Strive to Thrive
Welcome to Strive. Rise. Thrive Rising from the storm I am your host Elise Smith, author of "The New Zealand Dream" trilogy. Welcome to a space where transformation isn't just a goal- it's a way of life. At "Survive to Thrive," we believe in rewriting your story, not with perfection but with purpose. Whether you are navigating personal growth, shifting mindset, or building a business rooted in authenticity, we're here to guide you through the process. Are you, feeling disconnected from your true self? Do you have a desire for balance and wellbeing? Are you lacking self-worth and confidence? Are you frustrated with your current life or career? Do you feel lonely and isolated? Are you on a healing journey? Do you have fear of change or uncertainty? Are you struggling with self-doubt and mind set? Are you overwhelmed and stressed? Do you lack clarity and purpose? Through trainings, immersive workshops, holistic retreats, and powerful digital resources - like ebooks, workbooks and guided practices - we help you peel back the layers and reonnect with your trueset self. As the author of The New Zealand Dream and 12 other inspiring books, I have walked this path of transformation, rising from life's storms to find clarity, courage, and hope. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it. And if you would like more resources please subscribe and follow me; @thiiselisesmith on Instagram Instagram Elise M Smith Author on Facebook (12) Facebook Drop me a message at elisebrooke771@gmail.com Are you ready to step into a life of purpose, clarity, and growth? GET YOUR FREE GUIDE that will walk you through 10 actionable steps to help you move from where you are now to where you truly want to be. Whether you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain, these steps are designed to help you reclaim control, build confidence, and embrace the life of your dreams. Message or email me today for yours or click the link below https://www.canva.com/design/DAGewZnVlO8/l7xtdYeNevTofIUlVUqezw/edit?utm_content=DAGewZnVlO8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton I have been through tough times, and I know the power of resilience. Get real talk, real strategies, and real hope for your greatest transformation - from striving to truly thriving! We also celebrate the beauty of resilience through hand crafted, upcycled wooden wares, exclusive New Zealand nature photography, and heartfelt stories shared on our blog. Let's do this together! Elise Smith
Episodes
In this deeply personal episode of Tales of Awakening, Elise shares two powerful dreams that uncovered a profound message about creativity, self-expression, and reclaiming personal energy.
From mysterious pink capital letters spelling “ENERGY,” to a rockstar-like figure embodying unapologetic creative force, to standing at the top of a long country road facing rows of police cars, this episode explores what happens w...
Some awakenings don't arrive with lightening. They arrive as a quiet knowing in the body. A tightening, a softening, a sense that there's more happening beneath the surface than we were ever taught to name.
This episode explores the subtle body, energetic anatomy and the ancient idea of logos, the intelligence that brings meaning into form, spoken of by thinkers like Aristole.
This isn't about belief s...
Episode 2: Integration | When the Past Knocks Softly
In this quiet, reflective episode of the Awakening Series, Elise guides you through the gentle practice of integration—the art of witnessing your past without judgment. Through a tender meditation, she invites you to acknowledge your younger self, honor old memories, and recognize that healing often looks like simply being present with yourself.
Integration isn’t ab...
This series is for those standing at the quiet crossroads of change. The moment after survival, when something within begins to stir.
Through honest reflections, lived stories, and gentle guidance, Tales of Awakening explores what it means to wake up to yourself again after loss, burnout, grief, or long seasons of simply getting through. These are stories of unravelling and remembering. Of releasing old identities an...
"Loving an addict is like standing in the ocean during a storm—no matter how hard you fight the waves, they just keep pulling you under. You want to save them, but what if saving them means losing yourself? Let’s talk about the reality of addiction, the heartbreak of trying to help, and the hardest lesson I ever had to learn: Sometimes, love isn’t enough."
Growing Up in the Hood vs. Growing Up in the ‘Good’ Neighborhood—How Your Roots Shape You
"Where you grow up can define your early experiences, but it doesn’t have to define your future. Whether you come from the hood or an ideal neighborhood, the real question is—how do you rise beyond your circumstances?"
"Sometimes, you don’t have to be the one in the gang for it to change your life. Sometimes, just knowing the wrong person is enough to pull you into a world you never asked to be in."
Maybe you’re listening to this right now because you’re in that situation. Maybe you feel trapped between loyalty and self-preservation. Or maybe you’ve already walked away, but the scars run deep. Wherever you are on thi...
Today, we’re diving into a powerful conversation: the real-world business skills that you can’t learn in school. This one’s personal, raw, and full of heart — because it’s rooted in my own story, the one I shared in The New Zealand Dream: The Healing.
I call this one: Grit, Guts, and Grace. Let’s talk about the tools you gain in the trenches — and how they can become the foundation of your business."
🎧 Listen In As We Explore:
“Healing isn’t a straight path—and it was never meant to be. But you were never meant to walk it alone, either.”
In this raw and hope-filled episode, Elise shares the truth about healing—it’s not a linear journey, and that’s okay. Drawing from her own lived experiences of trauma, chronic illness, and rebuilding life after loss, she opens up about the real challenges of the healing process. ...
Chayne is a 31-year-old solo mum to three beautiful kids, living in rural New Zealand. She's built a massive, supportive community by teaching the lost art of getting back to basics — from growing your own fruit and veggies, to clever money-saving tips, personal growth insights, and recipes that will seriously make your mouth water.
Chayne’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience, creativity, and a return ...
Heartbreak isn't just an ending - it's a fracture in the life we thought we'd have, a deep wound that leaves us wondering if we'll ever feel whole again.
When my world shattered, I thought I was broken beyond repair. But looking back, I see now that it was through those cracks that the light found its way in. And today I want to share how you can thrive beyond the pain - because your story isn&ap...
Sometimes, life doesn’t just knock us down—it shatters us. The dreams we built, the person we thought we were, the future we imagined—it all crumbles in ways we never expected. But what if those broken pieces aren’t the end of your story? What if they’re the beginning of something even more powerful? Welcome to Survive, Rise, Thrive—I’m Elise and today, I want to share how my greatest loss became the foundation for ...
This is how I found me again- and you can too.
How I rebuilt my identity after everything seemed to fall apart.
I take you through my journey living in toxicity, facing unimaginable challenges, and choosing freedom and healing. By the end of this episode, I hope you'll feel inspired to take your first steps toward rebuilding your own identity and thriving after life's toughest knocks.
If this episode resonate...
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