What happens when you've built your identity around external validation, only to discover it's all slipping through your fingers? Ellen O'Brien, a talented singer and Berklee College of Music graduate, joins us to share her remarkable journey from unconscious living to profound self-awareness.
Ellen introduces us to her transformative concept of the "internal bowl" – a metaphorical vessel within each of us that can only be filled with self-love, self-respect, self-esteem, self-care, and self-compassion. With honesty, she reveals how she spent decades trying to fill this bowl with external gratifications, only to discover that they inevitably fall through what she calls the "trap door."
Her story takes a dramatic turn when, after moving home to Boston to help with a family illness, Ellen gains 130 pounds from the consumption of externals. This wake-up call becomes the catalyst for her second chance at recovery. Ellen shares her realization with unflinching candor: "My suffering was of my own making." People, places, and things didn't need to change for her to feel better. She did.
The conversation delves into fascinating insights about brain function, the role of the amygdala in anxiety, and practical techniques for maintaining mental wellness. Ellen explains how daily mindfulness practices, morning affirmations, and consistent gratitude have transformed her from a "hollow chocolate Easter bunny" to a solid one.
Whether you're struggling with addiction, anxiety, or simply feeling unfulfilled despite outward success, Ellen's journey offers profound wisdom about finding your way forward. Join us for this deeply inspiring conversation about resilience and transformation. Discover how sometimes it's the out-of-the-blue moments that lead to our greatest breakthroughs.

Resources:

Jason Stephenson - Guided Sleep Meditation: youtube.com/@jasonstephensonmeditation

Louise Hay - 11.11 Affirm The Best Version of Yourself: youtube.com/watch?v=yQHBomPOYNE

Dr. Joe Dispenza - Use Your Thoughts to Optimize Your Health: youtube.com/watch?v=2gDr9V_vmFY

Out Of The Blue:

For more: outoftheblue-thepodcast.org

For exclusive content: patreon.com/podcastOOTB