When we hear the word trainer, most of us think of gyms, yoga studios, or someone cheering us on to “do one more rep.” Trainers help us get stronger, fitter, and more resilient.
But here’s something I’ve learned through years of working with trauma survivors: mental and emotional healing also needs a trainer.
And that’s where I come in — as a personal wellness trainer for trauma.
The Fairy Tale and Trauma Healing
To explain this, I often turn to one of my favourite therapeutic stories — The Fairy Tale by Ricky Greenwald, Psy.D. (2021).
In the story, a princess wanted to become queen. But the kingdom was in distress — their treasure was lost, and a great challenge loomed. When the princess first faced it, she froze.
“Well, I don’t think so… This challenge is huge, looks really strong, it’s covered with scales, it breathes fire… Bad idea; let’s just forget the whole thing!”
Isn’t that exactly how trauma feels at the beginning? Overwhelming. Too big. Too scary. The natural response is to avoid it and hope it goes away.
Training Before the Challenge
But in the story, the princess didn’t have to face it immediately. Instead, the people gave her a personal trainer.
Day after day, the trainer worked with her: running laps, doing push-ups, lifting weights, practicing movements until she grew stronger, faster, and more confident. Eventually, she was prepared — not just to face the challenge, but to transform it.
That’s what trauma healing looks like too.
We don’t dive straight into the hardest memories. Instead, we approach them in a structured way — gently, step by step. It’s like walking along a wall and carefully opening the doors behind it.
And what’s behind those walls? Not just memories, but often images, thoughts, feelings, somatic sensations, and beliefs that were too overwhelming to process at the time. With guidance, you can safely reveal these hidden experiences, work through them, and release their hold on your present life.
What Mental Training Looks Like
Healing from trauma follows the same structure as physical training:
- Creating safety – Like the fenced clearing in the story, we first build a secure space where you can heal without being overwhelmed.
- Starting small – Gentle grounding and regulation practices act as your warm-ups.
- Building consistency – Just like adding reps in the gym, each structured step helps you grow stronger.
- Opening hidden doors – Behind your protective walls may be memories, images, thoughts, feelings, somatic sensations, and beliefs. Together, we approach these layer by layer, never rushing, always at a pace you can handle.
- Transformation – Over time, the once-overwhelming material loses its grip. You begin to feel lighter, freer, and more resilient.
How I Am the Trainer for Trauma Survivors
In The Fairy Tale, the princess didn’t train alone. She had a trainer who guided her, believed in her, and reminded her of her strength.
That’s the role I play with trauma survivors. I am a personal wellness trainer for your inner world.
Here’s what that means:
- I help you set clear healing goals — your version of reclaiming the crown.
- I guide you through structured trauma-focused practices that reveal and process what’s hidden behind your inner walls.
- I remind you that setbacks are not failure — they’re part of growth.
- I provide safe structure so you don’t have to face everything at once.
- I help you plant new “apple trees” — healthier patterns, habits, and relationships — so the past no longer dictates your present.
Just like a physical trainer can’t lift the weights for you, I can’t do the healing for you. But I can walk beside you, encourage you, and make sure you’re ready when it’s time to face what has been holding you back.
The Takeaway
Healing trauma isn’t about being fearless from the start. It’s about becoming strong enough, little by little, until fear no longer controls you.
And when you finally face those hidden parts of yourself — the memories, images, feelings, body sensations, and beliefs that once felt unbearable — you don’t just “get through” them. You come out transformed, walking taller, freer, and more resilient than before.
That’s why I proudly say:
👉 I am a personal wellness trainer for trauma, helping you safely reveal what’s hidden behind the walls and move toward healing.
