Most people proudly say “the gym is my therapy,” but according to trauma therapist Ashley… this is often a major red flag that someone is actually avoiding their trauma, not healing it.
In this powerful episode, we expose how trauma hides inside discipline, fitness routines, overtraining, and even “grind” culture. Ashley breaks down how trauma is stored in the body, why certain people cling to fitness as identity, and how trainers accidentally cross into therapeutic territory they’re not trained for.
This conversation dismantles the myths, reveals the psychology behind gym obsession, and gives you tools to finally understand yourself (or your clients) on a deeper level.
If you’ve ever asked questions like…
- Can exercise help heal trauma or PTSD?
- Why do I work out so much, is it trauma?
- Am I addicted to the gym? How do I know?
- Why do I feel worse mentally even though I’m training harder?
- Is using the gym as therapy healthy or harmful?
- How do I stop using exercise to avoid my problems?
- How does childhood trauma affect my discipline or training habits?
…then this episode will feel like someone finally turned the lights on.
Whether you’re a gym owner, personal trainer, or someone who trains to “feel okay,” this episode will hit home and expand your understanding of mental, emotional, and physical health.
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📌 FREE resources for gym owners:
buzops.com
📌 Connect with Trauma Therapist Ashley:
https://www.evolvecounseling.co/
ashley@evolvecounseling.co
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⭐ TIMESTAMPS FOR BETTER NAVIGATION
0:00:00 — Understanding the Role of Exercise in Mental Health
0:04:15 — Compounding Effects of Trauma
0:08:37 — Parental Guidance and Emotional Intelligence
0:12:37 — “Tough” Upbringing vs. Emotional Balance
0:17:45 — The Role of Ayahuasca in Trauma Treatment
0:20:02 — Self-Reflection and Coping Mechanisms
0:22:11 — Advice for Listeners (Self-Reflection, Questions to Ask)
0:23:58 — Supporting Friends and Clients with Trauma
0:27:42 — Framing Therapy and Reducing Stigma
0:36:05 — The Role of Fitness in Mental Health
0:39:12 — Advice for Action (Gym Owners, Trainers, Listeners)
0:49:54 — Contact Information and Final Thoughts
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fitness and trauma, trauma therapist advice, trauma response in fitness, emotional avoidance in the gym, mental health and exercise, gym addiction signs, overtraining and trauma, trainers supporting clients, gym owners mental health, why gym is not therapy, trauma coping mechanisms, hidden trauma patterns, avoiding emotions through fitness, fitness as escape
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