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In this opening episode, for 2026 Dr Nat Green invites you to pause — before pushing forward — and reflect on who you are now, after everything you’ve lived through.

As we close the Year of the Snake and step into the momentum of the Year of the Fire Horse, this episode explores what it really means to stand tall after trauma, adversity, or major life disruption — without shrinking, forcing, or abandoning yourself.

This conversation goes beyond “getting back to who you used to be” and into the deeper work of identity, integrity, and nervous system integration — the often-missing pieces in post-traumatic growth.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why you don’t go back to who you were after trauma — and why that’s not a problem
• What identity wounds are and how they form through survival and adaptation
• The often-overlooked impact of integrity wounds — when staying safe meant overriding yourself
• A powerful real-life case example showing how early experiences shape what feels safe, possible, and allowed
• How the nervous system remembers moments when it wasn’t safe to be seen, heard, or fully yourself
• Why insight alone doesn’t always lead to change — and why the body must be included
• How old “agreements” formed in childhood or adversity can quietly limit visibility and growth
• Gentle, practical strategies to begin restoring identity, integrity, and nervous system safety

This episode is for you if:

• You’ve done a lot of healing but still feel held back or misaligned
• You feel ready for growth but notice your body pulling you back when you become more visible
• You struggle with the idea of “going back to who you were”
• You want to understand why standing tall can feel unsafe — even when you’re capable and confident
• You’re ready to move forward in a way that honours your nervous system, not overrides it

A powerful reframe explored in this episode:

You are not stuck in the past —
you may be organised around it.

And growth doesn’t always require pushing harder.
Sometimes it asks us to gently update agreements that no longer fit the life we’re living now.

As we begin 2026 together, I’ll leave you with this reflection:

Who am I now — really — and what is ready to move forward with me this year?

This episode sets the foundation for a new season of Growing Tall Poppies, featuring solo episodes and guest conversations exploring identity after trauma, archetypes, nervous system wisdom, visibility, and standing tall without apology.

If this episode resonated, be sure to subscribe, follow and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

You don’t need to rush.
AND you don’t need to hide anymore. 🌾

If this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen

Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.