In this insightful episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein speaks with Dr. Natasha Trujillo, a licensed sports psychologist specializing in grief, loss, and chronic illness. Dr. Trujillo and Dr. Bluestien both work with the Colorado Ballet. Dr. Trujillo discusses the complex emotional landscape of grieving when faced with chronic pain, disability, and the loss of identity. She shares valuable strategies for processing grief, moving towards acceptance, and navigating self-compassion. Whether you’ve experienced grief from illness, injury, or significant life changes, this episode provides tools and approaches to living a fuller, more resilient life. Takeaways: Grief Beyond Death: Grief can occur after any significant loss, not just death, especially when living with chronic illness and disability. Acceptance and Resilience: Acceptance is not about giving up; it’s about acknowledging reality while continuing to strive for personal growth and well-being. Grief is Nonlinear: The stages of grief do not always follow a predictable order and can vary widely from person to person. Processing Emotions: Identifying, expressing, and working through emotions are key steps in moving through grief and loss. Self-Compassion: Developing self-compassion is crucial when dealing with grief and loss, as it helps counteract self-blame and fosters emotional healing. Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/.   This episode is sponsored by EDS Guardians. If you want to learn more, check them out here: https://www.edsguardians.org/    Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them.🎧 Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.        Learn more about Human Content at http://www.human-content.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: [email protected] YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! 🧬🔬🦓 Learn about Dr. Natasha Trujillo: Instagram: @npttherapy Keep up to date with the HypermobilityMD: YouTube: youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Twitter: twitter.com/BluesteinLinda LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd Facebook: facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast Blog: hypermobilitymd.com/blog Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices