In this episode of The Neuro’s Journey, Steve sits down with his partner, Lia, for an intimate and vulnerable conversation about trauma, safety, love and healing while in relationship. Together, they explore how past experiences shape present reactions, how fear can take over even in moments of deep connection, and what it means to grow alongside someone while still carrying old wounds.

Lia shares a powerful story about how a small interaction triggered a deep survival response right before Steve proposed. She describes the fear of abandonment that surfaced, the belief that one argument could leave her unsafe, and how her nervous system still prepares for danger even inside a loving partnership. Their conversation offers a rare look into trauma activation, relational healing, ibogaine preparation, and the courage it takes to build trust in real time.

She explains:
⬛ Trauma can distort threat perception, making small triggers feel like catastrophic danger.
⬛ Hypervigilance and fear responses often come from old experiences, not present reality.
⬛ Feeling safe enough to speak needs in the moment is a major step in nervous system healing.
⬛ Ibogaine preparation for her is centered on grounding, stability, and a desire to feel truly safe.
⬛ Shame creates self-protection patterns that hide parts of the self from love, connection, and joy.
⬛ Being with someone who is open and unguarded can become a powerful teaching in releasing shame.
⬛ Healing in partnership requires curiosity, communication, and the willingness to see each other clearly.
⬛ Growth is not linear, and even spiritually advanced teachers see life as a path of learning until their final breath.
⬛ Sharing personal stories publicly requires courage and deep inner work.
⬛ Healing expands when we are witnessed with compassion, especially by the people closest to us.

Chapters:
01:18:09 Living with trauma while in a loving relationship
01:18:46 The trigger that surfaced before the proposal
01:19:26 Fear, abandonment, and old survival patterns
01:20:25 How the body prepares for danger even when none is present
01:21:27 Safety as a core intention for her ibogaine journey
01:21:52 Longing for wholeness and connection to all parts of self
01:22:01 Navigating shame and openness in partnership
01:22:42 Learning from each other’s differences
01:22:59 Growth as a lifelong path
01:23:00 Seeing life as a game for learning
01:24:39 Meditation, lineage, and the desire to grow until the last breath
01:25:23 Preparing for ibogaine and the adventure ahead
01:25:55 The vulnerability of speaking publicly for the first time
01:26:40 A new understanding of what Steve carries by sharing his story
01:27:36 Closing reflections on courage, vulnerability, and partnership

About Steve

Steve is a longtime entrepreneur and storyteller who spent decades achieving external success while quietly battling the internal effects of childhood trauma and addiction. Through somatic therapy, psychedelic work, and nervous system rewiring, he rebuilt his life from the inside out. The Neuro’s Journey is his mission to explore healing, courage, and the human experience with depth and honesty.

Follow Steve:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourney

About Lia

Lia is a practitioner, healer, and trauma-informed guide who brings deep emotional awareness and grounded wisdom to her work. Her personal healing journey, combined with her commitment to truth and embodiment, offers a powerful lens on relational growth, safety, and transformation. This episode marks her first time