Addressing the effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on young South African professionals
How can childhood trauma impede professionals’ personal impact power and career success? Executive coach Gail Cameron explains how unforeseen change can trigger the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences, often linked to large-group trauma and transgenerational transmission. She outlines a mindfulness-based, 3-step solution which can restore self-regard and shift limiting beliefs.
If you’re new to podcasts, simply click on the arrow to listen to Gail and Mariette, or on the download button to download the conversation onto your device.
In ep. 207 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful, executive coach Gail Cameron considers
a definition of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
examples of Adverse Childhood Experiences: violence in the home, parents’ divorce, fear of failure, etc.
how a change in circumstances, e.g. a demotion, can trigger ACE wounding in professionals
the #1 area of dysfunctionality seemingly caused by ACE: the lack of self-perception, including an inability to accept one’s strengths and weaknesses
the situation in South Africa: the wounding of apartheid, and South Africans’ saving grace
large-group trauma and transgenerational transmission
the sacrifice syndrome
how transgenerational transmission can become a chosen trauma
a workable approach to victimisation
a 3-step solution to ACE:
1 creating self-awareness, using mindfulness-based stress reduction
2 encouraging the growth of healthier outcomes or possibilities by developing positive neurons in the brain
3 shifting limiting beliefs
real self-compassion, “power stress” and how to know what your truth is
using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), BWRT (BrainWorking Recursive Therapy) or longer-term psychotherapy when necessary
Gail’s tips on communication and being more present, including a mindfulness technique which unlocks the prefrontal cortex.
In this episode, Gail mentions a landmark publication published in 1998 by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente, and Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl.
Scroll down for more info on Gail, including her contact details.
Get a 10% discount on 2 online Life Coaching courses:
Gail kindly offers a 10% discount to listeners interested in the
Life Coaching Course (shorter course)
Life Coaching Practitioner’s Course (longer course)
More information at https://www.mypocketcoachapp.com/online-courses/
To access the discount, email Gail at gail@iegroup.co.za and mention that you learnt about this on Mariette’s website or the ‘Calm, Clear & Helpful’ podcast series.
Feel free to click on Home and browse this website for articles and podcasts on more fulfilling love relationships, easier parenting, and upping your emotional well-being.
‘From Fear to Freedom’ by Gail Cameron (2021) is available on Amazon.
Listen to clinical psychologist Rafiq Lockhat’s introduction to what BWRT® is and what it can do - Gail mentions BWRT in her episode.
More about Gail
Gail is an award-winning Executive Coach, the founder and Managing Director of The Image Excellence (IE) Group, one of South Africa's foremost leadership coaching businesses with a proven track record of mentoring and developing leaders in commence, industry, sport, politics and the public sector. My Pocket Coach, an app offering a full coaching service online, was launched in August 2020. Currently there are more than 15 coaches based in South Africa, London, New Zealand and Amsterdam.
A Fellow of Trinity College London, Gail's proven consummate skill has enabled her clients to lead, direct and motivate with confidence. Her book Voice Excellence was published in 1994, followed by her second book Authentic African Leadership in 2013. Her third book From Fear To Freedom was published in 2021.
A specialist in psychological safety, Gail has presented to numerous leadership teams. In 2024, Gail presented to the leadership team of the International Women’s Forum on the risks of (ACE) adverse Childhood Experiences and the deleterious effects of stress on professionals.
Gail is based in Johannesburg.
Website: https://www.mypocketcoachapp.com/
Email: gail@iegroup.co.za
Tel. +27 11 781 1444
LinkedIn: Gail Cameron
Awards include:
Best Global Online Coaching Company 2023
Most Outstanding Executive Coaching Company 2024
The free podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Player FM and Iono.fm – I hope you’ll subscribe!
Listen to human behaviour analyst Tania Steyn highlighting non-verbal communication and secrets women should know, especially regarding the workplace.
Original music by Mart-Marie Snyman
Thumbnail image: Unsplash
Photograph of Gail Cameron: supplied