What's the Next Chapter: Life After Chronic Pain and Illness with Anna Holtzman

What happens after chronic pain subsides? When the symptoms that once consumed your attention finally ease, where does all that pent-up energy go? This powerful conversation with therapist and coach Anna Holtzman explores the rarely discussed "what next" chapter of the healing journey.

Anna shares her personal path from debilitating migraines to recovery through mind-body approaches, detailing the stages that transformed not just her pain experience but her relationship with herself. Through psychoeducation, journaling, and letting go of perfectionism, she discovered that healing wasn't about making her world smaller—it was about expanding into creativity, purpose, and authentic expression.

This episode challenges the common belief that we need to restrict our lives to heal. Instead, Anna reveals how symptoms often decrease when we engage fully with our passions, provided we replace our inner "drill sergeant" with a compassionate coach. She addresses the delicate balance between stillness and creative drive, offering practical insights for navigating this middle ground without triggering your nervous system.

Whether you're still in pain, beginning to recover, or fully into your "what next" chapter, this conversation provides valuable tools for channeling your energy into what truly matters. 

Anna Holtzman is a licensed therapist and coach who helps creatives, entrepreneurs, and coaches move through fear and self-doubt so they can grow their work in the world without abandoning themselves.

After healing her own chronic migraines using mind-body techniques—and supporting others in chronic pain recovery for the past five years—Anna became passionate about helping people navigate the “what’s next” chapter after pain. She guides clients through the tender terrain of visibility, creative leadership, and sustainable impact, drawing on both her nervous system expertise and her past careers in publishing and television.

Through her coaching, workshops, and podcast How to Trust Yourself, Anna supports sensitive, passionate people in showing up boldly, gently, and unapologetically in their work.

She lives in Queens, NY with her husband, stepdaughter, and three orange cats.

Contact Anna Here: https://www.annaholtzman.com/?r_done=1

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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