Healing the Identity Wound: Your Journey to Self-Discovery

Ep 10 | Season 1 of Made for This Mountain

The best story about success I’ve heard lately didn’t come from a motivational speaker or a bestselling book. It came from a priest at a random mass I wandered into in New Jersey. (Yes, I church-hop sometimes; don’t judge me!)

He shared a story about U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield visiting Mother Teresa in the depths of Calcutta. Surrounded by sickness, suffering, and conditions none of us would call “thriving,” he asked her:

“How can you be so successful in such terrible conditions?”

Mother Teresa, without missing a beat, responded:

“I am not called to be successful. I am called to be faithful.”

Now, whether or not you share her faith is beside the point (that’s another podcast episode altogether). The deeper truth is this:

Success is not always about the outcome. It's about your obedience to the story you're meant to live.

It’s about showing up even when it’s messy, even when it’s slow, and even when you feel like a hot emotional burrito of self-doubt and old wounds. (We’ve all been there.)

The Greatest Thing You Will Ever Own Is Your Own Story

Your story is your soul’s fingerprint. No one else can live it, shape it, or speak it like you. But here’s the kicker: most of us are walking around carrying stories we didn’t write.

• The ex who made you feel unworthy

• The parent who only noticed you when you failed

• The teacher who said you “weren’t leadership material”

• That moment where you internalized that you were the problem

  
  

These moments script our identity unless we interrupt the narrative.

Here’s the truth:

You don't need to rewrite the past. You just need to stop letting it hold the pen.

What Is the "Identity Wound"?

In psychology, there’s a term called the core wound, a deeply rooted belief we carry, usually from childhood, that we are not enough, not lovable, not safe, or not worthy. It becomes the lens through which we experience rejection, abandonment, or even success.

That ex didn’t just ghost you. They triggered your old wound that says, “I’m not wanted.” That missed opportunity didn’t just hurt. It echoed your belief that “I’m not good enough.”

But hear me:

These wounds are not your truth. They’re just old stories written by people who didn’t know how to honor your worth.

The Mountain of Your Own Story

Think of your life like a mountain. Every chapter, every heartbreak, every win, and every failure is a step on the climb. But you can’t summit with a backpack full of false narratives.

No one has authority over your story unless you give it to them. That means:

• Reclaiming power from people who never earned it

• Choosing who gets a voice in your life

• Telling your story with dignity, not denial

  
  

And here's the magic part: when you do this, you become a beacon on your own mountain. Not because you “made it,” but because you stayed faithful to the climb.

Why Vulnerability Is a Confidence Power Move

Confidence isn’t built by pretending you’ve got it all together. It’s built by standing in your truth and saying,

“This is what I’ve walked through, and I’m still here.”

Being vulnerable is not weakness. It’s an act of spiritual resistance. It says: I am no longer afraid of who I was. I’m proud of who I’m becoming.

Rewrite. Reclaim. Rise.

Let me be blunt for a second:

Your story matters. Not just the dramatic parts. Not just the healed parts. Even the messy middle you’re in right now—especially that. Why?

Because your future needs it. Your present needs it. And most importantly? Your past needs it. That younger version of you is still waiting for the day you stop running from the story and start owning it.

Let’s Get Practical: How to Start Healing the Identity Wound

Here are a few powerful steps to begin rewriting that old story:

1. Name the lie you believed about yourself (e.g., “I’m unlovable”).

2. Name the moment it was planted (e.g., “When my dad left”).

3. Replace it with the truth (e.g., “I am worthy of love whether or not others stayed”).

4. Speak it out loud, journal it, or share it with someone safe.

5. Use your story to lift someone else; it rewires your brain to associate pain with purpose.

   
   

The Power of Community in Healing

Healing is not a solitary journey. It thrives in community. When we share our stories, we create connections. We find support and encouragement.

Why Community Matters

• Shared Experiences: Hearing others’ stories can help you realize you’re not alone. It’s comforting to know that others have faced similar struggles.

• Accountability: A supportive community can help keep you on track. They can remind you of your worth when you forget.

• Growth: Engaging with others can provide new perspectives and insights. You might learn something that helps you move forward.

  
  

This Episode Is a Heartfelt Call

In Episode 10 of Made For This Mountain, we go deep into:

• How your personal story shapes your identity

• Why vulnerability is your secret weapon

• The impact of generational trauma and inherited narratives

• What it means to believe in success before you achieve it

• Why you don’t need to be “healed” to start helping others—you just need to be honest

  
  

You’re not called to be successful. You’re called to be faithful. Show up. Stay present. Keep climbing. The view is waiting, and you are made for this mountain.

Remember, your journey is uniquely yours. Embrace it, and let it guide you toward healing and self-discovery.