Resilience Is Not Bouncing Back: Community and Vulnerability with Dr. Maria Van Der Maaten

Do you feel you have to get through hard seasons alone? Mind Over Matter explores resilience with Dr. Maria Van Der Maaten, who challenges the idea that being strong means being unbreakable. Learn why resilience looks more like getting knocked down and slowly rising again, how asking for help builds it, and how to start small with community, low expectations and one habit at a time. About the Guest: Dr. Maria Van Der Maaten is a community practitioner who taught a university class on Sustainable Communities and worked in Central America. She grew up in the American Midwest and now lives abroad. Key Takeaways: Resilience is being knocked over and getting back up, not never being affected. Skip the word “bounce back” for people: first sit, then stand, then walk. Asking for help is part of resilience, because shared humanity flows both ways. Do a personal inventory: who do you actually spend time with outside family and work? Keep expectations low and start small. Build one habit at a time. Connect With the Guest: Website: https://mariavdm.com Episode Chapters (approx.): [00:00] When the Ground Shifts: An opening on finding what cannot be shaken. [03:00] Resilience Is Not Unbreakable: Floods, grass and getting back up. [07:00] Why Vulnerability Feels So Hard: Independence, bootstraps and being stuck in the mud. [12:00] Giving and Receiving in Community: Lessons from working in Central America. [17:00] The Invisible Weight We Carry: Where everyday resilience struggles show up. [21:00] A Personal Inventory of Your Circles: Who you spend time with, honestly. [25:00] Start Small, Go Slow, Find Your People: Low expectations, one habit at a time. 🎙️ Want to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life ? Send me a direct message on PodMatch. 👉 DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik 🌱 About Healthy Mind By Avik™️ Healthy Mind By Avik™️ Global Mental Wellness Podcast Network - focused, credible, no more identity clutter. 👉 Subscribe and be part of this healing journey. Refer a Guest Know someone who would be a great fit for one of our podcast shows? Email us at services@podhealth.club with the subject line “Refer a Guest.” Requests without this subject line cannot be catered to. Support Our Podcast : Support this Podcast 📬 Contact & Links Brand: Healthy Mind By Avik™️ Contact Us Based in: India & USA 🎧 All Podcast Shows 🤝 Be a Guest 📩 Newsletter Substack 👉 Join the LinkedIn Community 📌 Disclaimer - This episode is produc