Biochemist Judith Swack Says Unresolved Trauma Drains Texas Business Performance

Texas business leaders focused on growth and productivity may be overlooking a hidden drain on human performance: unresolved trauma. Judith A. Swack, Ph.D., a biochemist and immunologist, says unconscious emotional patterns formed by troubling experiences can keep people reacting to present-day situations as if the past were still happening. "Until trauma is cleared at the body level, it keeps repeating and you keep reacting," Swack said. "That's why you can understand your trauma, and still feel stuck in it."

Swack is the originator of the Healing from the Body Level Up™ methodology, a system designed to clear trauma at the conscious, unconscious, body, and soul levels. She argues that functioning and healing are not the same thing. Employees and entrepreneurs can cope with difficult experiences without resolving the emotional patterns that continue to influence their perceptions, reactions, and decisions. Those patterns can create negative conclusions about oneself, others, and the world, shaping how events are interpreted even when circumstances change.

During Emotional Wellness Month in October, Swack encourages individuals to examine whether past experiences are driving present reactions. She suggests asking: Is my reaction larger than the situation warrants? Does this same emotional response recur in different circumstances? What am I assuming this situation means about me, others, or the world? Could an older emotional pattern be influencing my response? These questions can help identify recurring patterns and the beliefs behind them, offering a starting point for addressing reactions rather than simply trying to control them.

For Texas companies, the implications are significant. "It requires a lot of energy to consciously or unconsciously suppress and compensate for trauma reactions," Swack said. "This energy drain makes it difficult for people to be completely successful, to fully enjoy their life in the present, and to easily progress into the future." In a state where small businesses drive the economy, that energy drain can translate into lower productivity, higher turnover, and stalled innovation. Coping mechanisms help people manage daily life, but avoiding painful memories or working around emotional triggers does not resolve the underlying issue. When old patterns resurface, they can manifest as anxiety, defensiveness, heightened reactivity, or chronic stress—all of which can undermine teamwork and leadership.

Swack's work is detailed in her book, Clear Trauma Now: The Powerful Solution for Getting Unstuck, which combines scientific research with decades of clinical experience. She trains professionals worldwide and works with clients who have not found success with traditional approaches. For Texas business owners, the message is clear: emotional wellness is not a soft benefit but a strategic asset. Recognizing how the past shapes present behavior can be an important step toward meaningful change—and toward building a workforce that is not just functioning, but fully engaged.