Ep 39: When Survival Mechanism Stalls Progress

When fear shows up, so does our survival mechanism. It’s designed to protect us—but sometimes it stalls us out, trapping us in an either/or mindset: Either I stay safe… or I take a risk.

In this episode of Unhooked, we unpack what’s really happening when fear hijacks our forward momentum—and how we can reclaim our power. The key? Psychological safety. When we feel safe within ourselves, we’re more willing to experiment, stretch past our comfort zones, and try something new.

But that kind of safety doesn’t just happen. It takes practice. By becoming our own BFF—learning to trust, accept, and respect ourselves—we create the internal conditions that help us recover when things don’t go as planned. And when self-doubt creeps in? The best way back is self-compassion, plus feedback from people we feel truly safe with.

If you’re navigating fear and longing to take bold steps without abandoning yourself, this episode is for you.