Courage to turn inwards.

Every week I ask my Brave New Girls podcast guest how they define courage. This is how Mellissa Laycy, a leading voice in holistic health who is revolutionising the way individuals break free from physical and emotional limitations, thinks of it:

“I believe that courage is turning towards yourself in any moment. When you are feeling the fear that is telling you to run outside of yourself, courage is turning towards yourself.”

This is courage redefined- not as an external act, but as an internal choice. A brave pause. A quiet moment of presence when everything in your nervous system wants to run, numb, or distract. For Mellissa, it was this kind of turning inward that changed her life- from a place of deep depression, eating disorders, and emotional suffering, to a life of joy, freedom, and purpose.

Mellissa’s healing began with gut health, but it was the deeper subconscious reprogramming- the work on her inner narrative- that led to true transformation. Through theta brainwave meditation, parts work, and emotional processing, she now helps clients release old trauma, shift lifelong patterns, and come home to themselves.

But how do we build this kind of courage in our everyday lives? How do we stay with ourselves when it’s hard?

Below are 10 powerful steps, inspired by Mellissa’s healing journey and the techniques she shares in her work, to help you turn towards yourself with kindness and strength.

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Dare to do things differently, for a happier, healthier, impactful life.

Here are practical ways to embrace courage & support a healthier, more sustainable world:

10 Actionable Steps to Build Courage:

1. Turn inward when triggered.
   Instead of reacting outwardly, pause. Close your eyes. Breathe. Ask: What am I really feeling right now?

2. Locate the emotion in your body.
   Scan from head to toe. Is it in your chest? Your stomach? Stay with the sensation and breathe into it gently.

3. Speak to the emotion.
   Say: “I see you. I’m here with you. You’re safe now.” This inner dialogue creates a sense of safety.

4. Let go of the urge to ‘fix’.
   Emotions don’t need fixing—they need witnessing. Give yourself space to feel what’s rising without rushing through it.

5. Drop into the theta brainwave.
   Use guided meditation or conscious breathing to access this deep state where subconscious healing happens.

6. Use parts work.
   Identify the protective part (e.g. the binge-eater, the critic). Ask: What are you trying to protect me from? What do you need?

7. Dance it out.
   Movement helps shift emotional energy. Put on music, close the door, and let your body express what words can’t.

8. Practice butterfly tapping.
   Cross your hands over your chest and tap gently to soothe your nervous system and ground your body.

9. Reframe the narrative.
   Instead of “I’m broken,” try “This is a part of me asking for love.” Reframing helps shift long-held beliefs.

10. Stay consistent.
    Emotional courage is like a muscle—the more you turn towards yourself, the stronger and more resilient you become.

    
    True courage is turning toward yourself—again and again—until your inner world becomes a place of safety, truth, and healing.

PS. As your Wellbeing Coach, I give you the tools to heal, grow & create the life you want. 

If you’d like support in growing your inner Brave New Girl for a healthier, happier, impactful life, book in for a free chat and we can take it from there: BOOK A CHAT

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