13. Recovering from Childhood Trauma w/ Chris Henderson

Chris Henderson is an Army and Navy veteran who, since 1996, has been a member of the band 3 Doors Down. He also suffered immense abuse as a child, leading to mental health and addiction issues later in life. During our discussion, Chris opened up about what he went through, what it did to him, and how he still works to overcome those effects.

I’ve known Chris for years. Going into this interview, I intended to talk about alcohol and drug abuse and using music as therapy. I wasn’t aware of the trauma he had endured from a young age. This conversation made me reflect on how you never know what people are dealing with internally, even if they are legitimate rock stars. When I hear a story like this, I realize how much more compassionate and understanding we must be with one another.

Note that this may be a challenging listen if you or someone you know has experienced anything similar to what he went through. It gets heavy and very emotional at times. Please be aware of that. I also wouldn’t recommend this episode for young ones without parental consent. So, I’ve age-restricted it on YouTube. That said, I think watching the interview adds to its impact.

I was amazed by Chris’s willingness to be vulnerable and forthright about his journey, including detailing how it shaped his behavior as a young man and adult. It takes immense courage to speak this openly, and I commend him. This is about as raw and real as it gets.

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DISCLAIMER: RARE SENSE content is not medical advice. Nor does it represent the official position or opinions of any other organization or person. If you require diagnosis or treatment for a mental or physical issue or illness, please seek it from a licensed professional.