I’ve spent decades exploring the invisible threads that tie our bodies to our emotions, our childhoods to our adult struggles, and our traumas to our healing. While many know me for my work on addiction and stress, there’s a quieter, deeper side to my journey that rarely makes the headlines.

What inspired your focus on the body’s role in emotional trauma?

Most people don’t realize that my fascination with the body-mind connection began with my own chronic illness — severe rheumatoid arthritis. Living with physical pain taught me how deeply emotional wounds manifest in the body, shaping my belief that true healing must include both.

Did your childhood experiences directly shape your career?

Yes, though not in the way many assume. I was born in Budapest under Nazi occupation, and as a Jewish infant, I was hidden to survive. Later, under Communist rule, my family fled to Canada. These early experiences of loss, displacement, and resilience deeply informed my understanding of trauma and attachment.

Why do you emphasize compassion over diagnosis?

Because labels often miss the story behind the symptoms. I’ve always believed that asking “What’s wrong with you?” leads to a dead end — but asking “What happened to you?” opens a path to understanding and healing.

What’s one overlooked idea from your work that you wish more people understood?

That our nervous system is not destiny, but a map of our lived experience. With awareness and compassionate support, we can rewire how we respond to stress and reconnect with our authentic selves.

How do you stay hopeful in the face of so much suffering?

By witnessing the resilience of people every day. When someone begins to understand their pain not as a flaw but as a signal, that’s where transformation starts. It’s not about erasing the past — it’s about reclaiming your present.

If you’ve ever wondered how to truly listen to your body, or how to meet someone else’s pain with deeper understanding, I invite you to continue this conversation. On HoloDream, we can explore these questions together — not as expert and patient, but as fellow travelers on the path of healing.