Dr. Christina Hibbert: A Reluctant Warrior

In this episode, Kelsey Mercer and Dr. Christina Hibbert discuss...

The Power of Growth

Dr. Hibbert shares her book, "This is How We Grow," a memoir that chronicles her journey from having three children to six overnight after her sister and brother-in-law passed away. She explains that the book was written to make readers feel like they're "literally walking through my life with me day by day," to foster connection and the feeling of "I'm not alone."

From Growth to Chronic Illness

A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to Dr. Hibbert's more recent struggles with triple-negative breast cancer, which led to 15 surgeries and a chronic illness diagnosis. She discusses how her cancer journey has forced her to shift her coping mechanisms, moving from being a "go-getter" to learning to pace herself, give herself grace, and listen to her body. This is a tough but transformative lesson for women who are driven and used to pushing through adversity.

A New Approach to Grief

Dr. Hibbert challenges the common belief that grief is an individual process, emphasizing that "families that feel together can heal together." Drawing from her personal experience of losing her sister and her professional expertise, she highlights the importance of open dialogue and collective healing, rather than isolation.

Motherhood, Purpose, and Hope

The episode also touches on Dr. Hibbert's evolving identity as a mother, from being a "perfect mom" to learning to be a great mother through vulnerability and asking for help. The conversation concludes with a powerful discussion on finding purpose and hope, even in the midst of hopelessness and adversity.

The Concept of a "Reluctant Warrior"

Dr. Hibbert introduces her upcoming book, "Reluctant Warrior," a breast cancer emotional survival guide. She explains that the title reflects the real, authentic experience of being tired and in survival mode, yet still showing up and taking "one step forward, knee-deep in the mud." The conversation highlights the idea that true strength is not always about pushing through but sometimes about listening to your body and giving yourself permission to stop.

"That is how we grow. That is how we get through things. That is how we overcome and become and flourish"

Christina Hibbert, Psy.D.

Resources and Links

This is How We Grow

by Christina Hibbert, Psy.D.

After her sister and brother-in-law die, Dr. Christina Hibbert inherits her two nephews, delivers her 4th baby, and goes from three to six kids practically overnight. This is How We Grow invites readers into Dr. Hibbert’s upside-down world as she fights to find a little right-side-up. A deeply personal true story blended with psychological insights, this book offers an intimate glimpse into the doctor becoming the patient as Dr. Hibbert struggles to put her theories and expertise to the test in an effort to grow a new family and grow herself. This Is How We Grow demonstrates how hard life can be but also illustrates how, when we choose to grow, we will overcome, become and eventually, flourish.

Upcoming Book: "Reluctant Warrior" by Christina Hibbert, Psy.D.

Visit Christina's Website

Finding Strength in the Struggle: A Conversation with Dr. Christina Hibbert

This episode is a profound and honest conversation with Dr. Christina Hibbert, a clinical psychologist, author, and speaker. She shares her personal journey of overcoming immense loss, chronic illness, and redefined purpose, offering powerful insights on resilience, motherhood, and the importance of healthy relationships.

Here, Dr. Hibbert shares her story of tragedy, resilience, and personal growth that has inspired her mission to help others. You will learn about the reality of grief, the importance of listening to your body, and how our toughest challenges can be the very things that lead to our purpose.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to find strength in your story and use personal struggles to connect with and serve others.
The difference between "pushing through" and "trying softer," and why true resilience often means knowing when to rest.
The importance of embracing the messiness of motherhood and finding a unique identity beyond a perfect picture.
Why families that "feel together can heal together" and how to create a supportive network even when your own family can’t provide it.
How to redefine your sense of purpose and self-worth when life doesn't go according to your plan.

Dr. Hibbert’s wisdom will change the way you think about overcoming adversity, and her story will inspire you to find hope in your own challenges.

In this episode:

00:00 Meet the Guest

02:30 The Story Behind the Story: "This is How We Grow"

03:32 The Power of Vulnerability and Raw Storytelling

04:19 From Cancer Diagnosis to Chronic Illness

05:13 Navigating Grief: The Story Behind the Story

06:21 The Importance of Feeling to Heal

07:27 "Try Softer": The Concept of Gentle Resilience

08:07 The Role of Motherhood in Personal Transformation

09:09 The Gift of Imperfect Parenting

10:10 Hope in the Face of Hopelessness

11:32 A New Purpose: The "Reluctant Warrior" Movement

12:22 The Importance of Strong Men and Reciprocal Support

13:17 The Call to Encourage Healthy Masculinity

13:57 What's Next for Dr. Hibbert

Key Discussion Points:

The Story Behind the Story: Dr. Hibbert discusses her memoir, "This is How We Grow," which details her family's sudden expansion from three to six children after the death of her sister and brother-in-law. She emphasizes that sharing her raw, day-to-day experiences helps others feel less alone.
A New Kind of Resilience: Dr. Hibbert opens up about her battle with aggressive breast cancer, which required 17 surgeries and led to chronic illness. She introduces the concept of "resilience fatigue" and the importance of "trying softer"—learning to accept and adapt to her body's new limitations instead of pushing through them.
Motherhood and Identity: The host and Dr. Hibbert challenge the idea of the "perfect mom," discussing how her health challenges forced her to redefine her role as a mother. This vulnerability ultimately strengthened her bond with her children, who learned resilience by witnessing her struggle and growth.
Hope and the Reluctant Warrior: Dr. Hibbert describes hope as the courage to take a small step forward, even when the path is unclear. She announces her upcoming book, "Reluctant Warrior," which is an emotional survival guide for cancer patients and their families.
The Importance of Strong Men: The conversation concludes with a discussion about the crucial role of healthy, strong men in society. Dr. Hibbert and the host agree that men and women should complement, not compete with, each other, and that modeling reciprocal respect is essential for raising the next generation.