What does it feel like when your body starts moving before your mind has any idea why?

For Mike Maher, the answer came in the basement of a hotel in Poland — lights off, a room full of strangers, thirty rhythmic breaths — and then tears, trembling, and a release he couldn't explain. That single session with Wim Hof lit a fire that eventually became the Take a Deep Breath YouTube channel, one of the largest breathwork communities on the planet, and a decade-long exploration into what breath can actually do for the human nervous system.

In this episode, Alex sits down with Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about breathwork as a complete system — not a single technique, but a full toolkit for nervous system regulation. Together they trace Mike's journey from stressed corporate professional to one of the field's most trusted educators, exploring his RESET framework, what he learned from training breath holds underwater with the world record holder, the 90-day CO2 documentary he's launching, and why the simplest ancestral practices — bare feet on soil, morning light, quiet air — might carry more physiological weight than any sophisticated technique. And along the way, they wander into the territory closest to home for the NI community: the intersection of breathwork and TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) — and what happens when the body starts tremoring during a breath session and you finally stop fighting it. If you've ever wondered how breathwork and TRE relate, or felt both practices pulling toward the same place in the body, this conversation is for you.

Mike Maher is a breathwork coach, educator, and content creator who spent 12 years in the corporate world before a sequence of transformational experiences — a Wim Hof retreat, Tony Robbins events, and walking the Camino de Santiago — set him on a different path. Drawing on a background in video production and storytelling, he built the Take A Deep Breath YouTube channel into one of the largest breathwork platforms in the world, with 300,000+ subscribers and 42 million views. His podcast has featured deep conversations with James Nestor, Patrick McKeown, Dr. Belisa Vranich, and many others at the frontier of breathing, trauma, and performance. He works with clients one-on-one, leads group programs, and teaches a full-spectrum approach that blends functional technique with nervous system science and genuine embodied practice. Mike is also currently a student in the Neurogenic Integration TRE Certification program, deepening his understanding of how neurogenic tremoring and breathwork can work together as complementary pathways to nervous system regulation.

⏱ KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• 00:00 — Welcome & Introductions
• 03:30 — Mike's Origin Story: Steve Jobs, Joe Rogan & the Road to Wim Hof
• 06:00 — The Poland Retreat: Tears, Trembling & an Unexplained Release
• 08:00 — When Wim Hof Was Making the Anxiety Worse
• 11:00 — The Podcast as Education: James Nestor, Patrick McKeown & Learning from the Best
• 13:00 — The RESET Framework: A Full Map of Breathwork in Five Categories
• 19:00 — Mike's Personal Learning Curve: From Oxygen Advantage to Rebirthing in a Hot Tub
• 22:00 — A Full Rebirthing Experience in Glastonbury
• 26:00 — Breath Holds, Willpower & Training with the World Record Holder
• 28:00 — The 90-Day CO2 Therapy Documentary: What Mike Is Testing & Why
• 33:00 — Ancestral Living: Earthing, Light Exposure & Things Too Simple to Ignore
• 40:00 — Discovering Neurogenic Tremoring
• 44:00 — Where Breathwork and TRE

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

• Mike Maher / Take A Deep Breath — YouTube, podcast & coaching: https://www.youtube.com/@TakeADeepBreath
• http://www.takeadeepbreath.co

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

What happens when a trauma survivor discovers TRE and becomes the practitioner she needed? Alex Greene speaks with Svava Brooks, a TRE practitioner in Reykjavik, Iceland, who has mastered integrating neurogenic tremoring with mindful self-compassion and polyvagal theory. Svava didn't set out to become a provider—she entered the training for her own healing. But what she discovered transformed not only her life but her approach to holding space for others.

As a complex trauma survivor in functional freeze, Svava shares practical wisdom from taking "a thousand tiny steps" into social engagement. She reveals why TRE alone wasn't enough—she needed self-compassion practices to befriend her body and build the safe attachment capacity she'd never experienced. She discusses why she teaches the "hand on heart" practice first, how to work with freeze patterns during tremoring, and why going "slower than slow" creates lasting change. Now bringing TRE to every town in Iceland, Svava offers insights on sustainable healing practices, integrating somatic work with other modalities, and creating compassionate containers where bodies feel safe to release.

Key Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Svava Brooks 
• 02:51 Client's emotional breakthrough story 
• 07:18 Discovering TRE in 2015 
• 09:09 Body's push-pull response 
• 13:30 Self-compassion meets TRE 
• 16:47 ACE Study explained 
• 21:24 Hand-on-heart practice begins
•  24:06 Chronic freeze patterns 29:41 Practicing the pause 
• 34:16 Transformation as mother 
• 36:38 Discovering joy and creativity 
• 39:26 TRE Iceland mission 
• 42:52 Hope through tremoring 
• 44:52 Slower you go quote

Resources Mentioned:

• ACE Study (Adverse Childhood Experiences Study): https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/s0749-3797(98)00017-8/pdf 
• Polyvagal Theory: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/whatispolyvagaltheory 
• Kristin Neff - Self-Compassion Research: https://self-compassion.org/the-research/ 
• Dr. David Berceli: https://treglobal.org/about-dr-david-berceli/ 
• Svava’s Website: https://www.svavabrooks.com/ 

Find us Online:
Neurogenic Integration: https://neurogenic-integration.com/
Instagram: @neurogenicintegration

Alex Greene welcomes back Liza Kimble for an exciting follow-up conversation about her groundbreaking experience at the Fascia Congress in New Orleans. Fresh from her travels, Liza shares how she introduced TRE and neurogenic tremoring to the international fascia research community, where over 100 attendees experienced tremoring for the first time. The congress brought together leading voices in nervous system work, including Stephen Porges, Robert Schleip, and Gil Hedley, creating a unique convergence of scientific research and therapeutic practice that validated the deep connection between fascia, trauma, and the autonomic nervous system.

Liza takes listeners behind the scenes of this transformative event, sharing insights from keynote presentations on the fascia-nervous system connection, Gil Hedley's emotional vagus nerve dissection, and conversations about consciousness within connective tissue. She discusses the positive reception to her TRE demonstration with Professor Werner Klingler, the power of vagal activation through sound and voice work, and her growing passion for integrating indigenous healing wisdom—including Sami yoiking traditions—with somatic practices. This conversation illuminates the exciting frontier where ancient healing methods, cutting-edge fascia research, and neurogenic tremoring converge to offer new pathways for trauma healing and embodied wellness.

Listen to the full episode to discover how the fascia world is embracing neurogenic tremoring and what this means for the future of trauma healing and somatic therapy.

Key Highlights:

00:04 - Introduction and Congress Overview
 03:10 - Robert Schleip on Fascia
 05:29 - Fascia Responds to Stress
 08:45 - Fabiana de Silva's Vagal Resets
 11:17 - Self-Help Grounding Through Squeezing
 12:18 - Gil Hedley's Vagus Dissection
 14:01 - Sounding and Vagal Activation
 18:06 - Fascia, Consciousness, and Soul
 21:28 - Meeting Stephen Porges
 25:32 - Traumatic Brain Injury Insights
 30:00 - Liza's TRE Presentation Experience
 32:51 - 100 People Experience Tremoring
 40:00 - Future Congress Plans
 42:40 - Sami Yoiking Healing Songs
 48:34 - Human Algorithm Workshop Preview

Resources Mentioned:

• Robert Schleip - Fascia Research Foundation
• Gil Hedley - Nerve Tour and Anatomy Videos: https://www.gilhedley.com/ 
• Stephen Porges - Polyvagal Theory: https://www.stephenporges.com/ 
• Fabiana Silva - Fascia Research Society President: https://www.facebook.com/FasciaResearchSociety/
• John Sharkey - Anatomist and Fascia Researcher: http://www.johnsharkeyevents.com/ 
• Journal of Movement and Bodywork
• Liza Kimble’s website: https://lizakimble.com/ 

Find us Online:

Website: https://www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com/ 

Instagram: @redbeardsomatictherapy
Facebook: @RedBeardSomaticTherapy

Alex Greene speaks with Bonnie Pariser, a TRE provider and yoga therapist who runs Yoga Loca studio in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Bonnie shares how she transformed her yoga therapy practice by integrating TRE (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises) with traditional yoga approaches. Her unique journey from fashion design to embodiment work led her to discover that tremoring can dramatically improve outcomes for clients with chronic tension, anxiety, and trauma.

Bonnie explains how tremoring prepares the nervous system for yoga practices, especially for clients who are too activated to benefit from conventional stretching or meditation. She uses the Ayurvedic dosha framework to understand different nervous system states: vata (anxiety/bracing), pitta (hypervigilance), and kapha (shutdown). This approach works with the body's natural healing mechanisms rather than against them.

The conversation covers practical applications including emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and spiritual practice preparation. Bonnie shares examples from her classes and one-on-one sessions, showing how clients move from seeking physical relief to developing life management skills. Her integration of ancient wisdom with modern trauma approaches demonstrates how nervous system regulation can transform both therapy outcomes and daily life.

Listen to the full episode to discover how this powerful combination of TRE and yoga can transform your approach to nervous system regulation and embodiment practices.

Key Highlights:

• 0:00 Introduction 
• 1:49 Fashion to Embodiment 
• 4:19 TRE Training Discovery 
• 6:06 Yoga Sutras Connection 
• 7:06 Kumbhaka Breathless State 
• 12:09 Integration with Classes 
• 17:05 Emotional Regulation Practice 
• 18:44 Conflict Resolution Applications 
• 26:51 Ayurvedic Dosha Perspective 
• 27:20 Vata Derangement Treatment 
• 30:53 One-on-One Applications 
• 35:52 Personal Practice Evolution 
• 37:17 Tandava Dance Connection 
• 41:08 Kriya Spontaneous Movements 
• 50:58 Myofascial Release Integration 
• 52:50 Future Learning Directions

Links and Resources: 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YogaLokaNJ/ 
• Websites: https://www.yoga-loka.com/     http://www.yoga-therapy-can-help.me/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_loka/ 
• David Berceli - TRE founder and trainer: https://treglobal.org/about-dr-david-berceli/ 

Find us Online: 

Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about the power of embodiment:

https://www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com/

Follow us on social media:

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

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandermgreene

Join Alex as he sits down with longtime colleague Anders Totten, a structural integration bodywork therapist specializing in Tom Myers' Anatomy Trains approach. Anders shares his journey from massage school in Madison, Wisconsin to becoming a deep student of fascial work and structural integration. This conversation explores the fascinating world of fascia, from Ida Rolf's pioneering work in the 1940s-50s to cutting-edge research being presented at the upcoming Fascia Congress in New Orleans.

The discussion covers the collaborative nature of structural integration work, the profound experiences Anders had in cadaver labs touching actual anatomy trains, and the emerging connections between fascial work and emotional regulation through the nervous system. Anders reflects on his training with Polish bodywork wizard Jarek Kakowski and shares mystical experiences from working with cadavers, including the profound sensations of holding different organs.

Throughout the conversation, both practitioners emphasize the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in somatic work, moving beyond tribal thinking to embrace the convergence of fascial research, polyvagal theory, and embodied trauma healing approaches.

Ready to dive deeper into the world of structural integration and fascial healing? Listen to the complete conversation to hear Anders' full journey and insights into this transformative bodywork approach.

Key Highlights: 

• 00:01 - Background introductions
• 05:00 - Ida Rolf origins
• 09:00 - Osteopathic influences
• 12:00 - Gravity field philosophy
• 16:00 - Tom Myers introduction
• 20:00 - Anatomy trains criticism
• 23:00 - Cadaver lab experiences
• 26:00 - Mystical organ touching
• 33:00 - Structural integration approach
• 39:00 - First session process
• 44:00 - Fascia Congress preview
• 49:00 - Emotional fascia research
• 56:00 - Interdisciplinary collaboration
• 60:00 - Future directions

Links & Resources

• Book a call with Anders: https://www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com/team/anders-totten 
• Tom Myers' Anatomy Trains
• Rolf Institute
• Laboratories for Anatomical Enlightenment (Boulder)
• Fascia Research Congress (New Orleans)
• Robert Schleip's research
• Stephen Porges and Polyvagal Theory
• John F. Barnes Myofascial Release

Find us Online: 

Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about the power of embodiment:

https://www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com/

Follow us on social media:

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

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandermgreene

Alex Greene talks with Liza Kimble, a body therapist from South Africa who combines TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) with gentle touch work. Liza has worked with bodies for 32 years and discovered that lighter touch often works better than deep, painful massage. She works with both people and horses, teaching them how to release tension through natural tremoring.

Liza shares how she went from doing very intense massage work to learning gentler approaches that help the nervous system feel safe. Her work with horses taught her important lessons about healing - when horses feel comfortable, they naturally start to shake and release stored stress. She's excited to present her work at a big research conference in New Orleans.

The conversation covers how to combine different healing methods, why therapists need to take care of themselves, and Liza's interest in ancient wisdom about human behavior patterns. This episode helps both therapists and regular people understand how gentle body work can help heal trauma and calm the nervous system.

Key Highlights:

• 00:01 - Background introduction
• 00:03 - Massage therapy beginnings
• 00:05 - Psoas activation discovery
• 00:07 - Meeting David Berceli
• 00:09 - First TRE experience
• 00:12 - Combining TRE fascial
• 00:14 - Fascia Congress attendance
• 00:16 - Horse tremoring discovery
• 00:19 - Touch technique evolution
• 00:22 - Client homework protocols
• 00:25 - Horse therapy training
• 00:29 - Traumatized horse transformation
• 00:34 - Horse tremoring patterns
• 00:37 - Equine therapy philosophy
• 00:42 - Teaching methodology evolution
• 00:44 - Upcoming Congress excitement
• 00:50 - Human algorithm teachings

Links and Resources: 

• International Fascia Research Congress: https://www.frscongress.org/ 
• Liza’s Website: https://lizakimble.com/ 
• Polyvagal Theory resources by Dr. Stephen Porges: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/whatispolyvagaltheory 
• Tom Myers' Anatomy Trains and fascial meridians: https://www.myersmyofascialmeridians.com/ 

What if the secret to deep healing wasn't found in a technique---but in the quality of presence you bring to another human being? In this episode, Alex reconnects with Simba Stenqvist, TRE® trainer and somatic innovator based in Thailand, to explore his groundbreaking modality called Internal Alchemy---a fusion of neurogenic tremoring, fascial work, breathwork, and energetic practices.

Simba shares how Internal Alchemy emerged not from intellectual design, but through direct revelation during meditation---symbols, insights, and movements that seemed to arise through him rather than from him. Drawing on 25+ years in martial arts, bodywork, and nervous system practices, Simba reveals how respecting traditional lineages means bringing them forward to meet contemporary needs. From his multicultural background (Swedish-Dominican) to his "old school" teaching philosophy, Simba embodies the art of working with "who's in front of you" rather than rigid protocols.

Together, Alex and Simba dive deep into the mystery of masterful facilitation---how experienced practitioners learn to trust their intuition, follow subtle body cues, and create spaces where profound healing can unfold. This conversation explores presence as medicine, the power of authentic witnessing, and how combining fascial work with tremoring can access layers of stored trauma that pure nervous system approaches might miss. If you've ever wondered what transforms a good practitioner into a masterful one, this episode offers profound insights into the art of somatic healing.

Key Highlights:

• [00:03:00] Internal Alchemy Origins Story
• [05:15:00] Innovation Meets Ancient Wisdom
• [09:52:00] Teaching Who's Present Philosophy
• [14:27:00] Fascial Work Beyond Structure
• [17:34:00] Connecting Somatic Worlds
• [22:27:00] Creating Safe Containers
• [25:43:00] Witnessing & Reframing Trauma
• [28:30:00] Intuitive vs Intellectual Knowing
• [33:00:00] Organism-to-Organism Communication
• [40:15:00] Presence as Transmission
• [46:57:00] Natural vs Supernatural Abilities
• [48:47:00] Beyond Nervous System Labels

Links and Resources: 

• Website: https://livingwiththespirit.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwiththespirit/ 

Find us Online: 

Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about the power of embodiment:

https://www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com/

Follow us on social media:

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

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandermgreene