD (and other trauma-related issues) with yoga therapy. 

In today’s episode we cover: 

• The mind, body, and breath connection
• The two types of yoga
• How yoga helps people with PTSD
• Anissa’s story of trauma and PTSD
• The difference between a response and a reaction
• The science of yoga therapy
• Having inanimate objects on our healing team

We hope you enjoy our conversation with Anissa. It’s so inspiring to hear about her journey and how she used yoga therapy to truly go from a survivor to thriver, despite her trauma. If you are interested in testing to find the right medications for you, make sure to check out Gene Sight. 

If you loved hearing about yoga therapy from Anissa, We highly recommend you check out her website to see how you can work with her. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Make sure also to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Anissa’s website

Connect with her on LinkedIn

Follow her on Instagram

Follow her on YouTube

Follow her on Facebook

Follow her on Pinterest

Check out Gene Sight

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“We’re there to help you meet your needs. We’re there to help you rehab fr

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Today on From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with a special guest Rebecca Heidt to talk about her struggles with her mental health and how she used them to impact the lives of people who struggle the way she did. 

Rebecca used her lowest moment when she thought she couldn’t go on anymore to start a new chapter helping other people who felt that way. Just like they helped her get through her worst moment, she wanted to help them get through theirs. This led to her books and art. 

Rebecca Heidt has been through many different situations that a lot of people may or may not have experienced and made it out to the other side. She worked in the food industry in Management and finance as an Account Executive. However, The Arts were always her home. Her passion lies in writing, painting, anthropology, and nature. She completed her first self-published work “Acceptance: The Beginning.” Rebecca continues pushing the literary boundaries with her second book “Acceptance: The Reality.” 

In today’s episode we cover: 

• How Rebecca uses painting as an outlet
• The importance of vulnerability when you’re trying to make it to the other side
• The healing power of art
• Mental health struggles of the LGBTQ+ community
• Self-sabotage 
• The church that protects LGBT families 
• Political unrest and upcoming changes in the world

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Rebecca as much as we did. She is passionate about protecting the rights of her fellow LGBTQ+ members and it was great to dive into that topic as well as her thoughts on art, love, vulnerability, a higher power, and so much more. 

If you’d love to hear more from Rebecca, we highly recommend you check out her book. Make sure to also follow her on social media to stay up to date on her upcoming releases. 

Links: 

Check out Rebecca’s website: https://www.rebeccaheidt.com

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidt_bristow_revolution/

Connect with Rebecca on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.heidt.1/

Get your copy of Rebecca’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VRR75GC

Follow Rebecca on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexaltedpeacock

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Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromsurvivortothriver

Get in touch: [email protected]

“Fear is what grips us, as people, to think that we can’t expand.” –Rebecca 

“No one can grow or move from the beginning to the reality until you go through that period of vulnerability.” -Erik

“I don’t have to understand to have compassion.” -Marc

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Cole, a lifestyle entrepreneur, successful businessman and leading minister of impact, came back from the brink of divorce and battling substance use to achieve what all men seek – freedom. Looking back on his childhood, he was constantly seeking validation by acting out through self-sabotage, a practice that led to tremendous self-doubt and negative internal judgment. He liberated himself and, in turn, has liberated men across the globe, allowing them to truly be free and not just exist. To that end, he founded School of Man, an organization that builds real men through a raw and real vulnerability in order to crack the code to have it all – family, wealth and leadership. Today, he reminds our audience that “his greatest successes came from the greatest pain in his life.” Connect with Cole at schoolofman.live.

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