18: From Trauma to Triumph: Melanie’s Journey to Passing the PE Exam

This week’s episode of The Assessment Alchemist is hosted by My2tor founder and test prep expert Tina Wiles, who sits down with civil engineer Melanie to share a story of resilience, healing, and triumph. In “From Trauma to Triumph: One Engineer’s Journey to Passing the PE Exam,” Melanie opens up about how unhealed trauma and years of personal hardship created a barrier between her and the test she desperately wanted to pass. With Tina’s guidance, Melanie reveals how tools like tapping scripts, mindset coaching, and science-backed stress management techniques helped her rewire her response to pressure and finally pass the PE exam after decades of trying. This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing test anxiety or wondering if it’s too late to achieve a big goal. #TheAssessmentAlchemist We want to hear your thoughts on this episode! Send us an email at [email protected].

About the Episode

In this deeply moving episode of The Assessment Alchemist, we meet Melanie—a resilient and inspiring civil engineer who opens up about her 30-year journey toward earning her Professional Engineer (PE) license. Facing personal hardship, including her husband's addiction, single parenthood, financial strain, and the lasting effects of trauma, Melanie shares how she fought to reclaim her identity and confidence while navigating repeated setbacks in her testing journey.

Melanie candidly discusses the emotional toll of failing the PE exam multiple times, the paralyzing test anxiety rooted in her past experiences, and the life-changing moment when she decided to seek help. Her transformation began with the realization that success wasn't just about mastering content—it was about healing emotionally, retraining her response to stress, and shifting her mindset.

She takes us through her strategies: tapping scripts, affirmations, breathwork, meditation, mindset reframing, and customized study practices—all leading to the moment she passed the exam. Melanie’s story is not just about passing a test—it's about finding personal power and believing in what’s possible, no matter how long the road.

Key Takeaways:

• Persistence Through Adversity: Melanie’s repeated attempts at the PE exam spanned decades—interrupted by trauma, motherhood, and divorce—but her dream never wavered.

• Healing Before Mastery: Realizing test prep alone wasn't enough, Melanie sought therapy and coaching to address the trauma causing her fight-or-flight response during exams.

• Mindset Shifts That Made the Difference: She reframed failure as a learning tool, used tapping scripts to ground herself before studying, and turned a negative study space into a motivational sanctuary.

• Test Strategy Breakthroughs: From identifying “gotcha” questions to practicing time management under pressure, Melanie rebuilt her study and test-day techniques with intentionality.

• The Power of Talking About It: Melanie emphasizes shedding shame and isolation by opening up about her challenges, both with addiction in her family and exam failures.

   

Magical Quotes from the episode:

💬 Quote 1: On Facing Trauma

“I didn’t want to be a survivor of domestic violence… but I had to be like, okay, this happened to you. You have to address it and work on how your response is to stress.”

🧠 Why it matters: Highlights the link between trauma, avoidance, and how it can manifest during high-stakes testing.

💬 Quote 2: On the Turning Point

“Every time I took the test, I was already planning how I’d handle failing it—before even answering the first question.”

🧠 Why it matters: Reflects the mental spiral of self-sabotage that many test-takers experience—and the need for mindset shifts.

💬 Quote 3: On the Power of Mindset Tools

“Before I could even begin to study, I had to ground myself. The tapping script changed everything.”

🧠 Why it matters: Reinforces that tools like EFT tapping and breathing exercises are not just add-ons—they’re essential.

💬 Quote 4: On Growth Through Failure

“I learned more about myself through failing than I ever did from passing.”

🧠 Why it matters: A powerful reframe for anyone who views failure as the end, rather than part of the process.

💬 Quote 5: On Hope and Healing

“If I can overcome 12 years of chaos, trauma, and fear… I can overcome this test. And so can you.”

🧠 Why it matters: Encouraging and empowering—speaks directly to anyone doubting their ability to rise after setbacks.


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