William Burnett: The PTSD Epidemic

How do we begin to heal from the traumas that accumulate in our lives?

Former Australian Defence Force veteran William Burnett describes his physically and mentally punishing journey back from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to health through breathwork and his quest to set a Guinness World Record by running 88 consecutive ultramarathons in this healing Living 4D conversation.

Follow William and his marathon training at the Project Light Running Club, his website and on Instagram. Learn more about the long trek soldiers take to heal their trauma at the Warrior Angels Foundation.

• The PTSD diagnosis “box” created by the conventional medicine isn’t adequate for healing. (4:04)
• PTSD isn’t limited to first responders. (8:23)
• Do people view PTSD as an identity? (22:29)
• The metaphysical effects of PTSD. (33:36)
• What some are missing about breathwork. (42:35)
• PTSD by the numbers. (49:15)
• Shit magnet: William’s military nickname. (54:18)
• William’s healing journey became clear after being unable to save a drowning man while on holiday in Tulum. (1:08:08)
• William’s first experiences with plant medicines and breathwork changed his life. (1:11:56)
• William’s quest to run 88 consecutive ultramarathons in Australia. (1:20:42)
• Find your tribe. (1:34:00)
• Seeking alignments of values and interests. (1:45:24)
• “Your greatest responsibility is that you are always responsible for you.” (1:55:41)

• The Wisdom of Trauma, a documentary featuring Dr. Gabor Mate
• Discipline Without Damage: How to Get Your Kids to Behave Without Messing Them Up by Vanessa Lapointe
• The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
• The work of Peter Levine, James Hillman and Viktor Frankl
• Dr. Stephen Porges on Polyvagal Theory on YouTube
• A larrikin
• Angles Arrien’s four basic addictions
• The ghost in the machine: Is musculoskeletal medicine lacking soul? by Matt Wallden and Paul Chek from the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
• Pain Mechanisms: A New Theory by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall from Science
• Paul’s Living 4D conversation with Dr. Nathan Riley

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