In this raw and vulnerable episode of The Thoughtful Advocate, host Elizabeth Teo shares her deeply personal story of how growing up in an abusive household created trauma-based perfectionism that followed her into adulthood.

Elizabeth opens up about the harsh realities of her Chinese immigrant household where perfection wasn't just expected, it was demanded for survival. From being hit with chopsticks for wrong math answers to witnessing traumatic family violence, she reveals how these experiences shaped her into a hyper-vigilant perfectionist who became valedictorian but still felt empty inside.

This isn't your typical productivity-focused perfectionism discussion. This is about the kind of perfectionism that comes from trauma, when being "perfect" feels like the only way to stay safe.

You'll learn:

• How childhood trauma creates perfectionist survival strategies
• Why Asian kids are statistically more prone to perfectionism
• The connection between perfectionism, shame, and emotional suppression
• How academic success can mask deep emotional wounds
• Practical steps to heal from trauma-based perfectionism
• Why vulnerability and imperfection are actually signs of strength

If you've ever felt like you had to hide parts of yourself to feel accepted or safe, this episode will help you understand that you're not alone, you're not broken, and your perfectionism made sense as a survival strategy.

Perfect for listeners interested in trauma healing, perfectionism recovery, Asian family dynamics, mental health, and personal growth.

In this raw and vulnerable episode, Elizabeth shares her deeply personal journey of cutting contact with her abusive father and the profound impact of childhood trauma on adult relationships. As someone who grew up as a people-pleaser in an immigrant household, she explores the painful but necessary process of choosing your own healing over family expectations.

Elizabeth opens up about the decision to not invite her father to her wedding, the lasting effects of verbal abuse, and how childhood trauma shapes our internal narrative. She discusses the science behind early childhood development and how repeated negative messages become internalized as core beliefs.

This episode dives deep into:

• The courage it takes to go no-contact with toxic family members
• How trauma follows us even after leaving abusive environments
• The difference between physical safety and mental safety
• Learning to set boundaries as an adult when you never had them as a child
• Dealing with family pressure and guilt when enforcing boundaries
• The ripple effects of changing family dynamics
• Choosing peace over people-pleasing

If you've ever felt torn between your own healing and family obligations, struggled with setting boundaries, or are working through childhood trauma, this episode offers hope, validation, and practical insights for your journey.

In this deeply personal episode of The Thoughtful Advocate, host Elizabeth Teo shares the raw and emotional story of the summer she almost didn’t survive. For the first time, she opens up on camera about her struggle with depression, emotional suppression growing up in a Chinese immigrant household, and her experience with suicidal ideation in the summer after high school.

Elizabeth candidly discusses the cultural stigma around mental health in Asian communities, the pressure to be emotionally silent, and the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma. She also highlights her second chance at life, the brave decision her mother made to leave a toxic marriage, and how asking for help began her healing journey.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive topics including suicide, depression, and family trauma. If you're not in a space to hear this right now, please take care of yourself and return when you're ready. You’re not alone.

🎧 Topics covered:

• Emotional repression in Asian households

• Surviving suicidal thoughts and depression

• First-generation immigrant family dynamics

• The moment everything came crashing down

• Healing through storytelling, community, and therapy

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