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Thriving not Surviving

Helen Valentino
Thriving not Surviving
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  • Ep 18: Joe's Story - Resilience, Recovery & the Military Mindset
    Confession: This episode is raw and mostly unedited. I lost signal completely (turns out leafy woods don’t love Wi-Fi – who knew?) and had to rejoin mid-recording. Luckily, Joe was incredibly patient and we were able to carry on. I did trim out a few “Can you hear me?" and some slightly panicked filler words – just enough to keep it flowing – but the spirit of the episode remains totally intact “Raw” but a tiny bit edited for the listers benefit. 😊KeywordsResilience, recovery, military, mindset, coaching, adversity, thriving, personal growth, leadership, positivity SummaryIn this episode of Thriving Not Surviving, host Helen Valentino sits down with Joe O'Connor — a former military man whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Having broken his neck twice, Joe shares how he rebuilt his life through sheer mindset, resilience, and a healthy dose of humour.He opens up about the powerful lessons he gained from his time in the military, how they shaped his approach to adversity, and why mindset is everything when it comes to personal growth. From recovery to leadership, Joe’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.Together, they explore the impact of self-talk, the importance of laughter during hardship, and the beauty of helping others thrive through shared experience.Takeaways• Mindset plays a pivotal role in both recovery and growth• Resilience is built through life’s toughest moments• Humour can be a powerful coping tool in hard times• Military life teaches transferable lessons in leadership and adaptability• The way we speak to ourselves shapes our outcomes• Not every day will be perfect — but every day offers something to learn• Knowing where you are is the first step to setting meaningful goals• Failure isn’t the end — it’s a stepping stone• By sharing our story, we empower others to thrive• True success is found in the journey, not the destinationSound Bites• “Your number one team is yourself.”• “Improvise, adapt, and overcome.”• “Failure isn’t fatal — it’s a lesson.”ResourcesJoeTeams.comPathfinder Book LinkedIn -Free downloadable book (£9.99 on Amazon)https://thetransformer.co.uk/🎧 For full transcription, contact: [email protected]: helens_inspired_healingwww.inspiredhealing.co.uk🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios🎨 Cover art: Dave Champagne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • Ep 17; Joanna's Story - Healing Through Yoga, Ayurveda & Ancestral Wisdom
    In this heartfelt episode of Thriving Not Surviving, Helen Valentino reconnects with the wise and wonderful Joanna Webber, Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga teacher, forager, and co-founder of The Ayurveda Academy. Joanna shares her deeply personal journey of healing—moving from a difficult childhood shaped by a narcissistic parent and a decade of eating disorders to embracing a life of balance, forgiveness, and connection.Together, they explore the profound effects of intergenerational trauma and how Ayurveda and yoga provided Joanna with the tools to break free from self-sabotage and find peace within her body. They delve into the doshas, gut health, the emotional impact of menopause, and the incredible capacity of the body to heal when supported holistically.Joanna shares how understanding her Ayurvedic constitution helped her reclaim her health, how food truly is medicine, and why emotional processing and nature connection are essential to long-term wellbeing.This episode is rich with insights and offers a compassionate perspective on what it means to walk the healing path—not just for ourselves, but for the generations that come after us.TakeawaysYoga and Ayurveda can be powerful tools for healing and transformation.Intergenerational trauma can silently shape our behaviours and health.Knowing your dosha helps guide your lifestyle, diet, and emotional care.Gut health is central to mental and physical wellness.Emotional healing involves forgiveness—especially of the self.Menopause can be an awakening, not a decline.Nature is a potent and often overlooked ally in the healing journey.Western and traditional medicine can work beautifully in harmony.Diet and lifestyle shifts can change everything.Healing is possible, no matter where you begin.Resources MentionedDosha Quiz – The Ayurveda AcademyJoanna Webber’s Website – Ayurveda clinic & foraging workshopsTEDx Talk – Dr. Manpreet Dhuffar-Pottiwal on Intergenerational TraumaThe Red School – Wise PowerFamily Constellations :The CSC | The Centre for Systemic Constellations - www.thecsc.net https://www.sussexconstellations.co.uk/ Connect with Joanna Webber 📍 BSc Hons Ayurveda (Manipal, India) | MA Oxon | APA Member 📞 Book a session: 07753 678 582 🌐 www.joannawebber.comContact & More from Helen 📩 [email protected] 🌐 www.inspiredhealing.co.uk 📸 Instagram: @helens_inspired_healing🎵 Music: “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios (Pixabay) 🎨 Cover art: Dave Champagne 📄 For a full transcript, email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • Ep16: Off-Grid and In Flow: Life in the Woods with Helen Valentino
    In this heartfelt and spontaneous episode of Thriving Not Surviving, the tables are turned as Helen’s best friend interviews her about her extraordinary off-grid life in the woods. What started as a practical choice after a big life shake-up became a sacred way of living, full of meaning, challenge, and deep personal growth.Helen shares how she manifested her woodland home, her reflections on swapping village life for birdsong and wild spaces, and how connection to nature, prayer, and community have shaped her journey. This is a conversation about resilience, faith, self-sufficiency, and the beauty of choosing a life that nourishes your soul.What We Cover:How a major life change sparked Helen’s move to the woodsThe power of manifestation and trusting the unknownWhat it’s really like to live off-grid (the joyful, the gritty, and the unexpected)Building community around the fire — literallySacred practices: prayer, gratitude, and communion with natureLessons in letting go, receiving, and thriving in harmony with the landIf you’ve ever dreamed of stepping away from the noise and living more in tune with the earth, this episode is for you.References:Caroline Myss - https://myss.com/Merlin Bird App - https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/https://plantnet.org/en/ 🎧 For full transcription, contact: [email protected]: helens_inspired_healingwww.inspiredhealing.co.uk🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios🎨 Cover art: Dave Champagne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • Ep15: Crystal’s Story – A Courtesan’s Path to Empowerment
    Summary In this bold and beautiful episode of Thriving Not Surviving, Helen speaks with Crystal Powers, an Elite Courtesan, content creator, and advocate for ethical tech. With honesty and heart, Crystal shares her journey from childhood trauma and emotional struggle to personal liberation, growth, and thriving in her truth. Together, they explore the power of therapy, the importance of forgiveness, and how transformational coaching helped her build emotional resilience and self-worth. Crystal speaks openly about her work, challenging outdated myths about sex work and shedding light on the emotional connection, care, and deep personal boundaries it requires. She also discusses her mission to build tech platforms that prioritise safety, visibility, and empowerment for sex workers, and how creative expression through costume design and content creation — can be healing and freeing.💫 This conversation is packed with insight, warmth, and truth, a call to reclaim your story, follow your calling, and create change from the inside out.Keywords: Elite Courtesan, healing, trauma, forgiveness, ethical tech, sex work, empowerment, transformation, community, personal growth, safety, boundaries, costume design, emotional connection, myths, coaching, financial independenceTakeaways• She values sisterhood, support, and community among women• Forgiveness became a key to personal freedom• Therapy and coaching helped her rebuild her life• Crystal’s tech vision centres on safety and dignity for sex workers• She creates respectful, conscious adult content• Visibility and self-acceptance are core to her mission• Sex work is about connection, boundaries, and empowerment• Emotional resilience is essential in the industry• Many sex workers are business owners, creators, and community leaders• The myths about sex work often fail to reflect lived truthReferences from Showhttps://www.crystallisedpowers.comInstagram.com/CelestialCouturesanimascoaching.comhttps://eleanorpoolcounselling.com/Eckhardt Tolle - The Power of NowFaith Harper - Unfuck your Boundaries🎧 For full transcription: [email protected] 📲 Instagram: @helens_inspired_healing 🌐 www.inspiredhealing.co.uk 🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios 🎨 Cover Art: Dave Champagne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • Ep 14: Maria’s Story - Walking with Death & the Gifts of the Sacred
    Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of grief, baby loss, suicide, and death from illness. Please listen with care.Keywords: Grief, trauma, healing, loss, psychotherapy, spirituality, rituals, mental health, emotional resilience, PTSD, personal growth, shamanism, somatic healing.Episode Summary: In this deeply moving episode of Thriving Not Surviving, Helen Valentino speaks with Maria — a psychotherapist and trauma specialist — about her extraordinary journey through grief, loss, and spiritual transformation.Over just two years, Maria experienced the deaths of nine loved ones. She opens up about how this intense period of loss impacted her personally and professionally, and how it led her deeper into the realms of ritual, somatic healing, and spiritual exploration.Together, they explore the multifaceted nature of grief — from the trauma of loss to the gifts that can emerge when we meet death with presence and ritual. Maria offers gentle, embodied wisdom on how to move through grief, the somatic signs of PTSD, and the ways in which childhood trauma can shape our responses to death.This episode is a tender, honest, and healing space for anyone navigating loss or seeking a deeper understanding of how we honour life — and death.Takeaways: • Maria lost nine loved ones in two years • Grief is a uniquely personal experience that defies a set timeline • Trauma can open doorways to unexpected spiritual insights • Rituals help us process grief and honour those who have passed • Cultural narratives shape how we view and experience death • Somatic approaches are vital to healing trauma and grief • PTSD can arise from repeated or complex trauma, not just flashbacks • Music, nature, and animals can support emotional release and healing • Grief can trigger unresolved childhood trauma patterns • Community, compassion, and gentle listening are essential for healing • Maria’s experiences led her toward shamanism and spiritual practices • Accompanying someone in their final moments can be a sacred honourSoundbites: • "It's like you land on Planet Grief." • "We don’t have an understanding of death." • "Ritual gives the soul a language." • "We need a more somatic approach to healing." • "PTSD isn’t always loud — sometimes it’s silent and deep." • "Grief taps into our own patterns and history." • "It’s about very gentle listening."References & Contact Info:🌿 Instagram: @goldenthread.thehive https://www.soulwave.co.uk/dying-matters https://wcwaid.co.uk/ https://penhaligonsfriends.org.uk/ https://treglobal.org/🎧 Full transcription available upon request: [email protected] 🌿 Instagram: @helens_inspired_healing 🌐 Website: www.inspiredhealing.co.uk🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios 🎨 Cover Art: Dave Champagne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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About Thriving not Surviving

Thriving, Not Surviving is a podcast for anyone who’s ever faced life’s challenges and wondered, Is there more to life than just getting by? Hosted by Helen Valentino, this show dives deep into personal growth, resilience, and the incredible power of transformation. Through solo episodes and inspiring guest interviews, we explore real-life stories of people who have not only overcome adversity but found ways to truly thrive.Whether you’re navigating change, seeking purpose, or just need a dose of motivation, this podcast is your companion on the journey to a more fulfilling life. Because you deserve more than survival—you deserve to thrive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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