This week, Rudi is joined by transformational coach, speaker, and Flipping the Lid podcast host, Brian Bogert, for one of the most powerful conversations ever recorded on The InPowered Life. At just seven years old, Brian's life changed forever after being run over by a truck, severing his left arm. What followed was a 33-year journey through physical, emotional, and mental pain—and ultimately a radical awakening.

In this episode, Brian unpacks how trauma shapes identity, how emotional pain manifests in the body, and how true healing requires surrender, not force. He breaks down how to shift from performing through pain to living in aligned presence. This is a masterclass on personal freedom, self-awareness, and the power of vulnerability.

If you've been fighting to hold it all together, this episode might just set you free.

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In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Trauma shapes your identity—but it doesn’t have to define it
• You can perform and still be in pain (and it will eventually catch up to you)
• Emotional pain, if unprocessed, becomes physical suffering
• True freedom is found in having nothing to justify, protect, or defend
• We can’t feel deep joy if we suppress pain
• Surrender is where healing—and strength—actually begins

💬 Key Quotes

“The trash from our past isn’t our fault, but it becomes our responsibility once we’re aware of it.” – Brian Bogert

“Pain is the period between awareness and decision.” – Rudi Riekstins

“If you don’t choose your pain, your suffering will choose you.” – Brian Bogert

“I built a $10 million business, and my bank account was full—but I was empty.” – Brian Bogert

“Your nervous system won’t allow you to be who you want to be if you’re stuck protecting who you

Resources & Links:

• Join The InPowered Life Community - https://rudiriekstins.com/community
• Buy your copy of "The Universe is Hiring: Discover the Role You Were Born to Fill" - https://a.co/d/cJpXKCE
• Connect on IG: @rudiriekstins @annistonblairriekstins
• Find Rudi and Anniston online @ www.rudiriekstins.com and www.annistonriekstins.com

Chapters:

[00:00] Meet Brian Bogert: Coach, Speaker & Pattern Disruptor

[03:30] The Accident That Changed Everything

[07:30] The Story Behind the Story: Identity, Pain & Protection

[11:30] The Micro-Traumas That Shape Our Lives

[16:00] Suppressing Emotion vs. Embodying Truth

[22:00] The Moment Brian Knew He Needed to Change

[27:00] From External Success to Internal Freedom

[32:00] Would This All Have Happened Without the Truck?

[35:00] The Truth About Living in Pain

[39:00] Fighting vs. Surrendering: The Path to Healing

[44:00] How to Be the Protector and Connector

[49:00] Embrace the Pain to Avoid the Suffering

[54:00] Final Reflections from Brian & Rudi