Learning to Let Go of the Past After Trauma and Loss
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Justin’s Inspirational Spiral Journey Transformation
Trauma doesn’t just inhabit the mind; it lodges deep in the body and spirit, creating invisible wounds that affect every aspect of life. For veterans, first responders, and individuals grappling with deep loss and trauma, the process of letting go of the past can feel insurmountable. How do you move forward when the past feels like an unyielding anchor?
This is Justin’s story. A military veteran, retired police officer, and survivor of immense emotional battles, Justin’s path to healing through The Spiral Journey serves as a beacon of hope for others. Inside this article, we’ll explore Justin’s transformation and extract lessons that can guide anyone toward healing and reclaiming a life of purpose.
Inside This Article:
2. Rediscovering Life Through The Spiral
1. The Weight of the Past
For Justin, the past wasn’t just a memory; it was a constant companion. A Marine deployed to Iraq three times and subsequently a police officer, he carried invisible scars that few could understand. From the devastating loss of comrades to the inability to grieve in environments that demanded strength and survival, his pain compounded over decades.
The first time Justin admitted to himself that he needed help came after years spent cycling between vices, therapy, and church. “I could talk to anyone, but no one was really giving me the answers I was looking for,” Justin admitted. Like many others, he found traditional routes insufficient for the unique complexity of his trauma and unresolved emotions.
Trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explains in his book The Body Keeps the Score that trauma isn’t just a psychological burden; it disrupts the entire nervous system. This physiological aspect can make traditional talk therapy feel limited, and that’s where holistic systems like The Spiral fill a crucial gap (source).
Justin’s breaking point came after losing close companions both in combat and in life back home. “There was a countdown in my mind,” Justin said, describing how unprocessed grief and trauma pushed him to the edge. Yet even in despair, a faint thread of resilience persisted. Justin recalls one pivotal social media interaction that illuminated a different path forward, that faint spark was all he needed to start The Spiral Journey.
2. Rediscovering Life Through The Spiral
The Spiral is a holistic emotional clearing modality that combines ancient wisdom with modern psychology to help individuals release the emotional blocks holding them back. It guides participants through a sequence of levels, addressing emotional triggers and traumas that have shaped their behaviors, beliefs, and limitations.
For Justin, the initial sessions of The Spiral unearthed profound realizations. “You’ve been in fight-or-flight mode for 20 years, and flight was never an option,” his practitioner, Laura, said during their first session. That single statement explained more to him than years of therapy.
Justin’s Spiral sessions were not easy. The process required confronting deeply buried emotions he had never dared to face. Memories of loss, guilt, and shame rose to the surface. Yet within this discomfort, Justin found the strength to process these emotions.
Dr. Peter Levine, a leading expert in trauma recovery, emphasizes this very point in his Somatic Experiencing method, which posits that in order to heal, we must revisit and release trauma trapped in our bodies (source). Complementary modalities like The Spiral build upon such principles to address emotional and energetic imprints.
3. Life After Trauma
Today, Justin describes himself as being in “a far better condition” not only as a husband but as a human being. While his trauma isn’t erased, Justin has found tools to process emotions and reclaim joy. His sense of identity, once solely defined by serving and protecting, has evolved into something more holistic and empowering.
Healing doesn’t happen overnight, and it isn’t linear. Many veterans and trauma survivors, like Justin, initially feel resistance to unconventional methods. Yet, the results speak for themselves.
Here are three lessons we can take from Justin’s story that could change your life or that of someone you love struggling with trauma recovery.
4. 3 Takeaways from Justin’s Transformation
1. Address the Root Cause, Not Just the Symptoms
Trauma becomes embedded within layers of memory, emotions, and body responses. It’s not enough to treat the visible symptoms (like depression or anxiety) without digging deep into the origins of your pain. Justin’s experience with The Spiral helped him pinpoint where his emotional wounds started and provided strategies to neutralize their hold over him.
Actionable tip: Don’t be afraid to try holistic approaches like emotional clearing, somatic therapy, or mindfulness to deepen your healing process.
2. Reimagine Your Identity Post-Trauma
For individuals in high-stakes roles like the military or law enforcement, identity is often tied to service. When that chapter ends, many feel lost. Through The Spiral, Justin recognized that his purpose wasn’t limited to titles or accomplishments.
Actionable tip: Begin journaling about who you are outside of your professional identity. What are your passions, values, and dreams? How can you nurture them?
3. Take One Step Toward Healing, Even If It’s Small
For Justin, initiating a conversation with Laura about The Spiral started with one curious message. That small step shifted the trajectory of his life. Healing doesn’t mean you have to leap into the unknown, you just need to take the first step.
Actionable tip: If traditional methods haven’t worked for you, explore new modalities. Book a consultation, attend a workshop, or read articles about trauma recovery.
5. Moving Toward Healing
Trauma recovery and healing from the past is a deeply personal and winding path. It involves courage, resilience, and willingness to explore unfamiliar territories, just as Justin did. His story serves as a powerful reminder that transformation is possible, even after decades of suffering.
If you or someone you know is coping with unresolved trauma, remember that there’s no single way to heal. Sometimes, the most unexpected methods can yield the most profound results. The Spiral Journey offers a compassionate, empowering way to reclaim your sense of self and purpose.
6. Start Your Spiral Journey Today
Are unresolved emotions holding you back? Don’t wait for things to get worse. Take the first step toward emotional freedom with The Spiral Journey. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, guilt, or simply feeling disconnected, our team is here to help.
Book your free discovery call today and start your transformation. It might just be the turning point you’ve been looking for.
