EPISODE · Mar 13, 2026 · 37 MIN
#76 When Trauma Lives in the Body, and What It's Doing to Your Nervous System, with Tracy Smaldino (Part 2)
from PCOS Unfiltered: Nourish, Heal, Thrive · host Tracy Smaldino
Connect with Tracy: on facebook on instagram on YouTube on TikTok by email Register for FREE for the "From Mindful to Mind-full Workshop" (Now known as Trust Your Hunger) happening on Sunday, March 15th In this episode, we discuss: Tracy’s story of surviving severe childhood trauma and sexual assault How suppressed trauma can stay stored in the nervous system for decades The connection between trauma, hypervigilance, anxiety, and physical symptoms Women’s health symptoms including painful periods, fibroids, hormonal chaos, and stress Why unresolved trauma can impact cycles, sleep, mood, and overall well-being Meditation as a gateway to deeper healing and self-awareness Tracy’s experience with MDMA-assisted therapy and how it helped access the subconscious Why trust and safety matter when choosing trauma-informed practitioners Tracy’s experience with hypnosis and connecting more deeply with her inner world The role of breathwork in regulating the nervous system Why healing is not one-size-fits-all The importance of learning your body’s signals instead of ignoring them How nervous system safety affects health choices, stress responses, and long-term healing The shift from surviving trauma to becoming your own hero Key Themes Trauma and the body Nervous system regulation Women’s hormonal health Subconscious healing Meditation and breathwork Hypnosis and MDMA-assisted therapy Self-forgiveness Identity after trauma Healing from the inside out 📘 Healthy for a Reason: 12 Practical Guidelines to Feel Like Yourself AgainIf you're tired of starting over, trying harder, and wondering why nothing seems to work, Healthy for a Reason was written for you.For years, we've been told the answer is more willpower, more restriction, and more rules. But if you've struggled with cravings, fatigue, emotional eating, poor sleep, or stubborn weight despite doing everything "right," you know it's not that simple.What if those struggles weren't signs that you've failed?What if they were your body's way of asking for something different?In Healthy for a Reason, Lindsie combines nearly two decades of nursing experience with practical health coaching strategies to help you understand what your body has been trying to tell you all along. You'll learn how to calm your nervous system, recognize your body's signals, build sustainable habits, and create lasting health by working with your body instead of constantly fighting against it.This isn't another diet book or a collection of quick fixes. It's a practical, compassionate guide to helping you reconnect with your body, rebuild trust in yourself, and finally understand why you're healthy for a reason.✨ Available now in paperback and Kindle.👉 Grab your copy HERE, available in paperback or on kindle 📝 Free Download: The Food Timeline TrackerUnlock the clues your body is already giving you.This simple worksheet helps you connect your meals to your hunger, cravings, and energy—so you can start spotting patterns, identifying insulin resistance symptoms, and making empowered food choices (no calorie counting required). Use it for just 2-3 days and prepare to be amazed at what you discover!✅ What's included:Meal tracking prompts (before, during, after, and long after)Space to note physical, emotional, and energy changesBonus reflection questions to guide your next steps📥 Grab it HERE!
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What this episode covers
In this raw and deeply moving episode of PCOS Unfiltered, Lindsie sits down for part 2 with Tracy Smaldino to explore what happens when trauma is carried in the body for decades. Tracy shares her powerful story of surviving a catastrophic childhood car accident, living through sexual assault, and suppressing the emotional impact of both for years. Together, they unpack how unresolved trauma can shape the nervous system, influence physical health, and keep people stuck in patterns of hyper-vigilance, pain, and disconnection. The conversation dives into the link between trauma and women’s health, including debilitating cycles, fibroids, stress, and hormonal imbalance. Tracy also opens up about the healing tools that helped her reconnect with herself, including meditation, breathwork, hypnosis, and MDMA-assisted therapy. Rather than presenting healing as one-size-fits-all, this episode highlights the importance of nervous system regulation, self-awareness, and finding safe, supportive pathways to process what has been buried. This is ultimately a conversation about hope. It is about understanding the messages behind symptoms, learning to listen to the body, and realizing that healing is still possible even after years of survival mode. Tracy’s story is a reminder that it is never too late to meet yourself more fully, reclaim your voice, and become your own hero.
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#76 When Trauma Lives in the Body, and What It's Doing to Your Nervous System, with Tracy Smaldino (Part 2)
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