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The Freeze and Flop Trauma Responses and What’s Really Happening in Your Nervous System
Functional freeze is not laziness. It is a learned survival strategy that lets you function on the outside while feeling numb or shut down on the inside. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace unpack freeze, tonic immobility, and flop, and show how functional freeze can look like “getting by” while feeling numb inside. They map the differences between freeze and burnout, explain why interoception goes offline, and share gentle, minimum-effective-dose practices to thaw safely and rebuild capacity.. You will learn how chronic stress blunts interoception, why your voice disappears in hard conversations, how shame loops keep the pattern in place, and why high performers often miss freeze because it hides behind perfectionism and people pleasing. Topics Discussed in This Episode: The freeze spectrum, acute freeze, tonic immobility, flop Functional freeze vs burnout Interoception and emotional numbness Relationship patterns, shutdown, flat affect, rupture and repair Language masking, shame loops, lost voice High performers, people pleasing, perfectionism, hidden freeze Whole system view, not only the vagus nerve Minimum effective dose, breath, voice, tiny mobilizations Resourcing and capacity building before big emotional work From dissociation to embodiment and agency 🔗 Resources: 🎯 Start Here FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com 📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired 🤝 Connect with Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 🌱 Exclusive Offer FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected] All rights in our content are reserved This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com
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55:09
High Performers and the Hidden Cost of Emotional Repression
Emotional repression is often invisible to high performers, and it can be one of the biggest barriers to sustainable success. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore how trauma-shaped survival responses like fight, flight, freeze, and fawn can create patterns of overwork, perfectionism, and emotional disconnection. You’ll learn how subconscious repression differs from conscious suppression, how shame and perfectionism drive overachievement, and why even big business milestones can feel hollow when your nervous system isn’t safe enough to process emotions. Our guest, Margy Feldhuhn, shares her journey from multi–seven-figure business growth fueled by survival patterns to building capacity for joy, presence, and connection through Neurosomatic Intelligence (NSI) tools and regular emotional processing. We break down the health risks, relational costs, and business consequences of chronic repression and give you strategies to expand your emotional capacity so you can actually enjoy the success you’ve built. Timestamps 00:00 – Why Anger Matters and the Cost of Suppression 04:06 – Honoring Anger and Boundaries 06:06 – How Chronic Fight Shows Up in Life 09:45 – Early Conditioning and Nervous System Patterns 13:00 – Trauma, Parentification, and the Fight Response 15:43 – Impact on Relationships and Work 21:21 – The Neuroscience of the Fight Response 31:41 – Physical and Health Effects of Chronic Fight 39:28 – Anger vs. Chronic Fight: Key Differences 42:09 – Processing Anger Safely 49:36 – Boundaries, Regulation, and Aligned Action 53:38 – Final Takeaway: Fight as Pattern, Anger as Compass Topics Discussed in This Episode: How trauma survival responses show up in high performers The difference between suppression and repression The role of shame and perfectionism in overachievement Why business milestones can feel empty How repression impacts health, relationships, and leadership capacity Emotional hygiene for sustainable success Recognizing survival patterns in entrepreneurial decision-making Building nervous system capacity to enjoy success The ripple effect of emotional processing in business and life Practical tools to move from repression to authentic presence 🔗 Resources: 🎯 Start Here FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com 📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired 🤝 Connect with Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 🌱 Exclusive Offer FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected] All rights in our content are reserved This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com
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53:21
The Flight Trauma Response, Fear, and Your Nervous System Explained
Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage?Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com The flight response is often misunderstood as weakness or avoidance, but it’s actually a deeply wired survival strategy shaped by fear and trauma. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we uncover how the nervous system uses constant motion, through overwork, hustle, and productivity, to escape from internal sensations and emotions that once felt unsafe. You’ll learn how fear disguises itself as discipline, why rest feels threatening to high performers, and how chronic busyness creates a false sense of safety while eroding health and connection. From neuroscience to personal stories, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof explain the mechanisms of the flight response, its roots in trauma, and the protective role it sometimes plays. Most importantly, we share practical somatic tools to slow down, regulate the nervous system, and reclaim fear as a signal for presence and alignment, not something to outrun. 00:00 – Running from internal sensations, not others 00:24 – Busyness and productivity as avoidance 00:43 – Slowing down in somatic therapy 01:33 – Hustler identity and chronic overdoing 02:25 – Flight tied to fear of stillness 03:11 – Welcome to Trauma Rewired 04:15 – Flight patterns: urgency, overscheduling, avoidance 05:13 – When flight signals misalignment 07:46 – Flight as protection against overstimulation 09:31 – Brain-body mechanics of flight 11:50 – Fear bypassed as weakness 13:10 – Trauma and structural reinforcement of flight 15:36 – Movement replacing emotion 17:35 – Somatic healing requires slowing down 18:32 – Signs of inward-directed flight 19:55 – Disconnection from body cues (hunger, fatigue) 23:39 – Somatic regulation steps and tools 25:53 – Fear as primal protective signal 28:12 – Regulation tools to create space between sensation and action 31:24 – Stillness and vulnerability as safety 32:16 – Somatic release of fear: frozen shoulder story 33:28 – Reclaiming emotions as growth tools 34:36 – Fear, intuition, and aligned action Topics Discussed in This Episode: The difference between healthy fear and chronic flight How trauma conditions the nervous system to stay in motion The neuroscience of the flight response: amygdala, hypothalamus, PAG, prefrontal cortex Why productivity and hustle are often survival strategies Signs of chronic flight in relationships and work The hidden cost of avoiding emotions through busyness Somatic tools for slowing down and processing fear Rewiring chronic flight through neuroplasticity and body-based healing The role of cultural and systemic trauma in reinforcing flight How to reclaim fear as a clarifying signal for safety and presence 🔗 Resources: 🎯 Start Here Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage? Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com 📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired 🤝 Connect with Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 🌱 Exclusive Offer FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected] All rights in our content are reserved This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com
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36:12
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36:12
The Neuroscience of the Fight Trauma Response, Anger, and Boundaries
Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage?Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com The fight response is often misunderstood as a personality flaw, but it’s actually a deeply wired survival adaptation shaped by past experiences and trauma. In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore the difference between healthy, time-bound anger and the chronic fight state, how they’re created in the brain and body, and why learning to process anger is essential for emotional safety and healthy connection. You’ll learn how the amygdala, hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray, insular cortex, and prefrontal cortex interact during a fight response, and how trauma can train the brain to see threat everywhere. We break down the health consequences of chronic fight, the relational patterns it creates, and why suppression of anger doesn’t make it go away — it stores it in the body. From personal stories to neuroscience, this conversation offers tools to recognize the signals of fight mode, regulate your state, and reclaim anger as a clarifying force for setting boundaries and protecting what matters — without living in constant defense mode. Timestamps 00:00 – Why Anger Matters and the Cost of Suppression 04:06 – Honoring Anger and Boundaries 06:06 – How Chronic Fight Shows Up in Life 09:45 – Early Conditioning and Nervous System Patterns 13:00 – Trauma, Parentification, and the Fight Response 15:43 – Impact on Relationships and Work 21:21 – The Neuroscience of the Fight Response 31:41 – Physical and Health Effects of Chronic Fight 39:28 – Anger vs. Chronic Fight: Key Differences 42:09 – Processing Anger Safely 49:36 – Boundaries, Regulation, and Aligned Action 53:38 – Final Takeaway: Fight as Pattern, Anger as Compass Topics Discussed in This Episode: The difference between healthy anger and the chronic fight response How trauma conditions the nervous system for constant defense The role of the amygdala, hypothalamus, PAG, insula, and PFC in fight mode How suppression of anger impacts physical and mental health Chronic fight patterns in relationships and work Tools for processing anger safely Why anger can be a clarifying force for boundaries Rewiring fight mode through neuroplasticity and somatic tools How parentification and early childhood experiences shape fight response The health consequences of chronic sympathetic activation 🔗 Resources: 🎯 Start Here Ready to break free from burnout and self-sabotage? Join The Capacity Gap Workshop, register FREE at https://rewirecapacity.com FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com 📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired 🤝 Connect with Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 🌱 Exclusive Offer FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired This episode was produced by ClipGrowth – Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected] All rights in our content are reserved This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com
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54:59
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54:59
Working with Neuroplasticity and Neurosomatics to Rewire Emotional Resilience in your Nervous System
Your brain is constantly scanning your body and environment, deciding in split seconds whether you’re safe or unsafe, and those decisions shape everything from your emotions to your physical health. In this episode, we dive into Applied Neurology and Neuro Somatics, revealing how targeted sensory training can rewire your nervous system for greater safety, resilience, and growth. You’ll discover the science of neuroplasticity, the impact of sensory deficits, and how trauma reshapes the brain’s interpretations. We break down the Inputs–Interpretations–Outputs framework, the Stress Bucket model, and the concept of “neuro tags” that keep old patterns alive, plus practical, high-payoff tools to shift your state in real time. From understanding how systems like vision, balance, proprioception, and interoception influence your thoughts and emotions, to applying daily practices for regulation, this episode blends deep science with actionable strategies. Whether you’re a practitioner seeking to integrate nervous system work into your practice or someone ready to move from survival mode into growth and performance, you’ll find a clear, practical guide to retraining your brain for safety, adaptability, and lasting change Topics discussed in this episode: How to rewire the nervous system for resilience and growth The Inputs–Interpretations–Outputs framework for nervous system health How sensory deficits impact pain, anxiety, and emotional regulation Using neuroplasticity for trauma healing and behavioral change The Stress Bucket model for understanding overwhelm and shutdown Higg-payoff tools to shift nervous system states instantly How to train vision, balance, proprioception, and interoception Why clear sensory data creates emotional safety How neuro tags keep you stuck in survival mode Daily nervous system training for long-term regulation 🔗 Resources: 🎯 Start Here FREE 2-week nervous system training: https://www.rewiretrial.com Learn more about Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching: https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com 📺 Watch More Trauma Rewired Episodes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TraumaRewired 🤝 Connect with Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trauma.rewired Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 🌱 Exclusive Offer FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired 🎥 This episode was produced by ClipGrowth – Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected] All rights in our content are reserved 🎥 This episode was produced by ClipGrowth - Podcast Video Editing, SEO & YouTube Strategy https://ClipGrowthAgency.com
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