{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67d1aedd198b6cba390edd09/6acfd6d1d3bfab176ed535b2?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Ep 85 Simona’s Story: The Courage to Change Everything","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67d1aedd198b6cba390edd09/1792005575340-3ff30274-98fb-44db-8a97-e5e6f6d59cdb.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><strong>Keywords</strong></p><p>surviving to thriving, freedom, courage, authenticity, spirituality, faith, resilience, community, purpose, self-discovery, trusting the universe</p><p><strong>Summary</strong></p><p>What would you do if everything looked perfect on the outside — a good career, money, status, relationships — but inside you were falling apart?</p><p>Simona’s extraordinary story takes us from Romania to Canada, Japan, Nepal, the Indian Himalayas and Turkey as she repeatedly walks away from the life she is “supposed” to want in search of something deeper: freedom, meaning and herself.</p><p>Along the way she faces poverty, fear, abusive relationships, illness, uncertainty and moments when she has nothing left to fall back on. Yet again and again, when she steps into the unknown, someone or something appears to help her take the next step.</p><p>This is a powerful conversation about trusting your heart, finding courage when you are terrified, accepting help, discovering purpose and understanding that thriving isn’t about having a perfect life.</p><p>It’s about knowing you can meet life as it comes.</p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><strong>A life that looks successful on the outside can still leave you deeply unhappy inside.</strong></li><li>Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is admit: <strong>“This isn’t working for me anymore.”</strong></li><li>Fear doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making the wrong decision — sometimes it simply means you’re stepping into the unknown.</li><li>We are not meant to navigate life entirely alone. <strong>Community, connection and asking for help are part of our toolkit.</strong></li><li>When you let go of what no longer fits, you create space for unexpected people, opportunities and experiences to appear.</li><li>Thriving doesn’t mean everything is wonderful all the time. <strong>It means knowing you have the tools, wisdom and support to keep going.</strong></li><li>Your heart may know what you need long before your rational mind is willing to admit it.</li><li>Sometimes the greatest growth happens in the darkest chapters of our lives.</li><li>Be honest with yourself about what makes you happy, what gives you purpose and who you really are.</li><li><strong>Life is a journey, not a destination — we keep learning, growing and becoming.</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Resources Mentioned</strong></p><p><strong>Kundun</strong> – Martin Scorsese’s film about the life of the Dalai Lama. Simona describes it as a film she returned to when she was depressed or had lost her way.</p><p><strong><a href=\"https://www.heartmath.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">HeartMath Institute</a></strong> – Mentioned by Simona in relation to the relationship between the heart and brain, and her interest in the scientific understanding of spirituality and coherence.</p><p><strong>Thriving Not Surviving – Episode 48</strong> –Beverly, who appeared in Episode 48 and introduced Simona to her.</p><p>Connect with <strong>Simona</strong></p><p><strong>Facebook:</strong> <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/AyurvedaInIstanbul\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Ayurveda In Istanbul </a> </p><p><strong>IG: </strong><a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ayurveda.in.fethiye/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.instagram.com/ayurveda.in.fethiye/</a></p><p><strong>Website:</strong></p><p><strong>Email: </strong><a href=\"mailto:info@ayurvedainfethiye.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">info@ayurvedainfethiye.com</a></p><p><strong>WhatsApp: </strong> +905515897115</p><p>Day Spa in Turkey: <a href=\"https://ayurvedainfethiye.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Rejuvenate at Our Fethiye Ayurvedic Spa | Ayurveda In Fethiye</a></p><p>Connect with <strong>Helen</strong></p><p>Website: <a href=\"http://www.inspiredhealing.co.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">InspiredHealing.co.uk</a></p><p>IG: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/helens_inspired_healing/?hl=en\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">helens_inspired_healing</a></p><p>FB: <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551922200224\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Inspired Healing</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-valentino-04a7714/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Helen on LinkedIn</a></p><p>WhatsApp: +447971798462 </p><p>NB: This episode was made possible due to Elena my dear friend who leant me her front room, with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor <strong><a href=\"https://www.iphm.co.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">IPHM</a></strong> use this Referral Code: <strong>IPHM-GYZGF</strong> and the £10 will go to <a href=\"https://forwardtrust.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Forward Trust</a>a Charity helping those struggling with addictions</p><p>🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios</p><p> 🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne</p><p>For full transcription, contact: <a href=\"mailto:helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk</a> </p>","author_name":"Helen Valentino"}