LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING...
When you hear the word "trauma" what comes up for you?
Is this what you expect when you
hear the word "trauma"
Probably something to the tune of war, abuse, an accident or a natural disaster.
If you are savvy, you also can see that trauma does include childhood maltreatment such as emotional and physical neglect. We call this developmental trauma - something that either happened to you (emotional or physical abuse) or what didn't happen and should have (emotional or physical neglect).
The average person doesn't see it that way because it's not something that leaves a huge mark on their psyche. But I can tell you that it is definitely making an impact on you in some shape or form. The consequences just may not be damaging or obvious.
Is this what you expect when you
hear the word "trauma"
Probably something to the tune of war, abuse, an accident or a natural disaster.
If you are savvy, you also can see that trauma does include childhood maltreatment such as emotional and physical neglect. We call this developmental trauma - something that either happened to you (emotional or physical abuse) or what didn't happen and should have (emotional or physical neglect).
The average person doesn't see it that way because it's not something that leaves a huge mark on their psyche. But I can tell you that it is definitely making an impact on you in some shape or form. The consequences just may not be damaging or obvious.
That's why I want to change the labels we use
I don't like "trauma" anymore as a word to describe this. It has a heavy connotation and insinuates something catastrophic happened, when instead the experience was likely more of an insidious insult to the brain.
The words "struggle," "difficulty" or "challenge"
are more fitting, and I believe something you can get behind.
I include myself in that category.
That's why I want to change the labels we use
I don't like "trauma" anymore as a word to describe this. It has a heavy connotation and insinuates something catastrophic happened, when instead the experience was likely more of an insidious insult to the brain.
The words
"struggle," "difficulty" or "challenge"
are more fitting, and I believe something you can get behind.
I include myself in that category.
Let me give you my example
I spent the bulk of my childhood watching my mom sick in bed, struggling with migraines almost every day.
This went on for years and significantly incapacitated her. I also witnessed my parents fighting a lot. I could sense the trauma within each of them coming out. They didn't know what else to do.
Being immersed in that stressful energy did something to me.
Looking back at it, I wouldn't call it trauma. Why? Because I didn't come out of it with a mental illness, eating disorder or self-destructive behavior.
The impact wasn't severe enough to cause massive injury to my psyche. If it did, then I would have responded differently. Then, I would say it was traumatic.
So what impact did it make on me?
I know this very well... What I did instead was struggle with romantic relationships because I wanted to feel seen, heard and loved. I lost that connection somehow during adolescence.
As a result, I had what they call an anxious-preoccupied attachment style.
This caused me to suffer greatly... in ways that not many people know about because I never spoke about it. Every breakup felt like the world was collapsing on me. Ironically, that could have been seen as "traumatic."
Once I got support around this and learned how to give myself what I need and be self-sufficient, I was able to establish safety and security within myself. Within two years of healing, I developed the confidence and autonomy I needed.
Let me give you
my example
I spent the bulk of my childhood watching my mom sick in bed, struggling with migraines almost every day.
This went on for years and significantly incapacitated her. I also witnessed my parents fighting a lot. I could sense the trauma within each of them coming out. They didn't know what else to do.
Being immersed in that stressful energy did something to me.
Looking back at it, I wouldn't call it trauma. Why? Because I didn't come out of it with a mental illness, eating disorder or self-destructive behavior.
The impact wasn't severe enough to cause massive injury to my psyche. If it did, then I would have responded differently. Then, I would say it was traumatic.
So what impact did it make on me?
I know this very well... What I did instead was struggle with romantic relationships because I wanted to feel seen, heard and loved. I lost that connection somehow during adolescence.
As a result, I had what they call an anxious-preoccupied attachment style.
This caused me to suffer greatly... in ways that not many people know about because I never spoke about it. Every breakup felt like the world was collapsing on me. Ironically, that could have been seen as "traumatic."
Once I got support around this and learned how to give myself what I need and be self-sufficient, I was able to establish safety and security within myself. Within two years of healing, I developed the confidence and autonomy I needed.
You may not know
this but...
The reason why I do this work and run workshops like this is because I was tired of seeing people struggle and suffer. I had experienced enough suffering personally and watched my mother suffer since I was a child. I have since learned that emotional stuckness and traumatic wounds became the foundation for these physical ailments.
You may not know
this but...
The reason why I do this work and run workshops like this is because I was tired of seeing people struggle and suffer. I had experienced enough suffering personally and watched my mother suffer since I was a child. I have since learned that emotional stuckness and traumatic wounds became the foundation for these physical ailments.
You don't have to resonate with the word "trauma."
In fact, most of us don't - I didn't. Most people I work with do relate to the idea of a "struggle" or "difficulty.” The reason why this is important is that health is not just about catastrophic events in life; it's about the chronic struggles that influence your biology without you even realizing it.
Here’s the thing I’ve noticed with clients over the years… their body is in survival mode, yet their conscious brain says, “I don’t have stress.” When we take a closer look, um yeah… there is lots of stress.
I’m willing to bet you’re in a similar situation. But keep reading…
You don't have to resonate with the word "trauma."
In fact, most of us don't - I didn't. Most people I work with do relate to the idea of a "struggle" or "difficulty.” The reason why this is important is that health is not just about catastrophic events in life; it's about the chronic struggles that influence your biology without you even realizing it.
Here’s the thing I’ve noticed with clients over the years… their body is in survival mode, yet their conscious brain says, “I don’t have stress.” When we take a closer look, um yeah… there is lots of stress.
I’m willing to bet you’re in a similar situation. But keep reading…
"Post-Struggle Dysfunction”
Is a term I have created to encapsulate the different stages of stress one can go through when facing a challenge or difficulty.
Stage 1: Stress (short-lived and mild)
We all go through this. Think of it as everyday challenges that cause temporary discomfort. These situations are generally tolerable and dissipate quickly. They do not lead to long-term psychological distress.
Example: The line at Starbucks is too long and you're irritated.
Stage 2: Strain (longer lasting)
This looks like multiple challenges that don't dissipate quickly or with no end in near sight. While they don't overwhelm an individual's capacity to cope, they put a strain on the body that may matter later on.
Example: Dealing with an emotionally immature parent or constantly being neglected as a child.
Stage 3: Shock (short-lived and severe)
One goes through an experience that is too overwhelming and elicits intense emotional or physical distress. The effects are sustained and often result in coping strategies and tactics to feel balanced again. A lot of the time this goes unnoticed because it is automatic and unconscious. Common coping behaviors include alcohol, overdieting, binge eating, overexercising, perfectionism, people-pleasing, seeking control and workaholism. Support is needed to help people get out of survival mode.
Example: Example: Witness a death or being sexually abused
Stage 4: Scar (long-lasting and severe)
In other words, this is a deep psychic wound that you might call “trauma.” These scars don’t go away. The remnants of the experience are still with us even as we heal. There are profound and lasting effects on an individual’s mental, emotional, or physical health. This goes beyond just coping strategies but often paves the path to mental illness and physical illnesses, like autoimmunity and cancer.
Example: Example: Consistent childhood maltreatment or witnessing violence.
You may be in one stage from one experience and a different stage in another experience. I wholeheartedly believe that people can develop disease states from lots of strain
It's the accumulation of experiences over the years that can have a negative impact on both the body and mind. This ongoing process may not always be recognized as "trauma," yet it has an internal effect.
"Post-Struggle Dysfunction”
Is a term I have created to encapsulate the different stages of stress one can go through when facing a challenge or difficulty.
Stage 1: Stress (short-lived and mild)
We all go through this. Think of it as everyday challenges that cause temporary discomfort. These situations are generally tolerable and dissipate quickly. They do not lead to long-term psychological distress.
Example: The line at Starbucks is too long and you're irritated.
Stage 2: Strain (longer lasting)
This looks like multiple challenges that don't dissipate quickly or with no end in near sight. While they don't overwhelm an individual's capacity to cope, they put a strain on the body that may matter later on.
Example: Dealing with an emotionally immature parent or constantly being neglected as a child.
Stage 3: Shock (short-lived and severe)
One goes through an experience that is too overwhelming and elicits intense emotional or physical distress. The effects are sustained and often result in coping strategies and tactics to feel balanced again. A lot of the time this goes unnoticed because it is automatic and unconscious. Common coping behaviors include alcohol, overdieting, binge eating, overexercising, perfectionism, people-pleasing, seeking control and workaholism. Support is needed to help people get out of survival mode.
Example: Example: Witness a death or being sexually abused
Stage 4: Scar (long-lasting and severe)
In other words, this is a deep psychic wound that you might call “trauma.” These scars don’t go away. The remnants of the experience are still with us even as we heal. There are profound and lasting effects on an individual’s mental, emotional, or physical health. This goes beyond just coping strategies but often paves the path to mental illness and physical illnesses, like autoimmunity and cancer.
Example: Example: Consistent childhood maltreatment or witnessing violence.
You may be in one stage from one experience and a different stage in another experience. I wholeheartedly believe that people can develop disease states from lots of strain
It's the accumulation of experiences over the years that can have a negative impact on both the body and mind. This ongoing process may not always be recognized as "trauma," yet it has an internal effect.
Hopefully, the wheels are starting to turn and you can now identify past hurts, struggles, and difficulties that may have shaped who you are today.
⬇️
In case you need a little guidance...
Here are some signs
that you have healing to do
-
You don’t feel like your true authentic self. You walk around wearing a mask and wardrobe like you are a character in a movie because you don’t want people to see the real you
-
You spend a lot of the time becoming someone that you aren’t. You are what everyone wants you to be instead.
-
You feel like the “peacekeeper” constantly putting your limited energy into making everyone happy while leaving hardly anything left for yourself.
-
You are hustling trying to complete your “to-do” list so things feel normal.
-
You find yourself holding back your voice so you don’t stir the pot.
-
You tend to have strong emotional reactions without fully understanding why (e.g. agitation, anxiety, anger, shutting down, escaping).
-
You feel unfulfilled and as if something is missing in your life.
-
You struggle with forming healthy relationships or connecting with people.
-
Chaos and stress feels normal to you. Slowing down and feeling peace is uncomfortable.
At a glance this may seem harmless, but trust me when I say that this way of living eventually catches up to you. As you grow older into a mature adult it interferes with your quality of life and takes a toll on your body. We know now these coping strategies signal stress to the body.
This is very important to understand 👇🏻
All of these behaviors and patterns are keeping you from living your highest, authentic self. Protecting and performing has become the default way to preserve yourself.
In turn, this can breed agitation, anxiety, and anger. Worst case, you drop into depression, find distractions and dissociate because life becomes too unbearable.
In essence, you are operating from fear-based emotions and low-vibrational energy. If it’s not obvious, you cannot heal from any disease or illness in this state.
These influence your mental and physical health, potentially paving the path toward illnesses, like autoimmune disease. They affect the quality of your romantic relationships, interactions with others, and even the quality of parenting.
In order for you to reach your highest, authentic true nature, you must remove the obstacles, stuck emotions, and patterns of conditioning. When you do, then you are aligned emotionally, mentally, and spiritually and your body follows. There is coherence. There is synchronicity between your systems. There is healing.
We all have work to do, including myself. Now is the time for you to start living your authentic truth and become your highest self. It's time for you to get rid of the symptoms plaguing your life. It's time for you to have the tools and resources you need to endure the next wave of suffering. It’s time for you to get out of survival mode.
This is very important to understand 👇🏻
All of these behaviors and patterns are keeping you from living your highest, authentic self. Protecting and performing has become the default way to preserve yourself.
In turn, this can breed agitation, anxiety, and anger. Worst case, you drop into depression, find distractions and dissociate because life becomes too unbearable.
In essence, you are operating from fear-based emotions and low-vibrational energy. If it’s not obvious, you cannot heal from any disease or illness in this state.
These influence your mental and physical health, potentially paving the path toward illnesses, like autoimmune disease. They affect the quality of your romantic relationships, interactions with others, and even the quality of parenting.
In order for you to reach your highest, authentic true nature, you must remove the obstacles, stuck emotions, and patterns of conditioning. When you do, then you are aligned emotionally, mentally, and spiritually and your body follows. There is coherence. There is synchronicity between your systems. There is healing.
We all have work to do, including myself. Now is the time for you to start living your authentic truth and become your highest self. It's time for you to get rid of the symptoms plaguing your life. It's time for you to have the tools and resources you need to endure the next wave of suffering. It’s time for you to get out of survival mode.
Introducing...
The 6-Week Beyond Survival Workshop
This workshop is the perfect container for you to undo the effects of stress and most importantly, be equipped with the tools to overcome any difficulty or challenging standing in your way. Who doesn’t need that, right??
Here's what you can expect
-
Discover the truth about trauma: It's not just about catastrophic events; it's about the insidious struggles that shape our lives without us even realizing it.
-
Learn the truth about stress: Discover how unconscious early life difficulties affects the body and can manifest as symptoms and illness
-
Cultivate your authentic self: It's time to shed the layers of false personas and embrace your true essence. Say goodbye to overextending yourself, people-pleasing, and controlling your environment to avoid chaos. Our workshop will empower you to live authentically and step into your highest self
-
Unlock the secrets of self-healing: Learn real-time somatic practices to get out of survival mode and shift into thrive mode
Here's what's inside
-
Weekly 60-minute Zoom calls, meticulously crafted to guide you on a journey of self-discovery.
-
Don't worry if you miss a session – all calls will be recorded for your convenience.
-
Engage in insightful exercises designed to illuminate the areas of your life that crave transformation. Embrace this exploratory process with an open mind, allowing profound insights to emerge.
Together, we'll chart actionable steps to integrate newfound wisdom into your daily life. The goal is to change your identity, regulate your nervous system, building emotional resilience, detach from old habits and coping strategies, and become your authentic, best self so you can feel better than ever.
We start April 30th
We are only taking 10 clients for this workshop. If you would like to jump on board, please don't wait until the end of the month. Spots will be taken up by then
👉👉 If you sign up before April 24th, you will receive my trauma course, Illuminating Darkness for FREE ($800 Value).
I am beyond excited to get this going.
I hope to have the opportunity to support you!
Peace & Love, Justin
Introducing...
The 6-Week Beyond Survival Workshop
This workshop is the perfect container for you to undo the effects of stress and most importantly, be equipped with the tools to overcome any difficulty or challenging standing in your way. Who doesn’t need that, right??
Here's what you can expect
-
Discover the truth about trauma: It's not just about catastrophic events; it's about the insidious struggles that shape our lives without us even realizing it.
-
Learn the truth about stress: Discover how unconscious early life difficulties affects the body and can manifest as symptoms and illness
-
Cultivate your authentic self: It's time to shed the layers of false personas and embrace your true essence. Say goodbye to overextending yourself, people-pleasing, and controlling your environment to avoid chaos. Our workshop will empower you to live authentically and step into your highest self
-
Unlock the secrets of self-healing: Learn real-time somatic practices to get out of survival mode and shift into thrive mode
Here's what's inside
-
Weekly 60-minute Zoom calls, meticulously crafted to guide you on a journey of self-discovery.
-
Don't worry if you miss a session – all calls will be recorded for your convenience.
-
Engage in insightful exercises designed to illuminate the areas of your life that crave transformation. Embrace this exploratory process with an open mind, allowing profound insights to emerge.
Together, we'll chart actionable steps to integrate newfound wisdom into your daily life. The goal is to change your identity, regulate your nervous system, building emotional resilience, detach from old habits and coping strategies, and become your authentic, best self so you can feel better than ever.
We start April 30th
We are only taking 10 clients for this workshop. If you would like to jump on board, please don't wait until the end of the month. Spots will be taken up by then
👉👉 If you sign up before April 24th, you will receive my trauma course, Illuminating Darkness for FREE ($800 Value).
I am beyond excited to get this going.
I hope to have the opportunity to support you!
Peace & Love, Justin
© Copyrights by the Autoimmune Revolution. All Rights Reserved.