‘Breathing is the hardest thing to do…’ a Stone Temple Pilots lyric that looped in my head in early 2022 every time someone told me to breathe.

And if you’ve had a panic attack, or lived with chronic stress/extreme anxiety, you know exactly what I mean. It can feel impossible at times.

Breathing is something that I was always taught was autonomous, not a learned practice that can change your life in real-time.

And I was the biggest skeptic, turned convert of the ‘take a breath’ camp.

Even though I paid a lot of people to tell me to breathe, I didn’t even know that I wasn’t breathing or felt anxiety until I tried to get out of lifelong undiagnosed survival mode at almost 40.

Of all the things I had accomplished, overcome and endured to that point in life, it was frustratingly hard to re-learn how-to-human at almost 40.

And I’m not alone — when our bodies are stuck in a state of dysregulation (fight/flight/freeze/fawn) breathing feels impossible.

Everything changed for me in August 2022 at Onsite’s Healing Trauma workshop when I was introduced to the Komuso Design Shift necklace. And that is when I began spreading the Komuso gospel, gifting the necklace to everyone I know!

On 2/26/26, Todd Steinberg and Vanessa Steinberg, Co-Founders of Komuso Design are joining me on Trauma Translator™ Live & Pod. And as a proud Affiliate Partner, I am the most excited for this episode!

Todd and Vanessa co-founded Komuso in 2017 with a mission to integrate mindful wellness with fashion — creating tools like The Shift necklace, Flex Fidget/Sport and more to support emotional balance in real life and real-time.

Most things in life require a tradeoff for form vs function, but Komuso’s Shift necklace is truly Functional Fashion. Adults and children alike ask me about my necklace, which I wear everywhere. And when I don’t, I regret it.

Because sometimes breathing really is the hardest thing to do, but Komoso makes it easier to get back to your breath with a Micro-Calm™ Moment.

Now every breath feels like freedom.

Learn how to Biohack an Embodied Comeback through the Art & Science of Connection

Nervous System Literacy, Holistic View of Wellness & ‘Neuroscience For All’

Learn. Unlearn. Educate. Empower. Elevate.

Why Go Project

[Re]defining the human experience through the lens of trauma. How can we change or solve for what we don’t understand?

In this episode of The Trauma Translator Live, Lauren Friedman welcomed Jessie Lizak, founder and CEO of Reveting and host of WinsDay, to talk about anxiety, entrepreneurship, and nervous system regulation.

Instead of focusing on PTSD, they explored what Lauren calls the “anti-anxiety antidote” – learning how to regulate your nervous system so you can live and lead without burning out.

Jessie shared what it’s like running a business while raising two kids, especially when life gets overwhelming. She talked about trying to balance work, health, and motherhood, while also navigating the pressure of being the face of her company. Lauren connected this to a bigger theme: many high performers don’t know how to rest. They only know how to push.

The conversation centered on one key idea: no one teaches us how to be human. We’re not taught how to regulate stress, process emotions, or listen to our bodies. Over time, that leads to burnout, illness, anxiety, and self-abandonment.

Lauren explained how trauma and chronic stress keep people stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. She emphasized that nervous system dysregulation is behind many modern issues – from addiction to burnout to relationship struggles. Jessie reflected on her own experiences with shingles, overworking, and constantly operating at 150 percent.

They discussed tools that help regulate the body, including yin yoga, walking, breathwork, sound baths, and intentional rest. The key is not just movement, but intentional movement. They also talked about boundaries, self-awareness, and learning to listen to your intuition.

The biggest takeaway: anxiety isn’t a personal failure. It’s often a nervous system issue. When you learn how to regulate your body, you make better decisions, set healthier boundaries, and stop abandoning yourself.

The antidote isn’t doing more.

It’s learning how to slow down and feel safe in your own body.

Owen had me at ‘CrossFit for your emotions’ — it truly sounds like a metaphor I would make or have made. IYKYK.

This one is personal, and one of the main inspirations behind the Why Go Project at an enterprise level…

FUNCTIONAL MEN’S WORK!

My heart is full welcoming, Owen Marcus to the Trauma Translator™ Live. Owen has spent decades helping men cultivate embodied leadership and MELD Authentic Intelligence™ through Functional Men’s Work.

This soul purpose mental health mission is also su*cide spirit guided, largely by men. The world needs more men supporting men, not in a Corporate Boys Club kind of way, but in a real, human connection, vulnerability and somatic experience kind of way. Which is why I’m so excited for Owen to share his ‘rooted in science approach to Men’s Mental Health.’

This is an episode you won’t want to miss as Owen already speaks the Trauma Translator™ language of somatic awareness, embodiment, Polyvagal Theory and more, but also shares lived experience through decades of his own work.

Join us live on 2/12 @1PM ET to learn how to Biohack an Embodied Comeback through the Art & Science of Connection

Please share this with a man (or woman) who wants to learn what CrossFit and Men’s Work have in common.

Nervous System Literacy, Holistic View of Wellness & ‘Neuroscience For All’

LEARN. UNLEARN. EDUCATE. EMPOWER. ELEVATE.

Why Go Project [Re]defining the human experience through the lens of trauma — we can’t change or solve for what we don’t understand

This February the Trauma Translator™ Live + Pod is kicking off the month of love a little differently!

In the most HOW-ARE U HEALING®️ mission kind of way — Men’s Work & Su*cide Spirit Guides.

Did you know that brain scans revealed children living with unstable families (excessive arguing, abusive and/or neglectful environments) have brain changes similar to combat soldiers after active duty?

While it’s hard to faze me, that fact surprised me before I fully understood ’Trauma’.

A beautiful surprise in this healing CPTSD(R) journey has been how welcoming, receptive and ready for help the Veteran and First Responder community has been.

My heart is full welcoming, Ramses (Ram) Yebra, President and Founder, QRFup to the Trauma Translator™ Live! WHY GO PROJECT — [RE]DEFINING THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE LENS OF TRAUMA is a proud partner of QRFup (Quick Reaction Force), a nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health, support and su*cide prevention for Veterans, First Responders and their families.

On paper Ram and I appear to have little in common but our missions, stories and deep soul-level desire to help others, unite us because — CONNECTION CHANGES ER’THANG!

If you would have told me in June 2023 that my first business trip via plane in solopreneurship would bring me to QRFup’s HQ in Iowa in Summer 2024, I would have laughed in your face! But so grateful I had the opportunity to spend time with this incredible organization in-person.

Join us live on 2/5 @1PM ET to learn how QRFup is helping Veterans, First Responders and their families Biohack an Embodied Comeback through the Art & Science of Connection and how you can support the mission!

Nervous System Literacy, Holistic View of Wellness & ‘Neuroscience For All’

LEARN. UNLEARN. EDUCATE. EMPOWER. ELEVATE.

Why Go Project [Re]defining the human experience through the lens of trauma — we can’t change or solve for what we don’t understand

Even though I always knew I would work in Advertising, I started my career in Tech by accident.

Which at the time felt like a sidestep, but seeing life through the lens of trauma, I understand the ‘why.’

And as it turned out, I was exactly where I was meant to be, we, as humans always are!

Even when we feel behind, we’re not.

Emerging Technology has made a fast-paced world go into hyper-drive.

And humanity is feeling the pressure, literally, of the pandora’s box that is Technology.

In this episode of Trauma Translator™️, I’m sitting down with • Daniel Burrus whose work has shaped how leaders think about innovation, anticipation and exponential change for decades.

Daniel has helped organizations prepare for what’s coming next.

We’ll explore:

1. The Shock of Speed and Human Decision - Making

2. ⁠The Human Brain — the Original AI

3. ⁠Leading from Regulation vs Anticipation

If you’re navigating rapid change, as a leader, entrepreneur or human experience, join us live, 1/15/26 @1PM ET.

Please share with anyone who has been carrying more than they were ever taught how to navigate.

Trauma Translator™️ Live: Biohack an embodied comeback through the Art and Science of Connection

Why Go Project: [Re]defining the human experience through the lens of trauma

Learn. Unlearn. Educate. Empower. Elevate.

Please allow me to [Re]introduce myself…you may be asking yourself, WTF is the Why Go Project and the Trauma Translator™️?!

An episode of the Trauma Translator™️ you won’t want to miss!

Lauren hosts her first solo episode of the season, and while the topic of trauma may sound serious, Lauren is guaranteed to make you laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh. Lauren shares the inspiration and The ‘Why’ Behind the Why Go Project and Trauma Translator™️

Lauren’s dropping knowledge like KRS-One and baffling with brilliance. You just might learn something new!

Trauma Translator™️ Topics Lauren will be touching upon:

[Re]defining Trauma IRL

Only Music Can Save Us™️ trauma education

Stories Behind Slogans: Merch With A Purp™️

HOW-ARE U HEALING™️ habits

The Real Cost of Avoidance

Survival Mode IRL: Freeze

Learn how to THRIVE, not just SURVIVE.

Please share with anyone who could use a good laugh, cry, or just needs to catch a break once in a while.

And if any of these topics interest you further, go to WHYGOROJECT.COM to book Lauren, Trauma Translator™️ for your next event, media/podcast, or workshop.

Catch that Lauren Friedman Energy!

Trauma Translator™️ Live: Biohack an embodied comeback through the Art and Science of Connection

Why Go Project: [Re]defining the human experience through the lens of trauma — we can’t change or solve for what we don’t understand.

Learn. Unlearn. Educate. Empower. Elevate.

So much of what we call innovation is about moving faster.

Scaling more. Reaching further.

Very little of it asks how the people building it are actually doing.

On this episode of Trauma Translator™️, I’m sitting down with Matija Kovac, whose work lives in the world of global communication, AI, and localization.

At its core, his work is about translation.

Not just of language, but of meaning.

Of nuance.

Of what gets lost when humans try to connect across systems, cultures, and expectations.

We’ll talk about lived experience and why honest storytelling matters more than polished narratives.

How innovation changes when it’s filtered through a trauma-informed, human lens. And why humor can sometimes say what seriousness can’t, especially when it comes to healing.

This isn’t a tech talk.

And it’s not a wellness talk either.

It’s a conversation about being human while building things that are meant to serve other humans.

We’ll explore:

1.⁠ ⁠Lived Experience And Honest Storytelling

2.⁠ ⁠Innovation Explored Through A Trauma-Informed, Human Lens

3.⁠ ⁠A Comedic Perspective On Healing

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay connected to yourself while working in fast-moving, high-pressure environments, this conversation will meet you there.

If this resonates, click Attend and join us live.

And if you know someone who’s building, leading, or creating in fast-moving environments, share this with them.

Connection changes er’thang.

Burnout destroys us.

Flow restores us.

That’s why this next episode of The Trauma Translator™️ centers on Burnout to Flow, and what it really takes to evolve, reinvent, and rise without abandoning yourself in the process.

I’m honored to welcome Celeste Bonin, former WWE Women’s Champion, speaker, coach, and entrepreneur to the show.

Celeste knows what it means to perform at the highest level.

She also knows the cost of sustaining that level without honoring capacity, regulation, and recovery.

Her journey from global visibility to embodied leadership makes her the perfect guest for this conversation.

Together, we’ll explore:

1. Burnout to Flow: Evolution, Reinvention, and Rise from a WWE Champion

2. The Capacity Conundrum

3. Build Your Brand Without Burnout

This episode is about more than branding or visibility. It’s about what happens when identity is built around performance, and how to reclaim influence without exhaustion.

Celeste brings lived experience, not formulas.

This conversation holds space for ambition, humanity, and nervous system awareness to exist at the same time.

The Trauma Translator™️ exists to turn silent experiences into shared understanding and to translate trauma into language that supports leadership, growth, and real connection.

This conversation continues that mission.

Our stories carry weight.
And when we share them together, they create understanding, connection, and relief.

That’s why I created Trauma Translator™ — a livestream series dedicated to putting language to experiences so many people carry quietly. Experiences that shape how we lead, how we work, and how we move through the world.

I’m honored to begin this series with Jessie Lizak.

Jessie rebuilt her voice in real time and turned it into one of the longest-running weekly livestreams on LinkedIn™. She understands visibility as more than exposure or strategy. For her, it’s a deeply human practice rooted in presence, integrity, and lived experience.

That perspective is exactly why I wanted her in this conversation. It’s also why I chose to work with her company, Reveting, to help bring this show to life.

I’m deeply grateful to have a production team that understands the heart of this work and knows how to support it with care and excellence.

In this episode, we talk about lived experience, leadership through a trauma-informed lens, and what it really means to reclaim your story without turning it into performance.

This is the beginning of a much larger conversation.