The Biology of Trauma® With Dr. Aimie

We've been told time heals all wounds. Go back to work. Stay busy. But what if decades of stress are still rewriting the body right now? Dr. Karestan Koenen, a Harvard researcher who has followed 100,000 women over twenty years, shares what she's discovered about how unaddressed trauma doesn't fade—it becomes biology. In this conversation, we explore why major disease studies have ignored trauma, how stalking affects women's heart health, and what epigenetics reveals about catching these changes early. In this episode you'll learn: [01:54] The Pattern No One Was Tracking: How clinical observation at the VA revealed PTSD and diabetes worsening together—before research proved it [04:04] Stalking and Heart Disease: Why women on the editorial board said "of course this is true" while men said "there's no way" [05:35] The Gap in Major Disease Studies: Why the cohorts that shaped our understanding of diet, exercise, and disease never measured trauma [11:27] How to Define Trauma: Uncontrollable, unpredictable, and overwhelming—and why the pandemic qualified [14:41] When Coping Mechanisms Take a Toll: How the adaptations that helped us survive can interfere with where we want to go [17:14] Resilience Redefined: Why you can have symptoms and still be making meaning—and why the person in front of you is always a survivor [23:58] Loss of Life Purpose: How retirement, death of a spouse, or role changes directly impact physical health and longevity [28:47] Time Doesn't Heal—It Becomes Biology: Why going back to work and staying busy doesn't make trauma fade [32:33] The Biology of Adversity Project: How epigenetics research may catch changes before chronic conditions develop [34:17] Somatic Practices Without the Story: The future of yoga, breathwork, and body-based approaches for resetting the nervous system Get the full episode breakdown at Biology of Trauma® Podcast - Episode 155: Time Doesn't Heal: What 20 Years of Research Actually Shows Resources/Guides: Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Free Guide: How Trauma Shows Up in the Body & What To Do About It - Understand why your body responds this way. Learn what helps. Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 86: Is Trauma Genetic or Epigenetic? Insights with Dr. Bruce Lipton Episode 116: The Body Keeps Score: How Trauma Rewires Your Nervous System with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

What if the habit you've been trying to break is actually how you learned to survive? It's January. You've made the resolution. This year will be different. You start strong. First week goes well. By February, you're back where you started. Maybe feeling worse because now you've added shame to the pile. I share about Rachel, a 42-year-old marketing director. She tried everything to stop late-night eating. Willpower. Mantras. Accountability apps. Nothing worked for more than a few weeks. When I asked what she felt right before reaching for food, she'd never thought about it. That knot in her stomach? It went away when she ate. Her nervous system had found a way to keep emotions manageable. This wasn't about the food. It was about how she was getting through life. In this episode you'll hear more about: Why willpower isn't the problem: When we try to remove a survival strategy through willpower alone, our nervous system panics. We just took away one of its tools without offering anything in its place. The difference between a habit and a survival strategy: A habit is brushing our teeth or taking the same route to work. A survival strategy helps us cope when capacity has been overwhelmed. Late-night eating, scrolling, overworking—these are never just habits. Why our body fights back: Our nervous system won't give up a survival strategy easily. Its job is to help us survive. Of course we're back at the refrigerator by end of January. What one of my course members realized: "My protectors are able to relax when I create safety and support in my nervous system." That's the step most people miss. Why capacity matters for resolutions: Capacity is how much stress we can hold before we get overwhelmed. When we remove a survival strategy without building capacity, we overflow right back into overwhelm. Two ways to create space: We can create safety inside our current container. This removes the need for numbing and distraction. Or we can build a larger container that holds more. It is never about the behavior. The behavior is the downstream effect. When we understand this, we can work with our biology instead of against it. Resources/Guides: Biology of Trauma book — Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy 🎙️ Check out this week's main episode, Episode 154: The Biology of Burnout (Part 2): What Understanding Can't Do 💭 Try this practice this week: Before you reach for that habit you're trying to break, pause. Ask yourself: "What am I feeling in my body right now? What is this survival strategy helping me avoid?" Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. It helps others find trauma-informed care.

In part one, we learned why so many of us stay stuck despite trying everything. This episode reveals what actually worked for the dogs in that study. Spoiler: it wasn't understanding. It was movement. I share Claire's breakthrough moment standing at her kitchen sink. What she felt in those 90 seconds changed everything. Get the full episode breakdown at Biology of Trauma® Podcast - Episode 154: The Biology of Burnout (Part 2): What Understanding Can't Do In this episode you'll learn: [01:08] How the Dogs Learned to Jump Again: Researchers had to physically move their legs—explaining jumping didn't work [03:30] Why Understanding Isn't Enough: The gap between knowing what to do and being able to do it [05:09] Claire's Aha Moment: Why all her knowledge hadn't created lasting change [08:30] What Happens When We Don't Complete Stress: Two options—complete it or head into burnout [10:04] The Startle Response: How to stop activation before it becomes a full stress response [12:09] The Cost of Not Looking: Avoiding problems drains the energy we need for real demands [15:19] Trying Better, Not Harder: Starting small creates new experiences instead of depletion [18:18] Claire's Kitchen Sink Moment: What completing a stress response actually feels like [20:02] Stress as a Sprint: Why we need the exhale, not just the push [23:35] The Body Already Knows: Our nervous system knows how to complete—we just block it Resources/Guides: Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Becoming More Calm Alive - A song about the exhale. Learning to let our body complete what it's been holding. Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 153 (Part 1): The Biology of Burnout: Why Pushing Through Stops Working Episode 121: Finding Your Why: How to Break Free from Burnout and Build Meaningful Work

What if the hustle that's wearing you out is actually how you learned to matter? In this final part of my three-part conversation with my friend Jalon, we get honest about why slowing down can feel so threatening. For those of us who weren't seen for who we were, doing became the way we proved we deserved to exist. I share about the moment I stopped blaming my body for breaking down and started thanking it. My body didn't betray me. It was the only thing that could get my attention. I was the kind of person who needed those health issues because otherwise I would never have listened. Jalon and I use the car running out of gas analogy to talk about what it looks like to actually listen before you're stranded on the side of the road. Spoiler: it's not about listening perfectly. It's about catching the warning light a little sooner next time. In this episode you'll hear more about: Why hustle feels like safety: For those of us who weren't seen authentically, we created ways to matter through doing. The more you carry, the less you sleep, the more you prove you're worth keeping around. When your body quits before you do: Thousands of patients I've worked with have bodies that got sick as the only way to make them slow down. And they still don't see it. They just hate their bodies more. Taking full responsibility changed everything: I stopped feeling betrayed by my body and realized I was exactly the kind of person who needed those health issues. Otherwise I would've just found more caffeine, more exercise, more emotional eating. The gas tank analogy for listening to your body: Why do we see the fuel light and try to gauge how much further we can push? What if we just stopped at the next exit instead of ending up stranded? Balance was all I wanted: I didn't want the go-stop pattern anymore. I just wanted to know I'd get to my destination without wondering if I'd make it. Hustle isn't a discipline problem. It's often how we learned to matter. And now we get to reprogram that. 🎙️ Check out this week's main episode, Episode 153: The Biology of Burnout: Why Pushing Through Stops Working 💭 Try this practice this week: Notice when you're pushing past a warning sign. Ask yourself: "Am I hustling right now because this matters, or because I'm trying to prove that I matter?" Catch Part 1 and Part 2 of this conversation here. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. It helps others find trauma-informed care.

If more self-care worked, it would've worked by now. In this episode, I share my own burnout story and introduce Claire—a patient whose chronic fatigue reveals a missing piece in how we understand stress. Through the research on learned helplessness and the metaphor of the elephant tied to a stick, this episode uncovers why so many of us feel stuck despite trying everything. Get the full episode breakdown at Biology of Trauma® Podcast - Episode 153: The Biology of Burnout: Why Pushing Through Stops Working In this episode you'll learn: [00:50] The Energizer Bunny Who Couldn't Push Anymore: Claire's story of chronic fatigue and missing her daughter's track meets [03:39] Why Self-Care Fails: The backwards truth about stress that keeps us stuck on the hamster wheel [05:13] Skill #1 — Generate a Good Stress Response: Why wimpy stress responses lead to burnout and trauma biology [06:36] Skill #2 — Complete and Reset: The exhale our bodies never learned to do [07:35] The Critical Line of Overwhelm: What happens when stress builds without reset [13:46] Learned Helplessness Research: The study on dogs that changed everything about understanding why we stay stuck [19:51] The Elephant Tied to a Stick: How early experiences program us to believe we cannot escape [11:19] The Voice Underneath: Recognizing the quiet belief that "other people can have good lives, but not me" [25:31] What Comes Next: Preview of how the researchers helped the dogs get unstuck Resources/Guides: Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 31: Am I Tired, Or Is This Trauma? The Roots Of Fatigue with Dr. Evan Hirsch Episode 122: Shutdown Before Stress: The Misstep in Trauma Healing That Often Gets Missed

What if the grief you've been pushing away is trying to tell you something? In this mini episode, I open the vault on my live Q&A with Biology of Freeze students. These are the real questions people ask when they're in the deep work. The answers might surprise you. A caregiver asked how to show up for her family while grief keeps pulling her under. A practitioner wondered why her autoimmune clients can't take action. I share the exact practice I use when grief hits like a wave. Spoiler: it's not positive thinking. It's not pushing through. It's pausing long enough to let that part of you feel heard. In this episode you'll hear more about: The grief practice no one taught us: Why ignoring emotions or "staying positive" abandons the hurting part. I share the phrase I say out loud when grief shows up. It starts with: "I'm having a feeling right now." How to stay present to pain without drowning: The physical gesture I use to stay connected instead of numbing. It's not about making it go away. It's about not leaving that part alone. What grief is really pointing to: Behind every wave is something you deeply value. Give it space. You'll get clarity on how you want to live. Generational trauma lives in the body: I break down how ancestral patterns show up in beliefs, sensations, and even DNA. The good news? All of it can be rewired. Why autoimmune clients can't take action: This isn't motivation. It's learned helplessness from early overwhelm. The roots often start before you could talk. Body work sending you into shutdown? If dental work or sauna leave you crashed for weeks, it might not be emotional. Your detox pathways might not keep up. Music as nervous system medicine: Not all calming music actually calms you. I explain what tempo range shifts your heart rate. Our grief isn't a problem to solve. It's a messenger pointing us toward what matters most. 🎙️ Check out this week's main episode, Episode 152: Am I Too Old or Stressed To Get Pregnant? The Real Reason with Dr. Ann Shippy 💭 Try this practice this week: When a feeling shows up, pause. Say out loud: "I'm having a feeling right now." Put your hand where you feel it. Ask that part: "What do you want me to know?" Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. It helps others find trauma-informed care.

The same nervous system patterns that keep us stuck in survival mode may also be telling our body it's not safe to create new life. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Ann Shippy, a leading functional medicine physician and former chemical engineer who reveals the hidden biological barriers to conception. Get the full episode breakdown at Biology of Trauma® Podcast - Episode 152: Am I Too Old or Stressed To Get Pregnant? The Real Reason In this episode you'll learn: [00:01:20] Why the fertility narrative around age may be missing the bigger picture—and what's actually driving infertility rates [00:02:28] How one patient at 41 conceived easily after addressing heavy metals, microbiome imbalances, and hormonal dysfunction [00:04:16] The identity wound that infertility triggers—and why "am I enough?" surfaces when conception feels impossible [00:09:37] Why hope itself shifts biology and creates an environment welcoming to new life [00:10:45] How environmental toxins—even from healthy activities like golf—create hidden fertility barriers [00:11:48] The "time capsule" concept: How eggs and sperm collect information about stress, trauma, toxins, and nutrient status [00:13:55] The parallel between neuroception and fertility—both systems asking the same question about safety and capacity [00:16:41] Why infertility is fundamentally an energy problem—and how mitochondrial function determines whether the body says yes to new life [00:18:12] How pregnancy can deplete an already exhausted body and create chronic patterns of depletion [00:20:06] The first step Dr. Ann recommends for anyone wanting to conceive—even in their mid-forties

In a candid conversation with Jalon Johnson, a boundary-setting advocate, the duo explores the real reasons why saying no can feel threatening to our nerves. They delve into the mental gymnastics of rehearsing imaginary conversations and how past lessons shape our responses. Jalon shares a powerful reframe: 'no with a period is a complete sentence.' As they discuss emotional tolls and the necessity of self-care, they highlight that discomfort in asserting boundaries is a sign of growth and change.

Dr. Lorne Brown, a pioneer in integrative reproductive and hormone health with over 25 years of experience, discusses the fascinating interplay of trauma and Chinese medicine. He explains how the body stores trauma in three layers and why this often resurfaces around age 40, particularly during perimenopause. They explore menopause as a spiritual awakening and the importance of emotional flow, likening feelings to a song. Lorne also shares practical modalities like acupuncture and breathwork to help manage and metabolize emotions effectively.

Many high-achieving people look successful on the outside while part of them remains frozen in childhood survival patterns. Through the Biology of Trauma® lens, I share how trauma disrupts the natural flow and movement of life—and the healing roadmap that takes us from stuck to truly alive. If we've ever wondered why we can reach every external goal and still feel disconnected from our own life, this episode explains why. I share Elena's story, a 45-year-old Chief Operating Officer whose autoimmune diagnosis revealed what her body had been holding for decades. When her thirteen-year-old daughter had thoughts of suicide—and felt she couldn't talk to her mom—Elena finally understood: a part of her had been frozen since before she could walk. We'll explore how nervous system dysregulation shows up as professional success masking emotional unavailability. We'll see how trauma stops our natural movement through life—and discover the six-step roadmap from survival to authenticity, belonging, and flow. In this episode you'll learn: [00:00] Why successful people can still be frozen in survival patterns from childhood [02:15] How Elena's birth trauma created a freeze response before she could walk [06:40] The moment her daughter's crisis revealed decades of emotional unavailability [09:10] Trauma defined: the biggest disruptor of movement in our life [12:45] Why everything inside us is movement—and what happens when trauma stops it [16:05] The healing destination: authenticity, belonging, and flow as what it means to be alive [19:50] Why state shifts matter more than neuroplasticity on your healing journey [24:05] How neuroplasticity wires in whatever state you're in—including overwhelm [26:30] The six-step roadmap: from "I am alive" to connection with others [28:15] How Elena broke the generational cycle with her daughters Main Takeaways: Trauma Is the Biggest Disruptor of Movement: Trauma isn't just an event—it's the shock that stops us. It disrupts movement at every level: physical, emotional, relational, and through our life stages. Successful and Frozen Can Coexist: High achievement doesn't mean our nervous system is regulated. Elena built an impressive career while part of her remained that terrified little girl, hiding and staying still to survive. State Shifts Come Before Neuroplasticity: Whatever state we're in is what neuroplasticity wires in. If we're frequently in stress and overwhelm, our brain builds pathways that make that pattern automatic. We must shift our state first. The Destination Is Authenticity, Belonging, and Flow: These three elements define what it means to be truly alive—free to be ourselves, grounded in connection, and moving with ease through life. You Can't Skip the Sequence: The roadmap follows a specific order: recognizing we're alive, choosing to live, shifting our state, being here, wanting to be here, deserving to be here, and finally connecting with others. Each step prepares us for the next. Healing Breaks Generational Patterns: When Elena addressed her frozen patterns, her daughters noticed changes they never expected. The "resting bitch face" disappeared. Presence replaced absence. Notable Quotes: "Trauma becomes the biggest disruptor of movement in our life." "I can still see myself as a little girl, hiding with my dolls, quiet, still and absolutely terrified." "Whatever state we are in is what neuroplasticity wires in." "Being in calm alive can actually become a habit. Imagine that." "Your body's decision to freeze wasn't a failure—it was survival. But you don't have to stay frozen." "My 12-year-old girl didn't realize that I had grown up and that I am alive—which means that she did it. She made it. We're alive." Episode Takeaway: Frozen doesn't mean broken. Elena's story reveals what happens when trauma stops our natural movement through life—not just physical movement, but emotional presence, relational connection, and our ability to truly arrive in the life we've built. Her freeze response began at birth, reinforced through childhood, and showed up decades later as professional success masking emotional unavailability. Her daughters felt it. Her body felt it. Her autoimmune diagnosis confirmed it. The healing roadmap offers a way forward. First, we help that frozen part recognize we're alive—that survival happened. Then we consciously choose to live, rather than simply existing because we had no choice. We learn to shift our state into calm and aliveness, practicing until it becomes our new default. And finally, we move through the deeper work: being here, wanting to be here, deserving to be here, and opening to genuine connection with others. Neuroplasticity works for or against us depending on our state. If overwhelm has become our habit, our brain has built pathways that take us there automatically. But when we build the habit of calm aliveness first, neuroplasticity starts working in our favor. The destination isn't perfection—it's authenticity, belonging, and flow. Movement is possible. Coming home to ourselves is possible. Resources/Guides: The Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Foundational Journey - If you are ready to create your inner safety and shift your nervous system, join me and my team for this 6 week journey of practical somatic and mind-body inner child practices. Lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely and is the pre-requisite for becoming a Biology of Trauma® professional. Related Episodes: Episode 9: What is One Thing the Freeze Response Needs for Healing? (Part 2) with Dr. Arielle Schwartz Episode 87: Stress & Freeze Response: How to Achieve & Sustain High Performance with Olympian Louise Tjernqvist Episode 142: Why Stress Isn't Trauma: How to Spot Overwhelm and Start Healing Your Nervous System with Dr. Aimie Apigian Your host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, and author of the national bestselling book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) that transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After foster-adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she desperately sought for answers that would only continue as she developed chronic health issues. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, facilitating accelerated repair of trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology. Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing.