Alneja Gašpar Horvat is a Transformational Mentor for Modern Women, navigating life’s crucial transitions, from finding love and creating a family to unlocking fertility, becoming a conscious parent, and balancing family with business without losing themselves amidst the many roles and obligations women often carry. She is the author of the “Unlock Your Fertility” program, created from her personal success story. She uses her signature Butterfly Technique to help women and couples overcome fertility blocks, heal core wounds, and become the parents they always wished for but never had. As a Fertility & Mama Coach, she supports clients through miscarriage, failed IVF, and other fertility challenges, walking with them every step of the way, from conception and pregnancy to birth, motherhood, and beyond, guiding them through the challenges that arise in love, life, and work once children arrive.  Alneja Gašpar Horvat, Fertility & Mama Coach and Transformational Mentor Who is Alneja Gašpar Horvat? That’s the million-dollar question. In the first 20 years of my life, I had absolutely no clue who I was. I was whatever people expected me to be, trying to fit in, be accepted, loved, and “good enough” for those around me. The next 20 years were about shedding all those fake roles and labels, and slowly discovering the real me. My greatest life challenges, early trauma, the tiring search for love, heartbreak and loss, burnout, health challenges, fertility struggles, and deep personal transformation, have helped shape who I am today. And the truth is, I can’t really fit into one box.  Yes, I am a Transformational Mentor for Modern Women, a Fertility & Mama Coach, and the creator of the Butterfly Technique and “Unlock Your Fertility” program. But beyond these titles, I am a woman, wife, and mother who has walked the path of transformation firsthand. My work is rooted in my personal journey, my greatest life challenges, and the moments that broke me open, times I questioned everything, and yet, through it all, I found my true calling. But outside of my work, I’m still just me, a woman who loves books and history, traveling and sandy beaches, good food, deep conversations, and dancing until my feet are sore and my heart feels free. I’m endlessly curious, very passionate about spiritual and personal growth, and devoted to constant evolution.  What inspired you to become a fertility and mama coach? My path into this work started with a diagnosis that shattered me, and the inner journey it took me on. It wasn’t something I planned, it just happened. It all began the moment my doctor dropped a bomb on me, saying, “You might never become a mom.” Something inside of me shifted, and I decided I was going to find a way to prove him wrong. And I did, not once, but twice. I was convinced that if I had somehow managed to break my body, I could also find a way to heal it. So, I went on a deep inner journey of healing and transformation. The woman who emerged from that process was a new version of me, pregnant, healed, and rediscovered. The most painful part of my life turned out to be my greatest blessing. It didn’t just make me a mother, it made me a woman who finally knew who she was and had found her true calling. I began sharing my story to motivate and inspire others, helping women in similar situations uncover and release what was silently blocking their fertility, guiding them as they moved from fear and frustration to faith, healing, and creation. Later, my calling grew with me. As I became a mother, I realized just how important the inner work I had done before getting pregnant truly was. If I hadn’t done that healing, I would have simply copied the unhealthy patterns from my own childhood, repeating the trauma, pain, and toxic ancestral cycles I was born into. So, my work shifted from just unlocking fertility to helping my clients become the parents their children truly deserve. And then my clients kept coming back, sharing, “Now that I’m a mom, I’m exhausted, reacting, repeating old patterns, I want to find myself again beyond being a mother.” Suddenly, I wasn’t just a fertility coach anymore, I became a mama coach, supporting women through motherhood and all the challenges that follow after the kids, in love, family, purpose, and career. Since my work emerged from personal experience, it keeps growing and evolving with me with every new chapter of my life. What common misconceptions do people have about fertility, and how do you address them? There are three major misconceptions I’d like to talk about today, and I’ll address them in the order they usually show up when I start working with a client. Misconception No. 1:  “Fertility is purely physical or hormonal.” The first misconception is that if we fix the hormones or follow the right medical path, everything will fall into place. Often, we address physical obstacles, balance the thyroid and hormones, or improve sperm quality, and still nothing happens. That’s because the physical wasn’t the real problem, these issues are often just symptoms pointing inward, signaling that something is out of balance on a subconscious or emotional level. Just think of all the couples who suffer from unexplained infertility, their body works perfectly, yet conception doesn’t occur, because something internal, a mindset, emotional, or even energetic block, is holding things back.  Therefore, I always inspire and guide clients to look within, beyond the symptoms, and uncover the root cause of their fertility or health challenges. When we work on the source, healing emotional wounds, releasing fears, and restoring inner balance, the physical symptoms ease, and the body naturally begins to align. It’s a domino effect, when the inner world heals, the body follows. Misconception No. 2:  “ Age automatically limits fertility.” Even though we often hear from doctors and IVF clinics that age is the main reason we can’t get pregnant, reality tells a different story. We keep reading about celebrities having babies at 52, or seeing our neighbors welcoming their fourth child at the age of 48. The truth is, we are not just statistics. Every body is unique. It’s not age alone that determines fertility, it’s the overall health, energy, emotional safety, and nourishment of the body that matter far more than the number of candles on a birthday cake. Someone can have an exhausted, imbalanced body at 32, while another woman may have a vibrant, fertile body at 52. I’ve worked with women in their mid-40s who were declined IVF for being “too old,” for having genetic mutations that affect conception, or for having low ovarian reserve. Yet, through my Unlock Your Fertility program, as we worked on the deeper blocks, the ones draining their energy, aging their bodies, and throwing them out of balance, they conceived naturally. Emotional and energetic health can have a profound impact on fertility.  I always encourage women to see beyond statistics and medical predictions and help them focus on healing, balancing, and energizing the body, physically, emotionally, and energetically. When the body feels safe, supported, and vital again, fertility is no longer an issue, even at 44 or 50. Misconception No. 3: “ Fertility is only the woman ’ s responsibility.” This is one of the most damaging myths. Fertility is a shared journey, both partners contribute equally, and both can carry emotional or energetic blocks. I’ve seen couples where the woman did everything, supplements, stress management, endless appointments, and therapy, while her partner stayed on the sidelines. When only one person heals, the process often remains incomplete.  In my experience, when I work with women alone, we achieve about an 80% success rate, which is an incredible result. But when both partners commit to the process, the success rate has been 100%. Having witnessed that many times, I always encourage men to take part in this journey, not only for conception purposes, but for their own healing, their relationship, and the generations to come. Emotionally healed people make better parents, that’s a fact. Men who join the program, even if a little skeptical at first, become deeply invested in the process, sometimes even more than their partners. In the end, true fertility begins when we stop chasing quick fixes, stop fearing numbers, and stop placing the responsibility on just one person. Getting pregnant is a two-person journey, both physically and emotionally. Can you share a success story of a client you ’ ve worked with and how you helped them? I had a client in her early forties, 42, to be exact. She already had a daughter from a previous relationship and didn’t want to go through IVF, but she was determined to have another child with her new partner. Getting pregnant wasn’t the issue for her, staying pregnant was. She had gone through six miscarriages in a row. Every medical test said she was perfectly healthy. There was no physical reason it shouldn’t have happened, and yet, it didn’t. When she joined my Unlock Your Fertility program, she came searching for answers, but what she truly needed was healing. About halfway through, we found the missing piece of the puzzle. Years earlier, when she gave birth to her first daughter, her partner at that time had left her just before labor. She had to give birth completely alone, under incredibly difficult circumstances. That pain, that fear, that moment of abandonment had rooted itself deep in her body. Even though she deeply longed for another child, her body remembered. On a subconscious level, it had linked pregnancy with danger and loneliness. So every time she conceived, her body tried to protect her by ending the pregnancy before she could be hurt again. After one deeply emotional session, everything shifted. She told me, “It feels like something heavy has finally lifted. My body isn’t fighting me anymore.” And not long after that, she conceived naturally again, only this time, her body didn’t resist what her heart desired. She carried the pregnancy to term and gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. But the story doesn’t end there. Just a few weeks ago, she sent me a message that she’s pregnant again. And she’s not an isolated case. I’ve had three similar cases recently, women who struggled for years to have their first child, and once we helped them unlock their fertility, the second pregnancy happened naturally, unexpectedly, and with incredible ease. Because once the body feels safe and the heart feels seen, life no longer needs to be forced, it simply flows. What are the most overlooked factors that impact a woman ’ s fertility? Every couple’s story is unique, each client I work with has their own deeply personal reason why conception isn’t happening. But if I had to name the most common and often overlooked factors that impact a woman’s fertility, they would include unhealed emotional wounds, unresolved trauma and stress, and a lack of emotional safety. We often underestimate how much early childhood experiences, ancestral trauma, and relationship patterns influence our reproductive health. The womb holds memory, it remembers loss, fear, heartbreak, and even the things we never consciously processed. When we clear that space emotionally, mentally, and energetically, the body begins to trust life again. One of the most common hidden blocks I see is the loss of a significant person, often a mother. Deep down, many women carry the fear that something might happen to them too, and that their own children could experience the same loss they once did. The body, in its own protective wisdom, may hold back conception to prevent that pain from repeating. There’s also the guilt many women silently carry after a past abortion, the subconscious belief that “I gave one child up, so I don’t deserve another.” This unprocessed grief can quietly close the door to new life until it’s acknowledged and healed. For others, the block comes from being in an unsafe or misaligned relationship. The body senses when it’s not secure enough to bring a child into the world with a certain partner, and no matter how much the mind wants it, the body won’t move forward until it feels safe. Another common pattern is the fear of reliving birth trauma, experiences that left women feeling powerless, violated, or alone. The body remembers that fear vividly, and often resists another conception to protect itself from going through it again. And finally, there are the inner conflicts that pull women in two directions, they deeply want a baby, yet fear losing their freedom, their career, their identity, gaining weight, or giving up the life they’ve built. You simply can’t receive what you secretly resist. All of these blocks, whether emotional, energetic, or subconscious, are the body’s way of protecting, not punishing. Once those fears are met with compassion and safety, the body naturally shifts from defense into creation. When the heart, mind, and body are in harmony, life begins to flow effortlessly again. How do you tailor your approach to meet the unique needs of each client? My Unlock Your Fertility Program is not a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s a special and highly valuable individualized program designed to meet the unique needs of each client. Every fertility story is different, and that’s why my approach adapts to your personal journey from the very beginning. The program is built around my signature Butterfly Technique, which unfolds in three transformative stages: Th e caterpillar s tage: To make sure every client receives exactly what they need, we start with a diagnostic session. This session reveals the hidden emotional, energy, and mindset blocks and lays the foundation for a fully personalized program tailored to your story, your challenges, and your specific blocks, because no two journeys are the same. Th e cocoon st age: Once we have your fertility plan, we move into the Cocoon Stage and begin the healing journey. Here, we carefully address and release all blocks, restore balance in your body, boost fertility, and prepare you physically and emotionally for conception. Th e butterfly sta ge: In the final stage, we shift your mindset to manifest a successful pregnancy and coach you into becoming the conscious, empowered parent your children deserve. This stage transforms pain, wounds, and blocks into fuel for manifestation, making pregnancy more accessible and helping you step fully into the parent you’ve always wanted to be. The program consists of an online course packed with fertility tips, guidance, and practical advice, along with a fully individualized 1-on-1 program via Zoom, tailored to your unique needs. This combination ensures you receive both the tools and the personal support necessary to move forward with confidence. Every step is tailored to your unique needs, ensuring that your journey to parenthood is supported holistically, emotionally, physically, and energetically. I believe my client’s fertility story deserves a plan as unique as they are, one that truly fits their needs, empowers, heals, and leads them to the family they’re meant to have. Not by putting their story into the same basket as someone else’s, but by making them feel safe, fully supported, and cared for throughout the program. Fertility is a delicate and deeply personal journey, and my goal is to ensure every client feels seen, heard, and truly nurtured every step of the way. I am aware that an individualized VIP program is not accessible for everyone’s budget. Therefore, I have also created a more accessible version of the program in the form of an online course without 1-on-1 support, which covers the main fertility topics and guides participants through the most common fertility challenges with practical tips, exercises, and tools they can explore on their own. However, most of my clients choose the individualized package, as it is tailored to their specific needs and provides the deepest level of support and guidance on this sacred journey. What are the first steps you recommend for someone starting their fertility journey? Start with awareness. Tune into what your body and emotions are trying to tell you. Don’t rush to “fix” yourself, begin by creating a sense of safety within. This will help you see what might be wrong or out of balance and what needs to change to find success.  So the first step is to acknowledge what didn’t work, what you didn’t try yet, and what else you can do to reach a different result. In other words, you need to change something and do things differently. The same approach will only lead to the same results. To achieve a different outcome, you must take a different path. Reflect on what you haven’t tried yet, and explore what you can change. If you’ve focused only on the physical level, try going within and exploring your emotional or energetic blocks. If you haven’t seen a doctor, check your hormones, thyroid, and other potential obstacles. Approach holistically and think of all potential blocks – on body, mind, heart and soul-level.  Move away from old ways and ask yourself, “What do I need in order to feel safe to receive?” That’s where true fertility begins. And finally, remember that you don’t have to walk this path alone. It’s okay to ask for help and find the right support, someone who can guide you, provide tailored advice, and hold space for you throughout your fertility journey. The combination of awareness, new approaches, and the right guidance is the foundation for creating the envisioned result. If you need help or support on this sacred journey, you can always reach out to me here . You can also schedule a diagnostic counseling session  to uncover your hidden fertility blocks. Or check out my Unlock Your Fertility  program that helped me and so many of my clients become parents. For free fertility tips and parenting insights, visit my Brainz Magazine profile, where I share articles on love, fertility, motherhood, and personal growth. Keep an eye on my page, there’s so much more to come in the year ahead! Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Alneja Gašpar Horvat

Written by Fizza Khan, Founder & CEO of Imentor360 Fizza Khan, IT Consultant and Founder & CEO of Imentor360, is empowering Elite IT Consultants to be seen, valued, and hired directly. More than 70% of digital transformations fall short of expectations, a recurring issue not caused by technology but by business structure and people's capabilities. My insight across various digital transformations in many sectors, this is a common theme, and the core problem lies in how companies ‘operational structure’ and delivery teams are aligned. Projects often lose momentum when there is no clear direction or a defined strategy from leadership or reporting of outcomes, leaving teams unclear on how their project contributes to overall change and outcomes. The synchronisation problem Another major reason transformations fail is a lack of synchronisation. Business units, delivery teams, and leadership often move at different speeds, chasing disconnected priorities. One team delivers new digital capability while another still operates on legacy processes. Synchronisation isn’t just a scheduling issue. It’s a skill and art, and can be cultural. Project leaders must act as integrators, ensuring communication flows both ways. That means connecting senior leads with product owners, delivery leads, and business sponsors around a single version of truth, the why, the what, and the how of transformation. Without that, projects become noise, lots of movement, little progress. With it, even complex change starts to feel coherent and achievable. It’s not the tech, it’s people's capability and the team's leadership Many still believe transformation fails because of the wrong system, platform, or vendor. But in my experience, most failures stem from people, knowledge sharing, and project knowledge gaps inside the project teams themselves, and motivation for change. There’s confusion between leader’s articulating a clear planning-strategy to define to the project leads the key project ‘priorities, so that the team leads can then define the clear team ‘activity and outcomes’, and that’s where delivery begins to drift   and where project contractors like me have the expertise to synchronise. The fundamentals are missing from Day 1: The hire: Hire the right digital consultants with a breadth of expertise. Business strategy-OKRs (Objective Key results) are not defined at the Business vision strategy stage, or misunderstood.  Delivery reporting: Status updates show tasks completed, not value delivered with ‘what result’ and not aligned to an ‘OKR’. Agile is used as a label, not a mindset. Daily stand-ups and sprints don’t mean much without real ownership or empowerment to drive the results. Team Silos remain. Delivery streams operate independently, with little synchronisation across business functions. Need to embed a culture of togetherness or quarterly planning events. The real capability gap Every successful transformation I’ve been involved in has one thing in common, strong foresight and delivery capability. When project leaders invest early in the right consultants and knowledge. Only then, teams and results follow. When they don’t, even the most advanced people, tools, and budgets fall flat. ‘Capability means more than technical skill. It’s about leader’s people skills and mindset, communication, delivery and alignment’ A capable team understands their team lead and clear direction: Why the transformation exists and what part of the project they are working on What outcome each workstream contributes to, and why and when to be delivered by How to synchronise efforts across functions with clear OKR delivery reporting metrics That’s where frameworks like Agile and OKRs truly connect. But too often, organisations adopt them in isolation and later date, OKRs as a reporting Ops layer, Agile as a best practice, routine. The power lies in combining both to create a shared direction and consistent momentum across an operation. It’s not about being “more agile.” It’s about being more connected, aligning transformation project delivery with business intent. Defining success differently In most failing programmes, “success” is defined by milestones, system go-lives, migration dates, or completed workstreams. But digital transformation success should be measured by clear objectives across ops, behavioural, and people change. Can teams operate without external dependency? Have ways of working evolved? Is there a visible impact for end users? The best project leaders redefine progress around these questions. They focus less on the Gantt chart and more on whether teams understand and adopt new ‘ways of working’ and the outcomes they’re delivering. They build internal people capability alongside delivery, so when consultants step away, the organisation keeps moving. In the programmes that I’ve worked on, the difference was visible. Teams didn’t just deliver, they owned the ‘priorities task’ and changed and delivered. Knowledge transfer wasn’t a final-week task, it was embedded throughout. Agile & Scrum was genuine, collaborative, transparent, and grounded in shared OKRs across the organisation for the bi-weekly reporting. Building the next generation of delivery teams In my view, the next phase of digital transformation won’t be defined by bigger systems or newer frameworks and just AI bolted on, it will be defined by smarter people-project teams. Those who combine “objective’s, technical expertise with delivery maturity’ this will outperform those who simply follow templates. Future-ready teams will: Implement OKRs to link strategy directly to daily project delivery. Treat Agile as a behaviour, not a checklist. Focus on outcomes, not solely on activity. Learn fast and adapt faster, share knowledge This shift requires project leaders who understand both structure and psychology, how people work, how they learn, and how to align them around purpose. The organisations that invest in this capability now will reduce dependency on external consultants and sustain transformation long after the programme ends. The shift ahead Transformation isn’t a one-off project, it’s an evolving capability. The technology will keep changing, but the foundation, people who can adapt, align, and deliver, remains the same. The future belongs to project teams that blend delivery discipline with learning agility. They’ll close the gap between ambition and execution, ensuring transformation isn’t just a phase, but a way of operating. That’s the real opportunity ahead, not another framework or process, but a mindset that connects people, purpose, and performance. When project leaders get that right, transformation finally delivers what it promises, lasting change. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Fizza Khan Fizza Khan, Founder & CEO of Imentor360 Fizza Khan has over 15 years of expertise as an IT consultant, Lead Business Analyst, and Project manager with many specialisms, hired to deliver many complex, critical projects globally across industries. Leading professionals have developed many innovative solutions. Now with her own brand, Imentor360, providing a platform for Elite IT contractors to showcase their skills and gain visibility, and to get booked directly.

Written by Elizabeth Hopper Borge, Health and Wellness Coach Elizabeth Borge is a well-known Yoga and Tai chi professional, a National Board Certified health and Wellness coach, NBC-HWC and C-IAYT yoga therapist. She is the owner of Fit for Life Jenkiintown and founder of Dancer for Life LLC. In today’s fast-paced world, many people are seeking holistic ways to relieve stress, restore balance, and enhance their overall well-being. One such practice gaining popularity worldwide is Reiki, a gentle, hands-on or hands-off healing technique rooted in the concept of universal energy. The origins of Reiki Reiki (pronounced RAY-kee) is a Japanese healing modality developed by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words, Rei, meaning universal, and Ki, meaning life energy. This life energy is believed to flow through all living things. When that energy is strong and flowing freely, we are more likely to be healthy and emotionally balanced. When that energy weakens or is blocked, we may be more prone to physical or emotional stress and disease. How Reiki works A Reiki session typically involves the practitioner placing their hands lightly on or just above the client's body, channeling energy into specific areas to encourage healing. It is a non-invasive and deeply relaxing experience. The goal of Reiki is to support the body’s natural healing abilities and promote emotional and spiritual well-being. Although Reiki is not a replacement for medical treatment, it can be a powerful complementary therapy. It has been used to help reduce anxiety, relieve pain, improve sleep, and support recovery from injury or illness. What to expect in a Reiki session A typical session lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. You remain fully clothed and lie comfortably on a treatment table or sit in a chair. The practitioner may move their hands to various parts of the body, often in a set sequence, or intuitively based on the client’s needs. Many clients describe sensations such as warmth, tingling, or gentle pulsations during the session. Some experience deep relaxation, emotional release, or a meditative state. The benefits of Reiki Stress reduction and relaxation Enhanced emotional clarity and calm Relief from chronic pain or tension Support for mental health and mood balance Faster recovery from illness or injury Improved sleep quality One of the beautiful aspects of Reiki is that it works holistically, addressing body, mind, and spirit simultaneously. It encourages a state of harmony and balance, both internally and externally. Who can benefit from Reiki? Reiki is suitable for people of all ages, from children to seniors. Whether you are dealing with chronic stress, recovering from surgery, managing emotional struggles, or simply seeking greater balance in your life, Reiki offers a safe and supportive environment to heal and recharge. Reiki at Fit for Life Jenkintown You can experience the healing benefits of Reiki at Fit for Life Jenkintown. Our certified practitioner offers personalized Reiki sessions in a peaceful and welcoming environment. Whether you are looking to relieve stress, restore energy, or unwind, Reiki can support your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Let us help you return to balance, one breath at a time. Visit my website   to schedule your Reiki session ! Read more from Elizabeth Hopper Borge Elizabeth Hopper Borge, Health and Wellness Coach Elizabeth is an NHB-WC (Board-Certified Health and Wellness coach), Certified Professional Coach, and Certified Weight Loss Coach (AFPA). She is a C-IAYT yoga therapist and has had years of counseling experience. She is a Level 1 and Level 2 IIQTC (Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi) Senior Trainer, Tai Chi Easy Senior Trainer and a Healer Within Senior Trainer. She is using all these skillsets to support your wellness journey.

Written by Josh Sagar Chauhan I, C.E.O, Model, and Multi-Talented Artist Josh is a C.E.O., model, and multi-talented artist with over a decade of experience in financial services, renowned for delivering insightful, up-to-date coverage on international affairs, culture, and technology, offering clarity and perspective. Living with complex trauma is like navigating a labyrinth of mind and body, where each turn reveals layers of pain, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of healing. My journey encompasses anxiety, PTSD, potential ADHD, physical trauma, and neurological manifestations such as tics, auditory hallucinations, and hypnopompic and hypnagogic experiences. These symptoms are not anomalies. They are the body's and mind's responses to prolonged and repeated exposure to overwhelming stressors. The clinical landscape of complex trauma Complex PTSD arises from prolonged exposure to interpersonal trauma, often in situations where escape is difficult. It includes the classic symptoms of PTSD such as intrusive memories, hyperarousal, and avoidance, alongside disturbances in self-organization, including emotional dysregulation, negative self-perception, and difficulties in relationships. Complex PTSD affects a significant portion of the population, with higher prevalence among individuals who have experienced childhood abuse, neglect, or sustained interpersonal trauma. The neurobiological effects of complex trauma involve changes in the brain's stress response systems, including the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system. These changes contribute to heightened arousal, dissociation, and somatic symptoms such as tics and hallucinations. Understanding these mechanisms underscores the importance of integrated therapeutic approaches that address both psychological and physiological dimensions of trauma. Personal narrative: Intersections of trauma and identity My experiences reflect the complex ways trauma manifests. The auditory hallucinations I experience are often tied to past trauma, acting as intrusive reminders of unresolved pain. Hallucinations in individuals with PTSD are frequently linked to dissociative processes, where traumatic memories intrude into conscious awareness. Tics are another aspect of my lived experience. Psychogenic tics can arise from stress and dysregulation of the nervous system. Clinical observations have shown that individuals with PTSD can develop tics as somatic expressions of psychological distress. Recognising this interplay between mind and body has been essential in my recovery. Therapeutic interventions: A multidimensional approach Cognitive Processing Therapy has been central to my healing. This evidence-based treatment helps identify and challenge maladaptive thoughts related to trauma, fostering cognitive restructuring and emotional regulation. CPT enables integration of traumatic memories into coherent self-narratives and helps differentiate between trauma-generated responses and authentic self-experience. Trauma-informed care has also been essential. Support from first step leicester has provided a stabilising environment in which I can process experiences without fear of re-traumatization. Their approach acknowledges the complexity of trauma and the necessity of patience, empathy, and safety in therapeutic work. Comparative perspectives: Case studies and broader implications The experiences of others provide insight into the broader implications of complex trauma. For example, individuals with PTSD and psychogenic tics demonstrate the importance of evaluating neurological symptoms through a trauma-informed lens. Auditory hallucinations, often tied to dissociative processes, have been observed in multiple cases of trauma survivors. These comparative examples highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to treatment that addresses cognitive, emotional, and physiological dimensions. Coping strategies and environmental regulation Beyond formal therapy, I have developed coping strategies that support both internal regulation and environmental structure. Mindfulness, somatic exercises, and breathwork enhance interoceptive awareness and reduce sympathetic hyperarousal. Music and performance, as D.J. Saguaro, provide structured, multisensory spaces where emotion can be processed safely. I also maintain environmental boundaries to reduce overstimulation, including sleep hygiene, structured routines, controlled sensory input, and selective social engagement. These strategies reduce triggers for hyperarousal and support neurophysiological stability. Over time, integrating cognitive, emotional, and environmental regulation has enabled incremental but durable recovery. A continuing journey Healing is not about perfection but persistence. It is a gradual recalibration of mind, body, and environment that requires courage to face internal chaos and patience to accept progress in measured steps. Complex trauma does not define me, but it informs the empathy, insight, and creativity I bring to all aspects of my life. The message I hope others take from my experience is this. Trauma shapes your nervous system and your environment, but it does not define your capacity to rebuild. With the right therapeutic frameworks, supportive relationships, and intentional regulation of both internal and external environments, it is possible to cultivate a life that honours the past without being constrained by it. Acknowledgements: I extend my heartfelt gratitude to First Step Leicester for their expert care, trauma-informed approach, and unwavering support for survivors navigating complex trauma. A.I. drafted article. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn  for more info! Read more from Josh Sagar Chauhan I Josh Sagar Chauhan I, C.E.O, Model, and Multi-Talented Artist Josh Chauhan is experienced in banking, finance, luxury sales, marketing, advertising, and recruitment, with a desire to continually learn more. A proficient digital and creative consultant, Josh I has over two years of experience in niche brand and project delivery. With more exposure in advertising, television, and radio, as well as acting and live performance to national and international audiences, Josh Chauhan I is in research & development for his Incorporation Umbrella, Miwted.

Written by Brian Stewart Caldwell-White, Health and Wellbeing Advocate Brian writes about human and pet health, Well-being, Neurodiversity, Disabilities, Cancer, and LGBTQIA+ topics, aiming to inform and inspire readers. Brian`s insights and expertise come from his own lived experiences and his professional background in Social Law and Medical Laws. In a culture that celebrates cure but quietly overlooks prevention, we risk missing the simplest path to long-term wellbeing. This article challenges the reactive healthcare model, highlighting how proactive choices, education, and natural support can reduce disease, empower individuals, and protect the health of both humans and pets. Prevention and cure: Two sides of the same story We all know the saying, prevention is better than cure. Yet, in a world obsessed with innovation, pharmaceuticals, and life-saving technology, we often forget the quieter power of prevention. Prevention stops illness or harm before it begins. Cure responds when things go wrong. Both are vital, but only one, the cure, tends to get the glory. According to The King’s Fund, prevention in health means creating the conditions that help people stay well, through good housing, strong communities, fair employment, and education. “Cure saves lives. Prevention saves futures.” A culture built on reaction, not protection In the Western world, we have built a healthcare culture that rewards reaction. We wait for illness, for breakdown, for crisis, and then we pour in the resources. Prevention, however, is quiet and long-term. It requires trust, education, patience, and less visible outcomes. When you prevent, nothing happens, and that is precisely why it is undervalued. Success in prevention looks like the absence of disease, not a miracle recovery story. “When prevention works, it looks like nothing happened. That’s its quiet brilliance.” Lessons from everyday life Prevention is not just a medical concept, it is how we live wisely. We do not drive without insurance. We brush our teeth to prevent cavities. We teach children kindness to prevent bullying. But when it comes to our health, we often wait until something breaks before we act. Imagine if we applied the same common sense to our bodies as we do to our homes, cars, or pets. The cost savings in our healthcare systems would be phenomenal, quality of living would be massively improved, but the reduction in profit for the pharmaceutical industry would not sit happily with the shareholders, I suspect. The illusion of cure Ten years ago, at age 41, I was told I had prostate cancer. I was terrified, but comforted by a 99 percent chance of cure through surgery. I had a radical prostatectomy. The pathology confirmed what I longed to hear, cancer removed. You are cured. For three years, I lived under the warm glow of that word, until seven years ago, I was told it had returned. Now, a decade on, I am back with Oncology and looking at further radical treatment. That is, unless my own natural approach to arresting the recurrence does not work. Same disease. Different perspective. The truth? Cure does not always cure. In fact, the General Medical Council’s Good Medical Practice explicitly forbids UK medical professionals from using misleading language when communicating with patients. This includes leading them to believe they can be cured. They can only give objective information, manage expectations, and acknowledge the uncertainty with the offered treatment. “We are taught to fight disease. We are rarely taught to understand it.” The cost of chasing cures Research published in BMJ Open highlights how health systems are disproportionately geared towards curative measures. Cures bring hope, and headlines. But they also come with cost, financially, emotionally, and socially. For every pound we spend on treatment, only a fraction goes toward prevention. And yet, prevention is the very thing that could keep millions out of hospitals in the first place. This is due in part to the industry built to provide preventative solutions for humans and their pets having to fund its own research, which then leads to criticism that research is biased. With the curative industry having the might of the pharmaceutical industry as its backers, the preventative solutions that have been around for longer than modern medicine, approximately 150 years old, really do not stand a chance at being accepted as genuine, unless in Germany, as German doctors prefer to prescribe plant-based medicines rather than synthetic ones. Yet, when the pharmaceutical industry funds the trials of its own medicines, they are not afforded the same level of criticism that is aimed at the preventative industry. Which does beg the question, why? The psychology of the quick fix As Theresa Marteau of the Bennett Institute notes, we live in a culture of immediacy. We prefer instant results, a pill, a procedure, a promise, over the slow discipline of daily habits, a culture that has exploded due to the COVID pandemic. Here in the UK, as witnessed by myself when I worked as a medicolegal case manager for the world’s largest medical defence organisation, the pandemic has created a tsunami of people with health anxieties, and instant results are creating an unsustainable demand on our health and social care system. Prevention requires long-term thinking, something our societies and even our political systems struggle with. We, as humans, do not really have an appetite for long-term goals and forward thinking, even more so now that studies show the attention span of humans is around eight seconds. I like to call it the Uber phenomenon. I want it now. Prevention requires a commitment to change, to a reduction in profit margins, and to a radical rethink about how we deliver healthcare to humans and their pets. But the irony is, it is the slow work of prevention that brings the most lasting change. “We want quick fixes for problems that took years to grow.” Nature knew first When I founded Barberras Botanicals Ltd , it was born from personal experience and the healing influence of nature. I started taking CBD oil to control nocturia and dysuria, a serious side effect of having my prostate removed, as nine to ten times per night going to pee meant I could not sleep and therefore could not function or be healthy, and because the synthetic options had side effects that would hinder my physical fitness. Botanicals and plant-based compounds have been supporting human health for centuries. Many can help reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and support the immune system, all essential in preventing disease. If small businesses like mine can access this knowledge, surely our vast healthcare systems can too. So why, therefore, is the mere mention of treating prevention as equal to curative seen as blasphemous by the vast majority of healthcare professionals? The business of sickness Let us be honest, prevention does not generate the same profits as cure. There is no blockbuster drug for living well. There is no celebrity fundraiser for not getting sick. But imagine if we flipped that script, if Movember campaigns focused equally on prevention as they do on treatment and survival. We might just see fewer men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the first place and fewer men, just as I did, having to go through radical treatments that nearly always leave mental scars that are harder to deal with than the physical ones. The preventative medicines industry reported a worldwide turnover in 2024 of approximately $407 billion, as opposed to the pharmaceutical medicines industry worldwide turnover in 2024 of approximately $1.7 trillion. So with the pharmaceutical medicine industry turnover being very nearly four times larger than the preventative medicines industry, you can draw your own conclusion as to why the business of sickness is a profitable one. “It is time to make prevention profitable, because health is the best investment we have.” Prevention and cure in pets As the proud owner of Barbara, my rescue Saluki-Lurcher mix, I have learned that prevention is not just a human issue. According to the PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report , nearly half of UK pets are overweight, increasing their risk of diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Vet bills rise, quality of life falls, and yet these are almost entirely preventable conditions. We are equally quick to book a vet’s appointment as we are to book a doctor’s appointment, and as is the case with us humans, vets are not always the best solution to our pets’ health issues. I, for one, as my Barbara was adopted with severe trauma-induced anxiety, wish I had known then what I know now about treating his anxiety, because if I had, he would not have had to endure months and months of side effects from taking a prescribed anti-anxiety medication. And with pet ownership at an all-time high due to the pandemic, we need more than ever to ensure that prevention for our pets’ health is treated as equally as the curative treatments. We owe them the same care we wish for ourselves. We at Barberras state, “If it is good enough for me, it is good enough for my dog!” “Sometimes, the simplest acts of care, a walk, a good meal, a gentle touch, are the truest forms of prevention.” Prevention in mental health It is not only about bodies. Minds, too, need maintenance to prevent major problems. Rethink Mental Illness reminds us that while mental illness may not always be curable, it can often be prevented or reduced through early intervention, education, and connection. There is talk that giving less money to the curative industry, which makes huge profits, can then be used to help prevent mental health crises in humans and their pets. I, for one, did not have access to preventative talking therapies when I was a much younger man, so I only got the help I needed from alternative therapy when I was at a crisis point. We now know, hindsight is a wonderful teacher, that I would not have gotten to that crisis point had I had access to alternative therapies at an earlier stage in life. This early access would also be extraordinarily helpful with the current crisis of suicide amongst men, where at least 50 men per year are successfully committing suicide. We must treat mental health the way we treat physical health, not waiting until the crisis point before offering support. Prevention as empowerment Prevention is not about fear, it is about freedom. It is not about paranoia, it is about power. It is the power to make small, intentional choices that protect our long-term well-being. To know our bodies. To ask questions. To demand education, not just medication. That is Barberras’ main objective, to empower humans to take control of theirs and their pets’ health. We are capable, we just need to be reminded now and again that we have the power because it is our body and mind. “Prevention is not fear, it is freedom.” My Movember and my message This Movember, my moustache is not just for show. It is a symbol of conversation about men’s health, prostate cancer, and the need for balance between prevention and cure. I am a man living with cancer, yes, but I am also living with purpose. I have learned that the most radical act is not surgery. It is self-awareness. It is the choice to live well before we have to fight for life itself. Building a culture of prevention What if every GP appointment included a conversation about prevention, not just symptoms? What if our education system taught health literacy as much as it teaches maths? What if our healthcare budgets mirrored the value of prevention, not just the cost of disease? What if the NHS worked in partnership with the vast array of alternative treatment providers rather than steering people away from them? What if vets did the same, worked with the vast array of alternative treatment providers rather than persuade pet owners that their way is the only way? We could build a world where wellness is the norm, not the exception. “We celebrate survivors, and rightly so, but let us also celebrate those who never needed saving.” Prevention starts with you Whether you are facing your own health journey, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about living better, start today. Visit my website  to explore natural remedies for you and your pets. Follow my journey on YouTube , where I share honest updates, botanical insights, and real conversations about cancer, healing, and hope. And do not miss my upcoming podcast, Blether with Barberra, where we will chat about all things health, humour, and holistic living. Let us make prevention not just an idea, but a movement. Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Brian Stewart Caldwell-White Brian Stewart Caldwell-White, Health and Wellbeing Advocate Brian is a health and wellbeing advocate whose own experiences with mental health, neurodivergency, and prostate cancer inform his writings. Brian covers human and pet health, as the health of the dog he adopted is paramount to his own mental health. Brian is also highly informed about physical and cognitive disabilities and LGBTQIA+ health issues, due in part to his being a disabled gay man. As founder of Barberras Botanicals, where the motto is "If it's good enough for the dog, it's good enough for me", he inspires readers to embrace wellness, inclusive living, and health autonomy for humans and their pets.

Written by Alan Melton, Business Coach Alan Melton, founder of Small Business Coach Associates in 2002, is a seasoned entrepreneur and advisor to over 1,000 business owners. His expertise earned his business an Inc 500 ranking and him the U.S. SBA's Small Business Person of the Year. In today’s rapidly changing world, leadership demands more than traditional management. Emerging generations crave purpose, empathy, growth, and ethical action. This article explores how a sustainable, human-focused leadership blueprint can nourish both business performance and personal fulfilment for leaders and teams alike. What is a growth mindset in your opinion? A growth mindset is something that resonates with me a lot. For me, it means believing that all people and all talents can be developed. It is about seeing opportunities rather than difficulties, whatever the circumstances. This is what I call an open mind to possibilities, ready to answer why not instead of the fatal yes, but. Small Business Coach Associates empowers entrepreneurs to achieve sustainable growth with a business coach who focuses on strategic planning, accountability, and long-term success. This is the essence of my profession as a coach, which leads me to dedicate time to helping each person develop, to find their own riches within themselves, to nourish them, and make them shine without false modesty. It is simple to state, but sometimes it is a long road to accepting one's own light and reconciling with oneself and one's uniqueness. What does meaningful and responsible leadership mean in today’s post-COVID world? My deep conviction is this. In an environment as uncertain and changing as ours, following a global pandemic and facing new political, energy, and economic crises looming, leaders must demonstrate resolute responsibility and meaningfulness, and develop their authenticity and their capacity for empathy and compassion. They have no choice if they want to attract and retain young talent. Some figures from recent studies on sustainable leadership carried out by us prove it. Seventy-five percent of Millennials and nearly eighty percent of Generation Z expect to be coached. They want managers who: Help to grow Promote collaborative work Really care about people Show consistency in their actions and words daily All these young people who have recently entered the job market or are about to do so are primarily looking for an inspiring and useful career that offers real self-fulfillment. Nearly two-thirds believe that coaching is twice as much of a career booster as training. The number one reason for leaving a job among this young generation is the manager, and behavior that is unethical and unrelated to social and societal responsibility. The most important factor in a company's attractiveness is the work environment and quality of life it offers its employees. The two pillars that underpin the choice of a new job are: The nature of the work, which must be motivating in itself Flexible and collaborative working methods and a rigorously ethical professional environment Psychological safety within teams is finally recognized as a key factor in the effectiveness and acceptance of change, while also helping to foster innovation and improve the acceptance of diversity. What is at stake here is how companies can attract talent, especially Generation Z, and keep them engaged and motivated. This is not a new question for most leaders and managers who must constantly navigate contradictory injunctions between an inspiring medium-term vision and a short-term performance requirement. But it has become an absolute must and an increasingly critical question if companies want to attract and retain top talent in a world that values authenticity and purpose. How can this type of sustainable leadership generate sustainable performance? This positive impact on performance comes from several factors. But the main one is that this type of sustainable leadership generates higher commitment from employees. Likewise, it leads to a tangible increase in productivity and work efficiency. Current research suggests that this increase is based on two linked mechanisms. First, a boost in trust and increased loyalty that induce greater mobilization and increased autonomy in the service of a project that everyone has understood and finds motivating. How can leaders embody such a sustainable leadership style that is responsible, compassionate, and meaningful? What advice do you have? Genuinely care about others. Listen to them without preconceived judgment and without being anxious about having to respond to their requests. Listening and understanding are the first steps to developing empathy. Continue to develop yourself. Adopt a why not mindset. See the opportunity to learn in every circumstance. Allow yourself to be challenged to constantly push your own limits. Cultivate your own passions and seek opportunities at every opportunity. You will see how astonishing this abundance of possible paths to explore is. These tips seem very simple, but I am aware that putting them into practice requires motivation and patience. Choose one and start with a small, realistic step. Through holistic leadership , Small Business Coach Associates helps business owners grow not just financially, but personally, building balance, clarity, and purpose in every aspect of leadership. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Alan Melton Alan Melton, Business Coach Alan Melton is an accomplished entrepreneur and seasoned business coach with a track record of profound impact. In 2002, he established Small Business Coach Associates, making use of his experience from founding and growing several businesses and consulting over a thousand business owners. With his leadership, his business was recognized as an Inc. 500 fastest-growing company and has earned him prestigious awards, such as the U.S. SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year and the Governor’s Sterling Award. His mission alongside his team is to "coach you to wealth and business freedom."

Written by Simon Lau, Master at Simon Lau Centre I am the founder of The Simon Lau Centre. I was born in China and, from a young age, educated by Buddhist monks. This instilled in me the belief that the minds that coordinate the activities of violence can coordinate the activities of cooperation. Everyone has an equal right to eliminate suffering and seek happiness. Grief is a wound that requires acknowledgement, expression, and patience. This article offers a compassionate approach to navigating loss, unpacking hidden emotions, releasing guilt and anger, and embracing practices that transform suffering into strength, wisdom, and deeper love. Grief is a wound To heal, it must be acknowledged and attended to with care. To work through and complete the grieving process is to face our feelings openly and honestly, to express, release, and accept them, no matter how long it takes. Grief unexpressed becomes grief that lingers indefinitely. In the case of sudden loss, survivors often experience a whirlwind of unfamiliar emotions, especially anger, directed at what they perceive to be the cause of death. Support them in expressing that anger. If held inside, it can fester into chronic depression. Help them release it and uncover the deeper pain that lies beneath. It’s not uncommon for someone to feel intense guilt after the death of a loved one. They may replay moments from the relationship obsessively or torment themselves with thoughts of what could have been done differently. Let them speak, even if what they say feels irrational or tangled in shame. With time, these emotions soften. Slowly, they will forgive themselves and begin to move forward. Ending grief When you’re overwhelmed by suffering, inspire yourself. Begin with “bringing the mind home.” One powerful method is to go into nature, let your tears pour freely, and let your grief flow downward like water. Allow nature’s wisdom to soothe and purify you. Visualize buddhas and enlightened beings above and around you, radiating compassionate light and offering their presence and blessing. In their embrace, speak your truth. Say what’s in your heart to the one you’ve lost. Let your heart open. Express any anger or hurt you’ve held. Offer your forgiveness freely. Tell them of your regrets and all the pain you may have caused. Say everything that needs to be said, then ask yourself gently, "Can I now truly say farewell? Can I let go?" Imagine the person turning away, leaving in peace. This practice allows you to express your love one more time, to help the one who has passed, and to complete and heal the relationship within your heart. Learning from bereavement Grief can be a fierce teacher. If you allow it, it will force you to look directly at life and ask difficult questions. After loss, you may find yourself alone, facing a new beginning, and ask, “What will you do with this life? Why do you wish to continue living?” Bereavement reminds us of love unspoken, of forgiveness withheld. It invites us to be vulnerable and receptive, courageous and patient. Above all, it asks us to share our love more deeply, with urgency, with presence. Helping through suffering In time, you may feel mysteriously grateful for your pain. It offers you the chance to work through and transform it. Hidden within suffering, within the rawness of despair, is the seed of bliss. When you are most vulnerable, you may also be closest to your strength. Suffering teaches us compassion. It attunes us to the pain of others. If you suffer, you know suffering, and you carry the capacity to help with authenticity and depth. So, do not shut out your pain. Accept it. Stay open. Even in desperation, allow the pain to be. It may be offering you something profound, the discovery, through spiritual practice, of what lies beneath sorrow. Rumi reminds us “Grief can be the garden of compassion.” If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain may become your most powerful ally in the search for love and wisdom. Final reflections We know, too well, that protecting ourselves from pain doesn’t work. When we defend against suffering, we suffer more and miss the lessons it contains. As Rainer Maria Rilke wrote: “A heart that has never been exposed to loss, innocent and secure, cannot know tenderness, only the won-back heart can ever be satisfied.” Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Simon Lau Simon Lau, Master at Simon Lau Centre I trained in martial arts and qigong. The discipline training became an invaluable tool to teach me how I could overcome my fear of violence and allow myself to perform in everyday life in a more spontaneous and constructive way. In keeping with the Warrior tradition, I have focused my life as much on being a healer as being a martial artist. I am a sincere practitioner of qigong, Chinese herbal medicine, and Chinese astrology, believing that physical, emotional, and spiritual health are essential for self-development and inner awareness. Everyone has the potential to improve and change because each new day represents a new life. Every hour of our time is a gift.

Written by Toni Stevens, Healer and Energy Coach Toni Stevens is a healer and energy coach, well known for her ability to tune into people's energy and create calm. She is the creator of the Chakra Connection, an online healing and coaching course. Toni educates people about emotional freedom, how to calm and reset the nervous system, and how to build deep connection and trust in oneself. Neuroplasticity or rewiring the mind and soul is the scientific language of change, and spiritual growth is the soul’s language of transformation. Together, they speak the same universal truth, growth is natural, ongoing, and available to all of us. I was thinking about neuroplasticity and spiritual growth last night as I watched Star Trek, my all-time favourite. A beautiful blend of Science Fiction and Psychology, it inspires me to think outside the box, imagine a better world, and lifts my spirits. “Neuroplasticity and spiritual growth are like rivers carving new paths, reshaping the mind and soul to flow more freely toward wholeness.” When I studied Neuro Linguistic Programming, I was amazed by the simple yet powerful techniques it offers for rewiring the mind, blending science and psychology to help you create new habits, beliefs, and possibilities. As a client receiving NLP, I have had massive transformations in how I think, the choices I make, and why I make them, as I question the beliefs behind my decisions. Similarly, in studying and receiving the Emotion Memory Pattern Release Method, a powerful trauma healing method, the inner change I have felt has been incredible. EMPR method utilises a trauma-informed approach that combines ancient wisdom, neuroscience, and somatic practices to help individuals release trauma and negative patterns by addressing the body's stored memories without requiring extensive discussion of traumatic events. Neuroplasticity and spiritual growth are similar in 5 key ways Both involve change and transformation: Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to rewire itself, creating new neural pathways and releasing old ones. Spiritual growth is the soul’s ability to expand, shed outdated patterns, and embody higher states of awareness. Both require repetition and practice: Just as repeating thoughts and behaviors strengthens neural connections, consistent spiritual practices (meditation, prayer, energy work, mindfulness) deepen spiritual awareness. Both shift identity: Neuroplasticity allows us to change how we see ourselves, healing trauma, breaking habits, and expanding possibilities. Spiritual growth also evolves our identity, moving us from ego-centered living toward alignment with our higher self. Both are limitless: The brain never truly loses its ability to change, it is capable of adapting at any age. Spiritual growth, too, has no ceiling. There is always deeper love, connection, and consciousness available. Both require openness and surrender: For the brain to rewire, we need to step outside old patterns. For the spirit to grow, we need to release resistance, surrender, and allow transformation. Neuroplasticity is to the brain what spiritual growth is to the soul. It is an unfolding potential for renewal, healing, and expansion. Change is always possible. Just as your brain rewires through neuroplasticity, your soul expands through spiritual growth. Both carve new pathways where old ones once stood, like rivers reshaping stone. Every thought you nurture, every practice you return to, is a drop of water creating change. Over time, the landscape shifts, your mind becomes freer, your spirit lighter. What new pathway are you choosing to create today? The healing pathways I offer, whether 6 or 12 weeks, are designed to help you reconnect deeply with yourself. They are about turning inward instead of turning away from pain, taking radical responsibility instead of waiting for someone else to save you, and cultivating high vibrational energy that lifts you into alignment with your soul. If you are ready to reconnect with your soul, heal the past, and align your energy, I would love to walk this journey with you. Book in for a free 45-minute introduction to therapeutic coaching here . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Toni Stevens Toni Stevens, Healer and Energy Coach Toni Stevens is a healer and energy coach, empowering men and women to create calm, confidence, and a deep connection to themselves by healing childhood trauma and releasing social conditioning with an intensive, one-on-one, 8-week healing journey. Toni transformed her own anxious symptoms of physical pain, fatigue, and negative thoughts with her personal program of meditation, mindset, and movement. She helps transform stress, anxiety, and overwhelm into a life of peace and empowerment. Her mission is to raise your consciousness and elevate your vibration.

Written by Lindsey Leavitt, Transformational Coach Lindsey Leavitt is a transformational coach. Her expertise stems from her lived experience of abuse, mental illness, and chronic pain. Lindsey's transformation has inspired her to utilize her knowledge and abilities as an artist/musician to advocate, empower, and lift others. Arthur Fleck’s transformation into the Joker is more than a villain origin story. It is a clinical profile of what happens when trauma, social neglect, and systemic labeling converge. Through psychology, sociology, and criminology, this article exposes how deviance is often manufactured, not discovered. Subject overview Name: Arthur Fleck Alias: Joker Context: Gotham City, late-stage social decay Clinical focus: Development of deviance through abnormal psychology, scapegoating, and systemic neglect Arthur Fleck’s transformation into the Joker is not random. It is a clinical map of what happens when unresolved trauma, systemic failure, and social projection converge. His case provides a rare window into how abnormal psychology manifests, not in theory, but in lived, catastrophic reality. Symptom presentation: The disorder of laughter Observation: Uncontrollable, inappropriate laughter in high-stress or socially incongruent situations. Clinical Term: Pseudobulbar Affect. A neurological condition in which emotional expression (crying, laughing) is detached from emotional state. Often linked to trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Functional Impact: Social alienation. Misinterpretation as instability, weakness, or threat. Escalation of scapegoating and ridicule. In Arthur’s world, his laughter becomes more than a symptom. It becomes evidence. The city reads it not as trauma but as defect. Every convulsion of laughter seals the accusation: He is broken. Family dynamics: The burden of projection Observation: Maternal dependency, distorted narratives about his father, history of concealed abuse. Psychological Concept: Projective Identification. Family systems protect their fragile image by disowning intolerable truths and placing them onto one member. The scapegoat becomes the vessel for the family’s unresolved shame and dysfunction. Impact: Arthur does not only carry his mother’s delusions. He becomes the container for them. Her failure to face reality becomes his lifelong burden. This dynamic mirrors thousands of family scapegoat cases: the child chosen not for what they’ve done, but for what the system cannot bear to face. Social context: The loop of entrapment Observation: Arthur is ridiculed by strangers, cut off from medication, dismissed by institutions, mocked on public television. Psychological Concept: Circular Causality. A feedback loop in which every response confirms the accusation. Speak up → “difficult.” Stay silent → “cold.” Cry → “unstable.” Laugh → “insane.” Impact: Arthur becomes trapped in a self-reinforcing cycle. Every attempt at adaptation strengthens the stigma. In criminology, this is called secondary deviance: once labeled, the individual is pushed further toward fulfilling the role society has scripted. Identity collapse: From Arthur to Joker Observation: Dissolution of personal identity; emergence of Joker persona. Psychological Concept: Identity Foreclosure. Identity prematurely sealed by imposed labels, leaving no room for self-determination. The scapegoated role hardens into the only available self. Impact: Arthur does not “become” Joker out of choice. Joker is the identity society leaves him. It is not a mask he chooses; it is the face the system paints for him until he can no longer peel it away. Shadow manifestation: The return of the repressed Observation: Sudden eruption of shadow self; collapse of social order around him. Psychological Concept: The Return of the Repressed. Traumatic content that has been buried resurfaces with intensity. What society suppresses eventually returns through the one chosen to carry it. Impact: Joker’s emergence is Gotham’s shadow made flesh. His violence is not simply individual pathology; it is collective repression detonating in one man’s body. Criminological lens: The manufactured deviant Traditional criminology would label Joker deviant, pathological, criminally insane. But a deeper lens reveals this: deviance was not discovered in Arthur. It was manufactured through systemic design. Labeling Theory (Sociology): Once an individual is marked as deviant, they are treated in ways that isolate and alienate them. The treatment produces the very behaviors that confirm the label. Arthur was not “found” guilty of madness. He was written guilty. His descent is not anomaly. It is prophecy fulfilled by the system itself. Case conclusion: The mirror we fear Arthur Fleck’s case demonstrates how scapegoating and neglect generate what we later call “monsters.” The Joker is not a spontaneous aberration. He is the predictable product of: Neurological trauma was misinterpreted as a defect. Family projection that scapegoated him as the problem. Social ridicule trapped him in circular causality. Institutional neglect that erased his access to care. Systemic labeling that manufactured his deviance. The Joker is not merely a criminal mind. He is a case study in how systems create the very shadows they fear most. Reflection How many “Jokers” are silently being created in families where one child carries the shadow? How many are engineered by institutions that cut care, stigmatize difference, and punish survival symptoms? How much of what we call abnormal psychology is individual disorder, and how much is social design? The Joker is not only a villain. He is evidence. A living diagnosis. A mirror held up to every system that manufactures madness and then condemns it. Follow me on  Facebook and   Instagram  for more info! Read more from Lindsey Leavitt Lindsey Leavitt, Transformational Coach Lindsey Leavitt is a transformational coach. She is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The model focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. Lindsey battled with anxiety and depression throughout her life. She implemented various therapeutic modalities, but none were effective. Finally, Lindsey implemented the DBT approach, which changed her life forever. Now she is helping others take back their power, regain control of their lives, and start living an abundant life.

Written by Dr. Udim Isang, The (Em)Body Doctor & Nigerian Healer Dr. Udim Isang, DPT, EdD, Mbia Idiong, is an award-winning educator, physical therapist, and activist specializing in indigenous healing practices, implicit bias in healthcare, and integrative wellness through movement and mindfulness. In rehabilitation, especially working with patients recovering from neurological injuries, one of our most effective tools is approximation, also referred to as joint compression or light compressive input through a joint. This involves applying gentle force through joints in ways that stimulate proprioceptive receptors, engage reflex arcs, and send meaningful information to the nervous system. Below, I explore how approximation works, why rhythm and controlled impact matter, and what emerging research suggests about its effects What is approximation or joint compression in PT Definition: Approximation involves compressive force applied through a joint (e.g., shoulder, wrist, hip, knee), either passively or with weight bearing, to provide proprioceptive input. This stimulates joint receptors, Golgi tendon organs, perhaps muscle spindles, and encourages co-contraction of muscles around the joint, helping with stability and awareness of limb or joint position. Historical and clinical roots: The Rood approach (Margaret Rood) describes joint approximation as light joint compression as a method for facilitating or inhibiting muscle tone depending on need. In hypertonic muscles, it can serve, under certain conditions, to suppress tone by providing proprioceptive input.[1] What neuroscience or research shows: Mechanisms and evidence H-reflex studies: There are studies that compare the effects of joint traction vs. approximation on the H-reflex in normal subjects. The H-reflex is a measure of spinal reflex excitability. These studies show that approximation has measurable effects on such reflex pathways, not just feelings, but also the modulation of reflex circuits.[2] Sensorimotor function in chronic neurological injury: A 2022 study assessed passive somatosensory stimulation in the form of compressive therapy applied to the more affected upper extremity in chronic neurological injury. They found improved sensorimotor function following the intervention. This gives direct support to the idea that compression or approximation is not just ancillary. It can improve motor control when sensory pathways are involved.[3] Rhythm, repetition, and context: Why they matter Repetition is a core principle in many neurorehabilitation approaches. Whether with approximation, weight bearing, or active movement, repeated sensory input helps the nervous system re-map itself, strengthen pathways, and refine control. In the Rood approach, it is explicitly stated that practice and repetition are essential for motor learning and tone normalization.[1] Speed or duration effects: The nature of the compressive input (fast, brief pulses vs. slow, prolonged pressure) can produce different effects (facilitation vs. inhibition) depending on muscle tone, spasticity, or hypotonicity. While more research is needed, clinical observation supports this. For example, Rood’s methods of facilitating vs. inhibitory stimuli depending on speed and repetition.[1] Implications for controlled impact or sensory-informed embodied practices Drawing from physical therapy, here are some takeaways for how controlled impact, or sensory stimulation via impact, might operate in practices outside strictly medical rehab: Sensory feedback is key: Controlled impact delivers input not unlike joint compression, mechanical deformation, vibration, and pressure, which the nervous system interprets. This can help with proprioception, interoception, or reestablishing the mapping of where the body is. Safety and context are non-negotiable: The nervous system must interpret input as non-threatening. Safe setting, consent, expectation, and trust all modulate whether the input is processed as soothing, arousing, or threatening. Rhythm and predictability help modulate response: Just as in PT, we use rhythmic, repeated approximations, having consistent rhythm and pacing in sensory-input practices helps the nervous system adapt rather than being startled or overloaded. Individual differences matter: The same stimuli can produce very different outcomes depending on where someone is in recovery, their sensory tolerance, and their nervous system’s baseline. What is facilitative for one may be overwhelming for another. Conclusion Bridging these worlds, therapy, sensory regulation, and embodied or somatic practice point toward a shared truth, the body and nervous system are responsive to input. Controlled impact, when done with intention, knowledge, and safety, is not simply pleasure or pain. It is a way of communicating with the nervous system, of helping it re-orient, re-integrate, and heal. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Dr. Udim Isang Dr. Udim Isang, The (Em)Body Doctor & Nigerian Healer Dr. Udim Isang, DPT, EdD, Mbia Idiong, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Executive Leadership Educator passionate about indigenous healing, mindfulness, and movement therapy. As a queer, trans, immigrant, and neuro-distinct individual, they/they/it/we advocate for bridging healthcare equity and inclusive wellness practices. Learn more about their transformative work integrating mind, body, and spirit at the intersections of identity and healing. References: [1] Rood MS. Neurophysiological Reactions as a Basis for Physical Therapy; and related work on the Rood Approach. (via Physiopedia) Physiopedia [2] Effect of Joint Traction and Approximation on H-Reflex in Normal Subjects. ResearchGate [3] Alwhaibi RM, et al. Effect of compressive therapy on sensorimotor function of the more affected upper extremity in chronic neurological injury (2022). [PMC article] PMC

Written by Terri-Lynn Langdon, Social Worker & Health Equity Researcher Terri-Lynn Langdon is a well-known therapist in the areas of mental health, youth issues, violence against women, maternal health, disability, and social justice. Her trauma-informed skills, mindful ways of working, and empowering others to create the best health possible while living in authenticity are strengths in her practice. Compassion means to witness and suffer with your own suffering and the suffering of others. As a student of compassionate inquiry which is a psychotherapeutic approach to healing that was created by Dr. Gabor Mate and curated into structured courses with the work of Sat Dharam Kaur, ND, I feel compelled to write about the five levels of compassion as they are taught by Dr. Mate but also to share how these concepts are vibrating in me and how I feel these concepts can be used in your own healing and the healing of others (especially if you’re disabled). Dr. Mate says that there are 5 levels of compassion: Ordinary compassion: This is the basic premise that when someone else is suffering, we also suffer, and we feel bad for the person who is suffering. Compassion of curiosity: This is when we are curious about someone else’s suffering and their personal experience with it. A great example of this is that the characteristic of curiosity brings with it less judgment. For example, when we see an unhoused person, the curious mind makes fewer assumptions about that circumstance. It is not assumed that the person is unhoused because of “a drinking problem,” “a mental health problem,” or a “difficult personality.” Instead, we are able to ask salient questions, such as “Tell me about your pain.” “What happened?” or “What barriers are you experiencing to housing?” But really, it could be any number of questions. The compassion of recognition: This is when we recognize ourselves in someone else’s suffering. I recognize myself in many other people’s suffering. I often think that this could be me, or that this was me, or that I could be in their shoes in the near future. Many folks are more alike than different. It is this recognition in human habits, needs, and nervous system responses that make up some of the experiences of the compassion of recognition. The compassion of truth: This is a call to truth-telling. It can often be painful to discover and uncover the truth about one’s pain and pain in life. It is also true that it is not compassionate to protect someone from their pain. To be human is to suffer grief and loss (something that I know all too well!), to be human is to sometimes experience the body-mind as painful, and these examples barely scratch the surface. Attempts to shield anyone from the depths of this altogether can cause harm. The compassion of truth acknowledges that sometimes the truth hurts, but your pain will be nurtured and hopefully lessened through acknowledgement and moving with it. The compassion of possibility: This is when we see others, not for their defenses or their dysfunction in difficult times or seasons, but we can also see the possibility in people for change. We can see their capacity for positive future outcomes, for growth and connection, and for new selves to expand and change for the better. My understanding of the compassion of possibility is that it is not about suffering with but rather moving through suffering to imagine a beautiful outcome in the near future for that person or group. In my view, the compassion of possibility has rich implications and meanings for many at the margins. It’s fascinating for me to think through the compassion of possibility for the disability communities. Let me explain. When I was a little girl growing up between Scarborough, Toronto, and Newfoundland (and some places in between!) It was quickly determined that my education would be at a segregated school for disabled children, and I was not given the option at the time to finish high school. I was told that I would instead be given a certificate of education. Unfortunately, the rationale was, “ How else would I get access to medical treatments and supports consistently if I went to an integrated school? ” What is scary about this is that the control of disabled children’s bodies had a plethora of administrative support vis-à-vis funding, and the majority of it, it seemed, was dedicated to my exclusion rather than my inclusion. The world, my world, with its policies, programs, perceived liabilities, and beliefs, had formed the vision of what could be possible for my life. In terms of employment, I got a lot of comments on how I could work in a mail room or about how I could learn limited administrative tasks to earn money. I was told time and time again that becoming a mom was not possible. None of what was written about my perceived capacities as an adult actually happened. In every way, I am grateful for all of the things that did not happen! I think that’s in fact because other people’s perceptions, fuelled by ableism, were not meant to be. I think that is because I clung to the few people who saw my possibilities every time. I learned to do this as a child. It was part of how I survived. With both of my young children, I inseminated. Experiencing that process meant that I really had to cultivate self-compassion, self-truth, self-love, and self-nurturing in ways that I did not previously learn. There is so much learning to do. I sometimes wonder what is possible if we see someone we perceive to be disabled and we don’t assume that they’re suffering right away, and instead we ask about how they’re experiencing their day. How about we don’t say, “I can’t imagine being in a wheelchair,” and instead we think about the future as disabled, we see love in disability, as in, disabled people are love, and we see disabled joy and disabled becoming. I will say it again, disabled people are loved. If becoming disabled is not seen as possible, then disabled leadership, professional development, and futures are suppressed. In research terms, this suppression and its outcomes are happening in Canada and in many, many other places to the detriment of everyone and on the backs of disabled people. It is crucial to share that it is not happening because I’m a wheelchair user. It’s happening in part because the compassion of possibility, in disability, is often not called forward. It’s happening because of ableism that says that disabled life is no life at all. We rarely ask disabled folks in our lives to grow. This is a mistake that can be made when we equate disability with shrinking and being less than. It is happening in part because very damaging policies do not support disabled lives, let alone disabled progress and disabled parents’ children, which is still highly stigmatized! I see the support that my perspective brings, and I am privileged to do it. I see others very clearly much of the time. I am so excited to work in the field of compassionate inquiry and to support communities at the margins with this approach. The compassion of recognition, the compassion of truth, and the compassion of possibility are critical therapy topics worthy of curiosity and exploration. They are crucial concepts in community activism and community care as well. If I see every community as worthy of the same life chances that the most privileged of communities have access to, literally, so many radical, loving shifts would happen towards living and being and being known. When I think about that as a possibility, I feel so much peace in that place. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , X , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Terri-Lynn Langdon Terri-Lynn Langdon, Social Worker & Health Equity Researcher Terri-Lynn Langdon is a feminist, disability studies, and health equity scholar in Social Justice Education at The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. She is a candidate in the Collaborative Specialization in Women's Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and a research fellow with the School of Cities at the University of Toronto. She has over 14 years of experience in the social work field. Terri-Lynn is passionate about helping people to achieve the best possible health and a meaning-making life. She is the mother of 2 young children.

Written by Marietta Kulcsar, Clinical Hypnotherapist | Energy Healer Marietta Kulcsar is a multidimensional healer, clinical hypnotherapist, and founder of Right Path Hypnotherapy. She blends science, spirit, and soul to guide clients through deep transformation, realignment, and awakening to their divine path. As our modern world faces environmental, emotional, and spiritual disconnection, many are feeling called to rediscover ancient wisdom that once held humanity in harmony with nature. Lemuria, a pre-Atlantean civilization often spoken of in spiritual circles, offers more than myth, it offers a blueprint for healing. With their deep knowledge of water, crystals, consciousness, and the Earth, the Lemurians lived in balance with themselves and the natural world. Today, many people are reconnecting with this lost lineage, not just to remember, but to restore. This article explores how you can tap into Lemurian energy to awaken healing, deepen intuition, and align with your soul's purpose. Let’s begin by understanding who the Lemurians were and why their wisdom matters now more than ever. Who were the Lemurians? Lemuria is more than myth, it is a vibrational memory carried by many healers, sensitives, and starseeds alive today. The Lemurians are said to have been a peaceful, heart-centered civilisation that predated Atlantis. Deeply spiritual and connected to nature, they lived in harmony with water, crystals, the Earth, and each other. They communicated through telepathy and energetic resonance, and held sacred knowledge of light, sound, DNA healing, and multidimensional reality. Many believe that those who feel drawn to Lemuria today are part of the Lemurian soul lineage, here to help raise the Earth’s vibration and anchor in love, remembrance, and healing. Conclusion As we collectively awaken to a deeper need for healing, both personal and planetary, the ancient energy of Lemuria offers a path back to balance. Through crystals, water consciousness, and alignment with Earth’s rhythms, we can remember our innate power, reclaim our soul gifts, and help usher in a more heart-centered world. The Lemurian legacy is alive within us, and now is the time to activate it. Where did the Lemurians live? Legends place Lemuria in the Pacific or Indian Ocean, possibly stretching across what we now know as Hawaii, Polynesia, India, and Australia. Though the physical land is believed to have been lost in a great cataclysm, many feel the energy of Lemuria lives on in sacred Earth portals. Some of these locations include: Mount Shasta (California) is said to be home to the underground city of Telos, a Lemurian haven of light. Hawaii, where fire and water meet, holding deep lemurian and pleiadian codes. Lake Titicaca, Bali, and sacred lakes and rivers across the world. And then, for me, there is Canada, specifically, the lakes of the Canadian Rockies. Without fully understanding why, I have always been drawn to water and nature, and through quantum journeys, I have discovered a heart-connection to a lake in this region. It is where my quantum healing journeys begin, floating peacefully on water, surrounded by trees and stillness. Only recently did I realize this mirrors a real place, and perhaps, a Lemurian remembrance. My connection to water and Lemuria Water has always been my element. As a multidimensional healer, keyholder, and clinical hypnotherapist, I find myself most attuned when near water, oceans, lakes, and rivers. It is not just a preference, it is a soul-calling. Though I have not fully stepped into Lemurian water rituals yet, I feel the invitation rising. The stillness, the purity, the memory that lives within water, mirrors the Lemurian way of being. I see now that my desire to visit Hawaii, Bali, and Los Angeles is part of this reconnection to Lemurian water portals and energy grids. I plan to begin exploring water rituals soon, allowing crystals, nature, and intention to merge. I imagine creating sacred bowls of water with flowers and herbs, infusing them with light and prayer, and allowing the Lemurian frequency to rise through sound, touch, and presence. Lemurian crystals: Tools for awakening and healing Among the most powerful gifts from Lemuria are the Lemurian Seed Crystals, ancient quartz crystals believed to hold encoded knowledge from the Lemurian age. What are Lemurian crystals? Lemurian crystals are usually found in Brazil, Colombia, and occasionally the Himalayas. Their defining feature is the horizontal striations, or barcode-like lines, etched along one or more sides. These are thought to be records or messages, vibrational information stored within the crystal. Energy and properties: High-frequency vibration Carries Lemurian light codes and ancient Earth wisdom Promotes heart activation, emotional healing, and spiritual awakening Supports DNA healing, past-life recall, and interdimensional access These crystals do not just transmit energy, they communicate. Many who hold them report a deep, familiar connection, as though the crystal is a teacher or a friend. How do I use Lemurian crystals in my healing work? In my healing practice, Lemurian crystals are essential allies. I use them intuitively in sessions where I am working with: Soul retrieval and past-life regression DNA clearing and activation Akashic memory and multidimensional healing Quantum hypnotherapy journeys Here is how I incorporate them: In sessions: I place the crystal on the client’s heart, third eye, or solar plexus, depending on what is being activated or released. The crystals often guide the session energetically, helping unlock forgotten codes and soul memories. When combined with hypnosis or quantum healing, they act as bridges between timelines and lifetimes. In meditation: I run my fingers along the striations, which feels like unlocking light packets of information. I hold them during downloads or transmissions, often receiving visions, phrases, or energetic sensations. Soon, in water rituals: I intend to begin placing Lemurian crystals in sacred water bowls, speaking intentions, and allowing them to infuse the water with healing energy, a practice I know is waiting for me. How to cleanse Lemurian crystals? Because they carry such high vibration and memory, cleansing them is about clearing energy, not removing dirt. Best methods: Moonlight, full moons are perfect for charging and cleansing. Sound, use a singing bowl, tuning fork, or even your voice. Selenite, a powerful cleansing crystal, you can place them near Sacred smoke, smudge with sage, palo santo, or local plant allies. Avoid salt water or harsh physical methods, especially for fragile pieces. Where to find authentic Lemurian crystals? Look for crystals from trusted metaphysical shops that source from Brazil or Colombia. Let your intuition guide you. The right Lemurian crystal will call to you, and you may feel a sensation in your hand or heart when it does. 5-minute Lemurian water blessing ritual This simple ritual invites you to connect deeply with the healing energies of Lemuria through water, intention, and presence. What you will need: A small bowl or glass of clean water Optional, a Lemurian crystal or any clear quartz crystal A quiet, comfortable space Steps: Set your space: Find a peaceful place where you will not be disturbed. Hold your bowl of water in your hands and take three deep, grounding breaths. Call in Lemurian energy: Close your eyes and silently or aloud invite the loving, heart-centered energy of Lemuria to join your ritual. Imagine this energy as a gentle light flowing through the water. Infuse your intention: Place your hands around the bowl and focus on a healing intention. It could be peace, clarity, emotional balance, or awakening. Visualize this intention as a warm light entering the water. Speak or sing to the water: Gently speak a blessing or affirmation to the water. For example: “I bless this water with Lemurian love and light. May it heal, awaken, and align my highest self.”If you feel inspired, softly sing or hum a tone that resonates with you. Drink mindfully: Slowly sip the water, feeling its energy flow through you. Imagine it cleansing your cells, opening your heart, and reconnecting you to the ancient wisdom of Lemuria. Close the ritual: Thank the Lemurian energies and your crystal, if used. Take a final deep breath and carry the peace and connection with you throughout your day. You are the remembrance Lemuria is not a myth to me. It is a frequency I carry, and a sacred memory I am slowly reclaiming, through healing, through crystals, through water, and through presence. If you are drawn to water, crystals, and nature, if your healing work feels ancient, intuitive, and multidimensional, then you may carry the Lemurian codes. And as we remember, we reactivate this wisdom, not only for ourselves, but for the collective. If Lemuria whispers to your soul, allow yourself to listen, your remembrance may be the healing this world is waiting for. Click here  to book a 1:1 healing session with me and explore your own Lemurian soul connection. Join the community, experience energy activation, and begin your transformation today. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Marietta Kulcsar Marietta Kulcsar, Clinical Hypnotherapist | Energy Healer Marietta Kulcsar is a multidimensional healer, clinical hypnotherapist, and founder of Right Path Hypnotherapy. With a unique ability to work beyond the seen and known, she blends therapeutic practice with spiritual intelligence to guide clients through deep healing and energetic realignment. Her work serves those navigating awakening, transformation, or soul-level shifts. Known for her quiet power and unwavering devotion, Marietta operates behind the scenes, clearing timelines, activating purpose, and helping others return to their true path. Her mission is to raise the frequency of healing worldwide by weaving science, spirit, and soul truth into one clear, powerful path forward.