#157: Emotional Anesthesia: How High Performers Disconnect (And How to Reconnect) With Stephanie Byerly, MD

The Trauma Behind the Drive High performers are celebrated for their discipline, resilience, and drive—but few talk about the emotional cost of constantly operating in survival mode. In this powerful episode of GRASP Confidence, Tara LaFon Gooch sits down with Dr. Stephanie Byerly to expose a hidden crisis among leaders: emotional anesthesia—the quiet numbing that happens when unresolved trauma meets relentless achievement. Dr. Byerly is a physician, neuroanesthesiologist, and longtime academic leader at UT Southwestern. After navigating multiple episodes of burnout throughout her career, she became a certified Life Coach helping women in leadership reclaim joy, clarity, and emotional presence. Together, Tara and Stephanie explore: Why high performers disconnect emotionally without realizing it The link between unresolved childhood trauma and adult burnout How "numbing out" becomes a survival strategy for ambitious leaders The first steps to reconnecting with your feelings, your purpose, and yourself This episode isn't just awareness—it's an invitation to healing. To help you identify the root causes of emotional numbness, we're sharing a powerful resource: 👉 Take the free trauma identification assessment: https://breeze-wellbeing.com/childhood This simple tool can help you understand patterns shaped by childhood experiences—so you can begin the first step of healing with awareness. If you've ever felt exhausted, disconnected, or strangely "empty" despite your success, this conversation is your wake-up call. Healing begins with honesty—and reconnection begins right here. Book a complimentary Breakthrough Call: https://www.stephaniebyerly.com Connect with Dr. Byerly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniebyerlymd/ What does GRASP stand for? Gratitude. Responsibility. Action. Sight. Purpose. These five pillars form the foundation of authentic, confident leadership and every episode of the GRASP Confidence Podcast is designed to help you embody them more fully in your life, business, and calling. 🎙️ Have you subscribed yet? Join thousands of high-performing leaders who tune in weekly for powerful conversations with world-class guests sharing real stories, mindset shifts, and actionable insights. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you loved today's episode, don't forget to leave a review—it helps us reach more leaders like you. 🎧 Available on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon/Audible | iHeartRadio Share the inspiration Send this episode to a friend or post it on your favorite social platform, we rise by lifting others. Follow our host, Tara LaFon Gooch: Book: How To GRASP Confidence & Own Your Power is available on Amazon. Grab your copy today for a confident tomorrow!LinkedIn: Follow Tara LaFon Gooch on LinkedInWebsite: Visit Tara's website to learn more about her work: TaraLafonGooch.comBranding Services: Want to grow your brand and expand it massively? Visit Tara's company website to learn about our services: BestBranding.Solutions Hire Tara to speak at your next event!