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For the last time on this platform, the seats are reversed. Rishma Govani steps into the interviewer role, holding space as Salima shares the untold story that could not be spoken until now — the lived experience of losing her grandmother, losing her mother just twenty days later, and navigating the irreversible shift that followed. This episode does not retell events for shock value. It lingers in the spaces grief inhabits quietly: the hospital rooms where time compresses, the moral rupture of withholding water from someone you love, the weight of asking whether intervention has become prolonging suffering, the moment of recognizing when love means release. Salima speaks candidly about what this loss did to her nervous system, her identity, and her sense of safety. She reflects on surviving surgery updates, advocating through uncertainty, absorbing fear for others, and surrendering control when outcomes were no longer negotiable. She names the loneliness of grieving without a settled space to land, the disorientation of being the steady one while internally unraveling, and the humility of discovering that wisdom does not exempt you from devastation. This is not an episode about closure. It is about the beginning of grief. About integration instead of resolution. About learning to live in a body that now carries absence differently. It is also the final episode of Dare to Share Your Untold Story. Not because the work has ended, but because this chapter has completed what it came here to do. What began years ago as a space for daring and sharing concludes here with reverence — laid down in honour of lineage, timing, and the truth that some endings are acts of integrity. Her key message to the listeners of the show is: Time is precious, so take time to really look at how you're spending your time, what you're giving your energy to, and whether it's actually aligned with what matters most to you in the bigger picture of your life; connect with yourself, connect honestly with your emotions; allow yourself to express what's true — without malice, but without suppression either; you are allowed to change after what you've lived through; you're allowed to outgrow versions of yourself that once kept you safe; you don't owe anyone continuity if it costs you truth.

In this deeply reflective episode of Dare to Share Your Untold Story, the seats are intentionally reversed. Returning guest Rishma Govani steps into the interviewer role, creating space for Salima to explore an untold story of her own — one rooted in discernment, timing, and quiet internal reckoning. What unfolds is not a dramatic turning point, but the slow accumulation of awareness. The kind that builds quietly beneath the surface — through fatigue, resistance, emotional labour, and the subtle toll of holding space for others while navigating your own internal shifts. Salima speaks candidly about the mental and emotional impact of recognizing when something meaningful begins to ask for re-evaluation. The tension between love and misalignment. The guilt that accompanies change. The exhaustion that comes not from burnout, but from staying longer than your inner knowing allows. Together, they examine what it costs to ignore timing — and what it requires to honour it. The conversation traces the psychological weight of leadership decisions that are not visible from the outside, but deeply felt within: disrupted sleep, internal questioning, emotional strain, and the steady pull toward integrity over endurance. This episode explores endings that are not failures. Thresholds that arrive through truth rather than crisis. And the courage it takes to embody the very principles we invite others into — especially when the stakes feel personal. At its core, this conversation is about presence over permanence, discernment over performance, and the mental health impact of choosing alignment even when it unsettles what has been familiar. What unfolds here is not a goodbye. It is a reckoning with timing, and the quiet courage it requires. Her key message to the listeners of the show is: You don't need to perform your pain to be worthy of care; you don't need to explain your history for it to be valid; and you don't need to wait until things fall apart to give yourself permission to pause.

Growing up as a triplet, Sarah spent much of her childhood feeling overlooked, misunderstood, and constantly compared to her siblings. While they excelled academically, Sarah struggled silently inside a school system that wasn't designed for her brain. She carried the weight of feeling different, disconnected, and uncertain of her own potential. What others couldn't see was that she was developing a different kind of intelligence — resilience, emotional insight, and a powerful physical intuition that would later shape her entire life. Sport became her first safe place. On the court, Sarah excelled quickly, earning Athlete of the Year and multiple competitive awards. It was the first environment where she felt capable, strong, and free. But despite her athletic success, the internal battles continued. During university, Sarah experienced a traumatic assault that shattered the confidence she had worked so hard to build. She describes spiralling into a period marked by isolation, emotional overwhelm, and a deep loss of identity. At her lowest, she found herself on the floor of her shower telling her sister that she didn't want to die, but she understood why others did. That moment became a turning point — the moment she decided she could no longer abandon herself. Sarah began rebuilding from the inside out through movement, self-reflection, and a commitment to living in alignment with her truth. Years later, a formal ADHD diagnosis finally gave language to the struggles she carried throughout her childhood, helping her understand her strengths in an entirely new way. She also shares how chronic emotional suppression manifested in her body through lockjaw and persistent physical pain, a reminder of how deeply the mind and body mirror each other. Her story is a powerful reminder that returning to yourself is possible — no matter how far away you feel. Her key message to the listeners of the show is: If you hit rock bottom, you can pick yourself up and move forward and have a happy life; by fighting for what you love and have, your relationships -- live that authentic life, the more authentically you show up, the more you are in most aligned place within yourself.

In this episode, Tracey shares the powerful parallels between the physical scars she carries and the emotional ones she spent years learning to understand. At eight years old, Tracey survived life-threatening burns when a candle ignited her homemade costume. She recalls going into survival mode instantly, brushing off her pain, and learning early on to fix problems quickly and minimize her own needs. This became the pattern that shaped much of her life. Tracey later joined the Coast Guard and found herself walking directly into the wounds of trauma through search-and-rescue missions. She reflects on how she often rescued others while subconsciously longing to be rescued herself. Many missions shifted from rescue to recovery, and the adrenaline kept her disconnected from her internal world. When her military career ended, Tracey felt bored, depressed, and untethered — not realizing this was the collapse that followed years of unaddressed trauma. It wasn't until 2014–2015 that she learned what PTSD truly was, and it took even longer before she sought therapy. She describes how she once believed therapy was a place for "pity parties," only to discover it was the compass she needed. Tracey talks about how humour became her deflection, isolation became her norm, and self-help strategies could only take her so far. Her turning point came when she recognized that she had choices — real options to move toward healing, connection, and her authentic self. Her key message to the listeners of the show is: Be courageous and not lack fear, courage is moving in the midst of fear, it's absolutely worth it; if you are wondering, then you are missing something; just start with one choice in the direction of your authentic self - choose to move into connections.

In this episode, Nicole shares the story she once believed she would never speak — the decade of childhood sexual abuse she experienced while the world around her saw a bright, high-achieving, "perfect" young girl. At fourteen, a single, intuitive question from her mother led to a moment of truth that changed everything. Nicole reflects on her mother's immediate protective actions and the fear, shame, and uncertainty that followed in the aftermath. Nicole describes how she learned to push her emotions down, stay busy, and shape herself into whatever version of "okay" she believed people wanted to see. She explains how perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional shutdown, and keeping up appearances became her survival strategies. Together, we talk about the difference between true resilience and toxic positivity, the pressure she felt to make others comfortable with her story, and the lifelong impact of fear, threats, and chronic nervous-system activation. She also speaks openly about how these early experiences spilled into adulthood, affecting trust, relationships, boundaries, and her ability to feel safe. This conversation sheds light on what it means to stop carrying the emotional responsibility that never belonged to you, to understand yourself before relying on others for understanding, and to reconnect with your voice after years spent hiding in plain sight. Nicole's journey is one of courage, honesty, and reclaiming inner safety — reminding us that healing begins when we stop performing strength and finally allow ourselves to be seen. Her key message to the listeners of the show is: sometimes you have to tip-toe out of your hiding spot and do things afraid — it's scary but it has benefits; find your courage within yourself to find your own voice and use it, even when you know it is scary, because on the other side there is something good.

Jennifer was raised to be strong and independent—and she carried that identity proudly. As a critical care nurse, she believed she knew the answers to what it meant to be healthy and well. But life had other lessons waiting. Her journey shifted in 2002, when her second son suffered a massive neonatal stroke just one hour after birth. The experience awakened her to the many gaps in the healthcare system and inspired her to begin bridging those gaps through energy work, nutrition, and exercise. Several years later, on the same day she discovered she was expecting her fourth child, Jennifer learned that her third son—then just two-and-a-half years old—had been diagnosed with high-risk leukemia. Between caring for her children, managing her family, and supporting a husband working long surgical hours, Jennifer's own health began to unravel. She experienced panic attacks, migraines, digestive issues, and chronic tension. She describes years of giving endlessly—until there was nothing left to give. In 2010, a medical episode that presented as a stroke but was later diagnosed as an atypical migraine became her wake-up call. Jennifer recognized the lifelong pattern she was living out: the giver who never learned to receive. It was the turning point that pushed her to let go of perfection, learn to ask for help, and honour her limits. She began to say yes to herself, to rest, to reset, and to redefine what strength truly means. Her story is one of radical self-awareness—of learning that being enough does not mean doing it all, and that real power often lies in the pause. Her key message to the listeners of the show is: You are so much stronger than you think you are, and then you rise; give yourself permission to pause, there is so much power in that pause; it's okay to not to be okay, you are not broken, it is information that you are out of balance, so show up for yourself now.

Julie's story unfolds at the intersection of faith, identity, and self-compassion. Raised in a culturally and religiously conservative South Asian household, she grew up surrounded by clear definitions of what was right and wrong — spoken and unspoken rules that guided how one should live and belong. But how Julie was authentically wired didn't always fit those expectations. The tension between who she was and who she was told to be became an early internal struggle, one she learned to carry as if it were her fault. When Julie was ten years old, she lost her father in a tragic car accident that also involved her entire family. That loss created a rupture in family life — one that was never fully named, only absorbed. The family's way of coping became rooted in faith and community support, drawing strength from Christian teachings. While Julie deeply valued the beauty of faith, she also found herself questioning why prayer alone didn't always bring comfort. Each time she struggled, she thought she must not be doing enough, not believing enough, not honouring God enough. As life went on, those early beliefs resurfaced through new challenges. After marriage, Julie faced infertility — an experience that brought grief, isolation, and shame. She describes the pain of believing something was wrong with her, that she had somehow failed spiritually or personally. Surrounded by well-meaning voices telling her to "rely more on faith," she began to internalize guilt and self-blame. Eventually, Julie reached out for professional help and was encouraged to begin therapy — her first experience with talk therapy. There, she began exploring the grief of unrealized motherhood and the impact it had on her mental health, faith, and sense of purpose. She speaks openly about the destabilizing period of not knowing how to reconcile her loss with her spirituality, and how learning to connect with herself relationally became a turning point. Today, Julie continues her journey of growth and self-understanding. Through vulnerability, faith, and self-compassion, she is finding balance between her roots and her authentic voice. Her msg to the listeners of the show is: whatever you are experiencing or navigating is valid, have compassion with yourself; wherever you are stuck you have good reasons for that, more compassion you practice, the more you lean into authenticity and presence; engage presence in this way and it accelerates growth.

Felicity's story is one of survival, silence, and rediscovery after enduring over forty years of physical, emotional, and mental abuse. At ten years old, she witnessed her father attempt to kill her mother with a crystal ashtray — a moment that changed everything and taught her to stay quiet, to shut down, and to carry fear as though it were part of her. Throughout her life, Felicity experienced repeated patterns of abuse. She grew up believing her worth was tied to endurance and her safety to silence — patterns rooted in a long line of generational trauma carried by her grandmother, her mother, and now, herself. Seventeen years ago, Felicity met the man who would later become her abuser. Ten years ago, she began her long process of recovery. In time, she remarried and started rebuilding, but this year brought another unexpected blow: a sudden divorce filing that reopened deep wounds. Living with C-PTSD, Felicity speaks about the exhaustion of being constantly triggered, mentally drained, and even told she was "too advanced" for the support she sought. She recalls being the child who ran to her mother's aid after the assault — an early pattern of caretaking that followed her through life. Now, she is learning to turn that same compassion inward and reclaim her sense of self. Through faith, surrender, and deep reflection, Felicity continues to transform pain into purpose. After years of surviving, she is finally discovering what it means to truly live and rebuild from the rubble with resilience and grace. Her key message to the listeners is: regardless of circumstances and what season of life you are in, you have the capability and power to redefine the narrative and life that you want — you don't have to be the person you were groomed into being; you can become the person you want to be.

In this deeply honest and transformative episode, Jenn Greenhut shares a story that began in quiet emotional suppression and perfectionism—and evolved into a journey of awakening, trust, and healing. As a young elite gymnast training for the Olympics, Jenn was conditioned to dismiss her emotions, believing that worth was only found through flawless performance. She trained intensely, travelled globally, and learned to disconnect from her needs—until a knee injury forced her out of the sport. That moment, she now says, was her body making the decision she couldn't. Years later, she poured her heart into building a family, enduring three rounds of IVF and facing the crushing weight of disappointment, self-blame, and loss. And just when she thought she had no more to carry, she was diagnosed with stage IV cancer—with no warning signs. The news shattered her. She feared she was dying, and her mental health sank into a quiet depression masked by outward functioning. But something shifted. When a compassionate doctor explained that becoming pregnant would have put her life at risk, Jenn realized that the very thing she had seen as a personal failure—infertility—was actually protecting her. What once felt like life punishing her was, in truth, it was life saving for her. That realization sparked a new lens of gratitude. She began leaning into what remained, rather than what was missing. She pivoted from fear to faith, from despair to trust. Cancer, she says, became her healer. She began to understand that even the darkest days hold the gift of being alive. Her story is a powerful reframe on survival, identity, and the internal superpowers we all carry. Her key message to the listeners is: life is always working out even if it feels it isn't; sometimes we just don't know why things are happening in the moments it is happening; always believe in the power of the thought that life is working for you—this will help you grow, learn, evolve to be your best self; you can bring yourself back to love and light.

In this raw and courageous episode, Glen opens up about the emotional cost of living behind the badge—sharing how years of witnessing trauma, bottling up pain, and keeping secrets from loved ones quietly unraveled his inner world. He speaks with striking honesty about the toll of suppressing his emotions to maintain a tough exterior, and how it led to walls of disconnection, impulsive choices, and a sense of losing himself completely. Glen describes how PTSD shaped his responses—through recurring nightmares, emotional shutdown, and what he calls "PTSD-influenced decisions" that felt like survival at the time but came at great personal cost. At one point, overwhelmed and unrecognizable to himself, he retreated to a cabin in the woods, using solitude and nature as the beginning of his healing. That time became a turning point—where he began to explore therapy outside the police system, gave up alcohol, turned toward movement and reflection, and began to do the deep work of tearing down his emotional walls. Glen speaks openly about the internalized "suck-it-up" mindset that left his nervous system in a constant state of dysregulation—and how self-accountability became the bridge between survival and growth. His story invites listeners to reflect on how unprocessed trauma can echo in every corner of life, and how healing begins with facing yourself, honestly and fully. His key message to the listeners is: Vulnerability is strength; communication is key—get your thoughts out and reach out to someone you trust. It is okay to talk, and it is okay not to be okay—that is the only way you are going to make it okay.

In this honest and thought-provoking episode, Kevin shares his journey of living with racing thoughts that began in childhood—relentless mental loops he couldn't fully articulate and believed no one else experienced. For years, he suffered in silence, overwhelmed by the belief that he was alone in his struggle. That changed the day he realized others faced similar internal battles—a pivotal moment that reshaped how he viewed himself and his mental health. At age 29, Kevin was diagnosed with OCD, and he describes the emotional resistance that often spiraled into panic attacks—waves of fear so intense, they felt like impending death. He tried to think his way through it, to reason with his mind, but the weight was too heavy to carry alone. Medication became a part of his journey, though navigating this with loved ones was not always easy. He reflects on the frustration of trying to explain his intense emotional reactions—how his stress would ripple out and unintentionally impact others. Despite having a supportive family, he often felt misunderstood, isolated, and overwhelmed by waves of shame and embarrassment. There were moments when he felt himself shrinking—emotionally smaller and further removed from his sense of self. Through time, reflection, and support, Kevin has learned the power of naming his experience and breaking the silence he once lived in. His key message to the listeners is to always keep room for kindness and grace, no matter the situation, especially when dealing with yourself; share your story with people you trust, it really helps to lift the weight off yourself, and there are lots of other positive effects like, the more you hear (your own story), the more you heal.

In this profoundly moving episode, Julia shares a deeply personal untold story that begins with loss—the loss of her beloved mother, a woman who wasn't just a parent, but also her best friend, protector, and guiding compass. As her mother's health declined, Julia tried to remain fully present, asking tender questions and offering emotional support through the unknowns of anticipated grief. One moment that stayed with her was her mother describing how, as a child, she found comfort sitting beneath the soft canopy of a willow tree. That image became a symbol of comfort and connection—and would eventually inspire the name and vision of Julia's wellness practice. In the same breath that she said goodbye to her mother, Julia stepped into a new chapter of her life, launching a therapy practice rooted in grief, legacy, and love. She opens up about how grief, in its complexity, dulled everything that once brought her joy—her passions, her sense of purpose, and even her capacity to feel excitement. The emotional toll was heavy: restlessness, depression, waves of anger, and deep confusion about how to best support her mother during such a painful time. Julia speaks openly about her journey toward accepting medication, the reflection it required, and the realization that tending to her own mental health was also a form of honouring her mother. Through it all, she chose to turn sorrow into something sacred—creating a space for others to heal, connect, and feel held. Her key message to the listeners is: Grief may test you more than anything else you'll ever have to face; it's okay to feel stronger on some days and weaker on other days; hold back on self-judgement; and transform pain into purpose.

In this deeply moving and reflective episode, Jennifer Gill courageously unpacks the layered experience of solo parenting, thoughtfully distinguishing it from single parenting. Her journey began in 2007 when her mother-in-law passed away, leaving a wave of grief in the family. Jennifer suddenly found herself juggling the emotional needs of her father-in-law, who was now widowed, while her husband relocated two provinces away for work. At home, she was raising two young daughters—ages 7 and 10—both diagnosed with learning disabilities, which came with their own unique set of challenges. At the same time, she was managing responsibilities for her father in a care home, supporting her mother emotionally, and absorbing the weight of a brother who was less involved. While working long distances from home and enduring split 12-hour shifts, Jennifer shouldered the full load of parenting, caregiving, and household duties. Her days were consumed with physical and mental exhaustion, financial struggles, and health issues that emerged from chronic stress and overextension. She reflects on how society praises self-sufficiency and how internalizing the "superhero" narrative left her feeling unable to ask for help or even admit how overwhelmed she truly was. Jennifer's account reveals a complex tapestry of resilience, fear, faith, and fatigue—where even moments of triumph were met with new challenges. She speaks honestly about the times she wanted to give up, moments when she just wanted someone to rescue her, and the emotional toll of navigating a life filled with unrelenting curveballs. Now at 57, she shares her contemplations about retirement and whether stability and rest will finally be within reach—amid a backdrop of inflation, global uncertainty, and the haunting question of financial security. Her key message to the listeners of the show is you are not alone, share your story and reach out and get help you need, don't suppress emotional health, find someone safe to connect with and take it one day at a time.

In this courageously shared episode, Brian vulnerably opens up about a lifelong struggle with panic, anxiety, and the deep nervousness that began in his early teens and followed him well into adulthood. He walks us through how this internal storm took shape—especially in his dating life—and how anxiety seemed to hijack his thoughts, body, and sense of self during intimate encounters and high-pressure moments. From his early teens, Brian recalls the early signs of spiraling thoughts and nervous energy that became familiar companions. What followed were experiences marked by intense rumination, thoughts of doom, a racing heart, excessive sweating, and a sense of mental fog that made it nearly impossible to speak in clear or coherent sentences. Although he didn't know it was panic at the time, the emotional toll left him questioning whether his body would betray him again, whether every relationship was doomed, and whether he could ever feel safe in his own mind. He developed a painful narrative: relationships equal panic, panic equals pain, and pain equals failure—a story that repeated itself for over a decade. Brian also shares how this pattern extended beyond romance and into broader social interactions, fueling deep social anxiety. Over the years, he explored countless mental health resources, experimented with a range of coping mechanisms, and truly believed he had made significant progress. But the weight of his internal world continued to challenge him. Through raw honesty and reflection, Brian helps normalize the silent suffering that so many experience and yet seldom name. His key message to the listeners is to get out of your head, don't ruminate or let resistance take over, give yourself permission to let thoughts go, and turn the dial down -- you have that control, so much suffering comes from your thoughts alone — so to heal, take time to find ways to think different thoughts that run better patterns in your mind.

As we continue to prioritize the unique concept of mental beauty, episode 119 of the Dare To Share Your Untold Story Podcast, Mental Beauty Segments, focuses on Abuse and Red Flags, finding courage, dealing with Narcissism. In relation to this episode topic the prior episode 61 has been selected for further exploration and deeper dive. In episode 61, titled "Relationship Toxicity, Red Flags, Abuse and the Impact of not Even Knowing it", with guest, Dr. Shelley Morgan. Her journey is a powerful example of what it means to reclaim oneself after enduring emotional, verbal, and financial abuse. Her story sheds light on the insidious nature of toxic relationships and the transformational power of self-rediscovery. Dr. Shelley's open sharing serves as a reminder that abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of intelligence, success, or background. It's a call to recognize the red flags, break free from the cycles of manipulation, and embrace the healing process of finding oneself again. She reflects on how her mental health impacted her physical appearance, it reminds us of the intricate connection between our inner and outer selves. As she says, when you're happy on the inside, it can't help but show on the outside. Good mental health radiates beauty. This idea aligns beautifully with the concept of Mental Beauty—the consistency between what we feel internally and what we project externally. When we prioritize our mental well-being, it reflects in every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our self-expression. Dr. Shelley's headline, "Woman Finds Herself Again," encapsulates the heart of her journey. It's about rediscovering the vibrant, active person she once was, before nearly losing herself in a toxic relationship. It's a story of resilience, of coming back to life after facing mental and emotional death. 3 Practical 'Mental Beauty Tips' inspired by Episode 119: 1. Cultivate a Daily Self-Connection Ritual Abuse often disconnects you from your own feelings, needs, and desires. Re-establishing this connection is crucial: Set aside 10–15 minutes daily for a grounding practice such as journaling, mindfulness, or deep breathing. This ritual reminds you that your emotions and needs matter and creates a space where your voice is heard—by you. 2. Create a Financial and Emotional Safety Plan Abusers often use financial and emotional control to keep you trapped. Reclaiming even small amounts of independence can help you stay anchored to your sense of self: Open a private bank account and begin saving discreetly, even in small amounts. Build a support network of trusted friends, family, or a therapist to validate your feelings and remind you of your worth. These small steps toward independence reinforces your ability to make choices and gives you a foundation for reclaiming control over your life. 3. Reaffirm Your Identity Outside the Relationship Abuse can make you lose sight of who you are outside of the relationship. Reconnecting with your values and interests strengthens your sense of self. Make a list of things you once loved doing or were passionate about before the relationship. Choose one activity to reintroduce into your life, like reading, taking a class, or reconnecting with old friends. Exploring your personal interests reminds you that your identity is multifaceted and not defined by the abuse or the relationship. Episode 119 Takeaway: A self-care technique called 'The Love Letter to Self': Grab a Notepad or Phone: Set a timer for 5 minutes to keep it short and intentional. Write as if to Someone You Deeply Love: Imagine you're writing to someone you care about unconditionally—except this time, it's you. Use loving, kind, and affirming language. For example: "Dear Self, I just want you to know how proud I am of you." "You are enough exactly as you are, even on hard days."  "No matter what happens, I'm here for you. I'll always be on your side." Reflect on One Strength or Victory: End the letter by naming something you admire about yourself or a small win, like:  "I'm amazed at how resilient you are, even when things feel tough."   "Thank you for being so kind to others and for showing up for yourself today." Close With an Affirmation: Wrap up with a loving affirmation: "I love you, no matter what." "You are my safe place, and I'll always have your back." Of course, remember, if you want to share something amazing that you would like to have a shout out for on your behalf, just send an email to [email protected]. Spread Mental Beauty, Stop the Stigma!