Blog
Plot Twist: The Secret of the Hypervigilant Brain
“A brain shaped by years of hypervigilance is finely tuned for survival. Imagine the power of that same brain when it’s re-trained to scan for connection, opportunity, growth and for good. The Reticular Activating System doesn’t lose its focus—it simply learns to trust. When we begin to trust…
"We Are Energy First"
Humans are often taught to see themselves as solid, physical beings - but at our core, we are made of energy. Every cell in our body carries an electrical charge. Our hearts generate an electromagnetic field. Our brains communicate through electrical impulses. This isn't just spiritual language -…
The Lens that Shapes our Nervous Systems
“We can only see through the lens of our experience.” – And that lens is shaped by the nervous system. When someone has predominantly lived in a ventral vagal state — a state of nervous system regulation characterised by safety, connection, and a sense of ease in the world — their worldview is…
You’re Not The Problem
“You’re not broken. You’re not failing. Your nervous system is doing exactly what it was designed to do to keep you safe.” When trauma happens and escape isn’t possible, the body doesn’t just move on—it adapts for survival. This is the dorsal vagal response, a deep shutdown state that can leave you…
PTSR
For years, I was trapped in a cycle I couldn’t escape. Not because I didn’t want to, but because my nervous system had locked me in survival mode. Why? Because an abuser tried to end my life & almost succeeded. I couldn’t get away. My body did what it was designed to do—it tried to fight, then…
We Need to Stop ...
We Need to Stop Tiptoeing Around This Conversation… I have delivered the STAND Grooming Prevention workshop to countless child protection charities and safeguarding teams over the years. Every time, the feedback is the same: Can you see how STAND contributes to grooming prevention? – YES Can…
Flow: The Joy of Being in Alignment
Years ago, while waiting in a dentist’s office, I read an article that stayed with me. It told the story of a high-profile marketing executive who, burned out and exhausted, retreated to New Zealand in search of work-life balance. When one of the indigenous staff members picked him up, he asked…
Why Disorder?
Why Disorder? Why Not Response? Why Not Adaptation? For so many who have experienced complex trauma, the word disorder can feel like a label they’ve carried since childhood. “There’s something wrong with you,” the world tells us, and after hearing it long enough, it becomes easier to accept. But…
Blame
The Futility of Blame I was chatting with someone recently about how each generation believes they’ll do better than the one before. Many parents strive to provide a better life for their children—more comfort, more opportunity, more protection from hardship. But in doing so, they sometimes shield…
Understanding Trauma
Understanding Trauma, Disconnection, and Vulnerability to Manipulation One of the most important yet misunderstood aspects of trauma is how it disconnects us—from ourselves and from others. And this disconnection doesn’t just leave us feeling isolated; it also makes us more vulnerable to…