Mary Gitau, a psychologist and suicide prevention specialist based in Nairobi, shares how she's bringing TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) to communities across Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan affected by conflict and war. She discusses her personal healing breakthrough with TRE and how body-based approaches can reach populations where traditional talk therapy cannot—particularly in cultures where men don't openly discuss emotions. This conversation explores the intersection of TRE with Somatic Experiencing, bioenergetics, and EMDR, the critical importance of cultural adaptation, and both the opportunities and challenges of making trauma healing accessible across diverse communities.

In this episode, Mary shares stories of working with Somali and Sudanese men who experienced profound healing through the tremor mechanism, her journey integrating multiple somatic modalities, and practical wisdom on contextualizing TRE for different cultural settings. She also addresses the challenges of people misusing TRE through online videos and her vision for making trauma healing accessible through free group classes at her organization, the Center for Suicide Research and Intervention (CSRI).

Listen to the full episode to hear Mary's inspiring journey bringing body-based trauma healing to East African communities.

Links & Resources Mentioned
Center for Suicide Research and Intervention (CSRI) https://csricentre.org/

Episode Timestamps
00:01 - TRE Training in Kenya with Dr. Berceli
00:04 - Childhood Trauma and Becoming a Psychologist
00:06 - Why Talk Therapy Wasn't Enough for Trauma Clients
00:09 - From Bioenergetics to Trauma Releasing Exercises
00:12 - Personal Breakthrough: Releasing Pelvic Trauma Through TRE
00:18 - First TRE Session with Somali Refugees in Nairobi
00:22 - Working with Men Who Don't Talk About Emotions
00:28 - Integrating Somatic Experiencing and TRE in Practice
00:35 - Cultural Adaptation: Avoiding Exorcism Misconceptions
00:40 - Dangers of Self-Guided TRE from Online Videos
00:45 - Making Trauma Healing Accessible and Affordable
00:47 - Teaching Children and Families TRE at Home
00:48 - Bringing TRE to Conflict Zones in East Africa

In this enlightening episode, host Alex Greene sits down with Dr. Keith Motes, founder of Shaking Medicine and a PhD in quantum physics, to explore the fascinating intersection of science, spirituality, and therapeutic tremoring. Broadcasting from Thailand, Dr. Motes shares his remarkable journey from quantum computing researcher in Australia to becoming a pioneer in teaching neurogenic tremoring. The conversation weaves through multiple lenses—from quantum physics and polyvagal theory to Kundalini yoga, Qigong, and indigenous shamanic practices of the Kalahari Bushmen.

Dr. Motes reveals how his initial discovery of spontaneous movement came through a profound plant medicine experience that catalyzed his departure from academia to pursue full-time somatic healing work. Alex and Keith dive deep into the complementary relationship between psychedelic therapy and tremoring practices, discussing how embodied practitioners can better navigate medicine journeys and integrate trauma release. They explore the power of combining bodywork with neurogenic tremoring, emphasizing the importance of practitioners first embodying the work themselves. This episode offers invaluable insights for TRE practitioners, bodyworkers, and anyone interested in the deeper dimensions of somatic healing and nervous system regulation.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• 00:01:00 Introducing Dr. Keith Motes
• 00:04:00 Physics to Spiritual Practice
• 00:10:00 First DMT Plant Medicine
• 00:13:00 Discovery of Therapeutic Tremoring
• 00:18:00 Developing Shaking Medicine Practice
• 00:23:00 Indigenous and Shamanic Lenses
• 00:26:00 Kalahari Bushmen Shaking Culture
• 00:29:00 Kundalini and Yoga Perspectives
• 00:33:00 Quantum Physics and Vibration
• 00:40:00 Psychedelics and Tremoring Integration
• 00:47:00 MDMA and Trauma Access
• 00:53:00 Bodywork and Touch Facilitation
• 00:58:00 Sensing Energy and Presence
• 01:03:00 Games and Surrender Phases

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Dr. Bradford Keeney - Work with Kalahari Bushmen: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Way-of-the-Bushman/Bradford-Keeney/9781591432050

Shaking Medicine Teacher Training: https://www.shakingmedicine.com/shaking-medicine-teacher-training

Zen Shiatsu Bodywork

Connect with Dr. Keith Motes:

Shaking Medicine website: https://www.shakingmedicine.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shakingmedicine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shakingmedicinefoundation/

Find us Online:

Red Beard Somatic Therapy:

Instagram: @redbeardsomatictherapy
Facebook: @RedBeardSomaticTherapy

In this episode, host Alex Greene sits down with Lindsay Wolff, a certified health coach and mentor with the Primal Trust Program. Lindsay shares her powerful journey from experiencing debilitating chronic illness—including chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, and severe pain—to discovering the transformative power of nervous system regulation and somatic practices. After spending nearly a decade navigating the medical system without lasting relief, Lindsay found healing through a comprehensive approach that integrates bottom-up nervous system practices, trauma processing, and reconnection with nature.

Lindsay introduces listeners to the Primal Trust framework, explaining how it differs from other brain retraining programs through its three-level curriculum that begins with foundational practices like TRE (Trauma Release Exercises), functional neurology, and breathwork before moving into deeper emotional processing and parts work. She discusses the importance of titrating these practices for sensitive nervous systems, creating safety through gradual exposure, and building capacity over time. The conversation explores how chronic illness often stems from nervous system dysregulation following stress or trauma, and how practices like neurogenic tremoring can help discharge survival energy stored in the body.

Join our Upcoming Workshop: December 18, 2025 - Nervous System Regulation for Chronic Pain & Illness with Lindsay Wolff: https://neurogenic-integration.com/product/nervous-system-healing-with-primal-trust-regulation-tools-by-lindsay-wolff/

Key Highlights & Timestamps

• 00:00 Introduction to Lindsay
• 01:00 Primal Trust Overview
• 03:00 Lindsay's Journey Begins
• 04:00 Chronic Illness Algorithm
• 05:00 Health Crash Experience
• 07:00 Nature's Healing Power
• 09:00 Discovering TRE Practice
• 12:00 Body-Mind Connection Awakening
• 13:00 Primal Trust Explained
• 15:00 Bottom-Up Practices
• 18:00 Brain Retraining Fundamentals
• 21:00 Level Two Work
• 23:00 Hero's Journey Framework
• 25:00 Mentorship and Coaching
• 36:00 Titrating TRE Practice
• 42:00 Individual vs Group
• 46:00 Nature Connection Experience
• 48:00 Emotional Reservoir Concept
• 53:00 Workshop Preview

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Primal Trust Program: https://www.primaltrust.org/
• Dr. Cathleen King (Dr. Cath): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cathleen-king-dpt-951b6597
• Red Beard Embodiment Podcast with Dr. Cathleen King https://www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com/post/podcast-e29-discovering-primal-trust-ft-dr-cathleen-king

Red Beard Somatic Therapy:

Instagram: @redbeardsomatictherapy
Facebook: @RedBeardSomaticTherapy