We live in a world that moves fast, demands more, and tells us: “Keep going.” “Push through.” “Don’t make a big deal out of it.” “Everyone is stressed — you’ll be fine.” And then one day… Your chest tightens. Your thoughts race. Your body starts buzzing like an alarm. And you think: “What is wrong with me?” So many of our students, clients, and community members walk through our doors apologizing for their anxiety — as if they’re broken, weak, or somehow failing at life. But

We’re trained to look at our mistakes, heartbreaks, losses, bad choices, embarrassments, and shattered dreams as proof that we’re “behind,” “ broken ,” or somehow “less than.” But what if those dark chapters weren’t disqualifications… What if they were apprenticeships? Think about it: The person who’s lived through betrayal has studied trust at graduate-level depth. The one who has lost everything has learned the sacred language of starting over. Those who have grieved know

In modern language, we might call this dissociation, trauma response, or emotional shutdown. In the ancient, powerful world of shamanism, it