Healing Chronic Pelvic Pain: Fabienne Mathgen’s Mind-Body Journey from Turbulence to Transformation
In 1992, Fabienne Mathgen was a passenger on TWA Flight 843, a commercial jet that caught fire and crashed during an aborted takeoff at New York’s JFK Airport. The aircraft briefly lifted off before slamming back onto the runway and veering into a grassy field, where it burst into flames. Incredibly, all 292 passengers and crew evacuated in under two minutes—many through just a few usable exits—as black smoke engulfed the fuselage. Though she escaped physically unharmed, the traumatic experience left Fabienne with deep emotional wounds and a lasting fear of flying.
Years later, Fabienne began experiencing chronic pelvic pain—a pain that didn’t respond to traditional medical treatments. What she would eventually uncover is that the pain was not random or “all in her head,” but deeply rooted in unresolved trauma held in her nervous system. That moment marked the beginning of an extraordinary healing journey—one that I had the honor of walking alongside her as her mind-body and somatic coach.
The Turning Point: Connecting the Dots Between Trauma and Pain
When Fabienne and I began working together, she was already deeply committed to understanding the root cause of her pain. Through our sessions, we explored the emotional terrain underneath her symptoms, gently peeling back the layers of fear, control, and survival strategies that had taken hold since the accident. She bravely chose to meet herself with compassion and curiosity rather than fear and frustration.
Through somatic experiencing, nervous system education, and body-based tools, Fabienne began to see her symptoms not as something to fix, but as wise signals from a body still holding the memory of survival. With commitment and courage, she met each layer, reclaimed her agency, and slowly created safety from the inside out.
The Somatic Tools That Supported Her Healing
Fabienne’s healing wasn’t linear or quick—it was an embodied journey of reconnection and self-trust. I watched her show up with consistency, openness, and an incredible willingness to try new tools, even when things felt uncomfortable or uncertain. Together, we worked with:
Grounding and orienting to come back into the present moment
Pendulation to safely move between intensity and calm
Tracking and mapping sensations to build internal awareness and clarity
Breathwork and micro-movements to discharge stuck energy
Visualization and resourcing to rebuild internal safety and resilience
Over time, Fabienne began to relate to her pain not with fear, but with deep respect and compassion. She cultivated a new relationship with her body, one that was rooted in presence rather than avoidance.
Full-Circle Moment: Flying Into New York City Again
One of the most powerful moments in her journey came in December 2024, when Fabienne flew back into New York City—the very place where her trauma began. For someone who had once associated flying with panic, fear, and helplessness, this was a monumental act of reclamation.
Even more special was that we got to meet in person while she was here.
After years of working together virtually, sitting across from her face-to-face was deeply moving. I saw not just the woman who had survived, but the one who had rebuilt herself from the inside out—grounded, radiant, and free in ways that words can barely express. That meeting was a full-circle moment for both of us, and a testament to the profound healing that’s possible when we commit to this work.
I was, and still am, remarkably proud of her—of the depth she went to, the parts she reclaimed, and the beautiful, embodied self she now walks the world with.
What We Can Learn from Fabienne’s Story
Fabienne’s story reminds us that chronic pain and trauma are not life sentences—they are invitations. Her transformation wasn’t about erasing pain; it was about listening to it, honoring it, and allowing it to guide her back home to herself.
Whether your pain is physical, emotional, or both, the body carries the imprint of what we’ve been through—and it also carries the potential for healing. Fabienne’s journey shows us what becomes possible when we meet our pain not with fear, but with compassion, somatic support, and a deep willingness to feel and heal.
Ready to Explore This Work?
If Fabienne’s story resonates with you, and you’re curious about how mind-body and somatic healing might support your own journey, I invite you to explore the Pelvic Healing Circle, 1:1 coaching, or attend my free Mind-Body Masterclass.
Healing is possible. Your body already knows how.
You just need the right support to listen.
