Thriving not Surviving

KEYWORDS
Krista Parsons, When the Healer Breaks, And Still… Movement, identity loss, chronic pain, life-changing injury, self-worth, grief, healing, resilience, people pleasing, boundaries, finding purpose.
SUMMARY
What happens when the career you love, the identity you've built and the life you imagined are suddenly taken away?
Canadian nurse and author Krista Parsons shares how a car accident in 2018 led to chronic pain, surgery, unexpected health challenges and an identity crisis. Having spent her life caring for others, Krista began questioning her worth when she could no longer work as before.
From this experience came her book, When the Healer Breaks, and the “AndStill… Movement”, supporting people navigating life-altering change.
Helen and Krista explore grief, relationships, accepting help, saying no and the belief that our value depends on productivity.
Thriving doesn't mean everything is fine. It means finding meaning, connection and joy, even when life looks nothing like you expected.
Because you are worthy simply because you are here. And still, there is more.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Your worth is not your productivity. Illness, injury or changing circumstances never diminish your value.
Give yourself permission to grieve. Moving forward means accepting that you may not return to who you once were.
Let people love you. Accepting help isn't being a burden; it allows others to show up for you.
Talk to each other. Honest conversations help couples navigate changing needs, fears and pain.
Learn the power of no. Boundaries protect your energy and help you care for yourself and others.
Take a sacred pause. Before agreeing to something, check your body, diary and genuine capacity.
You cannot control everything. Change what you can, accept what you cannot and release the need to please everyone.
You can find a new purpose. Losing your old life doesn't mean losing your ability to make a difference.
Thriving isn't toxic positivity. Acknowledge the pain while remaining open to meaning and possibility.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Serenity Prayer : God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Author: Gabor Mate
Connect with Krista
When the Healer Breaks — Krista's memoir about the life-changing events, health challenges and identity struggles she has experienced. Available in paperback, hardcover and Kindle formats, with a companion journal also available.
Websites: www.whenthehealerbreaks.com www.andstillmovement.com Listeners can find the amazon links to my book on my “When the Healer Breaks” webpage. I welcome anyone to reach out to me to share their story, share ideas of what the “AND STILL… Movement” should look like as we build that community together.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-parsons-rn-bscn-mal-h-che-93a241121/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575352795005
Instagram: krista.parsons.author
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
FB: Inspired Healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
NB: This episode was made possible due to Elena my dear friend who leant me her front room, with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEYWORDS
Bullying, confidence, resilience, childhood trauma, communication, self-worth, identity, family relationships, healing, thriving.
SUMMARY
What happens when the people you believe are your friends turn out to be the ones causing you pain? For Kalini Kent, childhood bullying left deep scars, undermined her confidence and made her question where she belonged. But her story didn't end there.
In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Kalini shares how she transformed painful experiences into a mission to help children, families and adults build confidence, strengthen communication and understand the lasting impact of bullying. From the importance of speaking up and finding your voice to navigating identity, unexpected life changes and physical setbacks, we explore what it really means to move from surviving to thriving.
Kalini also challenges us to think about how we listen, how we treat others and whether we make the people around us feel seen, heard and understood.
Her message is beautifully simple: don't let your past define you, don't face life's challenges alone, and do what makes your heart beat faster.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Your past does not define your future. Difficult experiences can shape you without determining who you become.
Bullying can leave lasting scars. Its effects can reach far beyond childhood, influencing confidence, self-worth, relationships and our ability to trust.
Find your voice. Speaking up, asking for help and advocating for yourself are skills that can be learned and strengthened.
Everyone has a role to play. Parents, teachers, friends, colleagues and witnesses can all help challenge bullying and create safer, kinder environments.
Confidence and communication go hand in hand. Listening without interrupting, seeking to understand and showing genuine interest can transform relationships.
Identity can change throughout life. Cultural differences, changing circumstances, career transitions and unexpected setbacks can all prompt us to rediscover who we are.
Be kind to yourself. Speak to yourself as you would speak to your best friend. You deserve the same compassion you offer others.
Find your people. Shame and isolation can keep us silent, but reaching out to someone who cares can be the beginning of change.
Make room for joy. As Kalini reminds us, do what makes your heart beat faster. It doesn't have to be something extraordinary; the little things matter too.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk.
Visit the Anti-Bullying Alliance.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Kalini discusses how childhood experiences can affect wellbeing throughout life. Explore ACEs resources from Dr Nadine Burke Harris.
Letters to My Teenage Self. The book in which Kalini contributed a chapter about her experience of bullying. A direct link to the specific edition wasn't identified.
Cygnets — Cheshire Youth Group for New and Emerging Talent on Stage. Kalini's inclusive performing arts group, based in the Macclesfield area, uses theatre to help young people develop confidence, creativity and self-expression. Visit Cygnets.
Stephen R. Covey — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Connect with Kalini
Connect with Kalini
IG: Kalini.Kent
LinkedIn: Kalini Kent LLB, DipLP | LinkedIn
FB: https://www.facebook.com/kalini.kent
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
FB: Inspired Healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
NB: This episode was made possible due to Elena my dear friend who leant me her front room, with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords
surviving to thriving, freedom, courage, authenticity, spirituality, faith, resilience, community, purpose, self-discovery, trusting the universe
Summary
What would you do if everything looked perfect on the outside — a good career, money, status, relationships — but inside you were falling apart?
Simona’s extraordinary story takes us from Romania to Canada, Japan, Nepal, the Indian Himalayas and Turkey as she repeatedly walks away from the life she is “supposed” to want in search of something deeper: freedom, meaning and herself.
Along the way she faces poverty, fear, abusive relationships, illness, uncertainty and moments when she has nothing left to fall back on. Yet again and again, when she steps into the unknown, someone or something appears to help her take the next step.
This is a powerful conversation about trusting your heart, finding courage when you are terrified, accepting help, discovering purpose and understanding that thriving isn’t about having a perfect life.
It’s about knowing you can meet life as it comes.
Key Takeaways
A life that looks successful on the outside can still leave you deeply unhappy inside.
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is admit: “This isn’t working for me anymore.”
Fear doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making the wrong decision — sometimes it simply means you’re stepping into the unknown.
We are not meant to navigate life entirely alone. Community, connection and asking for help are part of our toolkit.
When you let go of what no longer fits, you create space for unexpected people, opportunities and experiences to appear.
Thriving doesn’t mean everything is wonderful all the time. It means knowing you have the tools, wisdom and support to keep going.
Your heart may know what you need long before your rational mind is willing to admit it.
Sometimes the greatest growth happens in the darkest chapters of our lives.
Be honest with yourself about what makes you happy, what gives you purpose and who you really are.
Life is a journey, not a destination — we keep learning, growing and becoming.
Resources Mentioned
Kundun – Martin Scorsese’s film about the life of the Dalai Lama. Simona describes it as a film she returned to when she was depressed or had lost her way.
HeartMath Institute – Mentioned by Simona in relation to the relationship between the heart and brain, and her interest in the scientific understanding of spirituality and coherence.
Thriving Not Surviving – Episode 48 –Beverly, who appeared in Episode 48 and introduced Simona to her.
Connect with Simona
Facebook: Ayurveda In Istanbul
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ayurveda.in.fethiye/
Website:
Email: info@ayurvedainfethiye.com
WhatsApp: +905515897115
Day Spa in Turkey: Rejuvenate at Our Fethiye Ayurvedic Spa | Ayurveda In Fethiye
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
FB: Inspired Healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
NB: This episode was made possible due to Elena my dear friend who leant me her front room, with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trusta Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEYWORDS
Liz Baitson, High Net Connect, authenticity, good girl archetype, ADHD, masking, boundaries, shadow work, spirituality, business, relationships, consciousness, thriving
SUMMARY
What happens when a life that looks incredibly successful from the outside feels completely wrong on the inside? Liz Baitson, founder of High Net Connect, joins me for a gloriously honest and wonderfully wild conversation about breaking free from the “good girl” archetype, discovering the power of boundaries, embracing our shadow and learning to live in our own authenticity.
From investment banking and business highs and lows to relationships, spirituality, ancient Egypt, consciousness and her vision for House of AKH, Liz shares the experiences that have forced her to repeatedly shed old versions of herself and become more fully who she is.
And underneath it all is one simple, powerful message: you are not alone.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• A successful life on the outside doesn’t necessarily mean we are thriving on the inside.
• People-pleasing, masking and constantly trying to be “good” can take us further and further away from our authentic selves.
• Learning to say a genuine, unequivocal “NO” can be one of the most liberating forms of self-respect.
• Sometimes we have to let an old version of ourselves fall away before something new can emerge.
• Our difficult experiences can become initiations rather than simply things that happen to us.
• Authentic relationships require honesty, clarity and integrity — including being honest about what we actually want.
• Liz explores the idea that awareness may be everywhere, while consciousness emerges through relationship and connection.
• Thriving isn’t about having a perfect life. It’s about being able to meet whatever comes and knowing, “I’ve got this.”
• Perhaps most importantly: whatever you are going through, you are not alone.
RESOURCES MENTIONED – not mentioned elsewhere
• The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
• Sunshine Letters – a monthly letter subscription created around connection, creativity and joy. The Sunshine Letters
• Hekate – Nikita Gill’s verse novel exploring the Greek goddess Hekate, her journey through darkness, loss and transformation. Hekate by Nikita Gill
Connect with Liz
High Net Connect (HNC) – the networking community founded by Liz Baitson. High Net Connect
House of AKH
Relational Field Theory – Liz’s Paper
Facebook to Contact Liz - Liz Baitson
IG: LizBaitson
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
FB: Inspired Healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
NB: This episode was made possible due to Elena my dear friend who leant me her front room, with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen with Care ❤️
This episode explores some very difficult experiences, including childhood abuse, sexual abuse, trafficking, Satanic Ritual Abuse, trauma and healing. Jenny shares her personal experiences openly, but without going into graphic detail. If any of these subjects are difficult for you, please listen with care and look after yourself.
Keywords - trauma healing, forgiveness, faith, Jesus, love, hope, identity, inner healing, fragmentation, transformation, healing journey
Summary - What happens when memories buried for decades begin to surface? In this deeply moving episode, Jenny shares an extraordinary story of surviving childhood trauma and the long, challenging journey that followed.
For Jenny, healing wasn't simply about changing thoughts or behaviours. It came through new experiences of love, forgiveness, safety and connection — and, most profoundly, through her relationship with Jesus.
We talk about trauma, fragmented parts, shame, self-protection, forgiveness, faith and the possibility of coming home to ourselves after experiences that once seemed impossible to survive.
Jenny's message is ultimately one of hope: however dark life may feel, there can still be light, love and transformation.
Key Takeaways
• Healing can involve more than changing our thoughts or behaviours — sometimes the deepest transformation comes through new experiences of safety, love and connection.
• What once protected us can sometimes continue to shape how we experience ourselves and the world long after the original danger has passed.
• Jenny describes learning to meet the wounded or overwhelmed parts of herself with compassion rather than fear or rejection.
• Forgiveness became an important part of Jenny's healing journey — not as denial of what happened, but as a way of releasing what she had been carrying.
• Supportive relationships matter. Jenny speaks movingly about the friends who stayed alongside her throughout the hardest parts of her journey.
• Healing is a journey rather than a destination. Jenny describes it as an ongoing process of discovering and experiencing what love, safety and freedom can feel like.
• Her ultimate message is beautifully simple: you are loved, there is hope, and even after profound darkness there can be a way towards the light.
Resources Mentioned
• A United Heart: Coming Home to God and Myself after Satanic Ritual Abuse: Amazon.co.uk: Hewett, Jenny: 9781966462101: Books – Jenny’s newly released book.
PLEASE NOTE: AUDIBLE, KINDLE, HARD & SOFT COVER VERSION OFTHE BOOK AVAILABLE HERE - A United Heart: Coming Home to God and Myself after Satanic Ritual Abuse: Amazon.co.uk: Hewett, Jenny: 9781966462101: Books
• Guided visualisations and meditations - sign up here and you will be emailed when the audible is available
• Loved Into Life by Susan Wright https://lovedintolife.org/
Connect with Jenny
Website: Identity and Destiny Coaching | Life Coach | Bath, UK
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568367146098
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/identityanddestinycoaching/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jenny.hewett/
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
FB: Inspired Healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.