Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/ How to Be Social With PTSD Without Burning OutFrom Isolation to Connection: Overcoming PTSD at Social EventsBeating Holiday Social Anxiety With PTSD (Without Faking a Smile)Trauma, Shame, and the Fear of Being “Found Out” in Social SituationsHow to Stop Letting PTSD Turn Parties Into Panic TrapsRebuilding Relationships After Trauma When You’ve Pulled Away for YearsA Simple Social Plan for PTSD: Triggers, Exit Routes, and Self-TalkHow to Handle Crowds, Noise, and Overwhelm With a Trauma-Sensitive PlanThe Truth About PTSD, Loneliness, and Why Everyone Is More Anxious Than You ThinkFrom Hiding in Your Room to Hosting Again: Social Tools for Trauma Survivors Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching session, Brad and Kayleen break down how to be social when you absolutely do not feel like being social—especially around holidays, family gatherings, and big events. If PTSD or trauma has turned barbecues, birthdays, and weddings into situations you dread, this episode shows you why that happens and what to do about it. Brad shares openly about the years he spent isolating, hiding in his room during family holidays, and avoiding people he loved because of shame and the fear of being “found out.” You’ll hear how he began to own his pain, release pressure to be perfect, and re-enter social situations with a calmer mind and a practical plan. Together, Brad and Kayleen walk you through mindset shifts that dissolve a lot of the internal pressure—like realizing most people are thinking about themselves, not judging you, and that hurting doesn’t make you broken or bad. They also show you how to pair that mindset with simple tools and an exit plan so you feel safer going into any gathering. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how to stop letting PTSD dictate your social life, how to handle triggers in the moment, and how to slowly rebuild relationships you may have pulled away from during the hardest seasons of your trauma journey.   💡 What You’ll Learn Why PTSD and trauma make social events and holidays feel overwhelming How shame, fear of judgment, and “being found out” secretly fuel isolation A mindset shift that lets you show up without pretending everything is perfect How to create a calm social plan including triggers, tools, and a safe exit option Practical grounding tools like the Butterfly Hug you can use discreetly in public How to use self-talk to decide when to stay, when to step out, and how to come back Ways to rebuild strained relationships after years of trauma-driven withdrawal How consistency, healing routines, and processing work reduce social anxiety over time Why discomfort is part of growth—and how to tell the difference between pain and healthy stretching   🧠 Key Takeaway You don’t have to be perfect or pain-free to be social—you just need an honest mindset, a few simple tools, and a plan that reminds you you’re safe, worthy, and allowed to be human. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome & 4th of July check-in02:00 Why holidays and social events feel so hard with PTSD06:15 Brad’s story: isolation, shame, and fear of being “found out”13:40 Reframing social anxiety: everyone is in their own head20:05 Mindset shifts: you’re not broken, bad, or alone22:30 Building a social safety plan (triggers, tools, exit routes)30:10 Using self-talk to navigate tough conversations & discomfort37:45 Rebuilding relationships after years of isolation46:20 Healing routines, c

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/ The Recovery Process Is a Self Discovery Journey With PTSDYou Are Not Your Pain: Reclaiming Identity Beyond PTSDFrom Broken to Unbreakable: Peeling Back the Layers of TraumaWho Am I Without the Trauma? Rediscovering Your True Self After PTSDYou Are Not Your Symptoms: How PTSD Warps Your Sense of SelfStuck in Survival Mode: How to Find Yourself Again After TraumaWhy PTSD Recovery Is Really a Discovery of Who You’ve Always BeenLayers of Pain, Layers of Healing: A New Way to See PTSD RecoveryHow to Stop Believing You ARE the Trauma and Start Seeing Who You AreFrom “I’m Broken” to “I’m Amazing”: Redefining Your Identity After PTSD Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this coaching session, Brad and Kayleen dive into one of the most important but often overlooked parts of healing: self discovery. When you’re in deep pain, it’s easy to believe you are the anger, the withdrawals, the shutdowns, and the symptoms. In this episode, Brad explains why you are not your PTSD, your addictions, or your anxiety—and how recovery is really about uncovering the real you underneath all that pain. Using powerful visuals and everyday metaphors, they show how trauma layers over your true self like heavy circles covering a stick figure or murky water hiding what’s beneath the surface. As you heal each “layer” through processing and tools, more of the real you comes into view—your humor, your values, your capacity for connection, your goodness. You’ll also hear how to navigate the confusing “in-between” phase of recovery, where some days you see your best self and other days the old patterns roar back. Instead of seeing that as proof you’re broken, Brad reframes it as key data pointing to the next layer that’s ready to heal. This episode is both grounding and encouraging, giving you a practical way to separate who you are from what you’ve been through—and to use every trigger, bad day, and setback as a guidepost toward deeper healing and self discovery.   💡 What You’ll Learn How PTSD and trauma create a false identity that makes you believe you are your pain Why the recovery process is really a discovery process of your true self How to visualize your symptoms as layers covering the real you underneath How to use bad days, setbacks, and triggers as data for what needs healing next Why you can have both good days and painful days without being “all good” or “all bad” How to separate “I am anxious” from “I am experiencing anxiety” Practical ways to start defining who you are not so you can get clearer on who you are How processing tools help you peel back layers and reveal more of your real self Why consistent small actions and routines build trust in your own healing journey   🧠 Key Takeaway You are not your PTSD, your symptoms, or your worst moments—you are the person underneath the pain, and every layer you heal reveals more of who you truly are.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Starting the Live Session 01:22 Today's Topic: Self-Discovery 02:02 Understanding the Layers of Pain 04:52 Upcoming Holiday Plans and Mental Health 07:52 The Recovery Process: A Visual Representation 20:24 Sharing Personal Stories and Insights 29:26 Action Plan for Self-Discovery 30:13 Separating from Negative Identities 31:02 Using Introspection Tools 32:17 Q&A Session Begins 35:33 Dealing with PTSD and Anxiety 36:27 Coping vs. Healing the Root Cause 37:18 Recovery Toolbox Tools 39:24 The Protector Processing Tool 41:36

Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching session, Brad and Kayleen walk you through a full, in-depth processing tool called “Challenging Beliefs.” Instead of starting with heavy emotions, this tool begins from a logical place so you can gently examine the beliefs that trauma created about yourself, your healing, and the world around you. You’ll learn the “belief cycle” and how it silently runs your life: beliefs drive actions, actions create experiences, experiences shape your thoughts, and those thoughts reinforce your beliefs. Brad and Kayleen show how this loop can either keep PTSD symptoms stuck in place or become the engine that moves you toward full recovery. Using simple metaphors like the “belief table,” they guide you step-by-step through breaking old trauma beliefs (like “healing isn’t possible” or “I’m broken”) and constructing new, empowering beliefs with strong “legs” underneath them. You’ll also get a practical worksheet so you can sit down, write it out, and actually rewire the way your brain interprets past experiences. Throughout the episode, they emphasize that belief work is both logical and emotional. As you challenge old references, emotions may rise—and that’s not a problem, that’s progress. When you pair this belief tool with emotional release tools like the Butterfly Hug and consistent healing routines, you’re no longer just hoping healing is possible… you’re actively building the mindset that makes it inevitable.   💡 What You’ll Learn How the belief cycle works and why your core trauma beliefs quietly control your daily actions The “table and legs” metaphor for understanding how PTSD beliefs are built and maintained How to identify negative trauma beliefs like “healing is impossible” or “I’m not good enough” A structured process to put your old beliefs “on trial” and poke logical holes in them How to transform a negative belief into a powerful new one using the Disconfirm & Swap method How to build strong references (legs) that support your new belief that healing from PTSD is possible How to use the belief worksheet and affirmations to reinforce new neural pathways in your brain Why emotions can surface during belief work and how to safely process them with tools like the Butterfly Hug How to weave this challenging-beliefs tool into a daily healing routine for long-term PTSD recovery   🧠 Key Takeaway If you can change the way you interpret your past, you can change the beliefs that shape your future—and that’s how PTSD recovery becomes possible, step by step.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Welcome to the Live Session 00:49 Today's Focus: Processing Tool 01:08 Engagement and Interaction 01:41 Diving into the Processing Tool 06:31 The Importance of Beliefs 08:23 The Belief Cycle Explained 15:36 Challenging Negative Beliefs 39:57 Weakening Negative Beliefs 40:03 Personal Experiences with PTSD 40:49 Challenging Long-Held Beliefs 43:29 Constructing Positive Beliefs 49:57 Worksheet Walkthrough 59:26 Q&A and Final Thoughts   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • challenging beliefs • PTSD beliefs • limiting beliefs after trauma • belief cycle and PTSD • emotional regulation • nervous system regulation • trauma coping tools • cognitive restructuring for trauma • changing negative self-talk • “healing is impossible” belief • complex PTSD recovery • anxiety relief tools • Butterfly Hug technique • EMDR and CBT alternatives • trauma-informed coaching • recovery mindset • daily healing routine • a

Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad breaks down why most trauma survivors struggle to stick with routines, even when they’re highly motivated and “know what to do.” Instead of forcing massive life overhauls, he walks you through a calm, practical way to create habits that actually last in the middle of PTSD, stress, and real life. You’ll learn how willpower really works, why it feels so limited during trauma recovery, and how to protect it from getting drained by stress, decisions, and unhealthy patterns. Brad explains the “habit equation” in simple terms so you can see exactly how negative patterns were formed in your brain—and how to begin rewiring them on purpose. He also shares how to stack habits slowly and strategically, so you’re no longer trying to change everything at once and then crashing back into old behaviors. Along the way, Brad reframes triggers and “bad days” as powerful opportunities to heal deeper instead of evidence that you’re failing. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of how to design your environment, your decisions, and your routines so that your default habits start moving you toward peace, stability, and long-term PTSD recovery.   💡 What You’ll Learn How to stop “all or nothing” routines that burn you out in PTSD recovery Why small 1% changes over time beat massive life overhauls for trauma survivors How willpower actually works and why it feels so limited when you’re healing trauma The simple habit equation Brad uses to explain how negative patterns get wired in How to weaken old trauma-based habits and strengthen new healing ones in your brain How to stack habits one at a time so they become automatic instead of exhausting Practical ways to design your environment so the “right” choice becomes the easy choice How to handle bad days, anxiety, and triggers without losing your progress Why triggers can be seen as opportunities to process and release buried trauma   🧠 Key Takeaway Lasting change in PTSD recovery doesn’t come from massive willpower bursts—it comes from small, focused habits that you repeat until they become automatic.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:59 Today's Topic: The Power of Habits 02:23 Common Mistakes in Building Habits 04:26 The Importance of Small Incremental Changes 07:07 Understanding Willpower and Its Limits 12:09 The Habit Equation: How Habits Are Formed 15:38 Strengthening Positive Pathways 24:18 Designing Your Environment for Success 27:07 Summary and Q&A 31:03 Welcome and Introductions 31:18 Visual Learning and Retaining Concepts 31:44 Addressing Negative Thoughts 32:25 Building Positive Habits 35:13 The 21-Day Habit Myth 37:12 Understanding and Overcoming Resistance 40:41 The Power of Protectors 43:15 Adapting to Different Environments 47:40 The Importance of Willpower 48:49 Setting and Achieving Personal Goals 55:01 Upcoming Sessions and Bootcamp 57:03 Closing Remarks and Future Topics   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery habits • trauma healing routines • habit stacking for PTSD • nervous system regulation • trauma coping tools • willpower and PTSD • rewiring trauma patterns • emotional regulation skills • healing after childhood trauma • overcoming negative thought loops • PTSD morning routine • trauma recovery mindset • building sustainable healing habits • processing triggers and flashbacks • environment design for recovery • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching

Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad and Kaylene break down why so many trauma survivors feel overwhelmed, stuck, and confused about what to do next in recovery — and how simplicity can completely change that. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, Brad shares how focusing on just one key action each day became a turning point in his healing from rock bottom. You’ll hear how to get clear on what you actually want from life and recovery, so decisions become simpler and less exhausting. Brad and Kaylene explore how to separate what truly matters from all the noise, expectations, and “shoulds” coming from other people, social media, and the world around you. They also walk through the “three pillars of recovery” — mindset, routines, and processing — and show you how to use them as a simple roadmap when you feel anxious, triggered, or lost. By the end, you’ll have a practical way to cut out what isn’t working, focus on what actually moves the needle, and begin building a calmer, more intentional life as you heal.   💡 What You’ll Learn How simplicity reduces overwhelm and helps you take consistent action in PTSD recovery Why doing less of the wrong things and more of the right few creates faster trauma healing How to clarify what you truly want so decisions become simpler and more aligned A powerful future-self exercise (age 84) to minimize regrets and prioritize what matters How to use the three pillars of recovery: mindset, routines, and processing A simple question to identify whether you have a mindset, routines, or processing problem Why eliminating certain habits, environments, or inputs can instantly create more peace How to spot the “biggest levers” that give you the most progress for the least effort Practical examples of simplifying your daily life, environment, and relationships   🧠 Key Takeaway True recovery happens when you simplify your life down to the few actions that truly move the needle and commit to doing them consistently.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Starting the Live Coaching Session 01:26 The Power of Simplicity 03:38 Brad's Personal Story of Recovery 06:38 Identifying Key Actions for Recovery 11:27 Gaining Clarity on Life Goals 13:25 The Importance of Knowing What You Want 21:10 Simplifying Recovery Choices 23:31 Technical Difficulties and Recap 25:00 Defining What Truly Matters 25:34 Creating Impactful Moments 26:41 Analyzing Efficiency in Actions 27:50 The Importance of Relationships 28:46 Guiding Principles for Recovery 29:42 The Power of Simplicity 31:21 Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Topics   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • simplicity in recovery • overcoming overwhelm with PTSD • nervous system regulation • trauma coping tools • emotional regulation for trauma survivors • PTSD mindset shifts • trauma recovery routines • PTSD processing tools • 3 pillars of recovery PTSD • future self exercise trauma healing • eliminating triggers and stressors • simplifying life after trauma • recovery hero identity • beliefs as a trauma processing tool • boundaries and PTSD • practical PTSD recovery strategies

Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad and Kaylene unpack why it’s so hard to finish what you start when you’re living with PTSD or trauma—and what to do about it. From dirty dishes piling up in the sink to unopened bills and unfinished healing work, they show how “negative momentum” quietly builds until everything feels overwhelming. Brad shares a raw story from early in his recovery when his house, routines, and emotions were all out of control—and the simple “hard reset” that helped him turn things around. You’ll hear how one decision point, fueled by pain and a little bit of hope, can completely change the trajectory of your future. Together they break down the most common reasons trauma survivors lose momentum: emotional overwhelm, open loops, lack of routine, complexity, forgetfulness, and unhelpful beliefs about who you are. Then they walk you through practical tools—like brain dumps, chunking tasks, and using the Unbreakable Planner—to rebuild trust with yourself one small win at a time. This is a calm but direct reminder that your life changes in tiny moments. One dish, one phone call, one vacuumed room, one day sober, one routine followed through. You’ll leave with a clear next step: choose one thing that would make today a great day—and go do it. 💡 What You’ll Learn Why PTSD and trauma make it so hard to maintain motivation and finish what you start How “negative momentum” builds from one unfinished task or avoided emotion The simple “hard reset” process Brad uses to clean up open loops and regain control How to do a brain dump so your mind can rest and your next steps are clear Why routines fail when they’re too complex—and how to simplify them so they stick How to chunk overwhelming tasks into tiny wins you can actually complete A new way to think about discipline so it feels supportive instead of harsh How to use the Unbreakable Planner to set up tomorrow’s success today The power of choosing just one thing that would make today a great day 🧠 Key Takeaway Your future changes the moment you decide to stop letting unfinished tasks and avoided emotions run your life—and start closing one small loop at a time. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation. CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Welcome to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching01:10 – Member-chosen topic: finishing what you start and maintaining momentum04:10 – Professor Calamitous and the “never finishes anything” pattern06:40 – Brad’s rock-bottom story: dishes, avoidance, and overwhelm10:45 – The “hard reset” system: brain dump, clean up, recommit to routines14:20 – One question: what’s one thing that would make today a great day?18:00 – Decision points: seeing your future and choosing a different path23:30 – Overwhelm, triggers, and emotional clutter after trauma29:10 – Solutions: organization, self-talk, chunking, and long-term thinking37:00 – Rethinking discipline: stickiness, consistency, and tiny daily wins44:15 – Using the Unbreakable Planner to create tomorrow’s success47:30 – Labels, ADHD/BPD, and how trauma can shape your sense of self51:30 – Weekend action steps, platform resources, and closing encouragement Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • finishing what you start • maintaining momentum in recovery • overcoming overwhelm after trauma • emotional regulation • nervous system regulation • trauma coping tools • open loops and brain dump • hard reset after PTSD setbacks • routines for PTSD • self-talk and motivation • chunking tasks in trauma recovery • sobriety and trauma healing • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching • Overcoming PTSD Podcast

Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad and Kayleen unpack a side of PTSD recovery that often gets ignored: having fun again. They explore why trauma can make life and relationships feel tense, serious, and heavy—and why you don’t have to be “fully healed” before you’re allowed to laugh, joke, and enjoy the people you love. You’ll hear how PTSD turns simple moments (like lettuce in the sink) into full-blown conflicts, and how to shift from blame and defensiveness to ownership and curiosity. Brad and Kayleen walk through the “relationship equation” and show how changing your part of the equation can transform the whole relationship—without trying to control or fix anyone else. They also talk about codependency, taking 100% responsibility without taking 100% of the blame, and how to stop dragging past pain into present moments. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to bring more lightness, humor, and play back into your life so relationships feel safer, warmer, and more fun again. 💡 What You’ll Learn Why PTSD and trauma make relationships feel so serious and heavy How to start having fun again even if you’re not fully healed The “relationship equation” and how changing yourself changes the whole relationship The difference between taking responsibility and taking all the blame How to stop making everything personal and start assuming the best in others Why you don’t really have “relationship problems,” you have individual problems you bring into the relationship Practical ways to bring more laughter, play, and lightness into daily life How to notice small moments of joy and let them build your new normal First steps to shift out of codependency and back into your own “box” 🧠 Key Takeaway You don’t have relationship problems—you have personal problems you’re bringing into the relationship, and when you change your part of the equation, the whole relationship changes. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Starting the Live Session 01:14 Today's Topic: Lightening Up in Relationships 01:54 Personal Stories and Examples 05:46 Mindset and Curiosity in Relationships 16:42 The Relationship Equation 30:49 Taking Responsibility and Contribution 40:08 Final Thoughts and Q&A 42:19 Upcoming Topics and Plans 42:52 Heartwarming Story from Bonnie 43:23 Cherishing the Little Moments 46:23 Q&A Session Begins 46:59 Isabella's Emotional Sharing 48:07 Taking Ownership and Healing 52:39 Understanding PTSD and Healing 56:57 The Power of Laughter and Belief 01:08:33 Codependency and Self-Focus 01:17:05 Final Thoughts and Future Plans   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • lightening up after trauma • PTSD and relationships • nervous system regulation • emotional regulation • trauma coping tools • healing from relationship conflict • codependency and trauma • PTSD communication tools • relationship mindset shifts • taking responsibility not blame • overcoming hypervigilance • rebuilding trust and safety • bringing back fun after PTSD • trauma and emotional triggers • laughter and healing • overcoming people pleasing after trauma • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching • Overcoming PTSD Podcast

Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad breaks down a simple but powerful way to measure your PTSD or trauma recovery so it doesn’t feel so vague, random, or confusing. Instead of guessing whether you’re healing, you’ll learn how to track real numbers that show your progress over time. Brad and Kayleen walk you through the difference between your overall “global” distress level and the more specific distress you feel around a particular trauma, memory, or belief. You’ll hear how Brad uses data in his own life and coaching to bring clarity, focus, and direction to the healing process. They also introduce the idea of “believability” — how strongly you believe a new, healthier belief after processing — and why that matters just as much as reducing distress. Together, they show you how to pair distress and believability tracking so you know when a trauma is truly complete and when it’s time to move on. By the end, you’ll have a simple tracking system you can start using today, even if you don’t know any processing tools yet. You’ll walk away with more focus, more motivation, and a clearer sense of what’s working in your recovery — and what needs more attention. 💡 What You’ll Learn How to measure your overall PTSD or trauma distress on a simple 0–10 scale The difference between global distress and distress around a specific trauma or belief How to track the distress level of one specific trauma until it reaches near zero What “believability” means in trauma healing and how to measure it from 0–10 Why focusing on one trauma or belief at a time speeds up your recovery How to know when a trauma is fully processed and ready to be “checked off” A simple way to track your numbers using a notebook, notes app, or Google Sheet How consistent processing time directly impacts your rate of PTSD healing How to use data to stay motivated, celebrate wins, and make smarter recovery decisions 🧠 Key Takeaway If you want faster PTSD recovery, stop guessing — track one trauma at a time until its distress is near zero and your new belief feels like a 10-out-of-10 truth. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation. CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Welcome to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching and series context01:00 – Why Brad loves data and how tracking transformed his own healing03:00 – The problem with vague goals like “be happy” or “be at peace”04:30 – Introducing the global distress level: your overall 0–10 scale09:00 – How to track your global distress over time (and what to expect)15:00 – Macro vs micro: global distress vs specific trauma distress19:00 – The two key metrics for a single trauma: distress and believability22:00 – Example: turning “I don’t deserve love” into a believable new truth27:00 – Why you must focus on one trauma or belief at a time29:00 – How processing one trauma lowers your global distress level32:00 – Future sessions: beliefs as a processing tool and bootcamps38:00 – Using simple tools: notes, spreadsheets, and quick daily check-ins44:00 – Time in equals results out: why processing hours matter49:00 – Coaching, accountability, and building momentum in recovery52:00 – Final encouragement and next episode preview Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • PTSD distress scale • trauma symptom tracking • emotional regulation • nervous system regulation • trauma coping tools • PTSD processing tools • belief change in trauma recovery • measuring trauma healing progress • PTSD coaching • data-driven PTSD recovery • CPTSD healing journey • overcoming trauma triggers • mental health routines for trauma survivors • recovery metrics and goal setting

Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad and Kayleen walk you step-by-step through how to turn affirmations from something that feels cheesy or pointless into a practical, daily tool that actually supports PTSD and trauma recovery. Instead of using random “blog post affirmations,” they show you how to build statements that are personal, emotionally meaningful, and powerful for your specific healing journey. You’ll hear the simple affirmation formula they use with clients: belief + reference + feeling. Brad and Kayleen break down what each part means, why it matters for a trauma-impacted brain, and how to use it to reshape core beliefs like “I’m not capable,” “I don’t deserve love,” or “I’m too broken.” They also talk about the difference between discomfort and pain, and why feeling “foreign” or awkward as you practice is actually a sign of progress. Brad then shares how he and Kayleen built affirmations into their own routines, including a 90-day challenge, morning and evening journaling, and how those practices helped shift their self-talk long term. They also explore what to do when guilt, shame, or fear show up as you start feeling better about yourself, and how to connect this work with deeper processing tools like introspective healing and protectors. By the end, you’ll have a clear, simple plan to start—whether that’s one affirmation a day or a full 90-day practice—and a realistic picture of how consistent affirmations can support nervous system regulation, belief change, and long-term recovery from PTSD and trauma. 💡 What You’ll Learn How affirmations actually work in the brain and why they can support PTSD recovery The exact formula for crafting powerful affirmations: belief + reference + feeling Why generic “blog post affirmations” often feel empty and how to make them personal How to attach real emotion and vivid visualization to your affirmations A simple 90-day affirmation challenge you can plug into your morning and evening routine How to turn a single phrase into a core belief you reinforce every day The difference between discomfort and pain while doing this work (and what to do with each) How to handle guilt or uneasiness when you start feeling good about yourself after trauma How affirmations connect with processing tools like introspective healing and protectors 🧠 Key Takeaway Affirmations only become powerful when they’re personal, backed by real experiences, and felt emotionally—belief + reference + feeling is what rewires trauma-driven thoughts. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Starting the Daily Recovery Coaching Call 00:53 Recap and Building on Previous Sessions 01:54 The Power of Affirmations 03:48 Crafting Effective Affirmations 05:21 Personal Experiences with Affirmations 08:12 Building Affirmations into Your Routine 16:48 90-Day Affirmation Challenge 26:44 The Affirmation Formula 31:20 Reflecting on Personal Achievements 31:55 Connecting Emotions to Achievements 32:34 Reinforcing Affirmations with References 34:46 Daily Affirmation Practice 36:46 Embracing Mistakes and Growth 37:26 Using References for Self-Love 41:21 Upcoming Sessions and Q&A 55:17 Final Thoughts and Encouragement   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • PTSD affirmations • trauma affirmations that work • changing core trauma beliefs • emotional regulation after trauma • nervous system regulation • trauma coping tools • self-talk for PTSD • daily recovery habits • morning routine for PTSD healing • evening routine for trauma recovery • introspec

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/ Control Your Thoughts Before PTSD Controls Your LifeHow To Stop PTSD Thoughts From Running Your DayRewiring Trauma Thoughts: Take Back Control Of Your MindFrom Trigger Spirals To Peace: Mastering PTSD Self-TalkBreak The PTSD Thought Loop And Become Your Recovery HeroHow To Reprogram Trauma Thinking And Create A New FutureThe #1 Mindset Shift To Stop PTSD From Calling The ShotsTurn Down Trauma Noise: Everyday Tools To Control Your ThoughtsYour Brain Is Not The Boss: Simple Practices To Retrain PTSD ThinkingFrom Addiction To Freedom: Using Thought Control To Heal Trauma Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad and Kayleen break down one of the most important foundations of PTSD and trauma recovery: controlling your thoughts before they control you. They explain how your mind is constantly running in the background, often wired by trauma to default toward negativity, fear, and self-sabotage. You’ll learn how your “automatic programming” gets created by past experiences, and why that programming doesn’t have to be your future. Brad shares a simple robot-and-controller analogy to help you see that you are not your thoughts — you’re the one holding the controller, even if you haven’t been using it. Kayleen opens up about how thought control was essential in her sobriety and healing from trauma. She walks through exactly how she talked herself out of urges, triggers, and negative spirals using one simple phrase and “future casting” her decisions. By the end, you’ll have a clear, practical way to start reprogramming your mind with positive self-talk, affirmations, and tiny daily cues (like red lights or doorways) so your thoughts begin working for your recovery hero — not against it. 💡 What You’ll Learn Why unmanaged thoughts quietly shape your PTSD symptoms, behaviors, and results How trauma “programs” your brain to default to negative, fearful thinking A simple robot-and-controller analogy to separate your true self from your thoughts How to choose one powerful phrase (“You’ve got this” or “I love you”) to interrupt spirals Practical examples of talking yourself out of urges, addiction patterns, and triggers How to use future casting to make choices your future self will be proud of Ways to use environmental cues (like red lights or mirrors) to practice positive self-talk Why changing your thoughts first eventually makes positive behavior feel automatic How daily mindset work supports long-term PTSD and trauma recovery goals   🧠 Key Takeaway If you don’t intentionally direct your thoughts, your old trauma programming will — but you always hold the controller, and you can choose a new path starting today.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Starting the Live Coaching Session 01:19 Mindset Mondays: Controlling Your Thoughts 03:19 The Power of Positive Self-Talk 04:43 Reflecting on the Journey and Future Plans 07:57 Strategies for Controlling Your Thoughts 15:36 Future Casting and Visualization Techniques 19:12 Building Positive Habits and Self-Talk 33:02 Understanding Your Programming 34:10 Taking Control of Your Thoughts 35:16 Visualizing Control with a Controller 37:15 The Power of Positive Phrases 39:19 Q&A and Weekly Plan 40:53 Community Feedback and Future Topics 43:18 Implementing Positive Self-Talk 54:40 Conclusion and Encouragement   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • controlling your thoughts • negative self-talk and PTSD • tr

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/ Mindset Bootcamp: How To Become The Hero Of Your PTSD Recovery StoryFrom Stuck To Strong: Daily Mindset Habits For Trauma RecoveryRewiring Your Brain For Healing: Bringing Your PTSD Recovery Hero To LifeStop Forgetting Your Progress: How To Keep Trauma Healing Top Of MindFrom Survival Mode To Recovery Hero: Daily PTSD Mindset TrainingHow To Think Like Your Future Self And Fast-Track PTSD RecoveryThe GPS Of Trauma Healing: Setting Your Destination And Recalculating DailyOne Question That Can Change Your PTSD Recovery Every DayRecovery Hero Bootcamp: Daily Visualization Tools For Trauma HealingWhy Most Trauma Goals Fade (And How To Make Yours Unstoppable) Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad wraps up the Recovery Hero Bootcamp by showing you how to bring your recovery hero into your real, everyday life. Instead of letting your goals fade like old school lessons you barely remember, you’ll learn how to keep your future self front and center in your mind so healing becomes your default direction. Using simple analogies like the old Garmin GPS and the brain’s “recalculating” system, Brad explains why you naturally forget even powerful insights if you don’t revisit them—and how to work with your brain instead of against it. You’ll see why doing the exercise once is helpful, but refreshing it consistently is what creates real change. You’ll also learn practical visualization tools, daily prompts, and simple questions you can ask yourself in real-time moments of stress, conflict, or temptation. This is about turning your recovery hero from “nice idea on paper” into a living guide you can lean on when it matters most. By the end, you’ll walk away with one clear action to weave your recovery hero into your routines so you stop settling for 10% of your potential and start moving steadily toward full recovery.   💡 What You’ll Learn Why your brain forgets most things you hear once—and how to use that knowledge to support PTSD recovery How to keep your “recovery hero” (future healed self) clear, vivid, and emotionally real Simple daily visualization practices to embody how your recovered self thinks, feels, and acts How to use the “What would my recovery hero do?” question in tough emotional moments Ways to bring your recovery hero into conflicts, triggers, and everyday decisions How emotion supercharges memory and how to attach positive emotion to your healing goals The difference between learning, studying, and mastering trauma recovery tools How to use your brain’s RAS (Reticular Activating System) to notice more opportunities for healing A step-by-step suggestion for choosing one daily practice to keep your recovery hero alive in your life   🧠 Key Takeaway Your recovery hero isn’t a fantasy version of you—it’s your true self uncovered, and every time you ask “What would my recovery hero do?” you take one real step closer to becoming that person.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Welcome to the Final Session of Recovery Hero Bootcamp 00:53 Recap of the Week's Sessions 01:31 Daily Actions for Success 02:31 The Importance of Refreshing Your Goals 06:34 Memory and Its Impact on Recovery 16:16 Visualization Techniques for Recovery 19:02 Practical Applications of Visualization 22:18 Embodying Your Recovery Hero in Daily Life 29:40 Uncovering Your Future Self 30:43 Daily Routine Visualizations 31:37 Commit to Your Visualization Practice 33:10 The Power of Re

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/ Write Your Recovery Hero Story: A New Roadmap For PTSD HealingHow To Become Your “Recovery Hero” And Rewire Your Brain After TraumaFrom Broken To Unbreakable: Writing Your PTSD Recovery StoryBridging The Gap From PTSD To Freedom With Your Recovery HeroTurn Your Trauma Into A Hero Story (Recovery Hero Bootcamp)Designing Your Future Self: A Practical PTSD Recovery VisualizationHow To Build Belief In Your PTSD Recovery (Recovery Hero Method)Stop Feeling Broken: Map Out Your Trauma Recovery Hero JourneyFrom Triggers To Transformation: Your Recovery Hero PTSD Game PlanWriting The Redemption Story Of Your Life After Trauma Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching session, Brad and Kayleen walk you through a powerful “Recovery Hero” exercise designed to bridge the gap between who you are today and who you become after fully healing from PTSD. Instead of guessing your way through recovery, you’ll learn how to define your current self, your future healed self, and the specific path that connects the two. You’ll be guided to step into the shoes of your future, fully recovered self and “look back” at how you got there. From that perspective, you’ll map out the stepping stones—habits, decisions, tools, and mindset shifts—that carried you from triggers, pain, and survival mode into peace, strength, and stability. Brad and Kayleen also share how visualization, self-image, and your brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) help you program your mind for PTSD recovery instead of staying stuck in old patterns. You’ll see how to turn your life into a redemption story and start building real belief that healing is not only possible, but inevitable when you follow a clear roadmap. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a practical challenge: write your own Recovery Hero story from “now” to your future self, so you can stop feeling broken and start living as the unbreakable version of you that’s already inside.   💡 What You’ll Learn How to clearly define your current self versus your future “Recovery Hero” self How to write your Recovery Hero story to bridge the gap between who you are and who you’re becoming How to transform destructive coping (like drugs and alcohol) into healthy PTSD coping strategies How to break huge recovery goals into clear, doable stepping stones How to use visualization to program your brain for trauma healing and success How the Reticular Activating System (RAS) helps you notice opportunities for recovery How to include real-life obstacles in your story so you stay resilient instead of getting blindsided How to rebuild belief in yourself when PTSD has made your future feel impossible How to turn your life into a powerful underdog and redemption story after trauma   🧠 Key Takeaway Your Recovery Hero is already you in the future—your job now is to write the story of how you got there and start walking it, one step at a time.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Welcome to the Live Session 01:18 Defining Your Current Self and Recovery Hero 03:08 Bridging the Gap: Creating Your Recovery Hero Story 06:29 Steps to Sobriety and Healing 09:07 Visualizing Success and Overcoming Obstacles 18:26 The Power of Recovery and Building Strength 20:41 Building Strength and the Journey to Unbreakable 21:06 Visualizing Your Recovery Hero 21:57 Overcoming Obstacles and Writing Your Story 23:57 Programming Your Brain for Success 28:00 The Power

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/ Designing Your Future Self After PTSD: Become Your Recovery HeroFrom Trauma Survival to Future Self Vision: Creating Your Recovery HeroStop Living for Others: How to Define What You Really Want After PTSDRecovery Hero Bootcamp: Goal Setting That Actually Works for PTSD RecoveryHow to Break Free From Trauma Patterns and Become Your Future SelfPTSD Healing Roadmap: Bridging the Gap From Who You Are to Who You Want To BeFrom Numb and Hopeless to Purpose-Driven: Reclaiming Your Life After TraumaOvercoming Trauma by Becoming Your Own Hero, Not Someone Else’sFuture Self Visualization for PTSD: Crafting the You That Finally Feels SafeGoal Setting for Trauma Survivors: How to Stop People-Pleasing and Start Living Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching session, Brad and Kaylene walk you through the second step of the “Recovery Hero Bootcamp”: defining your future self. Instead of trying to force yourself into other people’s expectations, you’ll learn how to design the healed version of you who has walked through PTSD and come out the other side. They explore why most trauma survivors struggle to answer the question “What do I really want?” and how years of people-pleasing, survival mode, and pain can make it hard to imagine anything different. Brad and Kaylene break this down into a practical exercise that turns your current struggles into a clear picture of your Recovery Hero. You’ll hear real examples of how to invert your current habits, beliefs, and reactions into the traits of your future self, plus how to borrow specific qualities from people you admire without losing your own identity. This episode shows you how to treat goal setting as a creative, judgment-free brainstorm instead of another way to beat yourself up. Finally, Brad explains why every big goal — especially healing from PTSD — requires a deep transformation, not just “trying harder.” You’ll walk away with a simple, doable action step to start defining your Recovery Hero today, and prepare for tomorrow’s session on bridging the gap between who you are now and who you’re becoming. 💡 What You’ll Learn How to define your “Recovery Hero” as the fully healed version of you after PTSDWhy you must know where you are now before you can map where you’re goingHow to turn “I don’t want this” into a clear vision of what you do wantHow to stop living for other people’s goals and start honoring your ownA simple way to use traits from people you admire without becoming a copy of themWhy numbness, hopelessness, and dissociation are understandable AND workable statesHow to use divergent thinking to brainstorm your future self without judgmentWhy any real PTSD healing goal requires personal transformation, not perfectionPractical reflection questions to guide how your Recovery Hero thinks, feels, and responds 🧠 Key Takeaway You don’t have to become a different person to heal from PTSD — you’re uncovering and growing into who you truly are beneath the pain. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Welcome to the Recovery Hero Bootcamp 01:25 Defining Your Current Self 02:13 Crafting Your Recovery Hero 03:07 Setting Goals and Overcoming Obstacles 03:49 The Importance of Self-Definition 06:46 Brainstorming Your Future Self 14:38 Divergent Thinking and Personal Growth 37:20 Commitment to Action 39:24 Getting Names Right and Dyslexia Challenges 40:09 Q&A Session Begins 41:01 The Importance of Pleasing Yourself 4

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/ Mindset Bootcamp for PTSD: Defining Your Current SelfBefore PTSD Recovery Begins: How to Honestly See Where You AreFrom Trauma Survivor to Recovery Hero: Step One Is AwarenessStop Running From Your Trauma: Facing Your Current Self With Self-LoveThe GPS of PTSD Healing: Why You Must Know Where You’re StartingI Want to Stop Feeling This Way: A Simple Exercise for PTSD and Trauma RecoveryYou Are Not Your Symptoms: Redefining Identity After TraumaHow to List Your Habits, Triggers, and Beliefs Without Spiraling Into ShameTurning Pain Into a Plan: Using Your “Current Self” to Map PTSD RecoveryScared to Change? How to Face “Insurmountable” Trauma Challenges One Step at a Time Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching bootcamp episode, Brad and Kayleen walk you through the first, often skipped step of PTSD recovery: honestly defining your current self. Before you can become your “recovery hero,” you have to see who you are today with clarity, compassion, and zero sugarcoating. Using a simple GPS analogy, Brad explains why recovery stalls when you don’t know your starting point. Together, they guide you to look at your actions, habits, emotions, thoughts, triggers, and beliefs without turning it into a self-attack or shame spiral. You’ll also learn how to uncover your strengths—not just your struggles—so you can use them to fuel change instead of trying to “fix” everything at once. This episode gives you a practical 10–15 minute exercise you can do today to start transforming how you see yourself, your symptoms, and what’s actually possible for your healing. By the end, you’ll see that you are not your trauma responses, and that change isn’t about becoming a different person—it’s about becoming more of who you really are.   💡 What You’ll Learn How defining your “current self” becomes the foundation for PTSD and trauma recovery Why awareness and honesty are the first non-negotiable steps toward change A simple writing exercise to list the habits, actions, emotions, and beliefs you want to stop How to recognize and write down your strengths so they can support your healing The difference between objective self-awareness and beating yourself up How to view your life like a GPS route: where you are now, where you want to go, and how to bridge the gap Why feeling fear or seeing “insurmountable” challenges doesn’t mean recovery is impossible How to separate your true self from your symptoms, triggers, and trauma responses A practical way to use this list all week as you design your “recovery hero” identity   🧠 Key Takeaway You are not your symptoms—honestly seeing who you are right now, with self-love instead of judgment, is the first step to becoming the recovery hero you’re meant to be.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Welcome to the Live Session 00:49 Starting the Recovery Hero Bootcamp 05:29 Defining Your Current Self 10:44 The Importance of Self-Awareness 15:08 Embracing Change and Self-Love 18:27 Taking Action for Transformation 26:26 Accepting and Acknowledging Flaws 30:30 Embracing Your Strengths and Weaknesses 30:43 Setting Goals for Personal Change 31:01 Identifying and Stopping Negative Habits 31:39 The Power of Readiness and Commitment 33:31 The Journey of Recovery Hero 39:57 Overcoming Beliefs and Challenges 52:59 Taking Action and Building Momentum 54:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery roadmap

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/ Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad and Kayleen dive into a topic that quietly affects almost every trauma survivor: how to stay true to yourself despite what other people think. When you’ve lived through PTSD or trauma, it’s easy to lose touch with what you want, what you like, and who you really are under all the fear, doubt, and people-pleasing. Together they break down why trauma often leads to indecision, self-doubt, and constantly looking to others for approval — and how to rebuild the lost skill of self-trust. You’ll hear simple, real-life examples (captions on TV, Santa suits, pink walls, and zipline choices) that show how everyday decisions can become powerful reps in the “being-yourself” muscle. Brad and Kayleen also explore the deeper side of this work: giving yourself permission to have opinions, desires, and preferences, even when they don’t match what others expect of you. They share how this shift not only supports PTSD recovery, but also attracts healthier relationships, more aligned success, and a life that actually feels like yours. You’ll leave this episode with a very practical challenge you can start today to practice self-validation, make more honest choices, and slowly step off the fence so you can live as your true self — not the version that trauma tried to turn you into.   💡 What You’ll Learn Why PTSD and trauma make it so hard to know what you actually want How to start rebuilding the “self-trust muscle” with tiny daily decisions A simple question you can ask yourself to reconnect with your true desires How people-pleasing, “I don’t care,” and staying neutral keep you stuck in survival mode Why being authentically yourself is a hidden key to success in trauma recovery and life How to handle the fear of what others will think when you choose something different Practical examples of choosing for yourself (from movies to furniture to big life moves) How practicing self-validation leads to better boundaries and healthier relationships A weekend challenge you can use to physically practice staying true to yourself   🧠 Key Takeaway Healing from PTSD and trauma requires learning to trust yourself again — every honest decision you make for you is a rep in becoming your true self.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Starting the Live Coaching Session 01:52 Today's Topic: Staying True to Yourself 02:01 The Challenge of Modern Distractions 03:17 Building Self-Validation and Authenticity 04:41 Engaging with the Audience 04:58 The Importance of Captions 06:50 Discovering and Embracing Your True Self 07:53 The Skill of Self-Validation 10:09 The Journey of Self-Discovery 14:10 The Value of Experience Over Education 17:55 The Power of Authenticity 22:46 Practical Steps to Build Self-Validation 27:53 Embracing Your Unique Self 30:47 The Power of Self-Love 31:31 Making Decisions: Building the Muscle 32:42 Overcoming Fear and Taking Action 34:28 Living Authentically: A Zip Lining Story 35:53 The Importance of Being Yourself 38:01 Q&A Session: Embracing Your True Self 38:09 Upcoming Bootcamp and Final Thoughts 40:32 Encouragement and Challenges 53:19 Concluding Remarks and Next Steps   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • staying true to yourself • authentic self after trauma • self-validation skills • people-pleasing and PTSD • rebuilding identity after trauma • emotional regulation • nervous system regulation •

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad goes deep into addiction, sobriety, and what real commitment looks like when you’re healing from PTSD or trauma. They expand the definition of addiction beyond drugs and alcohol to include “sneaky addictions” like TV, social media, pornography, video games, spending, food, and even compulsive phone use that quietly erode your life. You’ll learn why simply admitting “this is a problem” is a crucial first step—but not enough—and how to move into a clear, personal commitment to sobriety that actually holds when you’re alone, triggered, and no one is watching. Instead of doing it “for your partner, kids, or therapist,” you’ll see why the foundation has to be doing it for you. Brad and Kaylene break down how to write a real commitment contract, create self-boundaries, and use pain from your past and imagined future to fuel change. You’ll also hear how healing the deeper trauma and processing the emotions that drive your behaviors runs in parallel with breaking the habit, and why becoming your own “recovery hero” transforms shame into genuine self-respect.   💡 What You’ll Learn How to recognize “sneaky addictions” like TV, scrolling, porn, spending, or games that keep PTSD and trauma symptoms stuck Why your sobriety commitment must be to yourself first, not to your partner, family, or friends How to identify your “one biggest thing” and focus your energy on changing that relationship A simple definition of addiction you can use to honestly assess your own behaviors How to write a powerful commitment contract that uses past and future pain to fuel change What self-boundaries are and how to design practical rules that keep you away from your triggers Why breaking the habit and healing the trauma are two parallel but separate journeys How to turn moments of craving into proof that you can trust yourself again Why feeling proud of your choices—especially when no one sees them—is a core part of PTSD recovery   🧠 Key Takeaway Lasting sobriety in PTSD and trauma recovery starts when you stop doing it for everyone else and finally decide, “I’m doing this for me because I deserve a different life.”   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching00:36 Starting the Live Session01:03 Understanding Addictions and Compulsions02:23 Commitment to Sobriety07:14 The Importance of Self-Commitment14:42 Creating Self-Boundaries28:23 Crafting Your Recovery Hero32:59 Writing a Commitment Contract41:04 Embracing Sobriety and Self-Love41:23 Overcoming Shame and Addiction42:25 The Journey to Self-Validation43:21 Commitment to Sobriety43:54 The Benefits of Sobriety44:37 Q&A Session Begins48:14 Addressing Codependency57:34 The Importance of Self-Improvement01:05:49 Processing Trauma and Healing01:14:03 Final Thoughts and Encouragement   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • addiction recovery • sobriety commitment • sneaky addictions and compulsions • alcohol addiction and PTSD • pornography and social media addiction • codependency and trauma • emotional regulation • nervous system regulation • trauma coping tools • recovery hero identity • self-love after trauma • self boundaries and limits • overcoming shame in sobriety • healing trauma triggers • PTSD mindset tools

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad and Kaylene explore one of the most underrated foundations of PTSD recovery: patience. In a world built on instant gratification, they unpack why trauma healing doesn’t – and can’t – follow an overnight shipping timeline. Instead, they show you how to take a long-term view that actually brings more peace, less pressure, and better results. You’ll hear a powerful reframe: recovery is inevitable if you keep taking action and don’t quit on yourself. Brad shares visuals like “limited trauma walls” and the miner story to help you see that, even when it feels like problems never end, there actually is a finish line – you just might not see it yet. Your only real job is to keep gently chipping away. Kaylene brings this down to earth with real-life stories about messy moments, flooded bathrooms, muddy dog paws, and family dynamics – and how patience completely transforms those experiences. Instead of stress and self-criticism, you can bring humor, gratitude, and self-kindness into your daily life and healing work. By the end, you’ll know how to stay patient with your processing sessions, your emotions, your relationships, your sobriety, and your timeline. You’ll walk away with a simple focus: one day, one mile, one wall at a time – trusting that if you stay consistent, full recovery is not just possible, it’s inevitable.   💡 What You’ll Learn Why patience is a core pillar of PTSD and trauma recovery (not a “nice to have”) How instant gratification culture secretly trains you to feel like you’re failing at healing The “limited number of walls” analogy and how it proves recovery is possible for you How to stay consistent with processing even when you feel like you’re not making progress Why some trauma shifts quickly while other patterns take longer (and how to tell the difference) How to bring patience into everyday life: relationships, kids, pets, work, and self-care The role of self-talk in either fueling self-rejection or building self-compassion How to handle emotional overwhelm without shutting down, numbing, or quitting A simple way to focus on “today’s mile” instead of getting discouraged by the whole journey   🧠 Key Takeaway Recovery becomes inevitable when you stop rushing, stay patient with yourself, and keep gently taking the next right step.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching01:00 Why patience is disappearing in a fast-paced world02:30 Healing takes time: the mindset Brad and Kaylene used to recover04:30 The idea of “inevitable” recovery if you keep taking action06:00 How impatience shows up in relationships, sobriety, and daily life08:30 Rushing your healing versus playing the long game10:00 The “limited trauma walls” visual for understanding your recovery path13:30 The miner and diamonds story: stopping inches before the breakthrough17:00 Ed Sheeran’s “dirty tap” analogy and releasing emotions19:00 Consistency as the only real “magic pill” in trauma healing22:00 Skill-building in processing: protectors, releasing emotions, and patience24:30 Everyday patience: dogs, messes, and choosing your thoughts28:00 Bringing gratitude and humor into inconvenient moments30:00 Focusing on today’s mile instead of the whole marathon32:30 When tools feel like they’re “not working” and how to move through it36:00 Wanting the experience without putting in the reps40:00 Validating your struggle and staying kind to yourself on h

Struggling with PTSD and ready to FULLY recover? Join my recovery program here (costs less than a single therapy session): https://www.skool.com/brokentounbreakable   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching In this episode, Brad and Kaylene walk you through a brutally honest question: is your routine actually working for you, or are you trying to live inside someone else’s schedule? Instead of forcing yourself into rigid “perfect morning routines,” you’ll learn how to design healing-friendly days that fit your energy, personality, and real life. You’ll hear the three core routines Brad recommends for trauma recovery—morning, evening, and healing—and how each one serves a specific purpose in regulating your nervous system and creating momentum. They break down why so many survivors make routines miserable, overcomplicated, and impossible to sustain, then show you how to reverse that pattern. Brad also explains the “habit-building timeline,” how willpower really works, and why starting smaller and more honestly can get you further, faster. This isn’t about being more disciplined or harder on yourself. It’s about building simple, enjoyable routines you can actually imagine doing for the rest of your life. By the end, you’ll be able to look at your own routines with fresh eyes, remove the pressure, and take relaxed action toward a structure that truly supports your PTSD or trauma recovery—without sacrificing the people and things that matter most to you.   💡 What You’ll Learn Why most PTSD and trauma survivors accidentally design routines that burn them out The three core routines Brad recommends: morning, evening, and healing How to tell if your current routine is truly working for you or for someone else’s goals The “habit-building timeline” and why new routines feel hardest at the beginning How to make routines simple, enjoyable, and sustainable for a lifetime The role of honesty in setting realistic routines you’ll actually follow How to use “relaxed action” to reduce pressure and still move forward daily Why tiny, consistent actions can radically change your body, brain, and recovery How to adjust your routines when life, energy, or circumstances change 🧠 Key Takeaway Your routine should be simple, enjoyable, and designed for you—if you can’t imagine doing it for the rest of your life, it’s time to change it.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching00:36 Welcome to the Live Coaching Call00:53 Upcoming Bootcamps and Weekly Plans01:33 Today's Focus: Evaluating Your Routines02:07 The Importance of Personalized Routines03:58 Consistency and Enjoyment in Routines04:31 Core Routines: Morning, Evening, and Healing06:25 Building Sustainable and Enjoyable Routines28:37 The Habit Building Timeline33:29 Relaxed Action: Making Routines Effortless34:26 Final Thoughts and Encouragement39:03 Adjusting Your Routine for Success39:38 The Power of Small, Consistent Actions42:05 Q&A Session Begins42:22 Platform Updates and Announcements50:13 Navigating Life's Unpleasant Tasks55:32 Creating a Personal Routine Despite Others01:00:23 Celebrating Small Victories01:04:49 Upcoming Bootcamp and Final Thoughts   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery routine • trauma healing habits • morning routine for PTSD • evening routine for trauma survivors • sustainable healing routine • nervous system regulation • emotional regulation • trauma coping tools • habit building for PTSD recovery • relaxed action vs burnout • simple daily PTSD recovery steps • overcoming overwhelm in trauma healing • mindset for PTSD recovery • processing tools for trauma • long term trauma healing strategy • overcoming avoidance in PTSD routines • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching   In this episode, Brad and Kayleen break down a powerful but often overlooked part of PTSD recovery: the “lens” you use to interpret your life. They walk you through how every situation starts as raw data, and how your beliefs and perspectives shape that data into either hope or hopelessness, possibility or shutdown. You’ll hear real stories from their own relationship and recovery journeys—times when changing a single belief or focus completely transformed how they felt, how they showed up, and the decisions they made next. Same circumstances, totally different experience, just by switching lenses. At the center of this session is one simple question: “How can I?” Brad and Kayleen show how this tiny shift—from “this won’t work for me” to “how could this work for me?”—can open doors in your PTSD healing, relationships, routines, and daily challenges. They also preview upcoming sessions on routines, patience, and addiction so you can keep building on this new lens day by day.   💡 What You’ll Learn How your brain takes in raw data and runs it through a “lens” or belief system Why the same situation can feel completely different depending on the lens you use How childhood, trauma, and past pain quietly shape the way you interpret life now A simple way to catch when you’re looking for reasons healing “won’t work for you” The power of the question “How can I?” in PTSD recovery, routines, and daily stress How to shift from judgment and resentment to understanding without accepting mistreatment Why focusing on what is improving creates momentum and hope in trauma healing How simplicity and small changes in perspective can lead to massive life changes A practical challenge you can use today to start putting on a new recovery lens   🧠 Key Takeaway You don’t have to change all the facts of your life to change your reality—change the lens you’re looking through and the path of your PTSD recovery changes with it.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Starting the Week Strong 01:37 Understanding the Concept of Lenses 04:49 Personal Stories of Changing Lenses 12:34 The Power of Perspective and Beliefs 22:09 Visualizing the Impact of Lenses 26:29 Applying the 'How Can I' Mindset 33:05 The Power of Self-Reflection 33:20 Ask and You Shall Receive 33:50 Changing Your Perspective 39:21 The Importance of Simplicity 45:26 Morning Routines and Personal Growth 49:40 The Value of Hobbies and Fun 53:43 Final Thoughts and Q&A   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • changing your lens • belief change and PTSD • nervous system regulation • trauma coping tools • gratitude practice for trauma survivors • mindset shifts for PTSD • emotional regulation • simple PTSD routines • recovery mindset • overcoming trauma triggers • how to heal from PTSD without therapy • daily PTSD coaching • trauma and relationships • perspective shifts in healing • overcoming negative self talk • practical PTSD tools

Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/   Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching   In this episode, Brad and Kayleen dive deep into grounding and mindfulness as core tools for PTSD and trauma recovery. Instead of relying on “canned” lists of exercises that rarely stick in real life, they show you how to turn everyday moments into powerful grounding practices you can use anywhere, anytime. You’ll learn how grounding pulls you out of emotional chaos and back into the present moment so you can calm your nervous system, make clearer decisions, and feel more in control when you’re triggered. Brad and Kayleen explain why presence isn’t a switch that’s either on or off, but a muscle you can strengthen over time. They walk you through practical examples—like using a ring, a cup of coffee, a shower, or even an almond—to activate your five senses, reconnect with your body, and train your brain to focus where you want it to go. You’ll also be invited to remember childhood and travel moments when you were naturally present, and learn how to bring that feeling back into your life now. By the end, you’ll have three concrete action steps to start building daily mindfulness habits, create your own personalized grounding exercise for triggers, and steadily grow your capacity to stay calm, aware, and centered through the ups and downs of PTSD recovery.   💡 What You’ll Learn How grounding helps separate you from intense emotions so you can see them more clearly Why presence is a skill and muscle you can strengthen instead of a “you have it or you don’t” state How to turn any object (like a ring, necklace, or water bottle) into an effective grounding tool A simple five senses method to design your own grounding exercises for PTSD triggers How to use daily “anchors” like coffee, showers, or walks as built-in mindfulness practices Why practicing grounding when you’re calm makes it easier to use when you’re triggered How childhood and travel memories reveal what true presence feels like in your body Ways grounding and mindfulness support deeper trauma processing and emotional regulation Three specific action steps to integrate grounding into your routines this week 🧠 Key Takeaway Grounding isn’t about the exercise itself—it’s about training your mind to come back to the present moment so you can be in control, even when PTSD or trauma emotions feel overwhelming.   🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive. To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching 00:36 Welcome to the Live Coaching Session 01:03 The Importance of Grounding and Mindfulness 03:58 Practical Grounding Exercises 07:38 Mindfulness in Daily Activities 10:52 Engaging the Senses for Presence 19:17 Building Awareness Through Routine 22:49 The Power of Presence and Mindfulness 34:18 The Power of Presence 34:54 Travel and Presence 36:26 Mindfulness Exercises 37:48 Daily Mindfulness Practices 39:20 Recap and Future Plans 40:59 Q&A and Reflections 50:53 Final Thoughts and Encouragement   Topics Covered: PTSD recovery • trauma healing • grounding exercises for PTSD • mindfulness for trauma survivors • present moment awareness • emotional regulation tools • nervous system regulation • coping skills for PTSD triggers • sensory grounding techniques • daily mindfulness routine • trauma coping tools • live PTSD coaching • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching • Overcoming PTSD Podcast