Keywords: infertility, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, IVF, medical consent, abortion pill, adoption, childhood trauma, special-needs parenting, alcoholism, sobriety, Kundalini yoga, Amma (the hugging saint), Gabor Maté, Compassionate Inquiry, self-trust, forgiveness, resilience, thrivingSummary: In this deeply moving episode, Denise Sohandev shares a decade-long journey from infertility and repeated pregnancy loss to adoption, medical trauma, and the slow rebuild into a meaningful, sober life. After being told one fallopian tube was blocked, Denise experienced multiple miscarriages, a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, and two rounds of IVF (including a brief triplet pregnancy). In a rushed clinical encounter she was given an abortion pill without informed consent, a breaking point that catalysed her decision to reclaim agency and listen to her body’s signals. Denise and her husband adopted a 15-month-old son carrying early trauma; the realities of special-needs parenting collided with her work as a yoga teacher and coach, and alcohol became her coping tool. A chance trip to India in 2017, a life-affirming darshan with Amma, and the support of a new friend became the pivot: Denise chose sobriety (3 July 2017) and later trained in Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry, which helped her soften self-judgement, process childhood patterns, and move from victimhood to responsibility and compassion. Today she supports others through body-based healing, reminding us that thriving isn’t perfection—it’s tools, support, and the courage to trust your own inner knowing.Takeaways:1.Your body knows—learn to recognise and trust its signals.2.Informed consent matters; slow down rushed medical decisions.3.Grief needs space; bypassing feelings delays healing.4.Parenting a traumatised child is a marathon—build a village of support.5.Alcohol “works” until it doesn’t; one decision can start a new chapter.6.Spiritual experiences can catalyse change, but daily practices sustain it.7.Compassionate Inquiry reframes blame into understanding and choice.8.Naming the inner critic helps you loosen its grip.9. Forgiveness frees you first—let go so you don’t carry the prison with you.10. Thriving ≠ constant bliss; it’s having tools, community, and self-trust.11. Agency is reclaimed one boundary at a time—especially with authority figures.12. Nothing was wasted: every step can become part of your medicine for others.ResourcesGabor Mate – Compassionate enquiry Connect with DeniseEmail -
[email protected] denisesohandev.comIG - Denise.sohandevConnect with HelenWebsite: InspiredHealing.co.ukIG: helens_inspired_healingLinkedIn: Helen on LinkedInFor full transcription, contact:
[email protected]🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios 🎨 Cover art: Dave ChampagneFor full transcription, contact:
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