From Reacting to Reclaiming: Healing Triggers Through Inner Child Connection with Olivia Martinez - Episode 38
We often believe time alone can heal the wounds we carry from childhood. We learn to perform, achieve, and smile through the pain, convincing ourselves that what’s behind us no longer has power over us. But healing isn’t forgetting—and the body never truly forgets. All it takes is one moment—a conflict, a loss, a sudden shift—to crack the surface and reveal what’s been quietly shaping us all along.
For Mindset and Empowerment Coach Olivia Martinez, that moment came after years of outward success and inward silence. From the outside, her life looked full. But deep within, she was carrying the weight of unmet emotional needs and unresolved pain. It was only when everything around her began to feel misaligned that she was finally called to look inward, connect with her inner child, and begin the work of healing from the inside out.
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This episode covers:
(03:49 - 05:05) Olivia shares her upbringing and the challenges she faced with feelings of not being loved or seen, which led to struggles with self-worth.
(09:06 - 10:14) A pivotal moment with her child that served as a wake-up call, prompting Olivia to confront her anger and the impact it had on her family.
(30:07 - 31:02) Learning about inner child work and the importance of nurturing that younger part of herself. It felt uncomfortable at first but became essential for her healing journey
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When the Trigger Becomes the Teacher
Many of us are taught to move on from pain without truly healing it. Childhood wounds and emotional patterns are buried under busy schedules, checked boxes, and outward success. But triggers—like a difficult relationship, a loss, or a major life change—can stir unresolved feelings, offering a mirror to the parts of ourselves we’ve ignored. In this conversation, Olivia’s story reflects how these emotional upheavals aren't breakdowns but breakthroughs, calling us to reconnect with our true needs, heal our inner child, and begin rewriting our personal narratives.
What are triggers?
Triggers are emotional reactions that surface in the present but are rooted in unresolved experiences or pain from the past. They are usually sparked by situations, people, words, or environments that unconsciously remind us of an earlier wound, often from childhood. A trigger can cause an intense reaction—such as anger, fear, sadness, or shame—that feels disproportionate to the current situation.
Why do they happen?
Triggers happen because our nervous system stores memories—especially emotional or traumatic ones—even when we think we’ve “moved on.” When something in the present resembles a past hurt, our brain and body react as if that old threat is happening again. It's a protective response meant to keep us safe. However, if we haven’t processed or healed the original wound, these triggers will continue to surface until we address the root cause.
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What is Inner Child Work?
Inner child work is a process that involves reconnecting with the younger parts of yourself—especially the parts that experienced pain, neglect, confusion, or unmet needs during childhood. These “inner children” often hold the emotions and beliefs we formed when we were too young to make sense of what was happening around us. They can continue to influence how we react, relate, and feel as adults—especially when we are triggered.
How Does It Help Process Triggers?
When you’re triggered, it’s often your inner child that’s reacting—not your present-day adult self. Inner child work helps by:
Identifying the Root: It allows you to trace the intense emotional reaction back to a specific unmet need, memory, or belief from childhood.
Creating Safety: By reparenting your inner child—offering the love, validation, and protection you didn’t get—you teach your nervous system that it’s safe now.
Interrupting Patterns: It helps you respond from your wise adult self instead of reacting from the wounded child, breaking cycles of overreacting, shutting down, or people-pleasing.
As you build a compassionate relationship with your inner child, you begin to shift your beliefs about yourself and what you deserve, which changes how you experience the world and respond to triggers.
From Triggered to Empowered
Doing inner child work empowers you to uncover the hidden beliefs, unmet needs, and unresolved emotions from your early years that still influence how you respond to life today. By compassionately connecting with the younger parts of yourself, you begin to understand the origin of your triggers, soothe old wounds, and rewrite the stories that have shaped your self-worth and behavior. This healing allows you to move through life with more clarity, confidence, and emotional awareness. You’re no longer reacting from past pain—you’re responding from present-day wisdom.
When your mindset changes, your life and relationships become more intentional, grounded, and fulfilling because you’re no longer stuck in old cycles—you’re choosing new, healthier ways of being.
Final Thoughts
Olivia’s transparency about the moment she allowed herself to be deeply triggered, leading to an explosive response that shook the foundation of her life as she knew it is powerful. Instead of shaming herself for the outburst, she got curious—and that curiosity became the catalyst for change. Through inner child work and emotional healing, she began to understand the roots of her reactions and reconnect with her true needs. That single moment not only transformed her relationship with herself but also reshaped her marriage, her parenting, and the legacy she’s building for her family. Her story reminds us that even our most painful moments can become turning points toward freedom, clarity, and authentic connection.
Listen to These Episodes Next:
Episode 3 - How Understanding Your Inner Child Helps You Heal Emotional Wounds with Joan Mwangi
Episode 15 - Mindfulness Practices to Heal Childhood Trauma with Rashad Sanders
Episode 20 - The Value of Self-Awareness for Breaking Generational Patterns with Alisha Woodall