Hurt to Healing

In this extended episode of Healing 101, I’m joined by someone whose insight and honesty around a topic that so many of us silently grapple with is not only deeply refreshing — it’s essential. Dr. Claire Ashley, also known as The Burnout Doctor, is a GP and neuroscience graduate who learned the devastating realities of burnout the hard way — by experiencing it herself. Claire shares her personal journey from being a high-performing, dedicated doctor and mother to finding herself in the depths of burnout, grappling with panic attacks, emotional exhaustion, and a total loss of self. We talk about what burnout really is — beyond the buzzword — and unpack its physical, emotional, and neurological impact. Claire takes us through the stages of recovery, how to manage toxic productivity, and how to rebuild a life with boundaries, compassion, and control. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “Why can’t I just keep going?” — this episode is for you.Connect with Dr. Claire Ashley:Website: drclaireashley.comInstagram: @drclaireashleyNewsletter: theburnoutdoctor.substack.comBook: The Burnout Doctor – available via major booksellersStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In this episode of Hurt to Healing, Pandora is joined by writer and filmmaker Rebecca Frayn, who opens up about her battle with chronic illness, debilitating anxiety, and the harrowing experience of Xanax withdrawal.Rebecca shares how a severe health crisis triggered a cascade of physical and mental struggles, culminating in a full nervous system collapse during the pandemic. She speaks candidly about the reality of waking up with "a gun to the head" kind of fear, the quiet shame of high-functioning breakdowns, and the difficult decision to enter rehab for a short-term prescription addiction that turned into something far more gripping.Together, Pandora and Rebecca explore:What extreme anxiety really feels like behind closed doorsThe hidden risks of benzodiazepine dependency — even in short-term useThe power of honesty, vulnerability, and telling people: “I’m not okay”How regenerative farming and nature became a vital part of her recoveryNavigating eco-grief and finding hope in a world on fireThe daily rituals that helped her slowly rebuild her mental healthNow thriving after what she calls the most transformative year of her life, Rebecca offers a message of hope to anyone feeling like they can’t go on: Start small. Lay a single brick. And know that it all adds up.This is a conversation about resilience, self-compassion, and the quiet power of starting over—at any age.Find Rebecca:Website: https://www.rebeccafrayn.com/Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

This week, Pandora returns for a very personal solo episode, reflecting on themes of shame, self-worth, identity, and belonging. After a tough few weeks of physical pain and mental spiralling, she shares how reconnecting with her values — and stepping out of the victim mindset — has helped her find a little more hope.Drawing on her lived experience with OCD and an eating disorder, she opens up about the difference between fitting in and belonging — and how so much of her life has been shaped by the struggle to feel understood. From childhood compulsions to navigating stigma, isolation, and shame, Pandora explores what it means to advocate for yourself and live in alignment with who you truly are.In this episode, Pandora discusses:How physical pain can intensify mental rumination and anxietyHer personal battle with OCD and the intense shame that often accompanies itWhy belonging is a human need, and why fitting in often isn’t the answerThe emotional toll of growing up misunderstood — and how healing begins with being seenCreating space for your quirks, needs, and values — and the courage it takes to do soShe also references:Lucy Hale’s conversation on the Lewis Howes Podcast — on shame, addiction, and recoveryElizabeth Day’s book Friendaholic, exploring the purpose and evolution of friendshipsJohann Hari’s work on addiction and connectionOscar Wilde’s famous quote: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”Plus — a reminder to catch this week’s powerful guest episode with Dr. Elizabeth Kilbey, author of Unplugged, on how social media and digital addiction are impacting children’s mental health — and how we can help: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dr-elizabeth-kilbey-on-the-truth-about-children-tech/id1649515453?i=1000709086046Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In today’s episode of Healing 101, we sit down with former England rugby star, author, and mental health advocate James Haskell for a raw conversation about men’s mental health., James opens up about the psychological toll of elite performance, the silence that surrounds vulnerability in men’s sport, and the damaging myths around masculinity. He reflects on his own experiences with ADHD, self-doubt, and grief, while calling for a cultural shift where emotional honesty is not only accepted but encouraged.Find James:Instagram: @jameshaskellWebsite: https://jameshaskell.co.uk/Podcasts: https://jameshaskell.co.uk/podcast/Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In today’s episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Dr. Elizabeth Kilbey — a clinical psychologistand author you might recognise from the Channel 4 series The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 YearOlds.Off the back of Adolescence, the recent Netflix series that’s struck such a chord with somany of us, I wanted to sit down with Elizabeth to explore how our children are really copingin a world increasingly shaped by screens, social media, and pressure. We talk aboutemotional resilience, why the latency years are so important, and how we as parents canoffer support without stepping into fear or guilt.Elizabeth brings clarity and compassion to a subject that can feel overwhelming — and Ithink many of you will find a lot of comfort and understanding in this conversation.Find out more on Elizabeth:Website: elizabethkilbey.comBooks: The 7 Secrets of Raising Happy Children and other titles available via AmazonTV Appearances: The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds on Channel 4Instagram: @drelizabethkilbeyStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In this solo episode, I open up about a recurring foot injury that's been impacting both my physical and emotional well-being. It's been a challenging week, and I wanted to share the mental rollercoaster I've been on—from frustration and disappointment to acceptance and reflection. I talk honestly about how this injury has triggered deeper emotions, especially around the themes of control, body image, and resilience. I also reflect on how hormones can drastically affect our mental state (something I’ve become increasingly aware of), and how this ties into my ongoing recovery journey from anorexia.You'll hear about a few tough moments this week—like missing a train and feeling excluded by friends—and how those small setbacks can sometimes feel like big emotional blows. But I also explore how I’m learning to manage those responses with more self-compassion, letting go when I need to, and leaning into gratitude as a grounding tool.Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In this episode of Healing 101, I’m joined by psychotherapist and anxiety expert Joshua Fletcher to unpack the misunderstood and often isolating experience of health anxiety. With fears around illness on the rise post-pandemic, Josh explains how health anxiety mirrors OCD, why the drive for certainty keeps us stuck, and how we can retrain our brains to feel safe again. Drawing from both personal experience and clinical expertise, he shares practical tools for breaking the cycle of obsessive checking and reassurance-seeking, and reveals why the real path to healing lies in building distress tolerance, practicing self-compassion, and becoming your own greatest coping tool.Find Joshua:Website: School of AnxietyInstagram: @anxietyjoshLinkedIn: Joshua FletcherLinktree: All Resources & ContactPodcast: DisorderedStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In today’s episode of Hurt to Healing, we explore the powerful connection between our hormones, emotional health, and relationships with Dr. Emilia Vuorisalmi. A medical doctor and author, Emilia shares her deeply personal journey through heartbreak, love addiction, and burnout—and how those experiences led her to uncover the science of "love hormones" like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. Through her story, she reveals how inner healing, hormonal balance, and purposeful living can unlock not just better relationships, but a healthier, more grounded life.Connect with Dr. Emilia VuorisalmiWebsite: docemilia.comInstagram: @docemiliaRead The Healing Power of Hormones: https://a.co/d/4VywGTKStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

This week, I talk about my recent family trip to Italy and how I navigated traveling and the difficulties that come with it -- especially concerning food, routine, and experiences.I reflect on how "Old Pandora" would have travelled and how I'm able to take a step back and do things like not pack my yoga mat, not worry about the gelato flavours I wasn't able to try, and overcome the feelings of missing out on our final day on holiday. i also go into how my relationships with my family members have changed over the years, and a simple phrase my Mum said to me this week that made a big impact on me.You'll hear about:How breaking a routine, while difficult can open up life for new experiencesThe anxieties that come with the fear of missing out and how to navigate themHow if we look down the mountain to see how far we've come is more important than looking up at what we have yet to climbFinally, I talk about this week's episode with Zoe Blaskey and why I think it's important listening for new parents and those in the planning stage.If you've ever struggles with personal anxieties and family dynamics while traveling, I hope you find this episode useful.Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk