Bessel Van Der Kolk - The Body Keeps the Score

What if your past isn’t just remembered—but physically carried with you every day?

In Episode 285, Mike and Mark dive into The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, a transformative exploration of how trauma shapes the brain, body, and our perception of the world.

This episode challenges the idea that trauma is “just a story” and instead reveals how deeply it influences our reactions, relationships, and sense of self. From understanding your personal “map of the world” to learning how to release stored stress through movement, imagination, and even body positioning—this conversation is both eye-opening and practical.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in patterns you can’t explain, or sensed that something from the past is still holding you back, this episode offers a powerful framework for awareness, healing, and forward momentum.

Now more than ever, understanding how to process and release what we carry is essential—not just for growth, but for living fully.

Key Themes Trauma as perception, not just memory The “map of the world” shaped by past experiences How trauma physically alters the brain and body Emotional pain as a full-body experience Getting “stuck” in patterns of thought and behavior Healing through movement, imagination, and creativity The power of body language and posture in emotional states Awareness and choice as tools for transformation Concepts & Breakthroughs