S2, Ep8: The Meaning of Somatic Healing | When the body leads men to recovery

What if healing isn’t just about fixing your mind, but learning to listen to your body as well? True mental health and personal growth often start with reconnecting to your body.

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Brad Golphenee, trauma-informed somatic coach, about somatic healing, men’s mental health, and overcoming trauma. Brad shares nearly two decades of experience helping men move from emotional disconnection to embodied self-awareness, resilience, and purpose.

In this episode you will learn:

• How unresolved trauma can live in the body for decades, influencing identity, relationships, and behaviour

• The role of shame in men’s mental health and how acknowledging it can be transformative

• Techniques for reconnecting with your body through somatic practices, retreats, and group work

• How body-based approaches empower men to release stored trauma and access inner wisdom

• Practical strategies for cultivating purpose, freedom, and emotional wellbeing

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, trauma recovery, somatic healing, emotional resilience, and personal growth, offering actionable insights to help men live with greater presence, authenticity, and empowerment.

 

Timestamps:

03:59: Understanding Trauma and Its Impact 07:48: Exploring Somatic Practices 14:00: The Role of Movement and Breath 20:02: Navigating Shame and Emotional Awareness 26:38: Fatherhood and Emotional Modelling 32:27: Hope for Men's Mental Health 38:40: Getting Started with Somatic Practices