Connect with Mike here - https://www.facebook.com/mike.potratz.2025

Keywords
adoptee, resilience, somatic healing, trauma-informed coaching, mental health, self-discovery, emotional healing, personal growth, community support, empathy

Summary
In this episode of the Resilience Project Podcast, host Julie Brumley interviews Mike, a client who shares his journey as an adoptee navigating trauma and healing. They discuss the challenges of feeling like a misfit, the turning points that led Mike to seek help, and the transformative power of somatic work. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, trust, and self-discovery in the healing process, as well as the unique experiences of adoptees. Mike's insights provide encouragement for others facing similar struggles, highlighting that change is possible and worth pursuing.

Takeaways
Mike describes feeling like a misfit in his own skin.
The turning point for Mike was discovering the book 'Primal Wound'.
Adoptees often adapt to fit in, leading to a chameleon effect.
Isolation can be exacerbated by past relationships and societal perceptions.
Building trust in a coaching relationship is crucial for healing.
Somatic work has provided Mike with tools to connect with his emotions.
Writing has become a powerful tool for self-reflection for Mike.
Mike emphasizes the importance of empathy in relationships.
The journey of healing is not easy but is worth it.
Mike encourages others to seek help and not to fear the process.

Sound bites
"I belong everywhere and nowhere."
"You don't have to live like this."
"Empathy was locked away inside me."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mike's Journey
03:48 Exploring Identity and Adoption
05:42 The Impact of Divorce and Loneliness
07:42 Understanding the Need for Change
09:05 Navigating Relationships and Acceptance
10:53 The Role of Coaching and Support
12:39 The Power of Somatic Work
15:12 Experiencing Empathy and Healing
20:45 Exploring Emotional Awareness
22:24 Uncovering Life Patterns
24:12 Accessing Inner Worlds
25:02 Empathy and Relational Changes
26:42 Pride in Personal Growth
27:55 Navigating Difficult Emotions
29:39 Encouragement for the Stuck
29:59 Facing Fears in Healing
30:27 The Value of Shared Experience
31:40 The Coaching Experience
33:14 Hope for the Future
34:27 NEWCHAPTER

Website

Instagram: @juliebrumley_

Facebook: julierasbrum

TikTok: @juliebrumley_

Click to Join My Free Adoptee Facebook Group

You Tube: @julie_brumley