“Beautifully written, this book is a magical mystery tour. You will be riveted as you join Gina as she retraces the steps of her journey of healing from trauma, sharing the gifts she found along the way.”
— Alexandra Matthews, PhD
“A memoir/self-help gem that pulls you into the lived reality of transformation”
— Selma Lewis, PhD

Turn Your Pain into Purpose

Discover the Revolutionary Healing Power of SMGI® to Transform Trauma and Soar into Your True Self

Book titled 'Life is Hard And Then You Fly' by Gina Vance, featuring a colorful watercolor butterfly with a human silhouette at its center on a yellow cover.

Are You Feeling Trapped by Trauma?

Struggling with the lingering effects of past pain?

Feeling like you’re not your true self, hiding behind a mask?

Wondering if the deep hurt inside you can ever be healed?

“Compassionate, practical, and empowering, this book offers readers a clear path to turn pain into purpose and discover their capacity to truly fly.”
— Karen Saura, MEd

There’s a Path to Freedom

In Life is Hard And Then You Fly, Gina Vance introduces the transformative power of Somatic Mindful Guided Imagery® (SMGI®)—a simple, effective method to heal trauma, reclaim your true self, and turn pain into purpose.

What You’ll Discover Inside

The 9 Survival Responses: Understand how instinctive reactions like Fight, Flight, and Freeze become trauma triggers—and how to break free.

Practical Healing Tools: Use SMGI® to release pain, clear inner clutter, and retrieve lost parts of yourself.

Trauma to Treasure: Transform your struggles into sources of strength, purpose, and joy.

Spiritual Alignment: Reconnect with your soul to live authentically and expand into your Greater Self.

A woman with gray hair smiling or laughing outdoors, wearing earrings, a black top, and a light blue scarf.

Meet Gina Vance

Gina Vance is a mind-body mentor and inner journey guide who developed SMGI® after her own journey through pain and adversity. Inspired by her mentors and clients, she’s helped thousands heal trauma and reclaim their true selves. Her work is a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern healing, designed to guide you to freedom and love.

What Readers and Experts Are Saying

  • "A game changer for every person who is ready to feel better. I believe it will change the world, one person at a time.”

    —Dr. Sam Rhame, DC, Chiropractor, Mind-Body Coach, Inner Journey Guide 

  • "Whether you are a complimentary care provider, a conventional medicine provider, or an individual seeking improvement, change and healing in your life: you will find easy to understand tools in this book."

    —Karen Reynolds, LAc, MS, RN, Licensed Acupuncturist, Intensive Care Nurse, Shamanic Practitioner, Pain, Fertility and Trauma Specialist

  • "This is ‘parts work’ on steroids. I end up finding a place of calm, feeling like I’m really myself again."

    — Monique Petrov, Human Performance Coach, Top Female Triathlete

  • "For anybody who has struggled with pain, as you journey through the pages of this lushly written, transformative book you will find the tools to heal yourself—and fly.”

    —Alexandra Matthews, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Professor UCSF Department of Psychiatry

  • "I’ve seen miracles unfold with this work. It’s cutting-edge and adaptable to whatever comes up."

    — Mark Christian Bacigalupi, Certified Triple Vagal Method Practitioner

  • "A book that you study, savor, feel and can learn from for a long time. It is so rich with insight, humor, empathy and wisdom, you can take it a bit at a time and digest it to incorporate all its lessons. It’s a book with great depth, and great practicality."

    —Martin L. Rossman, MD, Physician, Author, Co-Founder of Academy for Guided Imagery

  • “A compassionate guide to transforming pain into power. Practical, and empowering, this book offers readers a clear path to turn pain into purpose and discover their capacity to truly fly.”

    —Karen Saura MEd, Trauma-Informed Educator and Advisor

  • “As an Addictions Therapist, I have seen these techniques work for my clients as they are able to unlock the door to a life of freedom and wholeness. This book is more than a resource; it is a lifeline for anyone ready to heal from the inside out.”

    —Kellie Murphy, CADCI, Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor

  • “A brilliant distillation of wisdom. With clarity and compassion it offers simple practices and stories that help you feel safe, supported and empowered. It feels like you have a caring companion reminding you that no matter how hard life gets, it’s possible to rise, to heal and discover your capacity to fly free.”

    —Kay Wind, RN, BS, Healthcare Information Technology Leadership, Strategic Analysis and Planning, Meditation Connoisseur, PhD Candidate

  • "As a men’s group facilitator, I find its simple, powerful tools and exercises invaluable for helping men, fathers, and sons connect to their inner worlds. A must-read for anyone ready to explore their depths and tap into their resilience and courage.”

    —Jean-Pierre Weingarten, Men’s Group Facilitator and Guide

  • “This book and the SMGI® process it reveals combine scientific research with Indigenous wisdom, personal experience, and years of using this method with clients with consistently life changing results.”

    —Leila Samrad, LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

  • "SMGI® is the best modality for its effectiveness in getting to the heart of the matter in a quicker and more efficient manner."

    — Mark McAdams, Past Life Hypnosis and Shamanic Soul Coach

  • “A memoir/self-help gem that pulls you into the lived reality of transformation. This book is a treasure map for growth and change, and a companion for anyone yearning to cut through their armor and live their fullest life.”

    —Selma Lewis, PhD, Counseling Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist, Hypnotherapist 

Ready to Heal and Soar?

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Ready to Heal and Soar? *

Who This Book Is For

“For anybody who has struggled with pain, as you journey through the pages of this lushly written, transformative book you will find the tools to heal yourself—and fly.”
— Alexandra Matthews, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Clinical Professor in the UCSF Department of Psychiatry
“A companion for anyone yearning to cut through their armor and live their fullest life.”
— Selma Lewis, PhD Counseling Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist, Hypnotherapist

This book is for anyone feeling stuck, dealing with trauma, or hiding inner pain behind a mask of success. It’s for high achievers and seekers who are ready to heal, reclaim their true selves, and contribute to a love-based world. Coach, therapist, healing practitioner or  simply someone wanting to heal?  This book’s for you!

“For anyone living with the weight of trauma, chronic stress, or unresolved pain, this book offers more than comfort, it offers a map. It acknowledges suffering without minimizing it, then provides concrete tools and an empowering framework to help readers turn survival into transformation.”
— Karen Saura MEd, Trauma-Informed Educator, Advisor, Administrative Leader
“I find its simple, powerful tools and exercises invaluable for helping men, fathers, and sons connect to their inner worlds.”
— Jean-Pierre Weingarten, Men’s Group Facilitator and Guide
“A game changer for every person who is ready to feel better. I believe it will change the world, one person at a time.”
— Dr. Sam Rhame, DC, Chiropractor, Mind-Body Coach and Inner Journey Guide

Supports for You

Free 9 Around the One Diagram: A downloadable PDF to help you understand your survival responses.

Access to Resources: Return here to explore additional tools including self-study programs and guided imagery audios—Coming Soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! The SMGI® method is simple and effective, making it accessible for anyone ready to heal, whether you’re new to this work or experienced.

  • Clients often report feeling lighter and freer after their first SMGI® session. The book guides you to create tangible shifts at your own pace.

Don’t Wait—Start Healing Today!

Available Soon!

Get one for yourself. Get one for a friend. Get one for someone you love.

Donate one to your local little free library.