Guest

Jake Petrykowski —Nutrition & Wellness Educator, Trauma-Informed Behavioral Health Coach, Certified Peer Support Specialist

Episode Summary

In this honest and profound episode of Spiritual Friction, Laurel LeMohn, trauma therapist and host, sits down with Jake Petrykowski for a meaningful conversation about healing, trauma, nervous system regulation, emotional safety, and boundaries—and what it looks like to stop running from pain and start living with intention.

Jake shares his journey as a lifelong student of nutrition and wellness, his years of working in service, and how his path ultimately led him into trauma-informed behavioral health coaching and peer support. Together, Laurel and Jake explore the impact of stigma, the power of language in recovery, and why true healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about honesty, emotional clarity, self-compassion, and learning to stay present in your own body.

They also reflect on the role of breathwork, harm reduction, and small, sustainable shifts—reminding us that meaningful change doesn’t have to be extreme to be life-changing.

What We Explore in This Episode

Trauma, emotional detachment, and learning it’s safe to feel

Shame, stigma, and why language matters in recovery

Harm reduction and meeting people where they are

Breathwork and nervous system regulation in everyday life

Nutrition basics, misinformation, and sustainable wellness

Fatherhood, repair, and choosing understanding over self-judgment

Starting small as a path to lasting change

Key Quotes

“It’s safe to have feelings. It’s healthy to have feelings.”

“The words we use with ourselves and others are so important.”

“Success leaves clues—go slow, and keep it simple.”

Why This Conversation Matters

Many people live in survival mode—staying busy, staying numb, or staying “fine.” This episode is a compassionate reminder that emotional safety begins with truth: about what hurts, what we’re carrying, and what we actually need.

Jake’s story highlights how trauma can shape our patterns—and how boundaries, understanding, and emotional clarity can open the door to real, sustainable change over time.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your body or unsure where to start, this conversation invites you to slow down, breathe, and return to yourself—one honest step at a time.

About the Guest

Jake Petrykowski has studied nutrition and wellness for over 30 years. After completing a 1500-hour sports medicine internship in college, he built a career as a personal trainer and nutritional consultant, educating audiences of thousands while supporting countless clients one-on-one. Over the last six years, Jake has worked as a trauma-informed behavioral health coach, and in 2022 became a certified peer support specialist.

Connect with Jake:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @futureselfwellness

About the Host

Laurel LeMohn is a trauma therapist, somatic wellness coach, and host of Spiritual Friction: A Space for Deep Feelers — a podcast exploring healing, personal growth, and what it means to be human through heartfelt, reflective conversation. Her integrative approach weaves together trauma-informed care, narrative therapy, nervous system regulation, and spirituality to create grounded, compassionate spaces for healing.

Explore more episodes, resources, and future conversations at:

https://www.soulbodywellness.health

Community & Support

If you're longing for a safe place to land, you're warmly invited to join our free community gathering on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 PM PT—a space to slow down, connect, and be held in community.

Some conversations invite reflection. Others invite us into deeper work. If you're seeking individualized support, I offer virtual trauma-informed therapy for adults throughout California and Washington through Redwood Coast Psychotherapy.

Learn more at:

https://www.redwoodcoastpsychotherapy.com

Stories held with care.

Disclaimer

Spiritual Friction: A Space for Deep Feelers is a storytelling and educational podcast and is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. Listening does not establish a therapeutic relationship. If you are in distress, please seek support from a qualified professional or emergency services.