*Please note- this blog post was written during my time at Brain Fit Academy Inc. I have since continued this amazing work under my own company- Brain FUNdamentals LLC. I hope you enjoy!

Vulnerability is a raw emotion. And trust is a needed emotion. 

When you're working with someone to address personal struggles, like we do at Brain Fit Academy, our clients (and their families) are often feeling very vulnerable. They have sought us out- looking for help for themselves or their child and they may arrive in a very vulnerable state. 

What is vulnerability exactly?

Brené Brown, a popular speaker, researcher and author defines vulnerability as "...uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure." 

To me- this is how I break down her definition:

Uncertainty- What is going to happen next- as a result of what I do or say?

Risk- Putting myself (or my family) "out there"- taking a plunge into unknown waters not knowing what the results might be.

Emotional Exposure- Sharing my deepest emotions or struggles- letting someone see a part of me that others have not.

In my post titled "Hold Space", I talked about how Brain Fit coaches are present for their clients. Physically, mentally, and emotionally present for the person they are working with.

Holding space, being present and allowing people to be vulnerable builds trust. 

Trust comes from that feeling of being safe. It comes from the feeling of knowing that what you say and do is acknowledged, validated and heard. It comes from the knowing that you won't be judged, ignored, or dismissed.

Without trust, the ability to be vulnerable is more difficult. And without vulnerability, trust may not build (or it may even breakdown) between people.

I mentioned right at the beginning of the post that I thought vulnerability is a raw emotion. It exposes the primal part of ourselves- that sense of feeling "safe". If our vulnerability is met with compassion, empathy and understanding, then (in my opinion) it sets up the prime situation for change to be made and for us to be able to move forward. 

What is the other thing that occurs with vulnerability and trust? 

Connection.

Connection between coach and client. Connection between a person that is struggling and one that wants to help. Connection between two human beings that are mutually working together to change difficult situations or improve struggles. 

Vulnerability brings trust. 

Trust allows us to feel safe.

Trust and vulnerability bring connection.

And connection opens the door for change.

At Brain Fit, we strive for change. Not because we don't "like" the person we see in front of us, but because we know there is more. More to the child. More to the teen. Or more to the adult. We want that person to be the best version of themselves.

We want our clients to feel safe enough to be vulnerable. Not only with their Brain Fit Coach- but with others too.

We want them to easily create trusting relationships and feel and know that the trust is mutual.

We want them to feel the power of connection- the power of human connection that can help facilitate change. 

And we want them to know that their vulnerability will be met with compassion, understanding, empathy and trust.

Being vulnerable- putting yourself out there with uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure- isn't an easy thing. But please believe me when I tell you- you can count on Brain Fit Academy to be a trusting, empathetic connection that wants nothing more than to help you (or your child) work through that vulnerability- that raw emotion.

Work through that vulnerability and find a place of peace.

Work through it and find a place of safety.

Work through it- so connections (and changes) can occur.