Episode 177: Overcoming Trauma and Transforming Life’s Experiences into a Superpower with Walt McKinley

Episode Summary:  Today, we speak with Walt McKinley, a generational trauma coach, motivational speaker, and author.  He is a retired Naval Intelligence Officer and former Fortune 500 Corporate Executive who made the pivot to become “a generational trauma coach focusing primarily on helping men learn how to break the generational cycle of abuse and fight to be the heroes of their own family.” Walt has spoken in front of large crowds on this topic now for over 25 years.  “Everything we do in life comes from our childhood: The good, the bad, and the indifferent. It all stems from the same place.”  There’s no better way to illustrate that statement than through Walt’s own journey to overcome generational trauma. It was a childhood that involved fourteen moves, extreme physical and emotional abuse, homelessness, and a suicide attempt in his teens. It all culminated with testifying in court against his father at 16.  Miraculously, Walt was able to turn his life around through the Grace of God and by finding it within him to forgive those who abused him throughout his formative years. He speaks on the moments that led to this dramatic transformation and why he was compelled to become a beacon of hope for other men who have gone through similar experiences.  Greg and Tyler also dive deep into their own challenges growing up as well as the ones they continually strive to overcome as grown men running a business and living with their own families.  Topics Discussed:  02:03 - An introduction to Walt McKinley  04:18 - How Walt overcame his own generational trauma  22:09 - Why Walt’s stepfather was physically abusive  23:27