“Coming forward and standing up for yourself is the most astonishing act of bravery. Refusing to go quietly, asserting one’s right to safety takes courage that people who haven’t experienced any trauma can barely imagine. What heroes do is so simple, yet so rare. They say, ‘Stop, this is not right. This is not okay. And I won’t stand by and do nothing.'” – Dr. Hillary Cauthen
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Hillary Cauthen, clinical sports psychologist and author of “Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate.”
Dr. Cauthen shares her expertise on understanding trauma’s impact on performance, developing resilience, and creating a culture that champions Growth and healing.
00:45 – Introduction to Dr. Hillary Cauthen – clinical sports psychologist, author, podcaster, and mom of four
02:15 – Dr. Hillary’s journey from athlete to sports psychology – moving to Maine and recognizing the need for specialized mental performance Coaching
05:20 – Defining trauma as a physiological response that our brain makes meaning of
06:30 – The prevalence of trauma – 70% of adults have experienced trauma (reported cases only)
08:45 – Different trauma responses and how they impact recovery
10:35 – The three ways people deal with trauma: minimizer, enabler, and moral authority
14:20 – Seven steps to dealing with trauma
15:10 – Step 1: Acknowledge that something happened
16:15 – Step 2: Seek feedback and consult experts
17:20 – Step 3: Conduct conversations with care with everyone involved
18:30 – Step 4: Ask people what they need instead of assuming
20:15 – Step 5: Create a plan of action together
21:00 – Step 6: Discuss action steps and keep each other updated
22:10 – The power of hope in the healing process
22:45 – Emotional hygiene and the importance of mental wellness check-ins
24:30 – Balancing empathetic engagement with accountable action
26:45 – The difference between culture and climate in organizations
28:20 – The importance of finding people doing high-level work and learning from them
31:10 – The power of journaling for Mental Health and Clarity
36:40 – Questions to ask yourself: “What is my role right now?” and “What’s the one thing I need to do?”
39:30 – Share Your Secrets: How Dr. Hillary recharges (music, naps, bubble baths)
42:00 – The power of napping for performance enhancement
43:50 – Book recommendation: “The Tao of Pooh”
44:30 – One lesson to take away: “Be a good human and have empathy”
45:10 – If Dr. Hillary could spend a day with anyone: her grandfather
46:30 – Dr. Hillary’s tattoo: “My heart is your heart, your heart is my heart”
Dr. Hillary Cauthen is a clinical sports psychologist based in Austin, Texas. She works on the continuum of care for high performers from Olympic athletes and NFL Players, from those struggling with mental health symptoms to those seeking performance optimization. As a former Division 1 college track athlete and TEDx speaker she brings personal experience to her approach to mental health and performance.
Dr. Cauthen leads a practice with seven other practitioners, working with teams, individual athletes, and the community to help them thrive. Beyond her clinical work, she’s an author, podcaster, mom of four, and self-described “avid coffee drinker and nap taker.”
Dr. Cauthen defines trauma not as “big T” or “little t” events, but as a physiological response that occurs when our brain makes meaning of an experience. This framework removes judgment and allows us to recognize that trauma can stem from various experiences, from injuries to job loss.
“Life is Built, Not Born.”
© 2025 Joe Ciccarone – Built Not Born Podcast. All rights reserved. “Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate” by Dr. Hillary Cauthen is available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold.
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