Episode 46:- Breaking Free from the Trauma Cycle: How to Transform Your Pain with the Phoenix Effect

🔥 Have you ever felt stuck in the same patterns, no matter how hard you try to move forward? Do you feel like trauma is still holding you back, keeping you in survival mode instead of allowing you to truly heal and thrive? In this solo episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr. Nat Green dives deep into how trauma gets trapped in the nervous system and why traditional healing methods alone may not be enough.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why trauma keeps you stuck in repetitive cycles (and how to break free)
✅ The biggest myths about healing and post-traumatic growth (hint: it’s not about “getting over it”)
✅ How The Phoenix Effect can help you rise stronger and more aligned after trauma
✅ The 7 Trauma Archetypes—find out which one you resonate with most
✅ The first steps to shifting from survival mode to deep transformation

💬 Key Takeaways:

✨ Healing isn’t about returning to who you were before trauma—it’s about evolving into someone even stronger, wiser, and more authentic.
✨ Time alone doesn’t heal; it’s what you do with that time that matters.
✨ Your trauma isn’t the end of your story—it’s the beginning of your transformation.

🚀 Ready to step into post-traumatic growth? Tune in now to learn how to release the emotional weight holding you back and take your first steps toward true healing.

🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform!

🔗 Connect with Dr. Nat Green:
🌟 Website: https://www.drnataliegreen.com.au
🌟 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/
🌟 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen
🌟 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-green-36281918/

🌟 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DrNatGreen

🌟 Email me to Work together: drnat@drnataliegreen.com.au

FREE Resource

Discover your Archetypes at Trauma Archetypes Quiz

💬 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs to hear this message and leave a review—it helps more people find the tools to heal and thrive! 💛

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.

Transcript

Dr Nat Green: 0:01

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, but to 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. Welcome back to another episode of Growing Tall Poppies, the podcast where we explore trauma and its impact, and we look at resilience, growth, and transformation beyond trauma, what we refer to as post traumatic growth. I'm your host, Dr. Nat Green, and today we're diving into a topic that so many people struggle with, that of breaking free from the trauma cycle and turning pain into transformation. So if you've ever felt stuck, like no matter what you do, you keep repeating old patterns, or you just can't shake that lingering sense of exhaustion, no matter how hard you try, then this episode is for you. You are absolutely in the right place. I'll be unpacking today why trauma gets stuck in your nervous system, how you can recognise that, and most importantly, how you can begin your journey. Into post-traumatic growth starting today, And we'll be tapping into my seven trauma archetypes and the ABS method to give you a clear roadmap towards healing. So grab yourself a cup of tea or coffee, take a. Deep breath, and let's get started. Let's start with a fundamental question. What happens when we're stuck in a trauma cycle? Trauma is not just something that happens to us. It's something that continues to live within us if it's left unresolved. And often we can think we've worked through everything and feel that it's resolved. And it can still come back to bite us because It's stuck in our nervous system. A trauma cycle is when past wounds continue to shape our thoughts, our behaviours and our reactions, keeping us stuck in that loop of survival mode rather than growth. And we're referring to patterns that keep repeating in our lives, often without us realising it. It's that feeling of being trapped in the same emotional reactions, the same struggles and the same self doubt. It often feels like Groundhog Day, no matter how much time has passed or how much we've tried to move on. So some common signs that someone is stuck in a trauma cycle can be things like feeling emotionally numb. Or disconnected from life, whether that be feeling disconnected from others or from yourself. It can be constant overthinking or replaying past events, struggling with emotions such as guilt, shame or self blame, that's a huge one. Are you feeling easily triggered, anxious or on edge all the time? Do you have self sabotaging patterns in relationships, in work? Or even with your own self care, are you experiencing a deep sense of stuckness? Like you're surviving, but not truly living? Or maybe you're repeating toxic patterns in your relationships? Or struggling with hypervigilance? Feeling like you're always on edge, alert, looking for the next thing that's going to happen to you? Or perhaps you might be experiencing chronic stress, exhaustion, or physical symptoms like tension, autoimmune flare ups or chronic pain. What we know is that this happens because trauma does not just live in our minds. It gets stored in our nervous systems. Our fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses stay activated even long after the event has passed. So it's really important. And unless we find a way to safely release that trapped energy, it continues to manifest itself in our daily lives. And that's when we know we're stuck in a trauma cycle. It's also why talk therapy alone often is not enough. If we don't address the emotional weight we're carrying, and the way our nervous system has adapted in order to keep us safe in survival mode. then we stay tethered to the past, unable to fully step into the future. So how do we actually start shifting out of this cycle? Let's talk about some common misconceptions that people have about healing and post traumatic growth. One of the biggest myths I hear, is that post traumatic growth means getting back to who you were before your trauma. But that's not the goal at all. We can't un see what happened to us, or take away the experiences that we've been through. However, we can most definitely take the lessons and learning from it, which means that growth isn't about going back. It can't be about going back. It's actually about evolving into someone even more aligned, stronger and wiser, getting clear on who we are and what's really important to us, like what are our values. And starting to shape our true identity, who we are, as a result of what's happened to us. And then we can embrace who we really are and know what is important to us now. Another common misconception is that growth means pretending trauma didn't happen, or finding the silver lining in trauma. Some people mistake post traumatic growth for toxic positivity. Just thinking positive and ignoring the pain. People often believe that if they just move on, suppress their emotions or focus on gratitude, they'll naturally heal. Everything will be fine. I'll be okay. I'll be fixed. But true post traumatic growth isn't about ignoring the pain. True growth means integrating the experience, allowing ourselves to feel it, process it, and use it as fuel for our transformation. Here are a few other misconceptions I hear all the time. If I haven't fully healed, I must be doing something wrong. Let's just bust that myth right now. Healing is not a straight line. It's messy, non linear and deeply personal. Growth doesn't mean never feeling pain again. It means learning to move through it in a way that empowers you instead of defining you. And the other one, the really common one, time heals all wounds. How many times have we heard that one? Time alone doesn't heal. It's what we do with that time that does. If trauma remains unprocessed, It can stay stuck in the body and the nervous system, keeping us trapped in those old patterns. And that's why when I work with my clients, I focus so much on nervous system regulation and emotional release in the work that I do with them. And then there's that old clanger that once I experience post traumatic growth, I'll never struggle again. Growth doesn't mean that you'll never have hard days. However, it means that you will develop the tools, the resilience, and the inner trust and knowing to navigate challenges in a healthier and more empowered way. It's ultimately about building a new relationship with yourself, not just fixing what was broken. So this leads me to a concept that I call the Phoenix Effect. Think about a phoenix. It's a bird that rises from the ashes, transformed and renewed. But first, it has to burn. And this is what I see in so many people. When we go through trauma, it can feel like parts of us are burned away. Our confidence, our sense of safety, even our identity. Trauma strips away old identities, old versions of ourselves, and that process can feel devastating when you're right in there experiencing it. But when we embrace that destruction as a chance to rebuild a new and stronger foundation, that's when real transformation really happens. Many people get stuck in survival mode. Thinking they just have to cope or manage their trauma for the rest of their lives. But that's not true. We are meant to rise. And the Phoenix Effect is at the heart of the transformation I guide people through. It's about rising from the ashes of trauma and stepping into a life full of purpose, resilience and freedom. The Phoenix Effect is about moving beyond mere survival. It's not just about healing. It's about transformation. So instead of trying to go back to who we were before, we get to step into that new empowered version of ourselves, one that is stronger, wiser, and more aligned to who we truly are. And this process is what I teach using my ABS method, which is the Accelerated Breakthrough Strategies method. And there's three clear components of that. First is about reconnecting with our values, working out what really matters to us, what is our moral compass that guides us through life. They're our values. And also looking at our core identity rather than defining ourselves by what's happened to us. Who am I? and what matters to me. The values and the identity is key. And then we move on to looking at letting go of the emotional weight that's been tethering us to the past. Releasing those negative emotions of guilt, shame, fear, self blame and anger. Letting go and releasing those negative emotions. So that we can move forward, cutting the cord so no longer can those things hold us back. And then the last component of the ABS method is around regulating our nervous system. So our body and mind finally feel safe to move forward. And as part of learning how to really regulate our nervous system, we reintegrate our three brains. The head brain. The heart brain and the gut brain that usually have become disconnected as a result of our trauma. And then when our three brains are working together, we're thinking things through, we're feeling the feelings and the emotions, and we can make wise, inner knowing decisions from a place of our gut and our inner wisdom, then we can truly move forward. and rise like the phoenix, because when we rise, we don't just return to life as it was before. We create a life that's even more aligned, more fulfilling, and way more powerful than we could ever have imagined was possible. The phoenix effect is proof that trauma isn't the end of your story. It's actually the spark that ignites your transformation. How do we actually turn trauma into a catalyst for personal growth? Let's talk about my seven trauma archetypes and how they will each represent a unique path to your healing. So we know that each of us processes trauma differently. And that is exactly why I developed the 7 Trauma Archetypes of Transformation. To help people identify their patterns and strengths in the healing journey. We talked about the 7 Archetypes of Transformation in episode 33. And then we did much deeper dives on each archetype from episode 34. Right through to episode 40. So if you haven't listened to those then go back and listen to them again Especially episode 33 where we introduce all seven of the archetypes just to give you a very brief overview We have the Phoenix Riser and you embrace Transformation through surrender and allow yourself to be reborn anew. The resilient sage you find wisdom in reflection and use your experiences to gain deep insight. And then there's the empowered trailblazer. You take bold action and push forward despite your fear. Or are you the authentic warrior? You grow by embracing radical self honesty. Or the reflective orchestrator. You heal through meaning making, deep introspection. Or are you the radiant alchemist? You transform pain through creativity and self expression. Or perhaps you might be the liberated voyager. You expand by embracing adventure, new experiences, and pushing past your limits. Which one do you feel that you resonate with? Identifying your archetype can be the first step towards moving forward. So I'm going to put the link in the show notes and you can head on over and take my trauma archetypes quiz because this will allow you to identify which of the trauma archetypes you identify with the most closely right now. And will also provide you with an archetype profile, which will showcase the top three archetypes. that you resonate with the most. You will have all components, all seven archetypes within you, but the key to moving forward and allowing yourself to accelerate moving into post traumatic growth is to understand the strengths of each archetype and the challenges. So when you are facing significant challenge along the way, you can tap into, ah, that's my archetype. And I know they often experience this challenge. So this is what I need to do to overcome that challenge. So that is really instrumental in allowing you to connect to those deep parts of yourself and how to bring yourself through and accelerate into post traumatic growth now. So if you're listening right now and feeling overwhelmed by your trauma, what is that first step you can take today? It's about taking the Archetypes quiz. And then you can ask yourself, what is my trauma really trying to teach me? Because our growth starts with shifting the story that we tell ourselves. So remember, you are not your trauma. You are the person who will rise from it. If today's episode has resonated with you, I would love for you to connect with me on social media, either on Facebook or Instagram, and I'd love for you to let me know what your biggest takeaway has been. And if you're ready to dive deeper, then you might want to check out my Phoenix Coaching Program, where we apply all of these principles in real time. So head on over to Facebook or Instagram. Connect with me there. DM me. And let's get started in helping you to create the Phoenix Effect in your life. So until next time, keep growing, keep healing and keep on rising. You are capable of so much more than you know. 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.