BRUNSWICK, Ohio — Broken. That’s how Zebulon Thomas describes himself in his new book, “Out of Fight or Flight.”
For those who know him, it was a shock. Almost everyone would describe him as motivated, innovative and creative.
He’s a Brunswick kid who didn’t graduate high school, ran away from home and became famous as a videographer and consultant helping high-profile citizens raise millions of dollars for their businesses and projects.
He earned his GED, tried college for a while, traveled the world, married his longtime girlfriend in 2011 and is the father of two girls.
Life appeared to be perfect.
But he seriously considered suicide.
He shut down.
Thanks to his wife, he sought counseling in Medina, which not only saved his life, but led him to understand that he was suffering from CPTSD — trauma as a result of childhood abuse.
The journey was not easy.
“I didn’t know I had trauma,” he said. “I didn’t expect someone to save my life.”
His form of therapy was one he had never heard of — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
His descriptions of the process in his memoir are vivid. He warns readers from the beginning that his experiences might trigger the reader’s own repressed experiences.
He suggests taking a break from reading or to skip sections that seem too overwhelming.
His writing style is unusual. He shares several preliminary thoughts before the chapters begin.
The cover is simple; the story is not.Sam Boyer
“When the Shaking Stopped.” This statement comes immediately before the first chapter. It is captivating.
“There’s no way I could tell you everything in this book. Some stories are still too raw. Some moments were never meant to be spoken — only survived,” Thomas wrote.
“After years of shaking. Shaking from my core. Shaking like my nervous system was trapped in a permanent earthquake. The trembling finally stopped.”
This is a book worth reading, whether you have ever suffered from trauma or had thoughts of suicide, whether you’ve lost touch with a higher power or are a devout believer.
It’s easy to read. Short, impactful sentences. Some pages with just one thought.
It’s hard to believe that he wrote it all in 24 hours. He said he couldn’t stop until it was finished.
“It was the first time I had a book accepted without any editing,” he said.
He has written two other books — one with his brother, Levi.
Ironically, one written five years ago is called “Seven Days Of Redefining Your Life: Get On The Path To A Well-Balanced Life.”
Thomas thought he was well balanced. Now he understands that he was successful for a long time by hiding all the trauma deep inside.
He has put aside his business and is willing to talk to individuals or groups who want to know more.
He also is in the process of forming a non-profit organization to help pay counseling fees for people who can’t afford therapy.
The proceeds of the book will help fund it.
The back cover of the book tells the reader: “You are not too much; you are not too late. And you are not alone.”
You can find “Out of Fight or Flight” on Amazon in paperback or hardcover.
You can learn more about Thomas at https://www.zebulonthomas.com/
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