A lot of us learned from a young age that large and strong emotions are wrong, that we need to suppress how we feel, and doubt our intuition, only to have the effects of this belief present themselves as insecurities, trauma, and bad life decisions decades later. Our guest, Tracy Mergler, had this exact experience, and is going through her journey of unlearning unhealthy beliefs, and learning who she is, while helping others find their own healing.  Tracy is a new friend, a connector, a creator, and a believer. Someone the universe has been nudging me to meet for a while now. She’s the founder and director of Safe Space CNY, a non-profit, non-clinical, community-centered safe space that strives to change the conversation around mental health by educating, connecting, and supporting others through a peer-to-peer network. She’s leading the change in the language around mental health by providing safety, connection, community, education, and empowerment.  “I realized that this need for a safe space at a community level was not just for individuals in the recovery world. But this need for safety, connection, vulnerability, empowerment, and building a toolbox was something that everyone on this planet could benefit from.” – Tracy Mergler  Here are some things Tracy talks more about in this episode:  The story behind Safe Space CNY and how it’s growing now.  Coming back to, and reconnecting with our bodies and emotions.  Going back to her “why” behind her life’s work    Having gone through years of medication and talk therapy, Tracy has learned that these are useful and could even be necessary and lifesaving for some people under the right circumstances. But she’s also recognized that a lot of the time, it’s not enough. She’s seen how having the right community, support, and a place where you can feel safe to explore, feel, and be who you are is a necessary part of the healing journey.   Coming from a place of love and a desire for others to feel full and alive, she started Safe Space CNY so that others would be able to fill their toolbox with the set of tools that works for them. To know more about Safe Space CNY and Tracy’s journey, listen to the full episode.  “If I continue to choose love every single day, then my soul is aligned with where it’s supposed to go.” - Tracy Mergler  Connect with Tracy Mergler  Website  Twitter  LinkedIn  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices