Singer-songwriter David Lindes found the joy of running after a wild encounter with a bull moose. He shares his journey of healing by reconnecting with his body through running and hiking in the canyons near his home. The podcast explores themes of courage, survival, transformation, and resilience in the wilderness, culminating in a powerful story of self-discovery and overcoming fear.
Encountering wild animals can test newfound trust in one's body and lead to self-discovery through nature.
Facing childhood trauma can trigger deep-seated fears, but therapy and physical awareness exercises can facilitate healing and courage.
Deep dives
Encountering a Moose in the Wilderness
During a canoe camping trip in Canada, the narrator faced a challenging encounter with a moose blocking their path. The size and potential danger of the moose created a tense moment as they paddled their canoe near it. Despite concerns about moose attacks being a serious threat, the narrator and their father managed to navigate past the moose safely, with a memorable experience that left a lasting impact.
Facing Fear and Trauma Through Physical Encounters
The story transitions to the narrator's later years, where a hiking incident triggers deep-seated fears and trauma from past physical abuse. The narrator's response to the moose reflects learned behavior from childhood experiences of freezing in fear. Through therapy and physical awareness exercises, the narrator begins to heal and confront the dissociation caused by past trauma, leading to a pivotal moment of courage and self-realization.
Finding Strength and Redemption in Nature
As the narrator learns to listen to their body and address physical issues through therapy, a chance encounter with a moose in the wilderness becomes a transformative experience. By facing the fear and trauma associated with the moose encounter, the narrator discovers courage and resilience within themselves. This symbolic confrontation with the moose signifies a profound shift towards empowerment and self-discovery through nature and personal growth.
Singer-songwriter David Lindes found his way into running with help from the most unexpected teacher: a bull moose. Growing up in Guatemala David had learned to ignore his body. Thanks to beatings by his adults, his body was a source of pain, and not much else. So he didn’t play sports, he didn’t dance, he found out later he wasn’t even walking correctly. But as an adult, as he started to heal, he began to learn about his body. What it could do, how good it could feel to run and hike through the canyons near his home. Then, one day, he encountered a family of moose. And they put his newfound trust in his body to the test.
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