Trauma isn’t only something we remember; it is something our bodies remember, too.
In this episode of Mariposa Rising, Dr. Charissa D Pizarro explores how trauma lives in the nervous system long after the original danger has passed. If you’ve ever wondered why your heart races, why you shut down, why you stay busy to avoid your feelings, or why you struggle to say no, this episode will help you understand that these are not signs of weakness, they are survival responses.
Together, we’ll explore the four common trauma responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and how these adaptations once helped protect us but may now be keeping us from living fully.
Dr. Pizarro also shares pieces of her own story and offers compassionate guidance on how healing begins by teaching the nervous system something it may never have fully experienced before: safety.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why trauma is stored in the body, not just the mind
- How the nervous system responds to danger
- The difference between fight, flight, freeze, and fawn
- Why survival responses are adaptations, not character flaws
- How healing begins by reconnecting with your body
- Simple ways to begin creating a greater sense of safety
Mariposa Reflection
Take a moment to reflect:
- Which trauma response do you recognize most in yourself?
- How has it protected you?
- How might it be limiting you today?
- What helps your body feel genuinely safe?
Remember
Your trauma responses are not your identity. They are evidence that your nervous system worked hard to protect you. Healing isn’t about becoming someone new—it’s about helping your body learn that survival is no longer the only option.
🦋 Where healing is power.