In this moving two-part episode, we welcome 23-year-old Caden Lackey, a fellow volunteer at the Global Youth Leadership Summit, to share his powerful story of overcoming trauma and the relentless pursuit of perfection. In Part 1, Caden opens up about his early years, filled with the unconditional love of an incredible mom who shaped so much of who he is today. But at just 7 years old, his world was shattered when she passed away suddenly, leaving him to navigate a new life filled with uncertainty and loss.

After her death, Caden’s life took a turn as his dad remarried, and the love and discipline from his dad and stepmom felt very different. The love that once felt unconditional now seemed tied to perfection. He shares how striving to meet impossible standards left him feeling never good enough, leading to psychological trauma and a deep darkness. In his search for acceptance, Caden made poor decisions and found himself in a cycle of striving for love in crazy ways that never seemed to come.

This episode dives deep into Caden’s early struggles with self-worth, his pursuit of unattainable perfection, and how those experiences shaped the path he walked. Tune in to hear his honest, vulnerable and wild accounts of how trauma altered his perspective and how he is now working toward healing and acceptance.

Reach Out to Caden: https://www.instagram.com/iamcadenlackey/

Feel free to comment, give us feedback and ask questions in the comment section!

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