Table of Contents

Introduction and Resource Mention (00:00:00) Emily introduces the podcast, shares its purpose, and promotes a free resource for listeners.

Welcoming the Guest (00:00:51) Emily welcomes Bethany Shelton and sets the stage for the conversation.

Bethany’s Introduction and Mission (00:01:50) Bethany introduces herself, shares her son’s passing, and explains the founding of Be Limitless Now.

Bethany’s Early Life and Trauma (00:03:52) Bethany recounts trauma from birth, ADHD diagnosis, medication, and early feelings of not fitting in.

Struggles with Addiction and Motherhood (00:05:49) Bethany discusses her teenage years, substance use, and becoming a mother.

The Loss of Her Son (00:07:04) Bethany describes the moment she learned of her son’s death and the initial aftermath.

Spiritual Awakening and Signs from Her Son (00:08:14) Bethany shares experiences with signs, synchronicities, and spiritual communication from her son.

Advice for Grieving Mothers (00:13:34) Bethany offers advice on feeling emotions, not getting stuck, and using photos as a healing tool.

Energy, Frequency, and Programming (00:16:13) Bethany explains energy, frequency, and how childhood media may program us to experience grief.

Choosing a New Way to Heal (00:19:44) Bethany encourages listeners to break cycles, choose higher frequencies, and find joy in the present.

Ancestral Energy and Personal Power (00:20:48) Bethany discusses ancestral patterns, letting go of old energy, and reclaiming personal power.

Awareness and Synchronicity (00:22:21) Bethany describes how living in a higher frequency increases awareness of signs and synchronicities.

How to Connect with Bethany (00:22:39) Bethany shares how listeners can connect with her for support and further conversation.

Closing and Final Resource Reminder (00:23:44) Emily thanks Bethany, reminds listeners about the free guide, and closes the episode.

Transforming Grief into Purpose: Lessons from Bethany Shelton on Mamahood After Trauma

Grief is a journey no one wishes to take, especially the unimaginable loss of a child. Yet, in the latest episode of the "Mamahood After Trauma" podcast, host Emily sits down with Bethany Shelton, founder of Be Limitless Now, to explore how profound pain can be transformed into a powerful purpose. Bethany’s story is not just one of survival, but of deep transformation, spiritual awakening, and a radical reimagining of how we experience and move through grief.

This blog post dives deep into the main themes and actionable insights from the episode, offering a comprehensive guide for mothers and anyone navigating the turbulent waters of loss. We’ll break down Bethany’s most impactful tips, explore the nuances of energetic healing, and provide expert advice for those seeking to reclaim peace and joy after trauma.

Bethany’s Story: From Trauma to Transformation

Bethany Shelton’s journey began with trauma even before birth, continued through childhood struggles with ADHD and medication, and culminated in the devastating loss of her only child, Kevin, in a tragic car accident. Rather than succumbing to despair, Bethany chose to transform her pain into purpose, founding Be Limitless Now to help others navigate grief in a new way.

Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of finding meaning, connection, and even joy after the deepest loss.

Tip 1: Feel Your Feelings—But Don’t Get Stuck

“The best healing comes from feeling your feelings fully. When you feel grief, pain, anger, or sadness, shut off your brain and get into your heart. Allow yourself to feel it all without judgment. But here’s the key—you can’t stay stuck in that place.” — Bethany Shelton

In-Depth Breakdown

• Allow All Emotions: Grief is not linear. It comes in waves—sometimes overwhelming, sometimes subtle. Bethany emphasizes the importance of allowing yourself to feel every emotion, whether it’s pain, anger, guilt, or even moments of joy.
• Move from Head to Heart: The mind often tries to rationalize or suppress pain. Bethany’s advice is to “shut off your brain and get into your heart.” This means letting go of judgment, analysis, or the urge to “fix” your feelings.
• Don’t Settle in the Pain: While it’s crucial to feel, it’s equally important not to become comfortable in suffering. As Emily puts it, “Don’t just sit down and have tea with your grief.” Acknowledge it, but don’t let it define your identity or your future.

Actionable Steps

• Daily Emotional Check-Ins: Set aside a few minutes each day to sit quietly and notice what you’re feeling. Name the emotions without judgment.
• Journaling: Write about your feelings as they arise. This can help you process and release them, rather than bottling them up.
• Mindful Presence: When grief surfaces, pause and place your hand on your heart. Breathe deeply and allow the emotion to move through you.

Tip 2: Shift Your Frequency—The Power of Energy and Emotion

“Energy is frequency, and what you think about, you bring about. If you stay in lower emotions like blame, shame, or guilt, you attract more of that.” — Bethany Shelton

In-Depth Breakdown

• Understanding Frequency: Bethany draws from quantum mechanics and energy work, explaining that our thoughts and emotions emit frequencies that shape our reality.
• Elevate Your Emotions: She noticed that signs from her son appeared more frequently when she was in a state of joy or excitement, rather than deep sorrow.
• The Brain-Heart Connection: The brain acts as an antenna, while the heart is magnetic. When you operate from the heart, you attract higher-frequency experiences.

Actionable Steps

• Conscious Choice: Each moment, ask yourself, “What emotion am I choosing right now?” If it’s a lower frequency, gently shift toward gratitude, hope, or curiosity.
• Joyful Rituals: Engage in activities that naturally elevate your mood—listening to uplifting music, spending time in nature, or connecting with loved ones.
• Visualization: Imagine yourself surrounded by light or warmth, raising your energetic frequency.

Tip 3: Seek Signs and Synchronicities—Staying Connected

“I started finding change in odd places… I asked Kevin to show up for me as a blue or red bird. The very next day, I saw blue jays and cardinals everywhere. That was a shift in my frequency, a sign of connection.” — Bethany Shelton

In-Depth Breakdown

• Signs from Loved Ones: Bethany’s experiences with coins, birds, and music were not just coincidences—they were meaningful connections that brought comfort and validation.
• Openness to Synchronicity: These signs often appear when we are open, present, and operating at a higher frequency.
• Shared Experiences: Even pets and other family members can sense and participate in these connections.

Actionable Steps

• Set an Intention: Ask your loved one to send you a specific sign—a song, an animal, a symbol.
• Stay Present: Be mindful and open to noticing subtle signs in your environment.
• Document Synchronicities: Keep a journal of the signs you receive. Over time, patterns may emerge that deepen your sense of connection.

Tip 4: Reframe Grief—From Victimhood to Empowerment

“We weren’t taught that energy is everything—our thoughts, feelings, and emotions are frequencies that shape our reality… It’s happening for us, not to us.” — Bethany Shelton

In-Depth Breakdown

• Societal Conditioning: Bethany points out that many cultural narratives, including popular children’s movies, reinforce lower-frequency emotions like blame, shame, and fear.
• Choosing a New Lens: By reframing grief as an opportunity for growth and connection, you move from a place of victimhood to empowerment.
• Presence and Choice: Every moment offers a choice—to expand and learn, or to contract and stay stuck.

Actionable Steps

• Media Awareness: Notice the emotional tone of the media you consume. Choose stories and content that uplift and inspire.
• Empowerment Affirmations: Remind yourself daily, “I have the power to choose my response to grief.”
• Seek Meaning: Look for ways your loss can inspire purpose, connection, or service to others.

Tip 5: Become a Cycle Breaker—Healing Ancestral and Personal Patterns

“We carry ancestral energy and past life experiences that fill our cups. We can’t pour new experiences in until we empty some of the old energy.” — Bethany Shelton

In-Depth Breakdown

• Inherited Patterns: Trauma and emotional patterns can be passed down through generations. Healing yourself can break cycles for your children and future generations.
• Energetic Clearing: Bethany emphasizes the importance of clearing out old, stuck energy to make room for new experiences.
• Personal Responsibility: Healing is not just for you—it’s a gift to your lineage and your community.

Actionable Steps

• Family Reflection: Explore your family’s history of trauma or emotional patterns. Notice what you may be carrying that isn’t yours.
• Energy Practices: Try modalities like breathwork, meditation, or energy healing to release old patterns.
• Community Support: Connect with others who are also committed to breaking cycles and healing generational wounds.

Expert Recommendations and Resources

• Unlocking Piece Guide: Emily’s free resource offers practical tools to create calm, reclaim peace, and manage triggers. Download it from the podcast show notes.
• Professional Support: Consider working with a grief counselor, energy healer, or trauma-informed coach for personalized guidance.
• Books & Podcasts: Explore literature on grief, energy healing, and quantum mechanics to deepen your understanding (e.g., "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk, "Signs" by Laura Lynne Jackson).
• Connect with Bethany: https://beelimitlessnow.kit.com/06981459f2

About Bethany Shelton

Want to be a guest on Mamahood After Trauma? Send Emily Cleghorn a message on PodMatch, here