Send us Fan Mail
You’ve been doing better.
You’re sleeping again. You’re thinking about them less. Life is starting to feel normal.
Then a song plays. A date on the calendar arrives. Someone mentions their name. Suddenly, the grief comes rushing back and you find yourself thinking:
“I thought I was past this.”
In this episode of The Climb Higher Podcast, Coach Michael explains why those difficult days don't necessarily mean you've lost your progress—and why healing rarely happens in a straight line.
Recovery often looks more like a spiral. You may encounter the same memories, emotions, and triggers again, but you're encountering them from a different place than you did before.
Michael explores how emotional triggers work, why a painful day can feel so much like regression, and one of the biggest mistakes people make when measuring their recovery: comparing today's difficult moment to their recent best days instead of looking at how much their overall baseline has changed.
You’ll also learn why the duration of a setback can tell you more about your progress than the intensity of the emotion itself.
Most importantly, remember this on the hard days:
This is not where I live anymore. It’s just where I am right now.
Don't make permanent decisions based on temporary pain. Don't assume one difficult day has erased months of growth.
Sometimes the fact that a bad day feels so unusual is evidence of just how far you've already come.
Healing is quieter than we expect. Sometimes you have to look back to see how much your ordinary has changed.
Remember: the higher you climb, the better the view.
Support the show
About Climb Higher
Life doesn't always go according to plan—but your story isn't over.
Climb Higher is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Temple, where relationships, resilience, personal growth, and emotional recovery take center stage. Through practical insights, powerful stories, and thought-provoking conversations, Michael helps listeners navigate life's toughest seasons while building a stronger future.
Whether you're healing from heartbreak, rebuilding after loss, strengthening your mindset, or simply looking for encouragement to keep moving forward, each episode is designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you for the journey ahead.
Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at Michael To The Max.
Ready to take the next step in your healing journey?
👉 Coaching, courses, and resources:
https://stan.store/michaeltothemax
