Alive & Well – Burnout, Anxiety, Nervous System, Productivity, Time Management, Somatic Tools, Work-Life Balance

You’ve probably heard the phrase “the body keeps the score”—but what does that actually mean?If you’ve ever dealt with chronic tightness, gut issues, jaw clenching, or exhaustion that just won’t quit… your body might be holding on to more than stress. It might be storing trauma.In this episode, we’re diving into the science of somatic memory—how your nervous system encodes unprocessed trauma and stress into your tissues, and how that stored tension can quietly sabotage your energy, focus, and well-being.You’ll learn: 🔹 What it means to “store trauma” in your body (and how that happens physiologically) 🔹 The neuroscience behind somatic memory, vagus nerve signaling, and trauma loops 🔹 Why trauma often gets misdiagnosed as burnout, mood swings, or fatigue 🔹 The most common areas where women store unresolved trauma—and whyThen, I’ll walk you through 7 areas where stored trauma often shows up in high-capacity women (including the emotional meaning behind each one) and offer simple somatic release practices for each—so you can start to clear it from your system gently and safely.We’ll cover: ✔️ Jaw – anger, resentment, suppression of truth ✔️ Shoulders – chronic responsibility without support ✔️ Chest – grief, shame, emotional repression ✔️ Gut – fear, anxiety, emotional “digestive” issues ✔️ Lower back – instability, financial fear, lack of support ✔️ Legs & feet – feeling stuck, disconnected from purpose ✔️ Throat – silencing, self-abandonment, fear of being seenWhether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just off, this episode will help you decode what your body’s trying to tell you—and show you how to start releasing what it’s been holding for too long.💡 Because healing isn’t just in your head. It’s in your fascia, your breath, your belly, your bones.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous EpisodeProven Systems to Take You from Overwhelmed to OrganizedOverwhelmed & Overcommitted? How to Optimize Your CapacityDecluttering Strategies for the Busy Mom3 Reasons Perfectionism Is Keeping You Overwhelmed (and How to Break Free)Overwhelm, Brain Fog, and Irritability? 10 Ways a Dysregulated Nervous System Shows Up in Your Body— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

You’ve read the books. You’ve tried the deep breaths. You’ve told yourself, “Just calm down.”But when overwhelm hits? Your body’s still on edge—clenched jaw, tense shoulders, short fuse.Here’s the truth: you can’t out-think a dysregulated nervous system.Because when your brain is flooded with stress hormones, logic and willpower go offline.In this episode of Alive & Well, we’re unpacking what really happens in your body when you're overwhelmed—and why somatic tools (not more hacks or habits) are the key to feeling calm, grounded, and in control again.💡 Inside, you’ll learn:What happens in your brain and body during a stress responseWhy traditional productivity and self-help advice often fails in moments of overwhelm5 powerful, simple grounding techniques that work with your biology—not against itYou’ll walk away with practical, easy-to-use tools like: ✔️ The physiological sigh ✔️ Body tapping ✔️ Eye presses ✔️ Heel drops ✔️ Vagus nerve stimulationIf you’ve ever felt hijacked by stress or scrambled by anxiety, this episode gives you the body-based roadmap back to center.Because real regulation doesn’t start in your head—it starts in your body.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous EpisodeProven Systems to Take You from Overwhelmed to OrganizedOverwhelmed & Overcommitted? How to Optimize Your CapacityDecluttering Strategies for the Busy Mom3 Reasons Perfectionism Is Keeping You Overwhelmed (and How to Break Free)Overwhelm, Brain Fog, and Irritability? 10 Ways a Dysregulated Nervous System Shows Up in Your Body— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

You’re ambitious. You’re organized. You’ve got the planner, the calendar app, and the color-coded to-do list.So why do you still feel overwhelmed, behind, and exhausted by 2pm?Here’s the truth:It’s not your calendar that’s the problem.It’s your nervous system.Because when your body is stuck in survival mode, no time-blocking strategy in the world will stick.In this episode, we’re flipping the script on productivity and revealing the 3 nervous system patterns that are quietly sabotaging your performance:Chronic overwhelm – Why you’re always “on” but never feel donePeople-pleasing – Why you say yes when your body says noConstant urgency – Why slowing down feels unsafe (even when you're desperate for rest)💡 You’ll learn:The nervous system science behind these patternsHow they show up in real life (hello, inbox spirals and overcommitment)Practical somatic tools to shift into grounded, sustainable flow✨ If your go-to productivity tools aren’t cutting it, this episode is your nervous system-based reset. It’s time to regulate first—and work smarter, not harder.Related Episodes to Explore:Previous Episode5 Ways to Tell Whether Your Productivity is Toxic or HealthyLearn how to spot the difference between sustainable output and stress-driven overworking.The Productivity Trap: This Is Why Being Busy Isn’t Moving You Forward The neuroscience behind why “doing more” keeps you stuck.Why Am I Like This?! How The 3 States of Our Nervous System Affect Motherhood, Health, and ProductivityBreak down the science of sympathetic vs. parasympathetic states—and how they impact your habits.Are You High or Low Energy? Nervous System Balancing Exercises Based on Your Energy TypeStart Doing This Today to Reclaim Your Energy with Chloe Ward Get practical tips to reset your system when you’re running on empty.— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

If you ever feel like a completely different version of yourself when you're under stress—snappy, shut down, or just plain tapped out—you're not alone. Stress doesn’t just impact how you feel in your body. It can totally hijack how you show up in your relationships… especially your marriage.In this episode, I’m joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Elizabeth Earnshaw, and we’re unpacking how unprocessed stress silently fuels miscommunication, emotional disconnection, resentment, and repeated blow-ups in partnership—even when you love each other deeply.You’ll learn how stress physically rewires the way you interact, and why you keep reacting in ways that don’t reflect who you really are.We’re diving into: ✔️ The two types of stress that show up in marriage—and how to tell the difference ✔️ Why your brain shuts down communication and turns conflict into a battlefield ✔️ How to recognize when you're about to "pop" and how to stop the spiralIf you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “Why did I say that?” or “Why do we keep having the same fight?”—this episode is a must-listen.🎧 Press play to learn the tools to communicate more clearly, love more deeply, and co-regulate more effectively in the moments that matter most. Related Links:Previous EpisodeHow to Deal with Resentment in Your MarriageThings I Wish I Knew Before Getting MarriedEnding Divorce Culture: Beth Rowles on How the Principles of Conscious Parenting Can Help Save Your MarriageReady to Reignite the Spark in Your Marriage? Firing Up Intimacy and Sex— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

You set the boundary. And then… you broke it. Again. You knew what to say. You meant it when you said it. So why did it feel so hard to actually hold the line?In today’s episode, we’re unpacking why boundaries often don’t stick—and spoiler: it’s not a willpower problem. It’s a nervous system problem.Whether it’s a boss who steamrolls your calendar or a loved one who doesn’t get your “no,” boundary pushback triggers your body’s survival response. And when your system’s dysregulated? You’ll abandon yourself every time just to feel safe.This episode is your invitation to stop shaming yourself—and start building boundaries that actually hold.You’ll learn: ✔️ Why breaking boundaries is a nervous system response, not a personal failure ✔️ How to shift from reactive (unsustainable) boundaries to regulated ones ✔️ The 6 tools that make boundaries stick—including the BEAT framework and micro-boundariesWe’re getting real about shame spirals, people-pleasing, fawning, and how to protect the highest version of you—even when it’s uncomfortable.🎧 Take a listen and start building boundaries from your body, not from burnout.Related Links:Previous Episode5 Ways to Respond When Boundaries are BreachedMy 4-Step Framework for Setting Healthy BoundariesExhausted by Your Mental Load? Dr. Morgan Cutlip on How to Set Boundaries and Ask for SupportBecome a Boundary Boss - How to Talk True, Be Seen and (Finally) Live Free4 Must-Have Boundaries Every Mom Needs in Her Life— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

If your morning routine feels more like a crash course in chaos than calm… this episode is for you.You don’t need another 17-step overhaul. You need a few small shifts that actually stick.In this episode, we’re talking about why most morning routines don’t work for high-achieving women—and what neuroscience says to do instead. Think less hustle, more strategy. Less pressure, more alignment.You’ll learn: ✔️ Why your brain resists big changes (and how to work with it, not against it) ✔️ The 3-step process to create real, lasting habit change ✔️ 4 high-impact morning habits that actually support your nervous systemWe’re unpacking the micro-habits that prime your brain for a better day. No overwhelm. Just tiny wins that compound into a more focused, grounded, and regulated you.🎧 Press play and ditch the burnout approach to productivity. This is habit-building that honors your body and brain.Related Links:Previous Episode5 Morning Mistakes that Wreck Your Nervous System and Cause BurnoutMy 5-step Morning RoutineWhat To Do the Morning After (A Bad Night’s Sleep)Cranky in the Morning? 3 Things I Do When I Wake Up Feeling IrritableYour Sleep Toolkit: Powerful Strategies for Restful Sleep— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

You’re wiped, but wired. Exhausted, but your brain won’t quit.You want to rest—but your body says, not yet.That buzzing, edgy, can’t-sit-still feeling? It’s not a mindset problem. It’s a nervous system stuck in survival mode.In this episode, we’re unpacking the real science behind the tired but wired paradox—and why slowing down might feel anything but restful when you’re dysregulated.You’ll learn: ✔️ What “tired but wired” actually means in your nervous system ✔️ Why high-functioning women struggle to rest (and why it’s not your fault) ✔️ 4 somatic tools to help you finally feel calm, grounded, and safe againWe’ll cover the role of the vagus nerve, how mixed states hijack your energy, and why stillness can feel like a threat when your system’s braced for danger. Plus: high-ROI practices you can use right now to start rewiring rest into your body—without needing a week-long retreat or a silent house.Related Links:Previous EpisodeTired of Being Tired? Top Causes of Chronic Fatigue and Powerful Energy-Boosting HabitsTired, Anxious, and Overwhelmed? The Step-by-Step Process to Heal Burnout and Regulate Your Nervous SystemFeeling Overwhelmed with Work-Life Balance? 3 Mindset Shifts for Working MomsUnlocking Calm Powerful Somatic Practices to Shift out of Fight, Flight or Freeze 3 Body-Based Tools to Shift Out of Fight-or-Flight (Fast)— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

If you’ve ever felt guilty for struggling because “you should be grateful,” this one’s for you.Because real mental wellness isn’t about pretending everything’s fine.It’s about having science-backed tools that help you navigate the real stuff—burnout, anxiety, parenting stress, and all the emotions in between.In this episode, I’m joined by Marc Fussell, founder of Take 2 Minutes—a nonprofit using tech and positive psychology to make nervous system regulation doable (and actually effective).We’re diving into: ✔️ What positive psychology actually is (and how it helps rewire your brain for joy) ✔️ Why your gratitude practice might not be working (and how to fix it in 2 weeks) ✔️ A simple grounding tool to help calm your nervous system in real time ✔️ How to model emotional regulation for your kids—even on the messy Marc’s approach is science-backed, simple, and surprisingly doable—even in a busy season.If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to be grateful but it’s not landing—or like you’ve lost touch with joy—you’re going to love this one. It’s hopeful, honest, and full of tangible takeaways.🎧 Press play and get the tools to feel more grounded, grateful, and present—starting now.Connect with Marc:Marc’s WebsiteTake 2 Minutes YouTubeMarc’s IGRelated Links:Previous EpisodeEncouraging Optimism Without Toxic PositivityAre You Ready for a Soul Shift? How to Get Unstuck and Reclaim Your JoyHow to Edit Your Life for More Clarity, Growth, & JoyHow to Neurohack Happiness ChemicalsTips for Balancing Hormones & Boosting Energy— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

If your body feels like it's stuck in overdrive—wired, tired, inflamed, and just plain off—it might not be just stress. It could be high cortisol.In this first episode of Alive & Well, we’re pulling back the curtain on your body’s main stress hormone. Because if you’ve been walking around feeling anxious, foggy, overstimulated, or exhausted by 2 p.m., there’s a good chance your cortisol levels are out of whack—and your nervous system is sounding the alarm.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why common symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog could all be traced back to high cortisolHow chronic stress disrupts your energy, sleep, focus, and moodThe science behind your stress response (no jargon—just what you actually need to know)4 simple, science-backed ways to calm your nervous system and bring your body back into balanceThe best part? You don’t need to overhaul your whole life. Just a few small shifts to help your body feel safe again.🎧 Hit play to learn how to work with your body—not against it—and download the free Nervous System Reset Guide (linked in the show notes) for practical tools you can start using today.You were made to be alive & well—and we’re starting right here.Related Links:Previous Episode4 Signs You’re Addicted to Cortisol (and How to Fix It)5 Habits I Stopped Doing to Heal My Nervous System & Balance My Cortisol5 Ways to Activate Your Vagus Nerve for Stress Relief and Emotional Balance7 Ways to Tone Your Vagus Nerve and Build Real Stress Resilience5 Morning Mistakes that Wreck Your Nervous System and Cause Burnout— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<

If you wake up already anxious, overstimulated, or feeling behind—you’re not imagining it. Mornings can be brutal when your nervous system is stuck in survival mode. And no amount of coffee, planners, or morning routine hacks will fix what’s really happening in your body.In this episode, we’re unpacking what’s actually going on when mornings feel hard—and how to shift it with nervous system-based tools that work in real life (not just on someone’s aesthetic IG grid).We’re diving into: ✔️ What a dysregulated nervous system looks like first thing in the morning ✔️ The sneaky habits making AM anxiety worse (even when they feel “normal”) ✔️ Simple, body-based shifts to start your day feeling grounded—not reactiveIf you’ve been telling yourself you’re just “not a morning person,” it might be time to look deeper. Your body is asking for safety. Let’s help it find it.🎧 Press play, and don’t forget to download the Nervous System Reset Guide (linked in the show notes) to get tools you can start using right away.Related Links:Previous EpisodeMy 5-step Morning RoutineWhat To Do the Morning After (A Bad Night’s Sleep)5 Morning Mistakes that Wreck Your Nervous System and Cause BurnoutBonus: Try This Bedtime Drink to Lower Stress Hormones and Improve SleepA Powerful Nighttime Routine to Optimize Your Health— >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE 💌 <<<