Growing Tall Poppies

Episode 30:- A Crash Course In Courage

• Dr Natalie Green • Season 1 • Episode 30

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In this deeply inspiring episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr. Nat Green is joined by the vibrant and courageous Pix Jonasson, who shares her transformative journey from surviving multiple cumulative traumas to thriving with gratitude, self-compassion, and courage. With almost 60 years of life experiences and countless personal challenges, Pix offers powerful insights into how trauma can reshape us, but ultimately, strengthen us as we step into our authentic selves.

Key Highlights:

  • Gratitude as a Daily Practice: Pix shares the profound impact of her daily gratitude jar and how it has shifted her outlook on life, encouraging others to find something positive in each day.
  • Meditation and Stillness: Moving to Port Macquarie and then relocating to Sydney brought Pix the gift of stillness and the opportunity to integrate meditation and mindfulness, especially through beach meditations that help her stay grounded.
  • Setting Boundaries and Valuing Yourself: Pix opens up about how learning to value her body and energy helped her set—and keep—boundaries in personal and professional relationships, shedding toxic connections along the way.
  • The Power of Energy and Vibration: As Pix explores the concept of the law of vibration, she emphasizes the importance of being mindful of the energy we put out and how that impacts the people and opportunities we attract.
  • Healing Through Courage and Connection: From battling body image issues to developing self-confidence, Pix highlights how self-care, courage, and connection to others are key to overcoming trauma and stepping into post-traumatic growth.
  • Forgiveness as a Gift: Pix discusses the deeply personal act of forgiving those who have wronged us, not for their sake, but as a way to reclaim power and peace for ourselves.

Join Dr. Nat and Pix for an episode brimming with wisdom on cultivating self-love, grounding, and resilience as you embark on your own journey of healing and growth. Pix leaves us with her very clear message and words of wisdom

"You are loved. You matter and the world is a better place with you in it."

Connect with Pix Jonasson:

Resources Mentioned:

If this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen

Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

Dr Nat Green:

Welcome to the Growing Tall Poppies podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Nat Green, and I'm so excited to have you join me as we discuss what it means to navigate your way through post traumatic growth and not just survive, thrive after trauma. Through our podcast, we will explore ways for you to create a life filled with greater purpose, self awareness, and a deep inner peace. Through integrating the many years of knowledge and professional experience, as well as the wisdom of those who have experienced trauma firsthand, we will combine psychology, accelerated approaches, coaching, and personal experience to assist you to learn, to grow, and to thrive. I hope to empower you to create deeper awareness and understanding and stronger connections with yourself and with others, whilst also paving the way for those who have experienced trauma and adversity to reduce their suffering and become the very best versions of themselves in order to thrive. Thank you so much for joining me on today's episode. I'm really honoured today to bring you our next guest on the Growing Tall Poppies podcast. It's my absolute pleasure and privilege to welcome a beautiful friend of mine who I've known probably around 13 years. And she's so generously offered to share her story with us. So I'm really pleased to introduce you to Pix Jonasson, who is an amazing couragepreneur. She is the epitome of courage, as you'll find out as we chat more today. She is an author, a coach, fellow podcast host, and is just about to release her amazing new book called A Crash Course in Courage, Seven Steps to a Mentally Fit You. Pix, like her name, Stands for passionate, impactful, and exciting. And that is absolutely the Pix I know. So in addition to her podcast and high profile social media presence, she has an extensive list of worldwide clients that she mentors. Helping them move to the next level in their personal and professional lives. Pix's life experiences and formal qualifications make her a popular and enthusiastic speaker as well as a mentor and coach for individuals and businesses alike. So I'm not going to spend too much time talking about. All the trauma that Pix has been through and overcome. I'm going to let her talk more about that as the conversation unfolds. So welcome Pix. It's so great to have you here.

Pix Jonasson:

Thank you, Nat. And congratulations on your fabulous podcast, Growing Tall Poppies.

Dr Nat Green:

Thank you. So I know I gave a little introduction, but I deliberately left out. All the bits about what you've overcome and a little bit more about what you do in the world right now. So if you could share that with us, that'd be great.

Pix Jonasson:

Ah, thank you, Nat. Wow, gosh, where do I start? Well, Pix actually is my real name. I, well, it was a, a nickname actually that my beautiful late father and my brother gave me because my courage journey started when I was born because I was only two pound two. So they both said I looked like a little pixie and I had the will and the grit and the determination and the courage to fight because we're talking like close to 60 years, ago. I don't know. And back then, like, I wasn't premmy, but I was oh so tiny, even now, a two pound two baby. So that was my first journey. And then like everybody, no one escapes life without trauma, Nat, but in actually doing a chronological list of things that I've overcome, people, my friends and others have said, wow, you have actually overcome a lot. And I just thought my life was normal. But things that really impacted me, I've had three life threatening car accidents. The first was when I was seven. I was living in regional Victoria at the time, Ballarat. And we were coming back from my cousin's first communion, actually, and my mum was driving. We hit a truck and sadly and tragically, my grandmother who used to live beside us on the right hand side was killed. That was when I was only seven, as I said, and then years later, my then fiance and I were traveling in again, regional Victoria, but Northern place called Robin Vale. And we hit a truck again. And we nearly died, and we were both hospitalised, him much more severely impacted, so he was in hospital for four and a half months, me lesser. Ten weeks to the day after that, I rolled a cut and went down an embankment and nearly died again and had to kick my way out the window and climb up the embankment, excuse me. And Nat, it was at that very moment that I thought, not why did this happen? It was, why did I survive? And I thought, I'm clearly put on this planet to be, or do, or give something. Because I could have easily been taken out in any three of those accidents. And I've, your wonderful podcast is so impactful and I know a lot of people share about child sexual abuse. That's been the thing that's had the most, um, personal trauma impact on me. And that's where I've had to do the most healing. So that's just some of the things that I've overcome, but been pretty impactful.

Dr Nat Green:

Absolutely. And just hearing you speak about that, that a lot of people would have one significant car accident, lose someone they love that they were very close to, and they would struggle. You had the three plus, as you just alluded to the childhood sexual assault, which was again, as we know, another significant hurdle. Yeah. So, did you want to share a little bit more about any of that, about the impact it had on your life? Either each one, the cumulative effect or what was going on for you when each thing was happening.

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah. And that's a valid point. You just said Nat about that cumulative effect, you don't realize. And I know that trauma is in the body. It's you might have an event, but it's the emotion attached to that event. That is the impact that's really affecting you. The emotions that you hold on to that event, because ultimately, and I'm not saying Especially about child sexual abuse, I'd certainly, that's evil, that's toxic, it's, it's not right, but that is an event. Yet why do some people, men and women, heal from it, yet others don't? And so it's how we process that trauma. So yeah, it was that third life threatening car accident when I thought, wow, why did I survive? And I had to get counseling because I was reliving the second car accident, which remember it was only 10 weeks ago. So I'd literally only just healed from that and hopped in the car to then go on a long trip. And it was two o'clock in the afternoon and that's when I had the snooze. I had a micro sleep, so it was my fault. And I thought, I need support to get through all this. And from the, um, counseling with the psychologist about my car accidents, That's when the childhood sexual abuse came out and I was living in Mildura at the time and they referred me to a sexual assault counseling service and I went there, I didn't want my car to be seen because I had branded like Pix number plates, very high profile. And I thought, I don't want this car to be seen on the main street of Mildura. So I parked down a side street, because remember I was in healing mode. Oh,

Dr Nat Green:

absolutely.

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah. And so I did that. And then I walked in, there was like a 22 year old counsellor, female counsellor. I thought, with no disrespect to her or young counsellors, because I know you can be a very professional and, you know, qualified counsellor. I just, I didn't feel she was the right person for me. So I walked out. That was many, many years ago. And then, as you know, we met in Port Macquarie. So when I was in Port Macquarie, have beautiful friends and still in healing mode, nothing was ever said about the trauma, the childhood sexual abuse with my parents. Because we thought that was the best way to deal with it. Don't talk about it. Retraumatize me.

Dr Nat Green:

And the reality is that back then, when we're talking, when you were experiencing those car accidents, it wasn't something that we talked about, particularly with parents. It was often kept quiet, kept hidden. And we just tried to do our best to get on with things. But as you've said, the cumulative impact of all the traumas. Your lack of connection, as you said, no disrespect to that counsellor. When you go for counselling or coaching or whatever it is that you choose, you need to connect with that person and you're not for everyone and everyone's not for you, so you have to find the right fit. Yeah.

Pix Jonasson:

And I also need to disclose Nat that. The childhood sexual abuse was by a neighbour, my immediate neighbour, the other side. My gran was on the right side, killed in a car accident. The perpetrator was on the left side. Mom and Dad knew absolutely nothing of the abuse. The minute it was disclosed, that's when everything happened. And to be honest, part of that disclosure was trauma as well. Cause as the abuse happened up to age 11. I didn't know it was wrong because it was our secret, but the police reports and then talking about it at such a young age, that caused a lot of trauma as well. So I've had to heal from the, you know, disclosure of the talk.

Dr Nat Green:

Oh, definitely. And you know, there's so many layers to that because as we know, perpetrators are very good at getting us to keep quiet. grooming, getting you to keep quiet, all those things that people don't talk about. But they're the things that I'm so grateful that you're raising now because we can't stay silent about this stuff anymore. And the courage it took you to disclose, knowing, That your parents knew the person, but they didn't know what had happened would have brought up a whole heap of stuff as well.

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah. And my parents had that guilt, you know, they were absolutely devastated. I didn't realize the impact as an 11 year old that it had on them, the actual disclosure only later. And sadly, both my beautiful parents have passed. But I guess. When I really became such a passionate and vocal advocate for child safety was when I was in Port Macquarie and I founded BraveHearts Mid North Coast that that chapter and you know, oh so proud that that's still going and making a significant impact and helping keep children safe on the Mid North Coast.

Dr Nat Green:

Yeah. And what a huge achievement. And I've been to a number of Braveheart, fundraisers, and it's, it's such a beautiful event to honour the wonderful work that you and others have done in founding it, but keeping it going and making a huge difference. To keep kids safe and

Pix Jonasson:

raise awareness as well, because the more we normalize the conversations around the tough topics of especially child sexual abuse and depression, anxiety, mental health, mental unwellness, all that, the more we normalize those conversations, the easier it becomes for everybody to talk about it. And for, you know, those that are suffering to talk about it and open up and start to heal.

Dr Nat Green:

Yeah. And really, it doesn't mean you have to go over and over and over it. Cause as you said, talking about it does re traumatize and keep us stuck there. So when you made that decision to do something, when you were feeling safe enough, surrounded by beautiful, supportive people in Port Macquarie, what happened to change the way you were approaching

Pix Jonasson:

things? Uh, I remember distinctly, I was driving on John Oxley Road in Port Macquarie near the Coles and I, it was, I think, early September, oh no, sorry, August. And I heard on the radio, about White Balloon Day and I thought, what the heck's White Balloon Day? And then I thought, another bloody fundraiser, really. And then when I looked at it, I went. Ah, it's for Bravehearts, which I wasn't actually familiar with at the time, which was in 2011. So 13 years ago. And I had my kids in the car, I was driving them to go to school. And I said, I'm going to do something, kids. And one of my children said, Mum, it's only three weeks away. Okay, Mum, we know you when you say something, you'll do it mostly. And so I inquired about it. And then I held a morning tea, on white balloon day, the 6th of September, 2011. And we had 35 people and we raised$600 and I went, you know what, for, three weeks out, I was really stoked, but it raised awareness. And then Point News reached out to me. They featured me on the front page in the lead up with their media campaign. I did not want to be identified though, so it was de identified. I actually took my glasses off and I did a silhouette so that they couldn't actually, you know, work out who it was. But again, part of my journey of healing, I now am a very, open book, passionate visual spokesperson for child safety.

Dr Nat Green:

Yeah. Yep. Definitely. But as you said, that had to be part of your healing process and the de identified part was about that initial bravery and paying it forward. What helped get you to the point that you're at now then where you're, you know, sharing your whole story an open book and it needs to be done and you don't need to be identified. What shifted for you with that?

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah, great question, Nat. I've always been pretty damn courageous. Sadly my mum lost four babies, so she lost one, had my brother, lost my one and had my, lost two and had my sister, lost another one and had me. So there's been a big age gap. And so I was like an only child. So I've had to do a lot of stuff on my own. Was married and then, you know, now obviously divorced, but very respectful with my ex. So I've had to do a lot on my own. And I thought the only person that's literally, and I can say this in the driver's seat of your life, is me. I can't rely on Nat Green. I can't rely on my kids. I can't rely on my family. I can't rely on my friends. I have to take responsibility. And I'm a very passionate, An avid learner of personal development. So books, it used to be books and tapes. Now it's webinars and zooms and, podcasts, and topping up my tank with other positive things. So. It's, it's like that recipe. You need all the ingredients and you pick and choose what, whether you make a chocolate cake this day or vanilla cake that day, or, you know, a beautiful sweet and sour, whatever. You need ingredients. You need to keep topping up your own tank and not any one ingredient. will get you there. And I don't think you ever really get there and you know, there's no perfect person either So I'm always on that journey of healing and improving myself The feedback that I get online Nat it might be a DM from one person saying Pix I just needed to hear your message today. It's like Hallelujah, that's why I do what I do But the latest thing that as you mentioned my book A Crash Course In Courage, Nat Was the death of my, nephew to suicide. Um,

Dr Nat Green:

I know that was a huge moment for you. I thought

Pix Jonasson:

this cannot be in

Dr Nat Green:

vain. No. You

Pix Jonasson:

know, my beautiful 31 year old nephew, the father of two young boys, I knew why he died. But I didn't want his loss to be in vain. And so I thought I need to do something. And I've always been a communicator. My dad always drummed communication into us kids. Hence why I'm so visual. I thought, so I dedicate my book to Toby and I've got a hashtag.#ForYouToBe which actually is for you to be, if you read it that way,

Dr Nat Green:

for you to be

Pix Jonasson:

alive, for you to be well, for you to, be authentically you. So owning who I am, you've known me Nat for about 13 years. Yes. Or thereabouts, maybe longer. The transition and the metamorphosis that I've been through. Oh huge. But the biggest transition actually is ironically moving from regional. Moving to Sydney's been my biggest transition in Friggin owning who I am and as long as I do things legal, moral, ethical, I'm who I am. If you don't like me, that's not my problem. You're not my vibe. You know, I'm not everybody's cup of tea, but you have my heart and which is what the origins of courage is. It's core from the heart. So I am being authentically me and that's just, I know that I'm making a difference in doing that. And I mean, I've got a big following on LinkedIn, 10, 000 and Facebook I'm maxed out. So, and I don't say that lightly and I don't do what I do to impress anyone. But to impress upon them to be their best self, because I've lived in those friggin trenches and I've got myself out from facing bankruptcy from, you know, I've never had suicidal thoughts, but I've suffered mental health issues on a number of occasions. And so I just keep topping up my tank Nat. And if I can pour love and energy and positivity into others and make a difference in one person for the day. I've done my job.

Dr Nat Green:

Oh, absolutely. And honestly, to have watched your transformation over the 13 years, it's, you know, you always had this vibrant personality and were always like an energizer bunny. I think, gosh, how on earth does she do it? Someone, a mate of mine who, God love him, he said,

Pix Jonasson:

Fix, how do you get 36 hours into a day?

Dr Nat Green:

Exactly. Please tell us how to do that. Yeah. so much. And the reality is though, to have seen your transition and hear that, the big thing that I love about you is that. Absolutely owning your authenticity now, not that you weren't authentic, but you've stepped into it and you, not that, you know, you don't care, but you don't care what other people think about you because you are comfortable with who you are. You know, what you've been through, what's important, what your values are. And. You are paying it forward in amazing ways to people like getting a DM saying that's what I needed to hear today. That might be the one life that you saved or that you changed today. Yeah. And I absolutely love that. And it's

Pix Jonasson:

a ripple effect for that one person who was positively impacted, you know, they'll feel better and then they ultimately pay it forward by being and feeling and embracing Absolutely. Feeling better.

Dr Nat Green:

Yeah. So, can you share any other powerful moments or milestones in your healing process that have stood out to you that might really help our listeners if they're back there or wanting to know what the next step for them might be?

Pix Jonasson:

Nat, is your audience male and female?

Dr Nat Green:

Yes,

Pix Jonasson:

yes. Okay, well this is one for both genders. And you did say that nothing was off limits. Absolutely. One thing that has really helped me in my journey, and it is, in my book, it says in there, is that I have experienced orgasmic meditation. And it's where, it's actually a process, it is, it sounds extremely clinical, and so much so that I had to do it twice to be relaxed the second time. To make sure. Where a man, fully clothed, is doing it. With no erection, absolutely pleases the woman and is guided by the woman. There's a technique to it, but I was, it was done, in a safe space by someone I know, a practitioner, an om. And then I thought, me personally, as bloody brave and courageous as I was, I was still like as, Kind of stiff as a board because it was like, this is really weird. This is nothing I've ever done before. Like, you know, letting someone be absolutely intimate, but it's about a woman allowing her femininity, her sensuality, not necessarily her sexuality, but her sensuality to come out, pardon the pun. And the first one was wonderful. But the second one, when I knew what to expect. That was just an absolute release of letting go and going, you know what, I'm so comfortable owning my body, being touched in the way I want to be touched, not the way some pedophilic neighbour wanted to abuse and, mistreat my body. There's that, and there's also magic mushies.

Dr Nat Green:

Letting go. a psychedelic so what a powerful healing moment for a survivor of childhood sexual abuse to get to the point where they felt comfortable enough to do that.

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah. He actually recommended it, knowing my backstory. Yeah. Wow.

Dr Nat Green:

Now that's courage. Yeah.

Pix Jonasson:

And courage sharing what I've just shared as well. Absolutely, absolutely. But I know it's about others. Especially, you had no idea

Dr Nat Green:

this was coming, Nat. I know, I'm thinking, well, you said nothing was off limits. I'm like, okay, you've definitely proven that. But I think people want to know what's worked for the guests on my show. And That's worked for you. There might be someone that goes, wow, how do I find out about that? What, what will I do and how do I do it? And then you mentioned magic mushies. Yeah. Yeah. So

Pix Jonasson:

tell us about that one. That was again, done in a safe space, with a trusted source. And again, as a beautiful friend said to me, when I say said to me, shouted at me Pix relinquish attachment to the outcome. When I was doing the mushies in my own home, I, was wanting to get the outcome. The first time, I was nothing, and he's going like, Are you serious? You still, you don't feel anything? I went, Nope, because I was wanting to. The second time I did it, I got angry because I still wasn't feeling anything. And I just had to let go. And I thought, Okay, just go to my bedroom, lie on the bed, and just start breathing, relaxing. And then it's like, Ooh, the psychedelics happened. And so that just reconfigured my brain and just allowed me to let go of and kind of own my past and not feel guilty, not feel ashamed. And now in my book, I've written a letter to my perpetrator and it's a letter of gratitude to him because without him, I wouldn't be the person I am and I would not be the passionate spokesperson and I would not have protected my own two babes when they were growing up like I did. And the statistics are horrendous and I know you've shared one in three girls and one in six boys up to 18. And that's only the ones that are Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. And What's happened, your past is your past and I am grateful for that and I'm bloody excited for who I am now and the future.

Dr Nat Green:

Absolutely. So thank you so much for sharing that Pix. And I think, you know, there's now research and treatment approaches using psychedelics. So we know that there's a lot of research still being done and evidence still to come, but. Yeah. It doesn't mean everyone has to rush out and take magic mushrooms. No, no, absolutely. It's done as part of your healing and treatment process in a safe way.

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah. I had actually watched, the Netflix series, goop, G double OP, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow.'cause I was like pretty reserved about that. Just like the I mean, I've know, I don't know about this. I don't know if it's for me. I, I know there's ayahuasca, I'm certainly not open to doing that in the immediate future, but I do believe that people need to find the modality that works for them. But for me, it's topping up my tank, as I keep saying, and filling my emotional bank account, with catching up with friends and being present in the moment. Dr. Gabor Marte is great on dealing with trauma. I love his

Dr Nat Green:

work. He's amazing, isn't he? Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So if you were to look back, how have the experiences that you've been through, all of them, transformed your perspective on life, on relationships, or your personal values?

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah. Certainly. Yeah. On life, I still get, I'm human, I still get a little bit blase about life at times, like just take it one, you know, day at a time, but now I'll show you now I have a gratitude jar if you can see it, that I put something I'm grateful for every day. So I find gratitude in each and every day. And when you start to look at things to be grateful for, there's so much more to be grateful for. So that has come in. Meditation, that's come into my life, so I've changed. In Port Macquarie, if I sat on a bench for five minutes in silence, it's like I had a broken leg kind of thing, because I never was able to do that. You've mentioned Energizer Bunny. I am very driven, very high energy, but I can also be calm and grounded. And I lead free beach meditation. So meditation's another thing.

Dr Nat Green:

Hmm. And that's a shift that's definitely happened since you've moved down there, isn't it? Yes. Correct. That you weren't at that stage where you were ready for that stillness to come into your life.

Pix Jonasson:

And I actually now do meditation on the beach, and my beloved Flynn's,

Dr Nat Green:

God love you

Pix Jonasson:

Lou Shuttleworth.

Dr Nat Green:

Yeah. Awesome. So what about your connection to others in your relationships? Because I know that that's a really important thing for you and has been integral in your healing. Yeah.

Pix Jonasson:

connection to others in relationships. I've had some doozies of some dates. That's been interesting journey. And I guess with, Several rings around the sun, AKA, as I said, nearly 60. I thought I'm going to be me and ask questions like when I enter a relationship, whether it be a friend relationship or a more intimate one with a partner who I would like if I enter a intimate relationship or one that I like, personal relationship, not that I wanna ask them to marry me on the first date. But I don't think they genuinely want a relationship. If they're not, it's like, no, I respect this body. This is a temple. You want to get into it? You know, be personal with it. You need to value honour and respect me. So I want to know that you're here kind of for the long haul. So that's been a big one for valuing myself and my body, personal relationship, you know, friend relationships and that I've had to, remove toxic people or people that weren't in alignment with my values. I just. not have much to do with them. So I, I'm, I was very good at setting boundaries, Nat, but not so good at keeping them, but now I'm getting much better at keeping the boundaries. And I know that that is as a survivor, that that's a big, because we've wanted to be a people pleaser, not wanted to be a people pleaser, but that's part of being a survivor is that you don't want to be. You know, it's just part of the journey. Yes. And

Dr Nat Green:

you do everything to keep people happy because of what's happened. And you're so scared that there's a risk that if you don't do the right thing or say the right thing or do what they want, that something bad can happen. So that makes really perfect sense. So you mentioned there about removing. The toxic people. And I think that that is so important as we heal from our trauma. And as you said, we never get to the end. It's a journey. And each day when we keep doing the work, we move closer towards, you know, Feeling better and getting to the point of thriving. So one of the things I hear a lot and I've experienced myself in my own trauma journey is as we get really clear on who we are, our authentic version of ourselves and what's important because of what we've been through, we do need to surround ourselves with people that aren't toxic because their negative energy holds us back. And often as we're recovering from trauma. We attract the energy we're putting out, so those negative, toxic people tend to come towards us, because that's the state we're in, yeah? So by letting go of that, your world didn't blow up and fall apart, did it? No, not at all. No, it improved. Yeah,

Pix Jonasson:

yeah. And I say We need to feed our minds daily. And so when I say feed your mind, you know, what you eat, what you consume with the most important, place of real estate on the planet, the six inches between your ears, you know, what you read the news, the media, people in your life. And when we say toxic and, we're not necessarily saying they're extremely toxic. They just aren't in alignment with your values and, you know, by attrition, they will also fall. But you touched on spirit, well, energy. Another thing transitioned for me, Nat, since moving to Port, is law of, not only law of attraction, but law of vibration. The more I'm learning about the energy, we are all energetic beings.

Dr Nat Green:

Yes, definitely. And

Pix Jonasson:

that's been and being mindful of my energy, can topping up my own energy. And actually the positive energy all starts with courage. So on, on the scale of energy, so, and vibration, like I have so many synchronicities every single day, people can dismiss them as, as, coincidences, but no way. And, and that's why I'm so passionate about this because I've lived and breathed it, and I know this

Dr Nat Green:

works. Absolutely. Oh, I totally agree with you there. Yep. Definitely. And we will attract as we put out that energy, exactly as you said your vibe attracts your tribe, exactly, exactly right. So if we're negative and struggling, then that's the energy we put out and people may not want to be around us. So it's around, as you said, a while ago at the beginning of the podcast about taking responsibility for ourselves. So we are responsible for how we react, how we respond and how we make choices to heal. And I love you've shown us that, that you made a choice at every point.

Pix Jonasson:

And that's a really valid point that you said, react and respond. Like I will say that if, if there's a loud noise, my body automatically reacts. Yes. We can, there's like the microseconds, the third space in between the. Incident and your reaction, like in Sydney, you're at the traffic light and you're in a traffic jam and one person can be like, you know, slamming their hand on the wheel. The other one can be sitting there taking three deep breaths with their eyes closed. It's how you react and respond to the incident

Dr Nat Green:

that matters. Absolutely. And we can't change. What happens to us, things that are out of our control, however, we can choose how we're going to respond and we might react in the moment. And it's what we do after that, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah. Which you definitely have shown us. So if you look back at all the things that have happened to you and all the things that you've learned as a result, what do you think some of the key lessons and learnings have been for you as a result of what you've been through?

Pix Jonasson:

I could get, I won't get political, but, we're not taught this stuff in school. So yeah, well, self education is the most important.

Dr Nat Green:

You can

Pix Jonasson:

get educated. And I'm an, well, when I say academic, I've been to uni and, you know, got a degree in it or a couple of degrees. So I'm not bagging that, but. If you really want to get ahead in life, self education is the most important,

Dr Nat Green:

whether it be

Pix Jonasson:

in your healing, whether it be in your, personal or professional development, and finding your passion. The other thing is most people don't know what they want in life. They're kind of wandering generalities. They go to work, come home, go to work, come home, go to five days a week, five and a half, six days a week. And they just don't know. They just think that's the norm. So, what would you suggest they do to work that out? Well, it depends on their learning style. Start listening to podcasts or, you know, read books or attend events that are kind of where you want to go. Like if you want to develop, be a property developer, start going to property development seminars, start reading property development books. It's the old saying, if you want meat, don't go to the baker, go to the butcher. So to try and uncover what you want, usually what you're passionate about is what you're good at.

Dr Nat Green:

Yes.

Pix Jonasson:

Very rarely, are you really passionate about something you, you hate? Yeah, definitely. So usually you'll have that confidence and that competence kind of in alignment. but Dr. John Demartini has got a values determinant. So, there's lots of free tools to find out what you love. Ask people to describe who you are. What do you love about me or who do you think I am? Ask your friends. Yeah, definitely. Definitely. They'll tell you and how they see or very different to how you see yourself and we are our own worst judges.

Dr Nat Green:

Particularly after going through trauma, we have that inner critic. And so the ability to have some compassion for ourselves. Rather than the compassion we share for everyone else, but ourselves is a really important process of the growth too, isn't it?

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah, self love and self compassion and self care are really critical and, you know, some people have a balanced diet. They have a chip on each shoulder, it's like, no.

Dr Nat Green:

I haven't heard that before, I like that. So you can chip away at those one at a time and get rid of them. Doesn't mean you have to carry them forever, does it? Yep, exactly. Yeah. So do you think there's any specific qualities or personal attributes that you see as being key for moving through trauma and into post traumatic growth?

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah. I'd obviously have to say courage being the couragepreneur and podcast host cool, just don't be too hard on yourself. For me courage is not climbing Mount Everest, although that is hugely courageous. For the depressed person, it's getting out of bed, facing the day. So being, you mentioned it, Nat, self care, just embracing self care because you can't pour into yourself first because you can't give what you haven't got.

Dr Nat Green:

Exactly. So loving yourself. Yeah, yeah, definitely. And you've already given us some great things around the gratitude. And the meditation as ways of doing some self care, just sitting in silence on a beach, walking through a forest. It might be anything that tops that tank and helps us connect to ourselves.

Pix Jonasson:

Grounding. I get my blue water fix as I go to the beach most mornings. Yeah, and just grounding and, you know, even when I've, well, I've known of grounding but it kind of, winter I can just get up on carpet, put my shoes on, walk to work, come home on carpet and not actually touch mother earth. Even in winter, it's important to ground yourself. So grounding is an important thing. And again, it's connecting with mother Earth and the natural energy of that. So grounding is a really good one as well. I love that. So courage and grounding. Anything else? Connection. Connecting with yourself, your authentic self and connecting with others. I love that.

Dr Nat Green:

Yeah. So self and others, but really doing the self education, the personal development. To find out who you are, who you are as a result of your trauma is not the same as who you were prior to your trauma. Is it? No, no, no.

Pix Jonasson:

And we're like onions, you peel the layers one bit at a

Dr Nat Green:

time. Absolutely. And I think one of the really clear messages that I'm passionate about conveying is that we're not the same person we were before, but that's not bad. It's actually a good thing because there are lessons and learnings and you already touched on it that you've written in your amazing book that's about to come and I can't wait to read it. In your book, you wrote a letter to the perpetrator. I did. Nat I did. And thanked him because the person you are. Today is because of the things that happened. So, as you said, it's not that you wanted what happened or that that was in any way, shape or form. Okay. But it's made your story, what it is, and it's made who you are and given you the strength and the compassion and all the things that you represent. Yeah. So again, I think that that is a huge testament to you and who you are. Yeah.

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah, he's actually passed, excuse me, passed away, and I say may you long rest in peace so I can long live in peace. Yeah, there's more to it than that. But yeah, I mean he's passed away. If I don't forgive him, I'm the one that's impacted still and giving him the power. Now that I let go and forgive him, I can move on.

Dr Nat Green:

And I think forgiveness is a very contentious area and it's, it's again, it's one of the main things that I work with people on is that forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. Yeah. Yeah, totally. And a lot of people think, but I can't forgive them and that's okay as well, but by holding on to that, as you've beautifully articulated, you are the one that's impacted. Mm hmm. Yeah. Yeah, so I think there's some really powerful learnings and gifts that you're giving us by having this conversation. Thank you. Thank you. Thank

Pix Jonasson:

you for the beautiful opportunity and you've got such a impactful podcast and doing amazing work. Thank you.

Dr Nat Green:

Yeah. And as do you, and I'm so excited about the book that's coming out and we'll put all your, resources and the things that you've said, like John Demartini, we'll put some of those things in the show notes as well. So where can our listeners find out more about you and find you online?

Pix Jonasson:

Yep. Well, as you mentioned, I'm very. Vocal and, out there, so, at the moment, it, there's a lot of my content on Facebook. So just under my name, PixJonasson, on LinkedIn, obviously the more professional site, so that is, well, under my name, PixJonasson, but my handle is thePixJonasson, only because the account got mucked up. I'm also on Instagram to a lesser degree. I do have my website, which is actually going to be all revamped in line of my new branding, but that is simply pixjonasson.Com and then, yeah, look, I'm me. I answer all my DMs at this moment. So I am quite, you know, busy on social. But yeah, they're the main ones.

Dr Nat Green:

Thanks Nat. Oh, that's okay. And we'll put that in the show notes as well for everyone to look and I'm sure a lot of them will come over and connect with you. Yeah. Thank you. So One of my favorite questions that I like to ask is what do you think your youngest self would think of what you've achieved? Wow. Look at her go now. Absolutely. Hmm. Hmm.

Pix Jonasson:

Yeah. Yeah. Cause I was quite. insular, like I said, kind of like an only child. Not really confident. I had struggled with body image issues. Bigger. yeah, just, yeah. Wow. Look at you go. Look at where you are now.

Dr Nat Green:

Wow. yep huge shift, transformation and all done with such amazing courage. Yeah. So is there anything else you wanted to share or any other words of wisdom that you would like to share before we

Pix Jonasson:

finish up? Well, I, I'm reignited my pixie seconds on Facebook and I close that with"You are loved. You matter and the world is a better place with you in it." And to all your listeners, please remember that.

Dr Nat Green:

I love that. I love that. And I'm so excited and can't wait to read your book and particularly the dedication to Toby. And we can hashtag that when we read that. Because again, that's a beautiful thing to end on about ensuring people realise that no matter how hard it is. You matter and the world is a better place with you in it. So thank you so much for coming on today Pix. It's been fantastic. Yeah. Thank you. From my heart to yours. Beautiful. Thank you. Bye for now. Thank you for joining me in this episode of Growing Tall Poppies. It is my deepest hope that today's episode may have inspired and empowered you to step fully into your post traumatic growth so that you can have absolute clarity around who you are, what matters the most to you, and to assist you to release your negative emotions and regulate your nervous system. So you can fully thrive. New episodes are published every Tuesday And I hope you'll continue to join us as we explore both the strategies and the personal qualities required to fully live a life of post traumatic growth and to thrive. So if it feels aligned to you and really resonates, then I invite you to hit subscribe and it would mean the world to us if you could share this episode with others who you feel may benefit, too. You may also find me on Instagram at Growing Tall Poppies and Facebook, Dr. Natalie Green. Remember, every moment is an opportunity to look for the lessons and to learn and increase your ability to live the life you desire and deserve. So for now, stay connected, stay inspired, stand tall like the tall poppy you are. and keep shining your light brightly in the world. Bye for now.

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Dr Natalie Green

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