In this episode, I speak with Rick. He asked me not to reveal his last name because some of the content is sensitive, including childhood trauma. If this is uncomfortable for you, you may not want to listen to this episode.

Rick's story is about a quest for peace, which was taken from him when he was just 7 years old. It wasn't until he was 60 and encountered a health crisis that he started linking his health, thought patterns, and behaviors back to a violent event from decades ago when he genuinely believed he was going to die.

This event led to the creation of the smoother, an identity that seemingly aided his success in life, but was internally crushing him.

As Rick embarked on his journey of self-discovery, he began posing significant questions to himself: What leads you to believe you don't deserve good health? Why are peace and silence something to be feared? Why do you feel the need to constantly perform and validate your worth to others?

Now, Rick no longer fears silence. He views peace as a form of power and recognizes his own intrinsic worth, knowing he is sufficient. He has chosen not to be devoured by life's difficulties and challenges.

This interview is probably one of the most profound and personal to me. I dedicate it to my brother Mike, who took his own life in 2020. He was never able to find peace in the silent spaces.

This story is for everyone who is on a path to comprehend how our past influences our present, using it as a catalyst to unveil our truest self and live life on our terms.