Rewriting the Illness Story

Healing the Belief That You’re Not Enough: Religious Dogma, Perfectionism & Self-Love

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 [http://www.theavatarcourse.com/] • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] • Email: rewritingillness@gmail.com [rewritingillness@gmail.com] 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 [https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] OR  rewritingillness@gmail.com [rewritingillness@gmail.com] 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 [https://amzn.to/3PIT118] Cathy Heller https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g [https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g]

A STEM Scientist’s Journey Through Trauma, IBS, & Healing with Anna Hodshire PhD

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 [https://calendly.com/annahodshire/intro-work-audit-call] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stemdentity?igsh=dzRsbTNwd2Nsejk1 [https://www.instagram.com/stemdentity?igsh=dzRsbTNwd2Nsejk1] Podcast: STEMdentity https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stemdentity/id1856075481 [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 [https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] OR  rewritingillness@gmail.com [rewritingillness@gmail.com] 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 [https://amzn.to/3PIT118] Cathy Heller https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g [https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g]

Near Death Experience (NDE), Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Long COVID & Somatic Healing with Dawn Christensen

📝 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 [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 [https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] OR  rewritingillness@gmail.com [rewritingillness@gmail.com] 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 [https://amzn.to/3PIT118] Cathy Heller https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g [https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g]

When Healing Isn't Linear: Breaking the Spiral and Letting Go of Control

In this raw and honest mini episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, Paula shares what it really looks like when healing doesn’t go as planned. After a week of physical pain, GI issues, and unexpected insomnia, she opens up about something rarely talked about in the mindfulness and coaching space—the emotional spiral that can follow when nothing seems to be working. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like you’re doing everything “right” but still struggling, this episode is for you. Paula dives into: * Why healing is not linear (even when it feels like it should be) * The hidden pressure of toxic positivity and comparison * How control and overthinking keep us stuck in cycles of burnout * What to do when you start spiraling mentally and emotionally * The power of allowing your feelings without judgment * How to shift out of a negative spiral and reconnect with yourself * Finding joy in the middle of pain—not someday, but today This episode is a reminder that you are not broken, you are not failing, and you don’t need to have everything figured out to move forward. Healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning to meet yourself where you are and choosing differently, one moment at a time. You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] OR  rewritingillness@gmail.com [rewritingillness@gmail.com] 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 [https://amzn.to/3PIT118] Cathy Heller https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g [https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g]

From Anxiety & Fibromyalgia to Healing: A Chronic Illness Journey with Shelly Groom

What if your illness isn’t just something to fix… but something trying to guide you? In this episode of Rewriting the Illness Story, I sit down with coach Shelly Groom to talk about her journey through anxiety, fibromyalgia, and chronic illness—and how it ultimately led her back to herself. Shelly shares what it was like to go from panic attacks and ER visits to years of debilitating symptoms, being dismissed by doctors, and searching for answers that never seemed to come. Through time, self-discovery, and small but powerful shifts, she began to move out of survival mode and into healing, purpose, and alignment. This conversation explores the emotional and physical toll of invisible illness, the frustration of not being believed, and the powerful role mindset, awareness, and self-compassion can play in the healing journey. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unseen, or overwhelmed by your health, this episode will remind you—you’re not alone, and there is another way forward. In this episode, we discuss: • Living with anxiety, fibromyalgia, and chronic illness • The experience of being dismissed or misdiagnosed • How stress, burnout, and life circumstances impact the body • The mind-body connection and shifting out of “sick identity” • Small, manageable steps that support healing • The importance of validation, support, and being seen • How purpose and alignment can shift your health and energy • Practices like gratitude, grace, rest, and mindfulness Connect with Shelly Groom: Website: https://www.thecoachingtree.org/ [https://www.thecoachingtree.org/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.coachingtree?igsh=bmFpb3BvNHZteXNw [https://www.instagram.com/the.coachingtree?igsh=bmFpb3BvNHZteXNw] You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life Paperback – April 23, 2013 by Jen Sincero https://amzn.to/4vtCn5V [https://amzn.to/4vtCn5V] If this episode resonated with you: Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. Keywords: chronic illness, fibromyalgia, anxiety, invisible illness, healing journey, mind body connection, emotional healing, burnout recovery, holistic healing, self healing, personal growth, spiritual healing, women’s health You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] OR  rewritingillness@gmail.com [rewritingillness@gmail.com] 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 [https://amzn.to/3PIT118] Cathy Heller https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g [https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g]