The Pit To Peace Podcast

THE PIT TO PEACE Podcast | Season 2, Episode 2 Survival Mode Disguised as a Personality Trait: The Functional Mask Nobody Talks About You know why you can't find your keys? Not because you're scattered. Not because you're forgetful. Because you were never actually there when you put them down. This is what chronic survival mode feels like from the inside, and most of us have been living there so long we gave it a different name. Efficient. Driven. Independent. Low-maintenance. We took our stress responses and turned them into personality traits. Into badges. Into proof that we were enough. In this episode I break down the functional mask of survival mode: what it feels like in the body, what it costs you over time, and why burnout isn't about doing too much; it's about never being present for any of it. I also share the moment a simple shift changed everything; same kitchen, same woman, completely different nervous system. This episode closes with a short body scan practice, the first somatic tool of Season 2. Because before we can regulate, we have to learn to feel. This is part of a full healing journey arc for Season 2. We're starting where healing actually starts: awareness. ✨ Ready to go deeper? Sōma+Soul™ founding spots are open → https://www.keepaligningwithin.com/soma-soul 🎁 Free 7-Day Nervous System Reset Toolkit → https://www.keepaligningwithin.com

THE PIT TO PEACE Podcast | Season 2, Episode 1 "A Return to Self: Somatic Healing After Loss" I didn't stop working. I stopped performing. In October 2024, I launched this podcast and walked away from it five months later; mid-season, mid-recording, completely unable to finish what I started. The next series was on suicide. I had five episodes planned. I couldn't get through a single one without breaking down. So I put down the mic. And I didn't pick it back up for over a year. What followed was the most important year of my life, not because it was easy, but because it was honest. I thought I was healing because I was learning. Certifications. Books. Client sessions. Pouring everything I had into tools that could help people like my brother Kyle, whose initials live in the name of everything I've built. But I wasn't tending to what I was silencing in myself. And for some reason, it always showed up the moment I had a mic in front of my face. In this episode, I'm sharing the full story; the year in between, what it actually took to come back, and the missing piece that keeps people stuck even after years of therapy. You can know every reason why you do what you do ... and STILL not be able to stop. Knowing the "why" matters, but it won't teach you the "how." That gap is exactly where somatic healing lives. And it's what The Return Method™ was built to bridge. This isn't a willpower problem. It's a nervous system problem, one that learned a survival pattern to keep you safe. It did its job. But that job isn't serving the body you're living in today. Sōma+Soul™ teaches you to live in the present. With safety. Keep Aligning Within is your online sanctuary, a place to get out from drowning in the rain and finally dry off. IN THIS EPISODE: → Why I paused the podcast in March 2025 and what I couldn't say on mic → The difference between learning and actually healing → How I rebuilt Keep Aligning Within from the inside out → The Return Method™: Recognize, Regulate, Return → Why insight alone isn't enough and what somatic therapy does differently → What "return" means to me now, and why this season belongs to you My word this past year has become "return." And this return is something special. It's no longer just my story of healing,  it's yours. The ones who show up in silence. This is your return too. 🤍 --- RESOURCES MENTIONED: → Free 7-Day Nervous System Reset Toolkit: https://www.keepaligningwithin.com/ → Sōma+Soul™ — 6-month live cohort (founding rate now open): https://www.keepaligningwithin.com/soma-soul → Apply for A Saved Seat Scholarship: https://www.keepaligningwithin.com/kaw-foundation → Keep Aligning Within on YouTube: @keepaligningwithin NEW EPISODES DROP EVERY FRIDAY. Subscribe so you never miss one and if this episode moved you, leave a review. It helps more people find their way here.

In this E22 of The Money Wounds Series on The Pit to Peace Podcast, we explore: Why your self-worth is directly linked to your financial habits How childhood conditioning shapes your money patterns Why trusting yourself with money feels so hard How to shift from scarcity to empowered financial decisions If you’ve ever felt guilt, fear, or anxiety around money, you’re not alone. Your relationship with money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about your self-worth, nervous system responses, and subconscious beliefs, this episode is for you. If you want to go to go deeper into healing your relationship with money, I invite you to join The Pit to Peace Nervous System Regulation Program, in 12 weeks with 1:1 sessions is where I guide you through somatic healing, nervous system rewiring, and emotional regulation to help you break free from financial stress and step into abundance. Visit www.keepaligningwithin.com to learn more and enroll. Subscribe to never miss an upcoming episode. Next episode on the The Money Wounds Series airing Sunday at 8am is Ep23: Strengthening Financial Trust + Releasing the Fear of Charging Higher Prices. How to Feel Confident in Your Worth. Thank you so much for listening, and be well.

In this morning's episode, I talk about why someone's might self-sabotage because of fears around success and abundance. Most of the time, people assume that other's are have a fear of failure, but fear of success is also very prevalent. In E21, the topics why fear+unworthiness can hold you back financially, we discuss where these deep seated fears can come from, and most importantly; Somatic exercises to help you overcome these financial blocks. We, of course, end the episode with a guided mediation to help you overcome these fears, as well as a prompted journal reflection.  For more "Healing Money Wounds", make sure to subscribe to The Pit To Peace Podcast so you never miss an episode if this series hits home for you. There is no shame, only opportunities to help your way out and into healing.  To heal your money wounds at the root, I encourage you to enroll into "The Pit To Peace" 12 week Nervous System Training Program. Learn how to regulate around money Restore your nervous system's fear of threat Take back your power+control when it comes to your finances Release shame+guilt around money  Learn how to obtain self-compassion+forgiveness  *We begin on Fri, April 4th. Enrollment is open until 3/28! Coming up: E22 | "Healing Your Relationship with Money and Stopping The Cycle of Sabotage"  Thank for listen, and as always ... be well.  

In E20 of the March Series "Healing Money Wounds", we discuss how your financial situation isn’t just about how much you earn, it’s about what your nervous system believes is possible for you. When you heal at the root, money becomes a tool for expansion, not a source of stress. Have you ever wondered why you keep struggling financially, even when you’re making money? It’s not because you’re bad with money, it’s because your nervous system is keeping you in survival mode. In this episode of The Money Wounds Series on The Pit to Peace Podcast, we explore: Why financial survival mode keeps you stuck in scarcity How your nervous system reacts to money stress Why working harder isn’t the answer to financial freedom How to rewire your nervous system to allow wealth Inside The Pit To Peace, we go beyond budgeting and mindset work, we retrain your nervous system for financial expansion so you can: ✨ Feel safe and confident with money ✨ Stop making financial decisions from stress or fear ✨ Rewire survival-based money habits into abundance-based patterns ✨ Finally break free from scarcity cycles and trust money flow 🔗 Join The Pit To Peace Now! And, start building a new financial reality from the inside out. Our next class starts 4/4! Next episode: E21 | "Why Your Nervous System Rejects Abundance" airing Sunday, 3/16 @8am.  Subscribe or share this episode with someone who needs it. By subscribing and sharing with others, we can build a community of like minded people who might need to hear this message today.  As always, thank you for listening and be well. 

In our 2nd episode of our March Series "Healing Money Wounds" is How Your Nervous System Controls Your Financial Reality. Have you ever wondered why you keep repeating the same financial patterns—no matter how much you budget, plan, or push yourself to do better? It’s not just about mindset or willpower—your nervous system is running the show. In this episode of The Money Wounds Series on The Pit to Peace Podcast, we uncover: How your nervous system is wired for financial survival Why financial stress triggers fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses The link between past trauma and your current money behaviors How to regulate your body so abundance feels safe Tune in every Wed @8pm+Sun @8am for deep discussions on this topic, ways to help you heal, and to build self-awareness to stop self-sabotaging your wealth from either coming and/or staying.  Now enrolling for The Pit To Peace, a 12 week nervous system training.  Learn HOW to get out of THE PIT and get in THE PEACE for a life of calm, balance, and abundance. Spots are limited to 10, we start on 4/4-6/13. Click here to enroll, enrollment closes on 3/28. www.keepaligningwithin.com/thepittopeace To read our weekly blogs, click the link to subscribe in our website, www.keepaligningwithin.com I encourage you to share our blogs+podcast with others that need this message. Thank you for listening+be well.  Nicole Chetcuti, ISTP  

In our 1st episode of our March Series "Healing Money Wounds" is Releasing Fear+Opening To Abundance. We will discuss how money is more than numbers, it carries emotional weight, past experiences, and deep-seated beliefs. In this episode, we explore how financial stress impacts your nervous system and the hidden money wounds that keep you stuck in scarcity mode. What are money wounds and how do they form? How financial stress triggers survival mode The connection between money trauma & nervous system dysregulation and how it effects you as well as shows up for you A somatic practice to start healing financial anxiety We end this week's insightful episode with a compassionate guided meditation to take in the idea of abundance and release tension+fear. Tune in every Wed @8pm+Sun @8am for deep discussions on this topic, ways to help you heal, and to build self-awareness to stop self-sabotaging your wealth from either coming and/or staying.  Now enrolling for The Pit To Peace, a 12 week nervous system training.  Learn HOW to get out of THE PIT and get in THE PEACE for a life of calm, balance, and abundance. Spots are limited to 10, we start on 4/4-6/13. Click here to enroll, enrollment closes on 3/28. www.keepaligningwithin.com/thepittopeace To read our weekly blogs, click the link to subscribe in our website, www.keepaligningwithin.com I encourage you to share our blogs+podcast with others that need this message. Thank you for listening+be well.  Nicole Chetcuti, ISTP+200-RYT+RCYT  

In this episode, we uncover the Soul Diving series on "Embodying Your Future-Self" and the stages that can occur on this journey, like "Feeling Fake" or "Imposter Syndrome" to then feeling stuck or lost in what we like to call "The Messy Middle" or the "Growth Gap". This is wear you are BECOMING, you are shedding skin in this phase. It can feel uncomfortable at times and MOST people give up in this stage, but I encourage you to PUSH FORWARD. I go over "HOW" to actually move like your future-self would. If you need help or inspiration on this, please comment "HELP" and I will send you a link for a little pep chat over zoom.  For my FREE Alter Ego Guide, comment "Alter Ego Help" and I will send you over that so you can GET CLEAR+STAY CONSISTENT! To dig deeper on this journey, I encourage you to enroll in Soul Diving Self-Discovery+Alignment self-paced online course. You also have access to the Soul Diving Guided Workbook and a required book read that weaves into the course perfectly! Reach out, I'm here to help! www.keepaligningwthin.com NEXT UP: March Series: Healing Money Wounds. 2 episodes/week dropping this month on this much needed topic. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss an episode! To enroll: www.keepalingningwithin.com/souldiving

In this episode we discuss how our bodies are always speaking to us. Whether through tension, gut feelings, exhaustion, or even physical pain, the body holds the stories of our experiences, both joyful and traumatic. Yet, many of us were taught to ignore, suppress, or push through discomfort rather than listen to what our bodies are trying to communicate. Somatic healing is the practice of tuning in to the body’s wisdom, allowing us to release stored trauma, regulate the nervous system, and create a deeper sense of safety within ourselves. It’s not just about thinking our way through healing—it’s about feeling, sensing, and reconnecting with the physical self. We end this with a guided mediation and encouragement to connect within your body to bring awareness and safety within.  Tune into The Pit To Peace Podcast every Weds night @8pm for more Somatic tools, guided meditations, and helpful ways of creating connection within the mind+body.  **Upcoming will be an 8 Episode series on "Breaking the Cycle: Why You Stay Stuck in Trauma Patterns" with 2 episodes released every Weds @8pm and Fri @8am in the month of March. We will then enter April's 8 Episode series on "Money Wounds+Blocks-How to Release Them To Attract Abundance" **Now accepting 10 enrollments for "The Pit To Peace" Nervous System Training Course. We start 4/4-6/13! To enroll and learn more, visit www.keepaligningwithin.com/thepittopeace    

In today’s episode, we are diving into a deeply tender and powerful topic—our inner child. If you’ve ever wondered why certain triggers feel so intense, why some wounds never seem to fully heal, or why you struggle with self-compassion, the answers may lie in your younger self—the part of you that still carries the pain, unmet needs, and emotions from the past."   Together, we’ll explore how to recognize and nurture our inner child, why this work is essential for healing, and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps us build a compassionate relationship with the younger parts of ourselves. I’ll also guide you through a gentle meditation to connect with your inner child safely.   Be sure to hit the subscribe button to get notifications of when each episode of "The Pit To Peace" drops every Weds evening at 8pm. Like, comment, and share with a friend who might need these message.   If you'd like more on somatic tools to regulate your nervous system, I am enrolling 3 Pit To Peace clients to start April 1st-June 1st. 3 months of tools, guidance, and coaching your way through the pit of trauma and into the peace of healing with Integrated Somatic tools. You can schedule a complimentary consultation by visiting www.keepaligningwithin.com

In this episode we discuss the topics of :Understanding Trauma Responses, Moving From Survival to Peace, and offer some Somatic practices to regulate the nervous system with an Orienting practice. We end our episode with some journaling prompts.   This episode offers some educational based information on trauma and offers a compassionate space for self reflection with this knowledge of where unhealed trauma can often show up in your life at times.   The Pit To Peace Podcast drops weekly episodes every Wednesday evening @8pm, so subscribe so you don't miss all the amazing episodes coming soon!

In this first episode of 2025, I share what I have been experiencing with the grief over the Holidays and New Years. I also share what exciting things are in the works with Keep Aligning Within and what's to come in the Spring 2025.  Thank you for your patience as I took a much needed step back on recording to process some heavy emotions in the last 6 weeks. I am back and will be getting on a regular recording routine. With love, Nicole

In this episode, we will do a real time Integrative Somatic Session with Guest Kelly on her sexual trauma she experienced at 16. Kelly told us her story in Part 1 and I wanted to offer the experience of releasing that trauma that's been held for over 20 years. We did 2 different sessions of breathwork with somatic body scans that offered her tension release as well as self expression that connected with her 16 year old inner child.  To say this episode is powerful is an understatement that this is what we offer at Keep Aligning Within to heal the body from the inside out to offer a place to get out of the pit and into the peace. To schedule a complimentary consultation, visit www.keepaligningwithin.com/thepeacetopit Follow us on IG @keepaligningwithin

*Trigger Warning* This episode will have 2 parts covering Sexual Trauma from the experience of our guest, Kelly. She shares her story of sexual assault and the topic of conversation of consent.  We go into the details of the support of family members when these experiences are told and the lasting effects that can have on a trauma experience such as sexual assault and the shame, guilt, and other emotions that go within that experience. Next week's episode will be Part 2 where I will facilitate a Somatic Trauma Training with Kelly to release her guilt, shame, and help her on her healing journey to become more at peace within her body.   

In this episode, we talk about the topic of being "Martha" in the movie "The Notebook" and how that role can easily become one that you play in your life. Allowing yourself to beg for love, waiting to be chosen, and always available for someone who never really invests in you.  I discuss how I was a Martha for most of my life when it came to men and how I course corrected that at the end of my healing journey. I talk about where that void came from and unpacked why I played that role for so long in my life, but one that I realized I didn't want to play anymore. We end this episode with talking points of being in your "single season" and how to love yourself while grieving the role you played because you didn't know differently. We go into how to recover from playing "Martha" and learning how to choose yourself by investing in yourself.  P.S. This episode is dedicated to all the women who have begged for another for love because they had to earn it has young girls from people who were supposed to give it naturally. This episode is dedicated to all the women who never felt "enough" and have to keep giving themselves to be "chosen". This one is for you from one "Martha" to another. I say this with love ... heal, so that you never play this role again.   

In this episode we go into how unhealed inner child wounds/trauma seek attention, validation, love, and approval in our adulthood. We often at times choose partners who mirror our parents behaviors because it feels safe and familiar, when in reality, choosing these partners is causing the wound to go much deeper.  I discuss the ways you can heal your inner child and crate a loving relationship to give them the love they craved as children. This develops a keen sense of trust within and your inner child feels seen and heard by you. They come alive within and calm their inner storm that brews within you as an adult.  When the inner child(ren) are validated, you see the people who you were previously attracted to as lessons, as mirrors reflecting and projected what your inner child needed. Once you provide for them, you will start to see the world differently. Relationships will connect differently for you and you will truly be able to see your value as a whole, not this broken image you believe you are. You do not have to beg for someone who love you, you do not need to prove your worth to anyone. You will learn this invaluable lesson when you love yourself in the ways your inner child needed.  This is a full circle healing experience and one that will change your life. 

Phew! Episode 9 goes straight into the nitty gritty on EXACTLY HOW to heal. How to identify your TRUE beliefs of your self concept and start living within your authentic being. Unprocessed trauma allows the mind to play stories that are lies and gives us the idea to self abandon, self sabotage, but with KNOWING your truths and who you are truly are, the stories die. The Pit of trauma often times makes us wear makes of protection, but with healing, we face the truths and live our life out in peace within our inner knowing of who we are at the core. Healing STARTS with identifying your belief system so you can make choices that reflect and project that truth. You become EMPOWERED by your truth! You are set free and can start living within the peace of your life. This episode also touches on how to heal when it comes to grieving and suggests ways on how to live with that loss and what do you do with that love?  Finding your consistent outlet to carve time and space to allow yourself the freedom and safety to heal is key. We discuss cultivating a routine that works for you within this episode.  To purchase your "Soul Diving" Guided Workbook to heal, self discover, and align in private, you can purchase here | https://amzn.to/3CD1gF6 If you'd like 1:1 Coaching while on your "Soul Diving" journey, you can enroll in my 8 week Online Course here | https://www.keepaligningwithin.com/souldiving Some AMAZING healing book recommendations, visit https://www.keepaligningwithin.com/shop

We are going to head into the debatable topic of to dating while you are healing in Episode 8. I go into detail on the different roles each person plays to set the relationship up for success if someone is either in a relationship or married and how the supportive person and the healing person can come together to cultivate a dynamic that is healthy, safe, supportive, loving, and sets you both up with major wins! The episode is broken up into 2 parts | The Supportive Role, which offers ways to communicate, as well as effective ways to have compassion, understanding, and creating a safe space for your healing partner to thrive in. The 2nd part is for the Healing Role, which offers tools for communication and allowing yourself to receive the support and love that your Supportive Person is offering. We also discuss the topic of dating while you are healing and the types of partners you are going to want to attract and remaining honest and transparent of where you are in your life currently.  We end the episode with a "Supportive Person Meditation" to offer yourself and for your loved one who is on their healing journey. A super rich episode that provides many insights and support to help both individuals create intimacy, a great bond, and and growth together.   To book a Pit To Peace Consultation, visit www.keepaligningwithin.com/reserve To purchase "Soul Diving Self Discovery+Alignment" Guided Workbook, visit https://amzn.to/4hv6WRE  As always, please reach out for additional support on IG @keepaligningwith

In this episode we start off with a Self Compassion Mindfulness Meditation. I also share the insights of changing my mindset to embrace a more mindful one that is rooted in compassion and empathy for others, as well, as raising my 8 year old to have a mindfulness mindset as well when it comes to his peers and ability to set standards for his life.  For Child Mindfulness online classes, visit www.keepaligningwithin.com/kyleskids to learn more! To book an online session, visit www.keepaligningwithin.com/reserve for Children ages 6-12. Follow along on IG! @keepaligningwithin 

In this episode, we will discuss finding your edge of discomfort to find growth, sitting with your feelings for reflection and release, as well as discussing the topics of isolation and loneliness that often occur while healing.  We go into the benefits of learning how to self regulate with the tools of Somatic Therapy and BreathWork. To learn self regulation tools to be able to live in the uncomfortable edge in life, but remain in control and calm, visit www.keepaligningwithin.com and schedule a *complimentary* Pit To Peace Session. Learn how to get out of the trauma pit, and living into the peace of your life.

This episode is JAM PACKED with so many great insights and information on attachment styles, how to practice non-attachment and forgiveness for a peaceful lifestyle, and also sharing an extremely effective communication style so that you can become heard, seen, validated, and and your issue resolved. This communication style comes from the "Getting The Love You Want" by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. and Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D.  In this episode, I also touch on the importance of a body scan to become more attuned with your bodily felt sensations and introduce an Integrated Somatic exercise called Orienting. I LOVE this episode! To learn how to train your nervous system with Integrative Somatic Coaching and start living a peaceful lifestyle, enroll in The Pit To Peace Training Program by visiting www.keepaligningwithin.com/thepittopeace And for more, follow On The Blog ... www.keepaligningwithin.com/blog www.keepaligningwithin.com/blog

In Episode 4, we will do a deep dive in to my childhood trauma revolving around the effects of parental alienation, control, manipulation, and the outcome from overcoming this specific trauma. Also, learning how to gain your power back in the thick of healing when times of vulnerability will test your ability to rise above the trauma and choose peace. 

We discuss heavily in this episode what dating emotionally unavailable people looks like and the important steps you can take to avoid heartbreak while dating these people. We also discuss what healthy, secure attachment looks like and examples of conversations to have when dating that support seeking secure partners. Get out of the pit of dating unhealed people and find peace and alignment with your needs and wants to attract secure relationships that are on FIRE! To help find you who you are and what you want, take Keep Aligning WIthin's "Soul Diving, Self Discovery+Alignment" Online Course by visiting www.keepaligningwithin.com/souldiving. You can also purchase our "Soul Diving" Guided Workbook for private growth and self discovery here,  https://amzn.to/3XPyckJ

In this episode, we will take a walk down memory lane where Mother Wounds often start in our childhood and how they come out while mothering our own children. We take a look inside the steps necessary to reparent our own inner child so that we can take the actions needs to break generational trauma from continuing being passed down. We also look into the idea of loving our parents from a distance, a choice that we must sometimes take to choose ourselves in order to full heal from The Pit To Peace journey.  We end this episode with a Love+Kindness Compassion Mindfulness Meditation from the incredible work of Dr. Kristin Neff.  For additional support during your healing journey, visit www.keepaligningwithin.com for online classes to help regulate your nervous system and offerings of a safe container to heal. 

In this episode, we will discuss my personal journey of healing from my childhood trauma and what that looked like for me with my experiences, healing journey, and where I am today. We will touch on inspirations to help you on your path and lightly discuss how trauma is stored in the brain, which effects our decisions and how we lead our lives.  For support with recovering from trauma, visit www.keepalignginwithin.com for online classes for Somatic Trauma Training to regulate your nervous system so you can be on your way to living a life out of the pit of survival mode and into the peace of your life.