The statistics on early childhood sexual abuse are heartbreaking. One in four girls and one in thirteen boys have experienced some form of childhood sexual trauma—at least the cases that get reported. It's hard to wrap your head around how something so dark can be happening so often. This is why talking about childhood sexual trauma is so difficult and often carries so much shame—it feels so unimaginable, even when it happens to you. But we know that shame thrives in silence, and the first step in healing is unpacking that trauma.
In today’s episode, Elisabeth and Jennifer sit down with Lovey Bradley, an NSI-certified practitioner, trauma therapist, and brain-based coach, to talk about the lasting impact of sexual trauma on our lives. Together, they explore how deeply trauma affects the body—from freeze responses and dissociation to bracing, pelvic floor tension, and pain—and how these experiences shape our lives. They also open up about their personal journeys and the ways they’ve worked to re-pattern their nervous systems with healing modalities like NSI, helping them heal and thrive after early childhood trauma.
When shame has been your constant companion, it can feel impossible to set boundaries and reclaim your sense of self. But healing is possible. Lovey, Elisabeth, and Jennifer are living proof of that. Our bodies are always sending us signals on how to heal; the key is learning how to listen.
If this episode resonates with you, whether you’ve experienced this trauma yourself or know someone who has, we invite you to listen and share. Topics discussed in this episode:
-
Sobering statistics around sexual trauma in the population
-
How the freeze response shows up in early childhood sexual trauma
-
Why the freeze response is actually a survival mechanism
-
Lovey’s experience with becoming aware of her own freeze response pattern
-
The most common ways sexual trauma shows up in our lives
-
Pelvic floor contractions and how they affect intimacy
-
How dissociation shows up in those who’ve experienced childhood trauma
-
The ways our bodies naturally repress emotions, leading to dysregulation
-
The role of shame in childhood sexual trauma
-
Why setting boundaries feels so challenging for those affected by early trauma
-
Healing from trauma with modalities like NSI, and what life can look like on the other side
Connect with Lovey Bradley on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drloveyb
Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the next cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com
REWIRE RETREAT This spring, gift yourself the transformative experience of our Trauma Rewired Retreat in the tranquil gateway of Texas Hill Country. Escape the demands of daily life and immerse yourself in a 4-day journey designed by Jennifer and Elisabeth to reset and rewire your nervous system www.rewireretreat.org
Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com
Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired
Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846
FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired
This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com
Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear.
We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.
We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.
We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization.
We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.
We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional.
The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.
Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.
We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at traumarewired@gmail.com
All rights in our content are reserved
