All Episodes 109: Michael Unbroken | From Trauma to Triumph
109: Michael Unbroken | From Trauma to Triumph
Join Chris Beane in a powerful and enlightening conversation with Michael Unbroken, Founder of Think Unbroken, bestselling author, award-winning speaker, and advocate for adult survivors of childhood trauma. In this episode, Michael shares his incredible journey from homelessness and abuse to empowerment and advocacy. Together, they explore the transformative power of healing from trauma, reclaiming one's power, and becoming the hero of your own story. Get ready to be inspired, uplifted, and empowered to overcome adversity and thrive.
Breaking the Chains of the Past: My Conversation with Michael Unbroken on Healing, Resilience, and Personal Power
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On this episode of The Prestigious Initiative, I had the privilege of sitting down with Michael Unbroken, a coach, speaker, and author dedicated to helping people overcome trauma and reclaim their power. Michaelâs journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a leader in personal development is nothing short of inspiring.
Our conversation touched on resilience, mindset, and the difficult but necessary process of healing. Michaelâs perspective on self-discovery and empowerment is one that everyoneâregardless of their pastâcan learn from. Here are the key takeaways from our discussion.
Overcoming Trauma: Michaelâs Personal Journey
Michaelâs story is one of resilience in the face of adversity. He opened up about his difficult upbringing, marked by abuse, neglect, and hardship. By the time he was a young adult, he found himself in a cycle of self-destructionâstruggling with addiction, unhealthy relationships, and a lack of direction.
But instead of letting his past define him, Michael made the decision to break free from it. âI had to take radical responsibility for my life,â he shared. That turning point led him on a journey of self-improvement, where he immersed himself in therapy, personal development, and mentorship.
Insight: Michaelâs story is a reminder that no matter where you come from, change is possible. It all starts with the decision to take control of your own life.
Radical Responsibility: The First Step to Transformation
One of the most powerful ideas Michael shared was the concept of radical responsibility. He believes that the only way to truly heal and move forward is to stop blaming external circumstances and take full ownership of our actions, choices, and mindset.
âEverything changed when I stopped making excuses,â he said. âI realized no one was coming to save me. If I wanted a different life, I had to create it myself.â
This shift in perspective is what allowed Michael to start rebuilding his life. He encouraged listeners to ask themselves:
What am I willing to take ownership of?
What stories am I telling myself that are holding me back?
How can I start making different choices today?
Takeaway: Taking responsibility doesnât mean ignoring the pastâit means deciding that your past will no longer dictate your future.
The Power of Mindset: Shifting from Victim to Victor
Michael talked about the difference between a victim mindset and a victor mindset. He explained that many people unknowingly stay stuck in victimhood, believing that life is happening to them rather than for them.
âThe moment you stop saying âwhy me?â and start asking âwhatâs next?â is the moment everything changes,â he explained.
Developing a victor mindset requires intentionality. Michael shared some of the practices that helped him rewire his thinking, including:
Daily affirmations: Speaking positive truths over yourself.
Journaling: Writing out thoughts, fears, and goals to gain clarity.
Surrounding yourself with the right people: Seeking mentors, coaches, and friends who uplift and challenge you.
Insight: Mindset is everything. Iâve seen in my own journey that success starts with how we think and what we choose to believe about ourselves.
Healing Takes Work: The Truth About Personal Growth
Michael was incredibly honest about the fact that healing is not a quick or easy process. âPeople want a shortcut,â he said, âbut there isnât one. If you want to heal, you have to do the work.â
For him, that meant going to therapy, reading hundreds of books, attending workshops, and facing uncomfortable truths about himself. He emphasized that real change requires consistency, patience, and a willingness to face your pain head-on.
One of the key lessons he shared was that healing isnât about forgetting the pastâitâs about learning how to live despite it. âYour past happened. You canât change that. But you can decide what you do with it,â he said.
Takeaway: Healing is a lifelong journey, not a destination. The more you invest in yourself, the more empowered you become.
Breaking Limiting Beliefs and Creating a New Identity
A big part of Michaelâs work involves helping people break free from limiting beliefsâthe negative stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what weâre capable of.
He explained that our beliefs shape our reality. If you believe youâre unworthy of success, youâll act in ways that reinforce that belief. But if you intentionally reprogram those beliefs, you can start to build a new identity.
Michael encouraged listeners to challenge their limiting beliefs by asking:
Is this belief actually true, or is it something I was conditioned to believe?
What evidence do I have that contradicts this belief?
What new belief can I choose to adopt instead?
Insight: Iâve seen firsthand how powerful this shift can be. When you change the way you see yourself, you change the way you show up in the world.
Michaelâs Advice for Those Ready to Change Their Lives
As our conversation wrapped up, I asked Michael what advice he would give to anyone feeling stuck or lost. His response was straightforward:
Decide: The first step is making a firm decision that you are no longer willing to accept the life youâve been living.
Take Action: Start smallâwhether itâs reading a book, going to therapy, or changing one daily habit.
Stay Committed: Transformation takes time. Keep showing up, even when it gets hard.
âYou donât have to have it all figured out,â he said. âYou just have to take the next step.â
Takeaway: The best way to change your life is to startâimperfectly, inconsistently, but with intention.
Closing Thoughts: Lessons from Michael Unbroken
My conversation with Michael Unbroken was a powerful reminder that no matter where we come from, we have the ability to create a better future. His journey from trauma to transformation is proof that resilience, mindset, and personal responsibility can lead to incredible change.
If thereâs one thing I took away from our discussion, itâs this: You are not your past. You are what you decide to become.
For anyone looking to dive deeper into Michaelâs work, I highly recommend checking out Think Unbroken. His books, coaching programs, and content are designed to help people take back control of their lives and build a future theyâre proud of.
Until next time, remember: your story isnât over. You have the power to write the next chapter.
Join us weekly for deep, unfiltered conversations about personal development, leadership, productivity, and excellence. Each episode is crafted to help you take initiative and unlock your full potential â both personally and professionally
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