In this solo episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I open up about my relationship with alcohol, emotional escape, and the realization that I spent much of my adult life connecting substances with joy, freedom, and relief from stress.

I reflect on growing up feeling emotionally isolated, discovering drinking as a teenager, and how survival mode quietly became my normal. As my daughter faced her own mental health struggles, I was forced to look inward and question the habits and coping mechanisms I had normalized in my own life.

This episode is about identity shifts, healing, learning to find joy in everyday moments, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself. I share how slowing down, connecting with nature, and becoming more intentional helped me stop numbing and start truly living.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The connection between alcohol, emotional coping mechanisms, and unresolved trauma

• How childhood conditioning and survival mode can shape adult behaviours and mental health

• Why many people use substances, distractions, or addictions to numb stress and emotional pain

• Practical mindset shifts for healing, self-awareness, identity transformation, and finding authentic joy

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: alcohol and mental health, emotional healing journey, trauma and addiction, survival mode, identity shift, self-awareness, emotional coping mechanisms, healing childhood trauma, finding joy without alcohol, substance use and trauma, personal growth podcast, mental health awareness, emotional resilience, self-reflection, healing through mindfulness, parenting and addiction, overcoming emotional numbness, nervous system healing, authentic joy, turning the lens inward, emotional intelligence, breaking unhealthy patterns, mental health recovery, healing from trauma, thriving after survival mode

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⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together.

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RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/heyitslisataylor/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/

Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/

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CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro

01:30 – Alcohol & Escaping

05:07 – Childhood Conditioning

07:21 – My First Drink

09:43 – University & Drinking

12:04 – Parenting Through Addiction

13:49 – Trauma & Escapism

16:06 – Finding Joy Naturally

17:50 – Earning Joy

20:12 – Identity Shifts

23:45 – Numbing vs Healing

25:41 – Turning the Lens Inward

26:31 – The Intersection Point

28:27 – Final Thoughts

In this episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I sit down with Claudine Pereira, also known as The Pink Coach, a leadership coach, bestselling author, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in financial services and leadership development.

Together, we have an honest and emotional conversation about what it’s like to support a child through a serious mental health crisis.

Claudine shares her daughter Courtney’s journey with anxiety, bipolar disorder, mania, psychosis, hospitalization, and ultimately, recovery. Together, we talk about the fear, guilt, stigma, and helplessness that can come with navigating the mental health system as parents, especially when your child is an adult and you feel shut out of the process.

We also discuss the importance of proper diagnosis, the dangers of misdiagnosis, the role organizations like CAMH played in their healing journey, and why parents need support too. This conversation is deeply personal, but above all, it is hopeful. It’s a reminder that healing is possible, that families can come through the other side, and that no parent should have to carry this weight alone.

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Episode Highlights: mental health crisis, parenting a child with mental illness, bipolar disorder, young adult mental health, mania and psychosis, CAMH mental health support, mental health stigma, single motherhood, family support, mental health recovery, parenting through crisis, caregiver burnout, emotional resilience, tough love, turning the lens inward

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⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together.

_________________________________

Resources & Links Mentioned

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/heyitslisataylor/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/

Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/

Sash Bear | https://sashbear.akaraisin.com/ui/SW2026/p/4b3627b67cf84f0fa157f41826196dcd

Claudine’s Website | www.claudinepereira.com | www.thepinkcoach.com

Claudine’s Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepinkcoach/

Claudine’s LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudinepereira/

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:15 Early Signs of Anxiety

05:00 Misdiagnosis & Medication

07:30 Hospitalization Decisions

09:00 CAMH & Recovery

11:00 Bipolar Disorder Explained

13:30 Support Systems Matter

16:00 Mental Health Stigma

20:30 A Parent’s Experience

23:30 Caregiver Burnout

25:30 Tough Love & Boundaries

27:30 Faith Through Hardship

30:00 Navigating the System

34:00 Mental Health Resources

37:00 Surviving as a Parent

40:00 Adult Children & Consent

43:00 Life After Crisis

45:00 Lessons Learned

47:00 Final Advice

In this episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I share a time in my life when everything felt overwhelming—financial stress, supporting my daughter through her mental health struggles, and trying to carry it all on my own. The pressure became so intense that it affected my body, leaving me in a constant state of anxiety where I could barely breathe.

I open up about the moment things began to shift and how reaching out, exploring healing practices, and reconnecting with nature and community helped me start moving forward. If you’re in a heavy season, this is a reminder that you don’t have to do it alone—and that healing can begin with one small step.

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Episode Highlights: anxiety symptoms, nervous system regulation, healing trauma, emotional stress, mental health struggles, breathwork healing, fight or flight response, stress and body connection, overcoming anxiety, personal healing journey, grounding techniques, community healing, self awareness, mindset shift, inner dialogue, limiting beliefs, manifestation mindset, stress relief tools, healing practices, emotional regulation, somatic healing, energy healing, support systems, personal growth journey, mental resilience

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⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together.

_________________________________

Resources & Links Mentioned

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lisa_taylor_ellet/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/

Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/

Sash Bear | https://sashbear.akaraisin.com/ui/SW2026/p/4b3627b67cf84f0fa157f41826196dcd

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Chapters

00:00 When Life Feels Overwhelming

02:00 Living in Constant Anxiety

04:30 The Breaking Point

06:30 Seeking Help & Trying Something New

09:00 A Powerful Emotional Release

11:00 Why You Can’t Do This Alone

13:00 The Role of Community in Healing

15:00 Grounding & Nature as Medicine

17:00 Changing Your Inner Dialogue

19:00 Beliefs That Keep You Stuck

21:30 How to Start Your Healing Journey