Healing Horizons: Resilience, Journaling, and Returning to Your True Self with Dr. Crystal T. Harrell

On this episode of Healing Horizons with host Saima, Yale PhD, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and U.S. Army Medical Service officer Dr. Crystal T. Harrell unpacks what real resilience looks like—beyond hustle and highlight reels. From growing up as the seventh of ten children in rural Alabama and losing her father at age 11 to blending science, service, and spirituality, Crystal explains how journaling, intention, and the concept of innate health helped her move from survival to alignment. We cover letting go of misaligned status goals, building the Student Well-Being Project, and the simple, relentless question: “Who am I?” Clear, grounded, and practical—this conversation turns self-discovery into a daily practice you can actually do. 

About the guest:  

Dr. Crystal T. Harrell is a Yale-trained public health scholar, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and U.S. Army Medical Service officer. Her work bridges rigorous research with lived experience to help students and communities cultivate emotional well-being, purpose, and aligned leadership.

 

Key takeaways:

• Resilience is trained, not gifted: it strengthens like a muscle through repeated use.

• Vision protects momentum: a clear picture of the future sustains action when motivation fades.

• Community matters: mentors and timely encouragers often catalyze life’s biggest steps.

• Science + spirit can align: research on innate health suggests our baseline is wholeness; symptoms signal misalignment.

• Numbers = people: data in wellness must be read with empathy and context.

• Journaling is a stabilizer: a straightforward daily practice for meaning-making and inner peace.

• Identity first, strategy second: ask “Who am I?” until the answer unfolds; let choices follow identity.

• Letting go creates capacity: releasing status-driven goals opens space for aligned opportunities.

• Body signals guide decisions: pay attention to anxiety and stress as alignment indicators.

• Student Well-Being Project: support must include academics and emotional health, with social connection as a core pillar.

 

Connect with the guest  :

• Website: https://crystaltharrell.com/YouTube and resources are linked on her site. Join her email list there for updates.

 

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Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.

 

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