Episode Details

Dr. Justin Ternes is a physical therapist by trade, but his true laboratory is the ice. After losing his father at a young age, Justin spent decades armored in atheism and anxiety, using partying to numb the grief he couldn't speak. It wasn't until he discovered the primitive shock of cold exposure that he found a way to bypass his thinking brain and access the true self buried beneath the trauma.

In this episode, Justin takes us to the frozen landscapes of Iceland, where a Wim Hof retreat cracked him open. He recounts the visceral, spiritual encounter with his late father that dissolved his skepticism and birthed his concept of Modern Mudras: a somatic practice of using hand postures to anchor profound spiritual experiences into the body.

Corissa and Justin dive deep into the biology of belief. Justin explains why he views the body as a "cathedral" for spirit and how manipulating our physiology through breath, cold, and movement is the most direct path to changing our psychology.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Atheist's Awakening: How the tragic loss of his father at age six shut down Justin's spiritual belief, and the specific moment in Iceland that brought it back.
• The Primitive Reset: Why getting into freezing water is a form of "physiological self-hypnosis" that forces the brain to prioritize survival over stress.
• Modern Mudras: Justin’s unique method of creating physical anchors (hand gestures) to lock in memories of joy, strength, and grief so they can be recalled instantly.
• The Body as Cathedral: Inspired by Jordan Peterson, Justin argues that building a healthy physical vessel is the ultimate act of spiritual reverence.
• Grief as a Teacher: Moving from being unable to say the word ‘dad’ without crying to using that grief as a lens for understanding compassion.

Notable Quotes:

• "I couldn't even say the word father or dad without breaking down until I was like 24." –Dr. Justin Ternes 
• "Psychology is just misunderstood physiology." –Dr. Justin Ternes
• "Your body is the cathedral... where else can we encompass the beauty of God and spirit?" –Dr. Justin Ternes

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Dr. Justin Ternes: https://trueself.health 
• Justin on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/trueselfhealth
• Online Breathwork Program: https://trueself.health/breathebigger

Connect with Corissa:

• Explore the Advisory. https://corissasaintlaurent.com/advisory
• Inquire for Keynotes. https://corissasaintlaurent.com/speaking

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Thanks for tuning in!