In Episode #26, "Breaking the Cycle: Becoming the Father He Never Had," Don shares his journey from a traumatic childhood to becoming a committed father and coach. He opens up about the emotional toll of feeling abandoned as a child, how becoming a parent triggered unresolved wounds, and the importance of finding healthy outlets for coping.

Don also offers tough-love advice for parents navigating divorce, along with a heartfelt message to their kids. This episode is a candid look at breaking the cycle of emotional neglect and building a better future for the next generation.

If this episode triggered you in any way, please reach out. My job (and purpose) is to hold space for you and your Inner Child as you share and validate your story and I am just a FREE Discover Call away.

In This Episode:

• 01:50 - Take Two: Recording challenges and overcoming technical difficulties
• 02:30 - Reflection on how Krista’s episode inspired personal growth
• 06:05 - Introducing Don, the “Gym Bro” and younger “Big Brother”
• 11:40 - Discussing how your past doesn’t dictate your future
• 15:25 - Emotional impacts of growing up in an unstable home
• 19:20 - The consequences of adults breaking promises to their children
• 22:44 - The positive shift that came from finding a healthy outlet
• 23:27 - How becoming a father triggered Don’s unhealed childhood wounds 26:48 - The cycle of emotional neglect passed down from parents to children
• 30:17 - The parallel between Water Boy and Don’s aggression and frustration
• 31:10 - Creating a safe space for processing all emotions from a traumatic childhood
• 34:24 - The pivotal moment when injury forced Don to choose a new path
• 39:07 - The dangers of ego and its need for negative attention
• 42:36 - How Don’s childhood experiences have made him a better coach
• 52:20 - The risk of projecting personal wounds onto one’s children
• 53:30 - Differentiating between a healthy ego and an unbalanced one
• 59:20 - Don’s advice for parents going through divorce and a message to their kids