The Fear Never Left: Childhood Trauma That Followed Him Into Adulthood
Mon Feb 02 2026
The fear never left—and it followed him into adulthood.
In this episode of Overcome With Travis White, Travis sits down with writer, martial arts coach, and mental health advocate Julio Rivera for an honest conversation about childhood trauma, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and the long-term effects of growing up in fear.
Julio shares his story of growing up in a violent Brooklyn neighborhood and living in constant hypervigilance from a young age. Although he built physical strength through bodybuilding and martial arts, the internal fear remained—until therapy, EMDR, meditation, and deeper emotional work helped him begin healing.
Together, Travis and Julio discuss:
Childhood trauma and its lifelong mental health impactAnxiety, depression, and bipolar disorderMasculinity, vulnerability, and mental health stigmaSuicidal ideation and survivalMartial arts as a tool for emotional regulation and resilienceWriting, mindfulness, and daily grounding practicesWhy strength does not erase fearThe importance of early mental health supportThis episode is for anyone who feels like their past still lives inside them—and for those learning how to face fear instead of hiding from it.
Learn More
Julio Rivera
Website: https://internaljujitsu.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/internaljujitsu
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https://overcomepod.com/shop
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The fear never left—and it followed him into adulthood. In this episode of Overcome With Travis White, Travis sits down with writer, martial arts coach, and mental health advocate Julio Rivera for an honest conversation about childhood trauma, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and the long-term effects of growing up in fear. Julio shares his story of growing up in a violent Brooklyn neighborhood and living in constant hypervigilance from a young age. Although he built physical strength through bodybuilding and martial arts, the internal fear remained—until therapy, EMDR, meditation, and deeper emotional work helped him begin healing. Together, Travis and Julio discuss: Childhood trauma and its lifelong mental health impactAnxiety, depression, and bipolar disorderMasculinity, vulnerability, and mental health stigmaSuicidal ideation and survivalMartial arts as a tool for emotional regulation and resilienceWriting, mindfulness, and daily grounding practicesWhy strength does not erase fearThe importance of early mental health supportThis episode is for anyone who feels like their past still lives inside them—and for those learning how to face fear instead of hiding from it. Learn More Julio Rivera Website: https://internaljujitsu.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/internaljujitsu Shop Merch: https://overcomepod.com/shop Follow Overcome - a Mental Health Podcast Instagram: @overcomepod Youtube: @overcomepod Listen to us Spotify Apple Podcasts Want to have a real conversation about your mental health? Fill out this form!