Keywords Thriving, trauma healing, grief, PTSD, addiction recovery, psychosis, EMDR, nervous system, voice healing, creativity, music, resilience, somatic healing, community, self-worth Summary In this deeply moving episode, Helen sits down with Ziggy Phoenix—singer, songwriter, and self-described “Creatrix”—to trace a life shaped by early loss, trauma, and profound turning points… and the fierce, tender rebirth that followed. Ziggy shares her experience of losing her mother aged 2 and being raised by extraordinary grandparents, alongside the loneliness and bullying that came with feeling “different.” From a turbulent adolescence and time in psychiatric care, to running away and finding belonging in counterculture community, Ziggy speaks with brave honesty about how pain can shape the nervous system—and the choices we make just to survive. We explore how trauma can live in the body, the long road of trying to feel safe again, and the moment Ziggy found genuine, life-changing support through therapy—especially EMDR. She describes what it meant to reprocess core memories, reclaim her inner child, and finally loosen the grip of a lifetime of stored grief. Ziggy also shares the immense pressure of working in the film industry, the frightening experience of losing vision in one eye through extreme stress, and the moment she chose a different path—one that led her back to music, back to her voice, and into a sold-out show where she stood on the very stage she once ran off in tears. We close with the rising of “Creatrix”—Ziggy’s mission to champion women in rock, create safer, more inclusive spaces, and help other women bring their creativity into form. This one is raw, powerful, and full of heart. Takeaways Healing isn’t linear—and it often comes in layers. If one modality doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean you’re “too broken.” It means you haven’t found the right support yet.Trauma isn’t just in the mind; it’s somatic. The body remembers, and healing often requires nervous system safety, not just insight.Grief needs space. Letting yourself cry is not weakness—it can be regulation, release, and repair.EMDR can be profoundly transformative for trauma, helping to reprocess memories and soften the intensity held in the body.Your voice matters—literally and metaphorically. Reclaiming it can be a huge part of reclaiming your life.Community changes everything. Safe people, compassionate support, and true belonging can be the bridge from surviving to thriving.“Creatrix” energy is about becoming the feminine creator of your own life—bringing what’s inside you into reality, even after everything you’ve endured.Resources Dark Nights Of The Soul: A guide to finding your way through life's ordeals by Thomas Moore Silence - book by Thich Nhat Hanh The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Kolk, Bessel van der No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz Eleanor Wellspring Pool – Counselling Sandra Kelly - Rebirthing Breathwork (Leonard Orr) +353879647949 WhatsApp Jax Allen - Compassionate Enquiry and Counselling https://www.shamanictherapies.com Hannah Mae Dawson – Shadow work Ruth Wallace EMDR Jade Williams Singer Connect with Ziggy Ziggy Phoenix band page - ziggyphoenixofficial FB: Band site IG: (6) Instagram Ziggy_phoenix Linktree for gigs, music, merch etc Connect with Helen Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk IG: helens_inspired_healing LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn WhatsApp: +447971798462 For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions 🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios 🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
