The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW S4 E33 - People Pleasing, Codependency, and Finding Authenticity with Mark Groves
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Aug 22, 2025 
Mark Groves, a Human Connection Specialist and founder of Create The Love, shares his journey from pharmaceutical insights to authentic living. He dives into the intricate ties between people-pleasing, codependency, and personal empowerment. The discussion highlights the importance of setting boundaries for emotional well-being and navigating the tension between societal expectations and true desires. Groves champions self-prioritization as a key to healing chronic pain and emphasizes the transformative power of genuine relationships in fostering resilience.
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Authenticity vs Attachment Creates Biological Stress
- Authenticity and attachment can clash because humans must attach to survive but also crave being true to themselves.
- This conflict can drive chronic stress and contribute to conditions like autoimmunity.
Breakup Sparked Mark's Authenticity Journey
- Mark Groves described leaving pharma after a breakup prompted self-questioning about authenticity.
- That awakening led him to study relationships and human connection work.
External Safety Harms Internal Regulation
- Sourcing safety outside yourself (codependency) undermines bodily safety and raises hypervigilance.
- Chronic self-abandonment correlates strongly with inflammatory and autoimmune responses.
