TRANSCEND℠: Week 5 Pre-Work

You’re completing the ACEs assessment below to understand whether you’ve had any ACEs, to explain your behavior as an adult.

The more we have, the greater the impacts on our brain, body, and behavior–as adults.

It’s important to note that what constitutes an ACE was expanded since this initial survey. ACEs can now refer to things like natural disasters (earthquake, fire, hurricane, etc.), financial hardship, discrimination or racism [toward marginalized communities], chronic bullying, etc.

So your ACE dose may be low on this survey, but higher in real-life.

This assessment is not meant to discourage you in any way.

It’s to confirm the physiological reasons for the challenges you’ve been facing. If you’d like to, feel free to skip it.

To download and complete, for your private knowledge:

RIGHT-Click and “Save As”: Download ACEs Assessment to Complete

I won’t ask you to upload the actual assessment this week.

If you choose to share it, I’m certainly open to viewing it respectfully, with compassion and discretion. But it’s in no way required or even requested.

Instead, simply record and report your ACE SCORE in the “Anything else you’d like to share?” field on this week’s submission form.

View the quick videos below to learn why we use body-based, bottom-up exercises to rewire & restructure the brain, and also how to perform your very first bottom-up activity, “Empower Breath.” 

The videos are only about 16m total.

As always, I recommend getting cleared by your physician before attempting Empower Breath, particularly if pregnant or you have a medical condition. It also should be avoided if you’re prone to panic attacks.

Why Are Body-Based, Bottom-Up Exercises Important?

Empower PRE-REQUISITES: Diaphragmatic + Ujayii Breathing Instruction

Empower Breath: Contraindications, Healing Purpose, & Instructional

Empower Breath: DEMO (Follow-Along)

The Bottom Line

A.C.E.s (and adult chronic stress) change the physical structure of our brain. These structural changes result in functional changes — in our psychological and emotional wellbeing, and also our health.

We need to counteract those changes to perform well enough to consistently take growth-focused action. We do that by building activity in brain areas that A.C.E.s and chronic stress make underactive. And by reducing activity in overactive brain areas (the fear/anxiety center [amygdala]).

When we do these, our performance improves on a consistent basis, and we have better control over our behavior.

In addition, identifying the top priorities in your life today will help you have greater clarity in your decision-making. You’ll be able to make tough decisions with greater ease when you know they’re supported by your authentic priorities.

Please submit your pre-work using the form below. (I ask for a completion time estimate just to be sure my projections are accurate against most renegades’ actual time spent.)

Remember: I only ask you to share your ACEs score for our discussion. You don’t need to upload/submit your entire assessment with your pre-work this week.