I remember the moment Zach Babcock, also known as Psych Ward, shared a vivid memory that still lingers in my mind. He was just seven years old when he lost his father, a loss that would shape his life in ways he couldn’t yet comprehend. Instead of crying or processing that heart wrenching moment, he disassociated, locking away those feelings deep inside. It was a coping mechanism that would follow him into his teenage years, leading him down a path riddled with addiction and crime.
As Zach grew up, the absence of his father left a void he tried to fill in the most destructive ways. By age nine, he was already in rehab, the youngest in a room filled with older kids grappling with their own demons. The world around him felt chaotic and unsafe, pushing him to seek solace in substances. What started with smoking weed quickly escalated to heavier drugs like ecstasy and heroin, each hit a temporary escape from the pain he could not articulate.
But it was during this time that a pivotal moment occurred, one that would forever alter the course of his life. At seventeen, feeling the weight of his disconnection from reality, Zach found himself involved in a crime that would lead to his arrest. He took the rap for four friends during a theft, a decision that sent him straight into the adult prison system with a seven year sentence hanging over him. In the harsh environment of prison, where survival often felt like the only goal, Zach faced trauma that left him feeling vulnerable and afraid, especially with the looming threat of violence.
As he sat in his cell, the weight of his past bore down on him. The years of using drugs to numb himself had created an invisible barrier between him and the world. It was not until 2021 that Zach began to peel back the layers of his trauma through inner work and healing. He discovered MDMA assisted psychotherapy, a method that allowed him to confront the memories he had suppressed for so long.
This experience was not just about facing his past but understanding how it shaped him. For too long, he believed his struggles in school were a sign of inadequacy, not realizing they were linked to the trauma he had endured. Zach’s journey of healing was not linear. There were days filled with pain and confrontation, but through it all, he learned to sit with his emotions instead of running from them.
He began to understand that the disassociation he practiced as a child was a way to cope, but it was also a barrier to living fully. Each session brought him closer to the realization that his past did not dictate his future. This awakening became the foundation for his new life. Today, Zach Babcock stands as a successful entrepreneur and the host of the “Underdog Empowerment” podcast.
Through his platform, he shares his story with others who feel like they are on the fringes, encouraging them to confront their fears and not let their past define who they are. He emphasizes the importance of inner work, reminding us all that healing is a journey worth taking. His mantra is simple yet profound: “Don’t let your past experiences define your future.” Reflecting on Zach’s journey, it’s clear that every moment of pain and struggle has shaped him into the person he is today.
He has transformed his trauma into a source of strength, using his experiences to guide others toward healing. His story serves as a reminder that our paths may be littered with obstacles, but it is within our power to forge a new direction. By embracing our past and doing the inner work, we can carve out a future that reflects our true selves, not the shadows of our experiences.