In this powerful and deeply affirming episode of Not That Girl Anymore, Dawn welcomes Dottie and Ashley for a transformative conversation on one of the most life-changing mindset shifts in healing: Gap Brain vs. Gain Brain.

Dottie explains how “gap brain” keeps us focused on everything we haven’t accomplished—how far we still have to go, what’s missing, and all the ways we think we’re falling short. For trauma survivors especially, this mindset often comes from old survival strategies and perfectionistic patterns rooted in childhood.

But there’s another way.

“Gain brain” invites us to look backward instead of forward—to measure our progress by how far we’ve already come. To celebrate small steps. To honor resilience. To slow down, breathe deeper, and build confidence from the inside out.

Together, Dawn, Dottie, and Ashley unpack:

• The emotional and somatic differences between gap brain and gain brain
• Why perfectionism can’t survive inside a gain-brain mindset
• How celebrating tiny steps rewires self-worth and nervous system safety
• The role of community and supportive relationships in sustaining healing
• Real-life stories of how shifting this mindset transforms marriages, friendships, parenting, and self-trust

As the holidays approach, the trio invites listeners to reflect on who they were a year ago and recognize just how far they’ve already come.

This episode is equal parts grounding, inspiring, and deeply compassionate.

A reminder that:

✨ You matter. Your story matters. Your healing matters.

✨ And you truly are not that girl anymore.