Episode Summary

In this episode, David Waldas and Nick Musica dive deep into the concept of resolve—what it means, how it feels, and why it’s essential for personal growth and service to others. They explore the subtle but powerful difference between being in alignment and being in resolve, describing resolve as a state where alignment is fully embodied, both physically and mentally, creating a sense of clarity and creative power.

Key Topics Discussed

David and Nick discuss the journey from trauma to healing, and ultimately to resolve. They introduce the idea of the “healing trough”—the challenging process of working through trauma, whether personal or collective. The conversation highlights how people often get stuck in collective wounds, finding comfort in shared suffering, but true healing comes from addressing one’s own unique “signature” of trauma.

The hosts emphasize the importance of moving beyond the healing process into a state of resolve, where past wounds no longer dictate patterns or behaviors. They discuss how being in resolve not only transforms your own life but also positively impacts those around you, especially for those in roles of service, coaching, or healing.

David shares a personal story about witnessing a traumatic event with his daughter and the conscious effort required to process and resolve the experience, rather than dissociate or suppress it. The episode also touches on practical tools like breathwork and ice baths as ways to train the nervous system to stay present and build resilience.

Notable Insights

• Resolve vs. Alignment: Alignment is a state of flow, but resolve is a deeper, locked-in clarity that radiates outward and can be felt by others.
• Collective Wounds: Many people unconsciously bond over shared suffering, but true healing requires separating from the collective wound and focusing on one’s own healing.
• The Healing Trough: The process of healing can be long and cyclical, but reaching resolve means the trauma no longer triggers or controls you.
• Presence and Nervous System Regulation: Staying present with discomfort, rather than dissociating, is key to moving through trauma and into resolve.
• Service and Responsibility: Holding yourself in resolve is not just for your own benefit—it’s a responsibility to those you serve, as your energy and clarity can help others heal more quickly.

Memorable Quotes

• “Being in resolve is absolutely imperative because we can’t do it from anywhere else in the healing trough. Otherwise, we’re contributing to that level of stuckness.”
• “When we hold ourselves in resolve, all of a sudden we’ve stepped out of line. We’ve exposed ourselves and said, ‘I’m not doing that anymore.’”
• “There’s nothing worse than sustainable suffering. When suffering becomes unsustainable, that’s when real change happens.”

Takeaways

The episode encourages listeners to recognize patterns of unresolved trauma in their lives, to consciously move through the healing process, and to aim for a state of resolve. This state brings freedom, internal expansiveness, and the ability to serve others more powerfully. The journey isn’t just about personal relief—it’s about creating a ripple effect of healing and clarity in the world.

Connect

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Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode, David and Nick dive deep into the topic of disassociation and trauma, exploring how these experiences shape our relationship with ourselves and our ability to live in alignment. The conversation unpacks the subtle and not-so-subtle ways we abandon ourselves—whether through trauma responses, daily distractions, or coping mechanisms—and how the Aligned Living System offers tools to recognize and return to our true selves.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The nature of disassociation as a response to trauma, from major events to everyday discomforts.
• Personal stories about leaving the body, high pain thresholds, and the realization that these are often signs of practiced disassociation rather than strength.
• How disassociation shows up in common experiences like ADHD, daydreaming, and even social media or sugar cravings.
• The concept of “parking spots”—personalized places we go to avoid ourselves, such as anger, victimhood, or distraction.
• The importance of awareness: once you recognize disassociation, it becomes a choice rather than an unconscious reaction.
• The “veneer” of trauma and coping mechanisms, and the freedom that comes from realizing these barriers are often thin and can be moved through.
• The role of Aligned Living tools in helping us catch ourselves when we start to abandon who we truly are, and how to return to alignment quickly.
• The cost of disassociation and the power of making self-abandonment feel “gross” so that we naturally return to our authentic selves.
• Reflections on how societal and workplace expectations can encourage us to wear different personas, and how unresolved trauma often underlies this behavior.
• Please review us! Listener feedback is essential for the growth of the podcast. We appreciate your support in getting our show out there to support more people!

Memorable Quotes:

• “Disassociation is basically leaving our alignment. We’re abandoning ourselves and going into some other story, some other version. of ourselves”
• “When we don’t abandon ourselves, when we don’t disassociate from who we truly are, something very different starts happening.”
• “Once you have the awareness of it, then it is a choice.”
• “Aligned Living is claiming who you are, being that, and making whenever you’re being anything else feel gross.”

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Connect with Us:
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Next Episode:
Tune in next week for more conversations on living in alignment and practical tools for personal transformation.

Thank you for listening to The Aligned Living System Podcast!

Episode Overview

In this episode, David Waldas and Nick Musica dive into a bold and self-confronting question: “What if the life you built is the very thing holding you back?” Inspired by the new headline for David’s rebranded website, the conversation explores how the structures, habits, and identities we create for ourselves can become obstacles to our next level of growth and fulfillment.

Key Topics & Insights

• The Trap of Past Success:
  David and Nick discuss how the very systems and routines that once served us can become limitations. Using examples from the business world—like CEOs who are perfect for one stage of a company but not the next—they draw parallels to personal growth and self-leadership.

• Stages of Transformation:
  The hosts reflect on the need to periodically “clean up” or overhaul aspects of our lives, just as cities or companies do. Sometimes, this means making bold, unpopular changes to move forward.

• The Harrison Assessment & Operating Systems:
  Nick brings up the Harrison Assessment, a tool that reveals our behavioral patterns and stress points. They discuss how the “operating system” that got you here may not be the one that gets you where you want to go.

• Personal Evolution & Career Shifts:
  David shares his journey from teaching to metaphysical fairs, to running his own center, and eventually to high-level coaching. Each phase required a different mindset, skillset, and support system.

• Specialization & Value:
  Nick highlights the shift from being a generalist to a specialist, noting that narrowing your focus and audience can lead to greater impact and higher value.

• Internal Identity Shifts:
  The conversation turns to the internal work required to support external change. David notes that coaching high performers demands a different level of confidence and presence than earlier phases of his career.

• Money Mindset:
  Nick recalls a defining moment at a Brendon Burchard event, realizing his relationship with money was shaped by low expectations—a pattern he needed to change to grow.

• Processing Trauma & Expansion:
  David shares a recent experience of processing old trauma quickly and efficiently, illustrating how personal growth increases our capacity to handle challenges without being overwhelmed.

• The Role of Coaching:
  Both hosts emphasize the importance of having coaches and mentors, especially at higher levels of achievement. The willingness to seek feedback and confront blind spots is key to ongoing expansion.

• Self-Betrayal & Alignment:
  The episode closes with a discussion of how we often betray ourselves by prioritizing others’ needs or societal expectations. True alignment means consistently choosing what’s right for you, even if it means letting go of what no longer serves.

Memorable Quotes

• “What if the life you built is the very thing holding you back?”
• “The operating system that got you here is not the one that will get you where you want to go.”
• “We don’t stop expanding, and as we do, old stuff comes up to be cleared. The skill is learning to process it without letting it take over.”
• “Our job, once we get into alignment, is to not abandon ourselves—not to betray ourselves.”

Takeaways

If you’re feeling stuck or confronted by your own growth, you’re not alone. The path to fulfillment and impact requires regular self-inquiry, a willingness to let go of what no longer fits, and the courage to keep expanding—even when it means facing old fears or traumas. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, invest in your own development, and remember: alignment is an ongoing process.

Thank you for listening!
If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and join us next week for more conversations on living in alignment.