Breaking Trauma’s Grip: Dr. Eva Nowakowski-Sims takes a different approach.

What if trauma isn’t just “in your head,” but living in your body—trapped in your hips, your nervous system, your very breath? And what if the key to healing isn’t hours of talk therapy, but a radical combination of ancient yoga, trauma-informed weightlifting, and yes, psychedelic-assisted therapy?


On this electrifying episode of the Crackin’ Backs Podcast, we sat down with Dr. Eva Nowakowski-Sims, a PhD, social worker, yogi, psychedelic researcher, and pioneer in trauma-informed somatic therapy. With over 20 years of clinical practice, Dr. Eva has left traditional therapy behind to embrace what actually works: the body, the breath, and sometimes, the medicine.


Trauma Doesn’t Just Live in the Mind—It Lives in the Body


“Trauma doesn’t just sit up here,” Dr. Eva explained, pointing to the mind. “It lives in the body.”


For survivors, even simple questions like “How are you feeling today?” can lead to silence or confusion. Why? Because trauma disconnects people from their own sensations.


Dr. Eva bridges that gap by starting every session with movement before words. Yoga, weightlifting, and somatic practices regulate the nervous system first—creating space for the brain to think clearly and for real problem-solving to begin.


And it works. For many of her clients, the most profound healing doesn’t happen on a couch. It happens on a yoga mat.


Trauma-Informed Yoga and Weightlifting: Therapy That Moves You

Forget the Instagram-friendly vinyasa classes. Trauma-informed yoga is something else entirely. Gentle movements. Breath matched with sensation. Long holds that bring emotions stored deep in the psoas or hips to the surface.


Dr. Eva teaches clients not just to move, but to feel again—using language that reconnects them to their bodies after years of disassociation. The trembling that follows a deep hip release isn’t weakness. It’s the body finally completing a stress cycle.


And then there’s trauma-informed weightlifting. Research shows that for many trauma survivors, loading a barbell feels safer—and more empowering—than spilling secrets to a stranger. Strength training becomes a ritual of reclaiming agency, rebuilding confidence, and grounding the body in resilience.

The Psychedelic Renaissance: Therapy Beyond Talk

But Dr. Eva didn’t stop there. When she saw the research on MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD as tools for healing trauma and depression, she dove headfirst into the science. After a 10-month certification and years of clinical trial work, she’s seen the kind of transformation that no amount of CBT can touch.


From veterans with PTSD to clients carrying decades of suppressed pain, psychedelic-assisted therapy is rewriting what’s possible in mental health care. But Dr. Eva is quick to emphasize: it’s not about tripping. It’s about set and setting—the mindset you bring and the safety of the space you’re in. Done right, these therapies don’t erase trauma. They teach people to live with it differently—sometimes for the first time ever.

Breaking Stigma and Building Equity

Of course, psychedelics carry stigma. Fear. Misconceptions. But Dr. Eva isn’t shying away. She’s pushing to educate social workers, nursing faculty, and future clinicians to ensure this work isn’t just for the wealthy, but accessible for everyone.


This isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about leaning into it with the right tools, guidance, and compassion. As she puts it:


“What’s the difference between a drug and a medicine? A drug helps you escape. A medicine helps you go deeper.”


Why This Conversation Matters

In a world where traditional therapy often fails the people who need it most, Dr. Eva is charting a different path. Yoga, weightlifting, psychedelics—they’re not gimmicks. They’re lifelines for people who’ve been failed by every system before this one.

If you’ve ever wondered:
 

• Can trauma really live in your body?

• How does psychedelic therapy actually work?

• Why weightlifting might heal where talk therapy can’t?

This is the conversation you need to hear.


Listen or Watch the Full Episode

Dive deeper into this groundbreaking discussion with Dr. Eva Nowakowski-Sims:

🔊 Audio version: Crackin’ Backs Podcast on Apple Podcasts
▶️ Watch on YouTube: Crackin’ Backs Podcast Channel