Signs of Childhood Trauma in Adults

Signs of Childhood Trauma in Adults

What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? This conversation between Coach Blu and Marissa zooms in on childhood trauma and how it can quietly shape an adult’s body, mind and relationships. A big chunk of the episode centres on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire. Marissa walks Coach Blu through the ten questions, and he openly shares his own answers, landing on an ACE score of eight.

They also play and discuss a TED Talk from paediatrician Nadine Burke Harris, who explains that childhood trauma is “the single greatest unaddressed public health threat facing our nation today” and that “the single most important thing that we need today is the courage to look this problem in the face and say, this is real, and this is all of us.” Her explanation of how stress responses, hormones and brain development link early adversity to later heart disease, cancer and depression gives a solid scientific frame for anyone in recovery who’s wondered, “Why does my body feel wrecked when I’m trying so hard?” The episode is aimed squarely at people in addiction recovery, their families, and anyone who suspects their rough childhood might still be affecting them.

His stories of abuse, neglect and instability give real-life context to what can otherwise feel like just another clinical checklist. It’s raw, honest and sometimes darkly funny in that ‘if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry’ way. You’ll hear practical ideas: trauma-informed therapy, EMDR, mindfulness, exercise, honest talks with doctors and breaking cycles so the next generation has an ACE score of zero. By the end, the tone is hopeful rather than doom-heavy.

Coach Blu talks about breaking generational patterns and shares how his own children scored zero on the ACE test, a small but huge win. If you’ve ever brushed off your past as “just life”, this one might make you rethink what your body’s been carrying – and what you’d like to put down.