The Spiritually Curious Therapist

From Ego to Embodiment: Spiritual Bodybuilding, Identity & the Search for Self with Nahum Vizakis

In this follow-up conversation, Nahum Vizakis returns to The Spiritually Curious Therapist to go deeper into the philosophy behind his book, The Biohacker’s Guide to Spiritual Bodybuilding. If you missed part one (released April 20), I highly recommend going back and listening first. In that episode we explored Nahum’s story and the experiences that shaped his path. This time, we move into the deeper questions: * What happens when the pursuit of strength is driven by pain? *  Where is the line between discipline and self-abandonment? *  And what changes when the body shifts from something we control… to something we listen to? Nahum shares his journey from competitive bodybuilding, military life, and performance enhancement into bodywork, somatic experiences, spirituality, and what he now calls spiritual bodybuilding—not building muscles, but building consciousness, embodiment, and self-mastery.  We explore: ✨ Ego versus embodiment in fitness culture  ✨ Bodybuilding as a hero’s journey  ✨ Identity, external validation, and the search for worth  ✨ Performance-enhancing drugs and their physical, emotional, and developmental impacts  ✨ Masculinity, body image, and social media pressures on young men  ✨ Somatic release, stored emotion, and the body as messenger  ✨ Learning to move from intellectual understanding into lived experience  ✨ Nervous system regulation and the importance of slowing down  ✨ Acceptance, self-mastery, and the path back to the heart  ✨ Why Nahum believes “spiritual bodybuilding” is really about mastering body, mind, and consciousness  This episode also touches on something I care deeply about in my own work: How we widen our capacity to be with discomfort, move toward fear instead of away from it, and learn to listen to what the body has been trying to say all along. Whether you come from the world of fitness, trauma healing, nervous system work, spirituality, or simply being human… there is something here. Links & Resources 📖 The Biohacker’s Guide to Spiritual Bodybuilding – Nahum Vizakis [https://www.amazon.com/Biohackers-Guide-Spiritual-Bodybuilding/dp/B0G99N5NNG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YQ9P267XWXLO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s2sYoXjN8OTOpMaZaFRVa_Mi_NhR0FceaNoDCwkeaFGjaVPJk3wvNZrsMcIVPHQo.GBymX1W8-WOKso6yYYGRqbpKXduAGKb-m5u0jJHjSnM&dib_tag=se&keywords=biohackers+guide+to+spiritual+bodybuilding&qid=1779552177&sprefix=biohackers+%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1] 🌐 Nahum’s website and socials: IG: Spiritual_Bodybuilder  [https://www.instagram.com/spiritual_bodybuilder/] Youtube: Spiritual Bodybuilder  [https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritualBodybuilder] Tiktok: Spiritual Bodybuilder Website: www.optimizinghuman.com [http://www.optimizinghuman.com] 🎙️ Missed Part One? Go back to the episode released April 20 where we explore Nahum’s story and the experiences that shaped this work.  Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

When Movement Becomes Healing: Trauma-Informed Embodiment with Emily Young, LCSW-C

In this episode of The Spiritually Curious Therapist, I sit down with Emily Young, a trauma-informed personal trainer, somatic therapist, and founder of The Embodied Trainer, for a conversation about movement, embodiment, trauma, and the nervous system. This conversation explores something that feels increasingly important to me: the idea that healing cannot happen through the mind alone. Emily shares her own journey of integrating the worlds of therapy and personal training after experiencing burnout, chronic pain, and a growing realization that many people are deeply disconnected from their bodies, even while actively exercising them. Together, we talk about: * what it actually means to be embodied * the relationship between trauma and movement * nervous system-informed fitness * chronic stress, chronic pain, and overtraining * why “pushing harder” can disconnect us further from ourselves * mind-muscle connection and interoception * movement as relationship rather than punishment * co-regulation, safety, and sustainable healing * how slowing down can actually expand capacity Emily also shares insights from her newly released book, Trauma-Informed Bodywork, co-authored with Chelsea Haverly, which explores trauma-responsive approaches to movement and body-based healing practices. One of the things I appreciated most about this conversation was the reminder that our bodies are not obstacles to overcome and that they are constantly communicating with us. If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, disconnection from your body, chronic symptoms, or a complicated relationship with exercise and performance, I think this episode will resonate deeply. You can connect with Emily at: * TheEmbodiedTrainer.com * Instagram: @theembodiedtrainer And if this conversation speaks to you, Emily encourages listeners to consider purchasing Trauma-Informed Bodywork through a local independent bookstore whenever possible. As always, thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of these conversations exploring the intersection of nervous system healing, embodiment, spirituality, and human experience. Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

Your Body Isn’t the Problem: Trauma, Fitness, and the Nervous System with Gabi Varga

What if the way you’ve been trying to get healthy… is actually keeping your nervous system stuck? In this episode, I sit down with trauma-informed personal trainer Gabi Varga to explore the often-overlooked relationship between fitness, trauma, and the nervous system. Because here’s the thing, so many people are doing all the “right” things: working out, staying active, pushing themselves to be disciplined…but underneath it, their system doesn’t feel safe. And when that’s the starting point, even healthy behaviors can become part of a pattern of overdrive, disconnection, and burnout. Gabi shares her personal journey—from overtraining, unsafe patterns, and disconnection from her body… to discovering somatic work and building a completely different relationship with movement, health, and herself.  Together, we explore what it really means to be embodied and why that matters more than any workout plan. In this episode, we talk about: *  Why over-exercising can reinforce nervous system dysregulation  *  The connection between trauma, validation, and body image  *  What “mind-muscle connection” actually means (and why many people don’t have it)  *  Dissociation and how it shows up in fitness and daily life  *  Why slowing down is often the key to real progress  *  The difference between pushing your body and listening to it  *  How embodiment leads to greater health, fulfillment, and connection  *  Why weight loss is a byproduct—not the goal  A key takeaway: Your body isn’t working against you. It’s responding to patterns—many of which started long before you were aware of them.  And those patterns are changeable. Want to go deeper? If this conversation resonates, I’m hosting a workshop: ✨ Your Body Isn’t Broken: Understanding Neuroplastic Pain and Symptoms We’ll explore how the nervous system creates and maintains symptoms—and how to begin working with your body instead of against it. 👉 https://jsilverman.systeme.io/workshop [https://jsilverman.systeme.io/workshop] Connect with Gabi: Website: thetraumainformedpt.com Instagram: @thetraumainformedpt Tik Tok: @thetraumainformed pt Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@thetraumainformedpt Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

When the Body Speaks: Decoding Symptoms Through Mind, Body, and Energy with Denise Schonwald

In this episode, I sit down with Denise Schonwald, a nurse, mental health counselor, and author whose work bridges physical health, emotional healing, and spiritual awareness. We start with Denise’s journey, from 20 years as a critical care nurse to stepping into mental health, and how she began noticing something that would shape her entire approach: physical symptoms and emotional patterns are not separate. They tell a story together. From there, we explore the connection between mind, body, and energy, and what happens when we ignore the signals our system is constantly giving us.  We explore the chakra system, the mind-body connection, how unprocessed emotions show up as physical symptoms, and why your inner knowing is not the same thing as your anxious mind. If you've ever wondered whether that stomach issue, back pain, or fatigue might be connected to something deeper, this conversation is for you.  We talked about: * How Denise went from ICU nurse to holistic mental health counselor * Why a psychiatrist who was also a shaman changed the direction of her career * How unprocessed emotions show up in specific areas of the body through the chakra system * The difference between the fearful mind and the quiet inner knowing * Why the language we use about our problems actually affects our nervous system Denise's work bridges physical health, emotional healing, and spiritual awareness, and she has a gift for seeing how the body communicates what the mind has not yet processed. Learn more about Denise and her books at  deniseschonwald.com [http://deniseschonwald.com].  She is offering a free book to any listener who reaches out and mentions The Spiritually Curious Therapist podcast. You can also find Denise on her socials https://www.facebook.com/deniseschonwaldllc [https://www.facebook.com/deniseschonwaldllc]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-schonwald [https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-schonwald]  https://www.instagram.com/deniseschonwald [https://www.instagram.com/deniseschonwald]  https://www.youtube.com/@deniseschonwald/videos [https://www.youtube.com/@deniseschonwald/videos]  Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

Biohacking and the Soul: Strength, Trauma, and Spiritual Bodybuilding with Nahum Vizakis

This is one of those conversations that stays with you. In this episode, I sit down with Nahum Vizakis—combat veteran, bodybuilder, and healer—whose journey spans trauma, identity loss, nervous system overwhelm, and a deep dive into both physical and spiritual transformation. We explore what it actually means to “build” yourself… not just physically, but emotionally, neurologically, and spiritually. We talk about: *  How early trauma and lack of safety shape the nervous system  *  The role of fear and how it can become a compass instead of something to avoid  *  The intersection of biohacking and nervous system regulation  *  Spiritual experiences, embodiment, and the importance of integration  *  What “spiritual bodybuilding” really means (and what it doesn’t)  We also begin to unpack the ideas behind his book, The Biohacker’s Guide to Spiritual Bodybuilding—a framework that blends physical training, nervous system work, and inner transformation. This conversation opens a lot of doors… and we’re not done. We’ll be bringing Nahum back for a follow-up episode focused more deeply on the book—and we want to include your questions. 💬 Call for Questions  What are you curious about? After listening, what questions came up for you? We’re especially interested in exploring: *  What does “spiritual bodybuilding” actually look like in real life?  *  Where is the line between growth and pushing too hard?  *  How do you work with fear without overwhelming your system?  *  Can biohacking support healing—or can it become another form of control?  *  How do we integrate intense experiences (physical or spiritual) in a grounded way?  Send your questions to me at thespirituallycurioustherapist.com You can learn more about Nahum here: IG: Spiritual_Bodybuilder  Youtube: Spiritual Bodybuilder  Tiktok: Spiritual Bodybuilder Website: www.optimizinghuman.com Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://journey-with-kindred-souls.kit.com/c0c88a464d] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]