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Struggle with anxiety? Try flying trapeze. That’s the secret ingredient in author, clinical social worker and media commentator Stephanie Erickson’s journey to a happy and healthy life. In this episode of Desperately Seeking Self, Stephanie talks with host Brooke Collins about her struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Stephanie used therapy and years of training in flying trapeze to learn how to persevere through panic and depression, trust herself, and accept the love and support of others.
Stephanie’s struggle with mental health began when she was an infant - and only got worse after she was sexually abused. As a young adult, Stephanie graduated from a master’s program with a 3.9 GPA, but she couldn’t make it through the day without marijuana. She reminds Brooke that: “You can be functioning really well and still not be functioning.” Stephanie knew at that point that she needed to change her story - and her coping mechanisms.
Flying trapeze offered Stephanie a way to practice persevering through fear. She is deathly afraid of heights, and started crying when she first climbed up the 18 foot tall platform. But despite that debilitating fear, the power she felt after each class inspired her to keep going. She quickly realized that trapeze was emblematic of her journey through anxiety and trauma - she had to trust her body, trust her team, and breathe through her fear each time she took a leap.
Follow along with Stephanie and Brooke as they discuss boundaries, trust of self and others, journeys of self-discovery, and how to accept who and where you are at any age.
Quotes:
Links:
www.stephanieerickson.ca
https://stephanieerickson.ca/book/
Join the community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/816711545453157/
IG: @innovativecoachbrooke
FB: Innovative Coach Brooke
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