What does it really mean to be trauma-informed—and why does this matter far beyond therapy? In this deeply personal and educational episode, LaTonya Wilkins sits down with Lion Goodman, coach, author, and founder of the Clear Beliefs Institute, who shares his incredible story of surviving being shot in the head four times—and how that life-altering moment shaped his approach to healing and leadership. Lion breaks down the difference between surface-level coaching and therapeutic coaching, how trauma shows up even in “successful” people, and how we can begin to unhook the past to truly move forward. Whether you’re a coach, a leader, or someone who wants to support others more skillfully, this conversation is rich, grounded, and unforgettable. 🔗 Learn more about Coaching Below the Surface: https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/ 📲 Connect on LinkedIn: Change Coaches: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches LaTonya Wilkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/ 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changecoaches/podcasts 📝 Timestamps + Summary [00:00] Welcome and how LaTonya met Lion Goodman Connection at ICF Converge and why Lion’s work stood out Meaning behind the name “Lion” and his Leo identity [12:00] A near-death experience that changed everything Lion recounts being shot four times and surviving The experience deepened his spiritual and professional journey [21:10] When coaching falls short without addressing trauma Clients often loop when past wounds go unexamined Lion begins to integrate deeper healing techniques [28:20] What it means to unhook a belief Beliefs are formed through experience, not logic Memory reconsolidation can rewrite core identity structures [38:00] Psychedelics and trauma work Powerful for deconstructing beliefs—but dangerous without integration Coaches must be trained to guide responsibly [44:10] Coaching vs. therapy: how they overlap and differ Coaches walk with you, but must know how to help offload trauma Why trauma-informed doesn’t mean “doing therapy” [48:00] Common mistakes when talking about trauma Overgeneralizing what trauma is—or avoiding it altogether Coaches need to clear their own trauma to avoid projection [51:30] Where to start with trauma-informed support Ask “what’s underneath that?” to go deeper Be grounded, breathe, and avoid judgment when holding space Tags: Trauma Informed Coaching, Lion Goodman, Therapeutic Coaching, Executive Coaching, LaTonya Wilkins, Leading Below the Surface, Coaching Below the Surface, Psychological Safety, Memory Reconsolidation, Coaching and Trauma, Psychedelic Integration, Clear Beliefs Method, Coaching Tools, Executive Development, Limiting Beliefs, ICF Accredited, Personal Growth, Coaching Conversations, Coaching Podcastand
