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Past Trauma

Past trauma can echo into your present, even when you’re trying to grow. It might affect your relationship with your body, your ability to trust yourself, or your sense of safety when facing change. You may not always recognise it as trauma; it can be old criticism, failure, abuse, rejection, or any experience that left you feeling powerless. These wounds can create invisible limits, causing you to hesitate, self-protect, or withdraw from situations that require you to take a risk. Healing isn’t about “getting over it.” It’s about reclaiming your power, one safe, intentional step at a time. You’re not broken, you’re rebuilding something more substantial.

Identifying Past Trauma

🟥 Thought Patterns

• ☐ “Every time I try something new, I feel like I’m going to mess it up.”
• ☐ “I don’t deserve to feel good about myself.”
• ☐ “People are going to hurt or judge me if I fail again.”
• ☐ “If I make progress, something bad will happen.”
• ☐ “It’s safer not to try than to be disappointed again.”

🟧 Behavioral Patterns

• ☐ Avoiding programs or routines that feel too “strict” or structured
• ☐ Sabotaging progress just as things start going well
• ☐ Disconnecting emotionally from your body or appearance
• ☐ Having emotional outbursts when routines break or you feel “out of control”
• ☐ Repeating patterns of all-or-nothing, even when they’ve failed before

🟨 Emotional Triggers

• ☐ Intense fear of being seen, judged, or evaluated (even in a gym)
• ☐ Emotional shutdown or anxiety when asked to commit to something
• ☐ Fear of being vulnerable or needing help
• ☐ Strong emotional reactions to pressure, demands, or structure
• ☐ Feeling “stuck” or frozen when asked to plan your next steps

🟩 Beliefs That Keep It Going

• ☐ “If I don’t expect anything, I can’t be hurt again.”
• ☐ “My body doesn’t belong to me.”
• ☐ “If I succeed, I’ll lose something important or attract the wrong kind of attention.”
• ☐ “Being strong means doing it alone.”
• ☐ “No matter what I do, I’ll end up back at square one.”

Reminder:

What happened to you was not your fault, but healing is your right. These thoughts are gentle steps toward reclaiming your strength.

Reframing Your Thoughts:

✅ “I get to choose how my story continues.”
✅ “My past shaped me, but it doesn’t control me.”
✅ “I am allowed to heal at my own pace.”
✅ “I’m not broken — I’m rebuilding.”
✅ “Even in pain, I can grow powerful.”