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Beyond The Turning Points And The Inner Critic: PTSD, Trauma, & Grief
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Today, I sit down with Ash Perrow, a coach, musician, speaker, and former schoolteacher whose life was forever changed by a single moment in 2005—the stillbirth of his first child. Mr. Perrow explains how that traumatic experience locked in what would eventually become severe PTSD, depression, adrenal fatigue, and years of emotional shutdown. He describes the birth room, the silence, the shock, and the immediate belief that he needed to protect his family from anything bad—even when nothing could have prevented what happened. That moment created a fear-driven survival state that he carried for years.
Mr. Perrow walks me through how PTSD slowly took over his life. He worked full-time as a deputy principal, slept only one to two hours a night, and became manic with the need to “provide,” despite already earning a strong income. His decisions became irrational, exhausting, and disconnected from his identity. After years of decline, he eventually reached a breaking point—ending up in mental health clinics so overwhelmed he couldn’t even sign his own name.
As we talk, Mr. Perrow explains that healing didn’t begin until he learned to actually feel his emotions. He describes meeting a therapist who guided him to notice sensations in his body—his throat, his chest, his jaw—helping him understand where unresolved emotions had been stored for years. This somatic approach reshaped his understanding of grief, trauma, and the human need to process feelings rather than suppress them. It revealed why healing is never linear and why emotional pain resurfaces in loops rather than straight lines.
We discuss how this healing journey deeply impacted his marriage, parenting, and future. Mr. Perrow explains how fear and unprocessed grief created distance in his marriage, eventually contributing to its end. But it also opened new doors: he found solace in music, began performing, and eventually pivoted from teaching into coaching—helping people navigate turning points, break free from emotional barriers, and build futures that no longer have the past standing in front of them.
Mr. Perrow also breaks down the inner critic—our primal survival mechanism designed to keep us “safe” by preventing vulnerability. He explains how self-sabotage, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and negative self-talk are rooted in ancient tribal survival instincts. His coaching work helps people recognize this internal barrier and learn to move beyond it. We also talk about his podcast Beyond the Turning Point, where he highlights stories of transformation and offers strategies for emotional growth.
Before we wrap up, Mr. Perrow offers one final message: trust yourself. Whether you’re at rock bottom or rebuilding your future, your heart knows the next step. Healing takes time, it takes feeling, and it takes courage—but every person is capable of creating a beautiful life, one step at a time.
https://stan.store/ashperrow
Website: https://coupleonukes.com
Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Nulu Knives: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/
Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007
Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes
*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.
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Today, I sit down with Ash Perrow, a coach, musician, speaker, and former schoolteacher whose life was forever changed by a single moment in 2005—the stillbirth of his first child. Mr. Perrow explains how that traumatic experience locked in what would eventually become severe PTSD, depression, adrenal fatigue, and years of emotional shutdown. He describes the birth room, the silence, the shock, and the immediate belief that he needed to protect his family from anything bad—even when nothing could have prevented what happened. That moment created a fear-driven survival state that he carried for years.
Mr. Perrow walks me through how PTSD slowly took over his life. He worked full-time as a deputy principal, slept only one to two hours a night, and became manic with the need to “provide,” despite already earning a strong income. His decisions became irrational, exhausting, and disconnected from his identity. After years of decline, he eventually reached a breaking point—ending up in mental health clinics so overwhelmed he couldn’t even sign his own name.
As we talk, Mr. Perrow explains that healing didn’t begin until he learned to actually feel his emotions. He describes meeting a therapist who guided him to notice sensations in his body—his throat, his chest, his jaw—helping him understand where unresolved emotions had been stored for years. This somatic approach reshaped his understanding of grief, trauma, and the human need to process feelings rather than suppress them. It revealed why healing is never linear and why emotional pain resurfaces in loops rather than straight lines.
We discuss how this healing journey deeply impacted his marriage, parenting, and future. Mr. Perrow explains how fear and unprocessed grief created distance in his marriage, eventually contributing to its end. But it also opened new doors: he found solace in music, began performing, and eventually pivoted from teaching into coaching—helping people navigate turning points, break free from emotional barriers, and build futures that no longer have the past standing in front of them.
Mr. Perrow also breaks down the inner critic—our primal survival mechanism designed to keep us “safe” by preventing vulnerability. He explains how self-sabotage, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and negative self-talk are rooted in ancient tribal survival instincts. His coaching work helps people recognize this internal barrier and learn to move beyond it. We also talk about his podcast Beyond the Turning Point, where he highlights stories of transformation and offers strategies for emotional growth.
Before we wrap up, Mr. Perrow offers one final message: trust yourself. Whether you’re at rock bottom or rebuilding your future, your heart knows the next step. Healing takes time, it takes feeling, and it takes courage—but every person is capable of creating a beautiful life, one step at a time.
https://stan.store/ashperrow
Website: https://coupleonukes.com
Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Nulu Knives: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/
Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007
Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes
*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.