Episode 11: What is My "Why?" (Part 1) with Alex Howard and Dr. Aimie Apigian

Listen to Episode 11 with Alex Howard →

The Breakdown That Changed Everything

I was a general surgeon with the training, the career, and the expertise. I knew how to fix bodies mechanically, cut precisely, repair what was broken, and save lives in the operating room.

But I kept seeing something medicine wasn't addressing including patients whose physical symptoms had no clear medical cause, bodies that stayed sick even after we fixed the obvious problem, and people suffering in ways our protocols couldn't touch.

Then my own body broke down, and I couldn't ignore it anymore.

This is my story of how I went from general surgeon to trauma practitioner and why that transition matters for your healing.

Alex Howard, founder of the Optimum Health Clinic, joins me for a fireside chat. I share the journey that brought me here including the overwhelm, the breakdown, and the path forward that emerged.

When My Body Started Screaming

Chronic fatigue hit me first, and then autoimmunity came. Anxiety that came from nowhere, depression I couldn't shake, and weight gain no diet could touch followed. My body was falling apart and nothing in my medical training explained it.

I did what doctors do. I ran tests, saw specialists, and tried the standard protocols. Nothing worked because everyone was treating symptoms without addressing the root cause.

My body was screaming what my mind tried to override including the trauma I'd survived, the stress I'd pushed through, and the nervous system dysregulation I'd ignored for years. It was all showing up in my biology now.

The irony wasn't lost on me. I was a physician who couldn't heal herself using the medicine I practiced. Everything I'd learned about the body was true and also incomplete. There was a whole layer of healing my training never touched.

The Adoption That Opened My Eyes

During medical school, I adopted Miguel from foster care. He was five years old and had experienced severe early trauma. I thought love and stability would be enough to help him heal.

But I kept seeing trauma's impact on his body, on his attachment patterns, and on his health. His nervous system was wired for survival, not connection. His biology held the story of what happened to him. No amount of cognitive understanding could shift those patterns alone.

Watching Miguel struggle taught me what my medical training missed. Trauma isn't just psychological but biological. It lives in the nervous system, affects development, and creates patterns that persist for years. Understanding his Biology of Trauma® became my education in what healing actually requires.

Why I Do This Work Now

I teach the Biology of Trauma® because I lived it, because my body broke down under the weight of unresolved trauma and I had to find the way through, and because traditional medicine failed me and I know it's failing millions of others.

If I can move through overwhelm to being my best self, so can you. There is a path forward. It's biological, not just mental. It addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms. And it works when everything else has failed.

This work isn't theoretical for me but personal. Every concept I teach came from understanding my own biology first. Every protocol I share emerged from what actually created change in my body. I'm not guessing at what works because I know since I had to figure it out to survive.

My story matters because it shows you healing is possible even when you feel most stuck, when your body is breaking down, when nothing else has worked, and when you've lost hope that anything will ever change. There is still a way forward, and it starts with understanding your Biology of Trauma®.

This Episode Is For:

✓ People who feel broken by their own health crisis 

✓ Anyone wondering if there's hope on the other side of overwhelm 

✓ Those whose bodies are breaking down without clear medical explanation 

✓ Practitioners considering a shift toward trauma-informed work 

✓ Anyone who wants to understand my journey and why I teach what I teach 

✓ People ready to hear that healing is possible even when it feels impossible

What You'll Learn

Listen to hear my personal story of breakdown and breakthrough. Understand how my own Biology of Trauma® led me to this work. Discover why I left surgery to focus on the healing traditional medicine misses.

Your breakdown might be your breakthrough too. Let me show you the path forward.

Listen to Episode 11 with Alex Howard →

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared reflects my clinical expertise and research, but every person's biology and healing journey is unique. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers before making changes to your treatment plan or starting new interventions. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services or a crisis helpline immediately.

Join the Conversation

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. What resonated with you? What questions came up?

Please keep comments respectful and supportive. This is a community of people committed to healing. We welcome diverse perspectives and honest questions, but we don't tolerate personal attacks, spam, or content that could harm others on their healing journey.