Rewriting the Illness Story

What’s Really Beneath an Eating Disorder? 

In this powerful conversation, Paula Hescock talks with Tania Cervoni about her journey through eating disorder recovery, anxiety, self-criticism, body image, and the deep emotional patterns beneath disordered eating.

Tania shares the insights that helped her move beyond bingeing, purging, control, and shame—and discover that the eating disorder was never really about food. She explains how learning to feel difficult emotions instead of avoiding them became a turning point in her recovery.

In this episode, we explore:

• Eating disorder recovery and what lies beneath disordered eating
• How perfectionism and the need for control can keep us stuck
• Recognizing the inner critic and learning that it isn't who you are
• Why we use food and other behaviors to numb difficult emotions
• Learning to feel fear, shame, sadness, and discomfort instead of running from them
• Moving beyond body weight and appearance as measures of self-worth
• The connection between self-compassion and healing
• How meditation, journaling, therapy, EFT/tapping, and other healing tools supported Tania's journey
• What happens when you stop trying to “fix” yourself
• Discovering who you are beneath the patterns, expectations, and stories you've carried for years

Tania also shares what long-term recovery really looks like when old patterns can still show up through perfectionism, control, and the desire to perform.

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful shift: healing isn't necessarily about becoming someone different. It can be about discovering who you are underneath the story that something is wrong with you.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, body image, perfectionism, self-worth, or an inner critic that never seems to quiet down, this conversation offers a different perspective on recovery, healing, and finding your way back to yourself.

Tania's Podcast:Banish the Lies, Outsmart Your Inner Critic  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banish-the-lies-outsmart-your-inner-critic/id1865576806

Women Food and God an Unexpected Path to Almost Everything by Geneen Roth https://link.amazon/B0flwhcDk

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...

In this powerful episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, Paula sits down with Manu Khullar, an IFS Level 3 trauma-informed healing practitioner whose life was transformed by personal crisis, profound healing work, a life-threatening open-heart surgery and near death experiences (NDE).

After spending more than 30 years in the corporate technology world, Manu experienced a devastating breakdown that led him on a quest to understand trauma, chronic stress, emotional pain, and the mind-body connection. His search for answers took him through numerous healing modalities, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Body Mirroring Systems, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Biofield Tuning, energy healing, and trauma recovery practices.

Together, Paula and Manu explore how unresolved childhood experiences shape our nervous systems, relationships, self-worth, and physical health. They discuss the connection between trauma and chronic illness, the role of the inner child in healing, and why many people remain stuck in survival mode without realizing it.

Manu also shares the remarkable story of his near-death experience during emergency open-heart surgery and how surrender, trust, and inner healing transformed not only his recovery but his entire perspective on life.

If you've struggled with trauma, chronic pain, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this conversation offers hope, insight, and practical wisdom for your healing journey.

In This Episode:

• What Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is and how it works
• How childhood trauma shapes adult behavior and health
• The connection between trauma, chronic pain, anxiety, and illness
• Understanding the body's messages and symptoms
• Biofield Tuning and the body's energetic field
• NLP and how language reveals subconscious patterns
• The difference between learning and true healing
• Spiritual bypassing and why healing requires deeper work
• How to move from survival mode into self-leadership
• Manu's near-death experience and open-heart surgery recovery
• Building self-compassion and creating lasting transformation

About Manu Khullar

Manu Khullar is an IFS Level 3 trained trauma-informed healing practitioner dedicated to helping people navigate fear, trauma, illness, and life's most difficult transitions. Drawing from decades of personal healing and professional experience, he combines Internal Family Systems, Biofield Tuning, NLP, and other transformative approaches to help clients reconnect with their authentic selves and create lasting change.

Connect with Manu

Website: GiveLifeToLive.com

#InternalFamilySystems #IFS #TraumaHealing #ChronicPain #MindBodyConnection #AnxietyHealing #BiofieldTuning #NLP #InnerChildHealing #TraumaRecovery #NervousSystemHealing #EmotionalHealing #ChronicIllness #SelfCompassion #HealingJourney #RewritingTheIllnessStory 

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...

Can unresolved trauma contribute to chronic illness? In this episode, Paula sits down with Dr. Anna Hodshire — atmospheric chemist, STEM mentor, professor, and host of the STEMdentity podcast — to discuss the powerful connection between IBS, stress, trauma, perfectionism, burnout, and nervous system healing. 

After the traumatic loss of her father as a teenager, Anna began developing chronic digestive issues, anxiety, and symptoms later labeled as IBS. Like many people struggling with chronic illness, she found herself frustrated with the medical system and searching for deeper answers beyond medications and temporary fixes.

Together, Paula and Anna explore:

• IBS and the mind-body connection
• Trauma stored in the body
• Nervous system dysregulation
• EMDR therapy and parts work
• Hypnotherapy for IBS
• Burnout and perfectionism in STEM careers
• Chronic stress and inflammation
• Somatic healing and emotional regulation
• Self-worth, overachievement, and identity
• Learning to trust yourself and your body again

Anna also shares how healing her relationship with herself transformed not only her physical health, but also her career path and sense of purpose. Through therapy, nervous system work, mindset shifts, and self-awareness, she learned how to stop living in survival mode and begin creating a life that actually felt aligned.

If you struggle with IBS, chronic illness, anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode offers a compassionate and empowering perspective on healing from the inside out.

Topics Discussed:

• IBS symptoms and chronic digestive issues
• Trauma and chronic illness
• Stress-related illness
• Healing the nervous system
• EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• High-achiever burnout
• Women in STEM
• Emotional healing and self-compassion
• Mindset shifts for healing
• Personal growth and self-discovery

Connect with Dr. Anna Hodshire

 https://calendly.com/annahodshire/intro-work-audit-call

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stemdentity?igsh=dzRsbTNwd2Nsejk1

Podcast: STEMdentity https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stemdentity/id1856075481

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this conversation today.

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...

How to Break the Chronic Pain Cycle and Start Living Again

What if the way we think about chronic pain could influence how we experience it?

In this episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, Paula Hescock talks with Sandy Magder about her decades-long journey with chronic illness, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and the mind-body connection.

Sandy was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at just 18. Over the years, she experienced severe joint pain, immune-suppressing medications, a hip replacement at 20, and years of searching for answers through conventional medicine, functional medicine, and alternative health approaches.

Eventually, she began exploring neuroplastic pain, pain reprocessing therapy, nervous system regulation, and mind-body healing—and started looking at how stress, fear, perfectionism, and catastrophizing might influence her experience of pain.

Today, Sandy isn’t completely pain-free, but she’s learning to stop letting chronic pain dictate her life.

As she says, “I’m not living a chronic pain-free life, but I’ve started living life.”

In This Episode

• Being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 18
• Having a hip replacement at just 20
• Sandy’s experiences with medications, functional medicine, and alternative health
• The connection between stress, perfectionism, and chronic pain
• Why chronic illness can become part of your identity
• What is neuroplastic pain?
• The mind-body connection and chronic pain
• How fear and catastrophizing can amplify the pain experience
• What is pain reprocessing therapy?
• Using mindfulness and nervous system regulation
• Learning to distinguish between actual physical danger and fear of pain
• Breaking the cycle of avoidance and fear
• Learning to live your life while still working toward healing
• Becoming your own health advocate
• Finding community when you live with chronic illness

Breaking the Chronic Pain Cycle

When you’ve lived with chronic pain for years, it’s easy to start constantly monitoring your body and asking, “Will this hurt me?” That fear can lead to avoiding activities, canceling plans, and making your world smaller.

Sandy shares how she’s learning to recognize those patterns, remind herself that she’s safe when there isn’t an actual injury, and participate in life even when pain is present.

She also talks about separating who she is from her diagnosis and no longer allowing “my arthritis” to become her identity.

The conversation explores whether changing our relationship with pain—and understanding the role of the brain, emotions, and nervous system—can help break the chronic pain cycle.

A Note About This Episode

This episode shares personal experiences and perspectives about chronic pain, mind-body approaches, and neuroplastic pain. It is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Chronic pain and autoimmune conditions can have complex medical causes, so treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare professional.

About Sandy Magder

Sandy is the co-host of The Health Hunt, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-hunt-real-healing-journeys-everyday/id1852144213, a podcast exploring health, wellness, medical questions, and personal experiences through conversations with experts and people navigating their own health journeys.

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...

What if your illness journey could become the doorway to discovering your purpose?

In this episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, Paula Hescock sits down with Ginger Hunt, a yoga instructor, sound healer, and wellness educator whose own journey through trauma, grief, inflammation, and physical pain ultimately led her to explore the connection between the mind, body, nervous system, movement, meditation, and sound.

Ginger shares how early-life trauma, years of stress and hypervigilance, caregiving for her terminally ill mother, and profound grief affected her body—and how her mother's illness and death became a catalyst for Ginger to become a stronger advocate for herself.

Rather than simply accepting a diagnosis as the end of the story, Ginger began exploring different ways to understand her body. Her journey led her through physical therapy, yoga, meditation, breathwork, nervous system regulation, Dr. Joe Dispenza's work, sound healing, tuning forks, and crystal singing bowls.

She also talks about tracking her inflammation over time and how seeing changes in her bloodwork became an important part of her personal journey.

In this powerful conversation, we explore:

• How trauma and chronic stress can affect the body
• The relationship between the nervous system, stress, and inflammation
• Why resistance can keep us stuck in old patterns
• Becoming your own advocate when navigating illness
• The connection between grief, the body, and healing
• How yoga and meditation became tools for Ginger's transformation
• The concept of rewiring the mind and body
• Sound healing, tuning forks, and crystal singing bowls
• Nervous system regulation and returning to a sense of safety
• The mind-body connection and the role of our thoughts
• Epigenetics and the influence of our environment
• Why tracking your health data can help you recognize patterns
• Moving from survival mode toward greater lightness, joy, and purpose
• Ginger's book, Yoga Because: The Rise Into My Yogic Journey
• Her work helping others reconnect with their bodies through yoga, meditation, and sound

One of the biggest themes of this conversation is self-advocacy: once you begin understanding your body and recognizing your patterns, what are you going to do with that information?

Ginger's message is simple but powerful: start where you are, become curious about your patterns, and be willing to experiment with what helps you feel more open, regulated, and alive.

If you've ever felt trapped by chronic pain, inflammation, stress, or a diagnosis—or you've wondered whether there is more to your healing story—this conversation is for you.

Connect with Ginger Hunt:
Muse of Yoga: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HuUhyfLvH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Gemstone Collective: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-gemstone-transform-to-your-felt-seen/id1832578646

Yoga Because: The Rise Into My Yogic Journey: https://amzn.to/4hYI6w4

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...

In this personal solo episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, I share an honest update while recording from a hotel room after teaching the Avatar Course. I reflect on the powerful transformations I witnessed as people released self-doubt, quieted negative self-talk, and learned to trust their own inner guidance.

I also open up about my own healing journey with chronic pain, digestive issues, insomnia, and the mindset shifts that have made the biggest difference. Instead of forcing positivity, I've discovered that true healing comes through self-acceptance, surrender, appreciation, and believing that life is working with you—not against you.

I discuss how our thoughts, emotions, and unresolved experiences may contribute to physical symptoms, why learning to witness and accept every part of ourselves can be transformative, and how shifting from fear to trust has changed my health and my life.

I also share a book recommendation that has influenced my perspective on emotional healing and personal responsibility, along with reflections on compassion, projection, and letting go of the need to control life's outcomes.

If you're navigating chronic illness, chronic pain, emotional healing, nervous system regulation, or searching for a deeper sense of peace, I hope this conversation reminds you that healing begins with the relationship you have with yourself.

In this episode, we discuss:

Healing chronic pain through self-trust and acceptance
Why "just think positive" isn't helpful during illness
Surrender versus control in the healing process
Releasing shame, grief, and self-judgment
How appreciation and trust can calm the nervous system
Personal updates on GI healing and overcoming insomnia
Internal Family Systems (IFS) and witnessing your inner parts
Emotional patterns, projection, and self-responsibility
Book recommendation: Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Carol K. Truman
Finding peace by believing you are already whole
Keywords: chronic pain recovery, chronic illness healing, mind-body healing, emotional healing, nervous system regulation, self-acceptance, self-compassion, Internal Family Systems, IFS therapy, chronic pain podcast, GI healing, insomnia recovery, emotional wellness, trauma healing, subconscious beliefs, surrender, mindfulness, self-trust, holistic health, healing journey.

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...

Have you been told your digestive symptoms are "just IBS" but still know something isn't right?

In this episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, I sit down with holistic nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner Kira Whitham to explore the deeper root causes of chronic digestive issues. After decades of debilitating stomach pain, countless medical tests, and years of searching for answers, Kira discovered that healing wasn't just about food—it was about understanding the connection between the gut, nervous system, microbiome, and mind.

Together we discuss why so many people become trapped in restrictive diets, the limitations of symptom-based care, and how functional medicine helped Kira and her family uncover answers that conventional medicine had missed.

Whether you're struggling with IBS, constipation, SIBO, food fears, chronic inflammation, or unexplained digestive symptoms, this conversation offers hope and practical insight into approaching healing from a whole-person perspective.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why an IBS diagnosis often isn't the end of the story
• The connection between the gut microbiome and chronic digestive symptoms
• How stress and nervous system dysregulation affect digestion
• Functional medicine vs. symptom management
• Why food isn't always the root cause of digestive issues
• Why restrictive diets sometimes stop working
• Learning to trust your body instead of fearing food
• The importance of bio-individuality in nutrition and healing
• Daily practices that support nervous system regulation and gut health
• Why self-advocacy is essential when searching for answers

If you've ever felt dismissed, gaslit, or frustrated by ongoing digestive symptoms, this episode is a reminder to keep asking questions, trust your intuition, and remember that healing is often about much more than what's on your plate.

Connect with Kira Whitham

Website: https://www.anourishedlifenutrition.com

Holistic Gut Healing Facebook Community https://m.facebook.com/groups/1271744879689905/?ref=share

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kira.tarasek?

Kira cohosts a podcast! Listen here:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-yourself-podcast/id1771675521

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirawhitham.nd 

If this episode resonated with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need to hear this conversation. Every share helps more people discover that they are not alone—and that they have the power to rewrite their illness story.

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...

In this episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, Paula sits down with three guests—Kayci Cavenah, Dianna Vagianos, and Ginger Rogers—to explore the profound personal transformations they experienced through the Avatar® course.

Together, they share candid stories about overcoming limiting beliefs, releasing lifelong conditioning, and discovering what becomes possible when we take responsibility for our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. From healing relationships and shifting family dynamics to transforming careers, businesses, and even physical health challenges, this conversation offers an honest look at the journey from unconscious patterns to conscious creation.

The discussion explores how deeply held beliefs—often formed in childhood and operating beneath our awareness—can shape every aspect of our lives until we learn to identify and transform them. The guests also discuss the power of personal responsibility, emotional freedom, compassion, self-awareness, and living with greater intention.

Whether you're interested in personal growth, consciousness exploration, healing, mindset transformation, or simply curious about the Avatar experience, this episode offers powerful insights into what can happen when we challenge the stories we've been living and begin creating new possibilities.

In This Episode:

• What the Avatar course is and how each guest discovered it
• Identifying and transforming limiting beliefs
• The impact of childhood conditioning and indoctrination
• Moving from reaction to conscious response
• Creating healthier relationships and family dynamics
• How consciousness affects healing and personal growth
• Letting go of fear, blame, and victimhood
• Finding greater freedom, peace, and self-trust
• The connection between awareness and conscious creation
• Real-life stories of transformation through Avatar

Connect with Our Guests:

Kayci Cavenah – Portland, Oregon
Email= [email protected]
Website = Kaycicavenah.com

Dianna Vagionos – Colorado, https://diannavagianosarmentrout.substack.com/ http://www.frontrangehomeopathy.com.            [email protected]       720-446-8139

Ginger Rogers – Atlanta, Georgia, www.gingerrogerswellness.com
770-940-3909

Avatar® is a registered trademark of Star’s Edge, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The viewpoints on this post are my own and do not represent Star Edge Inc.

https://theavatarcourse.com/

Keywords:

Avatar Course, Consciousness, Limiting Beliefs, Personal Growth, Self-Healing, Mindset Transformation, Conscious Creation, Emotional Healing, Spiritual Growth, Personal Responsibility, Self-Awareness, Transformation Stories, Rewriting the Illness Story Podcast, Manifestation, Healing Journey, Human Potential, Empowerment, Belief Systems, Conscious Living, Inner Freedom. 

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...

In this episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, I’m sharing a deeply personal conversation about the beliefs I inherited growing up, how religious conditioning shaped my relationship with myself, and the perfectionism that followed. These were the stories I carried for years: that I needed to be better, do more, fix myself, and earn love.

I explore how messages around religion, body image, shame, pleasure, and self-worth influenced the way I saw my body and my chronic illness journey. For a long time, I believed my pain meant I was doing something wrong. I thought if I could find the perfect answer, diet, practice, or solution, I could finally heal.

But healing didn’t come through becoming more perfect.

It came through learning to accept myself.

We talk about:

✨ Religious conditioning and how childhood beliefs shape identity
✨ Perfectionism, chronic illness, and the belief that we are “not enough”
✨ Body shame, pleasure, and disconnecting from our own wisdom
✨ Moving from self-fixing to self-acceptance
✨ Shadow work and understanding difficult emotions
✨ Learning to trust yourself and your own unique path
✨ How belief systems influence healing and self-worth
✨ The role the Avatar Course played in my journey toward authenticity and responsibility

This episode is not about rejecting faith. It’s about questioning inherited beliefs, exploring what still resonates, and creating space for a more loving relationship with ourselves.

If you’ve ever felt like you needed to earn love, become someone else, or fix yourself before you could finally feel worthy, this conversation is for you.

Resources Mentioned:
• Avatar Course: www.theavatarcourse.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

• Email: [email protected]

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who may need to hear it and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps more people find Rewriting the Illness Story.

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...

📝 Episode Title

Near Death Experience, Chronic Illness & Somatic Healing with Dawn Christensen

✨ Episode Description

What if illness wasn’t your body failing—but your body speaking?

In this deeply moving episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, Paula sits down with somatic healing practitioner Dawn Christensen to explore a powerful journey through trauma, chronic illness, and spiritual awakening.

After surviving a near-fatal car accident at 19, Dawn experienced a profound near death experience that reshaped her entire life. From years of intense physical recovery to being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and later navigating long COVID, her path has been anything but linear.

Through it all, Dawn discovered something life-changing: the body is not the enemy—it’s the messenger.

This conversation dives into somatic healing, nervous system regulation, creativity, and what it truly means to rebuild a relationship with your body rooted in safety, trust, and inner guidance.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, stuck in chronic illness, or searching for deeper meaning in your healing journey—this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What a near death experience can reveal about purpose and healing
• How chronic illness can become a doorway to transformation
• Understanding Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and its impact
• The connection between trauma, the nervous system, and physical symptoms
• Why “the body is the messenger” (and how to start listening)
• How somatic healing creates safety in the body
• The role of creativity and expression in healing
• Navigating long COVID and rebuilding from the inside out
• Letting go of hustle culture and reconnecting with your truth

🌿 Key Takeaways

• Healing is not linear—it’s layered and deeply personal
• Your body is always communicating, not betraying you
• Safety in the nervous system is the foundation for real healing
• You don’t need to earn your worth—you already have a seat at the table
• Slowing down and listening inward is where transformation begins

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “The body is not the enemy. The body is the messenger.”
• “Healing is not linear.”
• “You already have a seat at the table—there’s nothing to earn.”
• “We’re not broken—we’ve just been disconnected.”

👤 About the Guest

Dawn Christensen is a somatic healing practitioner, expressive arts counselor, and writer whose work is rooted in lived experience. After surviving a near-fatal accident, navigating chronic illness, and healing through long COVID, she now supports others in reconnecting with their bodies through nervous system regulation, creativity, and deep self-trust. 

🔗 Connect with Dawn

• Substack: New Dawn Healing Arts  https://substack.com/@dawnchristensen
• Facebook: Dawn Christensen
• New Book https://www.etsy.com/shop/ANewDawnHealingArts?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Cathy Heller 

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR 

[email protected]

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon).   https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Rewriting the Illness Story are intended to inspire curiosity, self-advocacy, and personal exploration. They are based on the lived experiences, perspectives, and opinions of the host and guests and are provided for educational and informational purposes only.

Nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or professional healthcare advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Every healing journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. We encourage you to listen with an open mind, use your own discernment, and make the choices that feel right for you in partnership with your healthc...