What if the key to your healing journey was hidden in a mindset you’ve been avoiding—one that actually welcomes emotions instead of suppressing them?

In a world that often praises toughness and emotional restraint, many trauma and injury survivors feel isolated trying to “stay strong.” This episode challenges that narrative by introducing a fresh, emotionally intelligent take on Stoicism—one that might be exactly what your recovery needs right now.

Featuring guest Becky Schmooke, author of 'Choose the Handle That Holds,' the discussion delves into the stoic philosophy, how it embraces all emotions, and the concept of 'amor fati' — loving one's fate. Becky introduces her practical framework, STOA, for achieving success and resilience, which she uses even with NFL teams. The episode highlights the importance of practical tools in personal growth and recovery, offering insights into integrating stoic principles in everyday life.

00:00 Introduction to Whole Again

00:53 Meet Becky Schmooke

04:42 The Stoic Philosophy

08:12 Becky's Journey to Stoicism

14:53 Practical Applications of Stoicism

19:32 Embracing Latin and Stoicism

20:30 Understanding Amor Fati

22:01 Personal Recovery and Acceptance

24:16 The Power of Amor Fati in Daily Life

26:14 Introducing the STOA Framework

29:40 Practical Applications of STOA

31:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Discover more about Becky and her book: Choose The Handle That Holds.

Take a deep breath and begin to reclaim your strength starts with embracing every part of your story—and learning the mindset shift that could transform your recovery.

If this episode sparked something within you, please download it and share it with a friend.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or lacquer, highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. It embodies the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and teaches that breakage and repair are part of an object’s history, making it more valuable rather than less. Metaphorically, Kintsugi reminds us that our challenges, scars, and setbacks are not something to be ashamed of but can be embraced as a source of strength and transformation.

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If you feel you need more mental health support, please contact NAMI. This is a good place to start. If you have a question or comment, please reach out to Michael@PauseBreatheReflect.com.

With Whole Again: A Fresh...