
Evidence-Based Workshops for Veterans
Somatics and Breathwork for Trauma Release — a proven, body-based approach that addresses trauma where it actually lives: in the nervous system.
The Mental Health Crisis
Veteran suicides in 2022 alone
VA 2024 National Report
Per 100,000 — veteran suicide rate, more than double the civilian rate
RAND Corporation
Of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans drop out of conventional PTSD therapy
Harpaz-Rotem & Rosenheck
Of patients do not lose their PTSD diagnosis even after completing standard treatment
Brom et al.
Conventional approaches alone are not enough. Veterans need complementary, body-based solutions that address trauma where it lives — in the nervous system.

The Science
PTSD is fundamentally a stress response characterized by hyperarousal, nervous system dysregulation, and difficulty managing emotions.
Polyvagal Theory shows that trauma disrupts the autonomic nervous system, trapping individuals in chronic fight, flight, or freeze states.
Cortisol levels are a key biological indicator of PTSD — body-based approaches can help bring these back into a healthy range.
Respiration and emotion are tightly connected — intentional breathing practices directly support the body's ability to regulate stress.
"Trauma is in the nervous system and body, not in the event."
— Dr. Peter Levine
The Core Takeaway
Somatic and breathwork approaches work at the root of the problem — the dysregulated nervous system — rather than only addressing cognitive symptoms.
Body-Centered Healing
Body-Centered Approach: Uses internal body awareness to help release stored tension and trauma.
No Retelling Required: Reduces the need to recount traumatic events, lowering the risk of re-traumatization.
Nervous System Focus: Helps release tension patterns and supports the body's return to regulation.
Research-Supported: Backed by peer-reviewed studies showing meaningful improvements in PTSD symptoms.
Intentional Physiological Shift
Guided Breathing: An intentional process designed to help calm the nervous system and release held tension.
Shifts Physiology: Activates the body's natural calming response to promote a sense of safety and regulation.
Biological Impact: Studies show breathwork can help normalize cortisol levels and reduce hyperarousal.
Highly Scalable: Effective in group settings, making it practical and accessible for veteran programs.
Published in respected journals, these studies show that body-based and breathing-focused approaches produce meaningful, lasting improvements in PTSD symptoms.
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Randomized controlled trial of somatic-based therapy for PTSD
Large effect sizes: Cohen's d = 0.94 to 1.26
44.1% of participants no longer met PTSD criteria after treatment
Effects maintained at follow-up
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Randomized controlled study with Iraq/Afghanistan veterans
Significant PTSD score reductions (d = 1.16)
Reduced anxiety and respiration rate
Effects maintained at 1-month AND 1-year follow-up
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Randomized controlled trial cited over 208 times
PTSD scores improved significantly (P = .01)
Cortisol levels normalized — objective biological marker
Changes maintained at 16-week follow-up
Key Advantage
Somatics and Trauma Release Breathwork allow healing without full retelling of traumatic events — critical for combat veterans who may resist or drop out of talk-based therapies. Dropout rates for mind-body approaches are less than 25%, far lower than the 62.4% dropout rate for conventional treatments.

The Method
A 4-Pillar System for Lasting Recalibration
Stabilize the Body
Peace begins in the nervous system, not the mind. If the body is signaling threat, the brain will generate threat-based thoughts. No amount of mindset work can override a dysregulated nervous system.
Stabilize the Mind
Once the nervous system stabilizes, the next step is separating from unconscious thought patterns. Separation trains individuals to observe thought instead of being controlled by it.
Stabilize Identity
Once the mind is no longer fused with fear, identity becomes adjustable. Installation allows individuals to consciously embody a version of themselves rooted in internal certainty.
Stabilize Behavior
Identity becomes real through action. Embodiment is the process of behaving consistently from the installed identity until peace becomes the permanent baseline.
Why This Matters
This is not a one-time intervention — it is a structured, repeatable system that can be taught in group settings, scaled across facilities, and integrated alongside existing treatment programs.

The Data Behind the Transformation
This is measurable, physiological change. Clients who complete The Peace Protocol report:
Client Outcomes
Felt a decrease in stress
Felt more connected with their body
Felt a decrease in physical and emotional tension
Felt improvements personally and professionally
Felt a decrease in emotional reactivity (ease of anger, outbursts, etc.)
"I had no idea how much I was still holding in my body. Thank you for helping me, Jen. I am grateful. Life-changing."
— Client Testimonial
"I joined somatic healing because I was hurting everywhere. My entire body, mind and soul was in complete turmoil... Jen's gentle teachings taught me that I can breathe and feel through intrusive thoughts without them destroying me."
— Client Testimonial
Notable Endorsement
Lilian Garcia — WWE Announcer, Singer, and International Speaker — has shared her transformative experience with Jen Guidry and The High Level Life Method.
Read More Testimonials
Your Facilitator
Nervous System Specialist & Trauma Recovery Facilitator
"I believe that the greatest service we can do for another is to help you to help yourself."
Jen Guidry rebuilt her life from the inside out using the exact methods she now teaches. After years in high-pressure leadership environments, she experienced firsthand what happens when the nervous system runs on survival mode — and what becomes possible when it doesn't. That personal transformation became the foundation for her life's work.
Today, Jen is the founder of The High Level Life Method® and creator of The Peace Protocol — a structured recalibration process that helps people regulate their nervous system, separate from reactive thought patterns, and build a new baseline rooted in internal authority rather than external pressure. Her work is about restoring the kind of peace that doesn't depend on circumstances.
Professional Credentials
Founder, The High Level Life Method® and The Peace Protocol
Practitioner in Trauma Release Breathwork and Integrative Trauma
20,000+ hours of research and practice in nervous system mastery
Advanced training in somatics, neuroplasticity, and trauma-informed care
Keynote Speaker and Mental Toughness University Partner
The Method Behind the Workshops
A biological and psychological recalibration process for high-capacity individuals who are tired of managing symptoms and ready to heal the root cause. The veteran workshops are built on this same proven methodology.
"You cannot think your way out of a dysregulated nervous system. Your nervous system runs the show. You cannot operate at your highest and best if your nervous system is dysregulated."
— Jen Guidry, Founder
Stabilize the Body
Peace begins in the nervous system, not the mind. If the body is signaling threat, the brain will generate threat-based thoughts. No amount of mindset work can override a dysregulated nervous system.
Stabilize the Mind
Once the nervous system stabilizes, the next step is separating from unconscious thought patterns. Most people believe their thoughts are reality. Separation trains you to observe thought instead of being controlled by it.
Stabilize Identity
Once the mind is no longer fused with fear, identity becomes adjustable. Installation allows you to consciously embody the version of yourself who already lives in peace.
Stabilize Behavior
Identity becomes real through action. Embodiment is the process of behaving consistently from the installed identity, even before external results appear.
Traditional Approach
The High Level Life Method
Talk therapy alone
Starts with the body, then integrates the mind
Mindset coaching
Nervous system regulation first — mindset follows biology
Symptom management
Root cause recalibration at the neurological level
Temporary relief
Permanent baseline shift through embodiment
Learn more about The High Level Life Method and all available programs.
Visit TheHighLevelLife.comCommon Questions
Everything you need to know about our veteran healing workshops.
Our workshops use Somatics and Breathwork for Trauma Release — body-based practices that help regulate the nervous system and release stored tension. These are guided group sessions designed specifically for veterans, led by Jen Guidry, a Practitioner in Trauma Release Breathwork and Integrative Trauma with over 20,000 hours of research in nervous system mastery. This is not talk therapy. There is no retelling of traumatic events. The work happens in the body.
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Structured Workshop Program
Delivering Somatics and Breathwork for Trauma Release to veterans through guided group-based sessions.
Group-Based Sessions
A scalable and accessible delivery model with optional individual follow-up for deeper support.
Works Alongside Other Support
Designed to complement whatever other care or support the veteran may already be receiving — therapy, counseling, medication, or otherwise.
Participant Feedback Tracking
Simple self-reported wellness surveys before and after the program to track how participants feel about their progress.
Research-supported — backed by multiple peer-reviewed studies
Low dropout risk — no full trauma retelling required
Body-based — helps regulate the nervous system and reduce tension
Veteran-friendly — meets people where they are, without requiring talk therapy