By: Sara Wolfe
For author and trauma-healing advocate Jess Munson, the goal of healing has never been about returning to who someone was before trauma. Instead, it is about becoming whole again—grounded, confident, and at peace within oneself. In God Given Grit: How to Access Mind Body Healing to Overcome Trauma, Munson offers readers a compassionate and accessible roadmap toward restoration that honors both emotional and physical healing.
Rather than presenting healing as a checklist or a finish line, Munson frames it as an ongoing, integrated process. Her approach recognizes that trauma fractures a person internally, affecting focus, health, and emotional stability, often long after the traumatic event has passed.
Defining Wholeness After Trauma
At the heart of God Given Grit is the belief that wholeness is possible, even after profound harm. “Abuse fractures us,” Munson explains. “We cannot function optimally when we are damaged, not able to focus, or be as productive or healthy as before the trauma.”
For Munson, wholeness is not an abstract ideal or something that must be sought externally. “Wholeness is health, vitality, and peace. It isn’t out there somewhere, but can reside within us in inestimable ways and amounts.” She emphasizes that healing unfolds differently for everyone. “Everyone is different. We all interpret events differently. We heal at our own pace.”
Accessibility as a Core Healing Value
A defining feature of God Given Grit is its emphasis on simplicity and accessibility. Munson intentionally designed the book’s practices so they do not require special tools, advanced training, or financial investment.
“Many abused women (and men) have limited resources,” she notes. “It is vital that all victims are able to implement these steps without spending too much time or money.” While Munson acknowledges that professional therapies such as EMDR can be powerful, she believes that accessible daily practices can carry survivors much further along their healing journey.
Reclaiming Choice and Personal Agency
Personal agency plays a central role in Munson’s philosophy, beginning with how a reader starts their day. She encourages a morning routine that is “customized by you,” rooted in the idea that choice itself is healing.
“Most abused people have forgotten they have choices, that they can make decisions, and influence their outcomes,” Munson explains. By starting small, individuals can begin to rebuild a sense of empowerment that strengthens over time and supports deeper growth.
Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
God Given Grit also explores the relationship between emotional trauma and physical health. Munson’s understanding of this connection developed through research and personal experience.
She cites the book Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol K. Truman as an early influence and notes that later research confirmed many of its insights. Her own experience reinforced these ideas. “I experienced adrenal failure after enduring more than a decade of abuse,” she shares. Through her work with other survivors, Munson has repeatedly encountered stories of physical illness rooted in unresolved trauma.
Grounding as a Foundation for Stability
Grounding is a recurring theme throughout the book, with Munson identifying three primary forms: emotional, physical, and mental. Emotional grounding brings individuals into the present moment, restoring a sense of safety after chaos.
Physical grounding, also known as Earthing, helps restore balance in the body’s systems, reducing stress, anxiety, and inflammation. Mental grounding practices such as meditation and yoga provide a stable internal base, allowing individuals to move forward with confidence.
Language, Water, and Environmental Influence
Munson focuses on the power of language, noting that words carry energy and influence emotional states. Negative self-talk, often habitual and unnoticed, can quietly undermine healing, while positive affirmations support restoration.
She also explores the role of water in emotional and physical health, inspired by Dr. Masaru Emoto’s research. Since the human body is largely composed of water, Munson encourages readers to be mindful of how intention, words, and environment affect their well-being. She extends this awareness to her surroundings, drawing on concepts such as Forest Bathing and Feng Shui to illustrate how external environments influence internal healing.
Service, Stillness, and the First Step Forward
God Given Grit also highlights that helping others supports healing when approached with intention rather than obligation. Service, Munson explains, can create relief by shifting focus outward—provided it is offered freely and without resentment.
For readers who feel overwhelmed by the idea of healing on multiple levels, Munson offers gentle guidance. “I would encourage readers to sit quietly and listen. Their inner self knows what it needs.” Healing, she reminds readers, begins with small, intentional steps taken one at a time.
God Given Grit: How to Access Mind Body Healing to Overcome Trauma is now available on Amazon.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or therapeutic advice. The practices discussed in God Given Grit are based on personal experiences and may not work for everyone. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance on trauma recovery.
