The Breaking Up With Anxiety Podcast

In today’s episode I sat down with clinical psychologist Diante Fuchs to chat about how to make yourself anxiety relapse proof. This was such a great conversation! I can’t wait for you to listen. In this episode, we explore why anxiety is a symptom of something deeper, not a standalone problem, and treating it like the enemy only keeps you stuck. We talk about the 3-part framework that every anxious woman should know: addressing the root causes (like trauma, gut health, or hormones), shifting how you respond to anxiety itself, and supporting the body through nervous system and physiological regulation. Most approaches only address one piece, which is why progress can feel temporary. And of course, as the episode title suggests, we unpack the fear of “relapse” and why anxiety coming back doesn’t mean you’ve failed. You’ll learn how to approach those flare ups differently, without spiraling, and how to use them as reminders, not verdicts. This conversation is a reminder that no one else can “fix” it for you, but that’s not a bad thing. You’re not powerless. With the right tools and a fresh perspective, you can shift the way anxiety shows up in your life. I was also on Diante’s podcast chatting about all things gut health, the gut-brain connection, and how your diet affects anxiety. Click here to listen! I hope this conversation makes you feel supported, seen, and more equipped to trust yourself the next time anxiety tries to take the lead. Connect with Diante on Instagram @ease.anxiety or on her website here https://www.theunstuckinitiative.com/ As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron Sign up for The Sunday Reset Newsletter: https://courses.taygendron.com/newsletter For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program: https://www.taygendron.com/work-with-tay Website: www.taygendron.com And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

At just 20 years old, Lindsey Graves’ life changed forever when she experienced the sudden loss of her college roommate and sorority sister. She developed paralyzing anxiety, panic disorder, and dissociation symptoms (DPDR). Like so many women, she turned to her doctor for answers and was quickly prescribed multiple medications, without truly understanding what her body was going through. After five years of being on benzodiazepines and SSRIs (and still struggling daily) Lindsey had a pivotal realization: "God didn’t create you to suffer every day."  That moment sparked her journey into holistic approaches, nervous system regulation, mindset rewiring, dietary changes, and gut health work, and ultimately led to her full recovery. In today’s episode, Lindsey shares her story of how trauma can instantly change your brain and body, the emotional pain of feeling isolated and misunderstood, and why medication alone didn’t heal her anxiety or panic. We explore the truth about nervous system dysregulation, the often misunderstood reality of depersonalization and derealization (DPDR), and the critical role that gut health, diet, and brain rewiring played in her healing journey. Lindsey is living proof that even after the deepest anxiety, panic, and dissociation, full recovery is possible. She now shares her journey and practical techniques with thousands through her Instagram community @amazing.anxiety, offering hope, empowerment, and real solutions to women all over the world. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron Free webinar: https://courses.taygendron.com/how-to-break-up-with-your-anxiety-disorder-without-medication-may-25 For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program: https://www.taygendron.com/work-with-tay  Website: www.taygendron.com And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

If you are over the age of 35 or within a few years of 35, this episode is for you! Dr. Stephanie Cowie is back on the podcast today for a deep-dive conversation on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) and its powerful connection to women’s mental health, aging, and overall wellness during perimenopause and menopause. In this episode, we unpack the difference between BHRT and synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and why that distinction really matters. We also discuss the major gap in traditional medical training when it comes to supporting women through perimenopause and menopause, and how that impacts the kind of care many women receive.  Hormonal shifts can begin as early as age 35, with symptoms often peaking in the late 30s to early 50s. Dr. Cowie emphasizes the importance of starting BHRT at the right time, and breaks down what to expect from a thorough intake, lab testing, and symptom monitoring process when exploring your options. I hope this conversation empowers you to feel more informed, supported, and hopeful as you move through perimenopause and postmenopause.  Click here for more information on the North American Menopause Society https://menopause.org/ Connect with Dr. Stephanie Cowie on Instagram @dr.stephaniecowie  As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron Sign up for The Sunday Reset Newsletter: https://courses.taygendron.com/newsletter For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program: https://www.taygendron.com/work-with-tay Website: www.taygendron.com And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This week I am joined by another Breaking Up With Anxiety® Program client… Meghan!! When Meghan joined the program, she was at rock bottom. Life was a blur. She had been on SSRIs for 14 years and experienced extreme health anxiety, even around taking basic supplements. She was afraid to be alone with her kids because she felt so uncomfortable in her own body. She often had her mother-in-law come over whenever her husband wasn’t home, and she was carrying around a lot of postpartum weight. Despite having gone through therapy, cutting out sugar, and staying on medication, nothing ever fully worked. She thought her nutrition was solid. She thought she was doing everything possible. But the anxiety kept coming back in full force, especially after the birth of her second child. Now Meghan has her life back. She’s not just surviving. She’s actually enjoying her life again. She’s started to taper off her medication. She no longer ruminates. She no longer fears supplements. She’s home alone with her children with confidence. She’s lost 82 pounds, reversed her prediabetes, has perfect hormone labs, and even noticed that her dry, cracked feet are gone (yes, that’s a thing!). She’s even considering going back to school for functional nutrition because that’s how much this process has lit a fire under her. I hope this conversation shows you that anxiety doesn’t have to be your forever, and that real, lasting relief is possible, even if you’ve been stuck in it for over a decade. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program: https://www.taygendron.com/work-with-tay And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: www.taygendron.com

In this eye-opening episode, I'm sharing the framework that I wish I had before experiencing full-blown burnout in 2022. So many lessons learned in my 7-month recovery journey and the inspiration behind this episode!  I break down the 10 different types of stress that can lead to burnout and the specific rest practices that can help prevent them. You'll discover why burnout doesn't happen overnight, how to recognize the warning signs in each stress category, and what rest practices actually work to counterbalance each type of stress. Based on the work of Nicola Jane Hobbs, I deep dive into physical, cognitive, emotional, social, environmental, sensory, creative, time, existential, and identity stress and provide tons of examples of how each one might be showing up in your life without you even realizing it. I hope this episode helps you identify which types of stress might be fueling your anxiety and gives you practical rest strategies to prevent burnout before it happens, especially if you're an anxious woman who tends to push through stress signals! As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron Sign up for The Sunday Reset Newsletter: https://courses.taygendron.com/newsletter If you’d like to submit a question or topic for future episodes, click here to fill out this form! All questions are answered anonymously. For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program: https://www.taygendron.com/breaking-up-with-anxiety And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: www.taygendron.com

This week I'm bringing you an incredible conversation with Sasha Hanway, a certified personal trainer, yoga teacher, breathwork and meditation coach, and holistic nutrition coach. As a former college athlete, Sasha has always loved movement, but it was a progressive strength approach combined with deep core work that truly transformed her body. She has built a program that blends mindfulness, strength, mobility and core work called Align. This is the exact workout plan I follow in the Ladder app I always talk about! In this episode, Sasha and I chat about why building muscle is critical for your mental health, the relationship between anxiety and exercise, how movement can be a tool for processing grief, the difference between the weight on the scale and your body composition, understanding protein intake requirements for optimal mental health, breaking free from restrictive mindsets, creating sustainable habits for long term success and developing a loving and trusting relationship with your body. Sasha also walks us through her Pyramid of Wellness, a framework I absolutely align with and it's exactly what I have been doing for years to maintain my anxiety free life. Your health journey isn't just a final result. It's an ongoing process. You are not the product of your health journey; your health journey is the product of you. When you learn how to fall in love with taking care of yourself, the benefits naturally follow. I hope this episode encourages you to reframe your approach to fitness, mental wellness, and self-love. Connect with Sasha on Instagram @thelittleblondeyogi Click here to check out Team Align on Ladder As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron If you’d like to submit a question or topic for future episodes, click here to fill out this form! All questions are answered anonymously. Download My Free 5 Day Mini Workshop to Soothe an Anxious Mind here https://courses.taygendron.com/calm For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program https://www.taygendron.com/breaking-up-with-anxiety  And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: www.taygendron.com

This week I'm bringing you a special behind-the-scenes conversation with Jenna, the incredible nutritionist who works with me in my 4-Month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program! Ten years ago, I completely eliminated my anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and clinical depression without medication.  What once felt impossible now feels... easy. I wake up feeling refreshed after a peaceful sleep, manage three jobs without burning out, and can even sit in complete silence without my mind racing. Most importantly, I can fully show up in my life without anxiety holding me back. In this raw and honest conversation, Jenna and I dive deep into what it really takes to break free from chronic anxiety. We share our personal experiences and insights gained from helping hundreds of women break free from anxiety's grip. We discuss why traditional "manage your symptoms" approaches often fall short and how addressing the root causes through gut health and hormone balance leads to lasting freedom from anxiety. I hope this episode shows you that freedom from anxiety is absolutely possible when you address the root causes and have the right support system in place. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program go here: https://www.taygendron.com/breaking-up-with-anxiety Connect with Jenna on Instagram here: @integrationherbals And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: www.taygendron.com

This week I am joined by another Breaking Up With Anxiety Program client... Ashley!! Ashley's struggles with anxiety seemed to come out of nowhere, leading to terrifying panic attacks during simple tasks like running errands at Walmart. Her body would go numb, she'd get extremely dizzy, and feel like she was about to pass out. Despite living what appeared to be a healthy lifestyle - working out regularly and eating clean - she found herself spiraling into an anxiety disorder and struggling with severe insomnia, eventually leading her to rely on a combination of medications including Ativan, sleeping pills, and escitalopram just to get through each day. She couldn't understand why this was happening to her when her life didn't seem particularly stressful and, as a former fitness competitor, she thought she had some really good habits. Through our work together, we discovered that despite her background in fitness competitions, her "healthy" diet wasn't providing all the nutrients her body needed. We made some targeted dietary adjustments and worked on optimizing her gut health and supporting her adrenals. Now, Ashley sleeps a full 8 hours every night without any medication, has completely overcome her panic attacks, and has developed a daily toolkit of specific habits that keep anxiety far away. Most importantly, breaking up with anxiety has allowed her to show up as the present, patient mother she always wanted to be for her little boy. I hope this episode gives you the hope and encouragement that freedom from anxiety is absolutely possible! As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron The Yoga Nidra Ashley mentioned on this call is Ally Boothroyd Yoga Nidra on YouTube Register for my free "How to Break Up with Your Anxiety Without Medication" class: https://courses.taygendron.com/january25-class For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program: https://www.taygendron.com/breaking-up-with-anxiety  And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: www.taygendron.com

Fresh off my holiday break, I'm sharing why the "New Year, New Me" pressure can be especially challenging for women dealing with anxiety, and how to align yourself with the seasons and work with your body's natural rhythms instead of against them. In this episode, we explore how to apply Traditional Chinese Medicine wisdom about winter to your life, why pushing yourself too hard in January can actually deplete your energy and make anxiety worse, the fascinating connection between kidney energy and anxiety, and the exact winter rituals myself and my clients are using right now to thrive during this season. I also get personal and share my own intention for 2025 (pre-conception!), what that means for me, and why I'm taking a totally different approach than mainstream medicine suggests. I hope this episode helps you feel more confident approaching your New Year goals in a way that actually supports your nervous system! As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron Register for my free "How to Break Up with Your Anxiety Without Medication" class: https://courses.taygendron.com/january25-class For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program: https://www.taygendron.com/breaking-up-with-anxiety  And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: www.taygendron.com

Today we're diving deep into a topic that affects so many women with anxiety... travel anxiety. Fresh from my recent trip to Hawaii and preparing for Miami and Hilton Head, I'm sharing all the tools, tips and strategies for breaking up with 4 types of travel anxiety: routine disruption anxiety, logistics anxiety, physical symptoms and health anxiety, and flying anxiety. I also share my own journey with travel anxiety and how that has evolved over the years, from having to leave a Euro-trip early due to severe anxiety, to needing a lot of supplement support during my next trip, to now being able to travel freely with minimal anxiety management tools. If you are ever in Honolulu, I cannot recommend @oneoceandiving enough!  If you’d like to submit a question or topic for future episodes, click here to fill out this form! All questions are answered anonymously. Download My Free 5 Day Mini Workshop to Soothe an Anxious Mind here https://courses.taygendron.com/calm For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program https://www.taygendron.com/breaking-up-with-anxiety And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: www.taygendron.com

Today I'm excited to share a conversation with Jenna from our Breaking Up With Anxiety Coaching Program! As our Program Community Manager Jenna brings such unique wisdom as a Nutritionist, Yoga & Meditation Teacher, and total Herbal Medicine Plant Witch. Her approach to health beautifully weaves together physical, energetic, and emotional wellness, which is exactly what we need to become truly anxiety-free in mind, body, and spirit! In this episode, we're challenging the common narrative around daylight savings time and winter blues. Instead of dreading the darker days, we're exploring how to embrace them! We dive into the key differences between Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and normal seasonal mood changes, share practical tools and resources for navigating seasonal shifts, and explore how to transform your relationship with winter using specific dietary, emotional, and energy-protecting practices from Traditional Chinese Medicine. I hope this episode helps you see the darker months in a new light and find ways to thrive during this seasonal transition! As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts—send me a message on Instagram after you've listened @tay.gendron Connect with Jenna on Instagram @integrationherbals If you’d like to submit a question or topic for future episodes, click here to fill out this form! All questions are answered anonymously. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Download My Free 5 Day Mini Workshop to Soothe an Anxious Mind here https://courses.taygendron.com/calm For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program https://www.taygendron.com/breaking-up-with-anxiety  Website: www.taygendron.com

Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting information out there about what to eat and which supplements to take? Don't worry - this episode's got you covered! I'm breaking down the 5 dietary guidelines for women with anxiety, showing you exactly how to build an anxiety-reducing plate (with tons of examples!), and walking through 3 game-changing ways to use supplements for anxiety. Plus, I share all my favourite supplement recommendations. I hope this helps you feel way more confident about making food choices that'll support your mental health! As always, I love hearing from you! Slide into my DMs on Instagram after you listen @tay.gendron For great travel and lifestyle content (and Hawaii family trip content!!) follow @nicoleandcolton If you’d like to submit a question or topic for future episodes, click here to fill out this form! All questions are answered anonymously. Resources mentioned:  Click here to purchase the Recipe Library Click here to purchase the Anxiety Relief Workshop Bundle For more information on my 4-month Breaking Up With Anxiety Program: https://www.taygendron.com/breaking-up-with-anxiety Download My Free 5 Day Mini Workshop to Soothe an Anxious Mind here https://courses.taygendron.com/calm Website: www.taygendron.com And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Canadian Thanksgiving has come and gone, and with American Thanksgiving just around the corner, the holiday season is officially here! Christmas, New Year’s—it’s all coming up fast. In today’s episode, I’m talking about how to keep your anxiety in check during this busy time of year!  Every year, I get tons of questions from clients about how to stay on track with eating and lifestyle habits over the holidays. These habits have been working so well to keep their anxiety far away, but the busyness and lack of routine during this season can make it hard to stick to what’s been working. If my clients are asking this every year, I’m guessing it’s on your mind too! I hope this episode helps you feel more grounded and ready to enjoy the holidays, hopefully free from anxiety! As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts—send me a message on Instagram after you’ve listened @tay.gendron In this episode, I mentioned two apps I love: Ladder for progressive strength training and Opal, which helps you stay focused on what truly matters, making each day more intentional and productive. For holiday-inspired recipes (and treats you can enjoy year-round), click here to explore The Breaking Up With Anxiety Recipe Library.  And don’t forget to grab your 5 Free Moving Meditations to add presence into your daily routine! https://courses.taygendron.com/movingmeds If you’d like to submit a question or topic for future episodes, click here to fill out this form! All questions are answered anonymously. Download My Free 5 Day Mini Workshop to Soothe an Anxious Mind here https://courses.taygendron.com/calm And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: www.taygendron.com

Today, we’re tackling a topic that impacts so many women: how to come off birth control without increasing anxiety. This episode is inspired by my own journey and the many questions I’ve been receiving. We’ll cover questions like: Is the pill making my anxiety worse? Should you taper off birth control gradually like you would with SSRIs? Why do so many symptoms appear after stopping the pill? Is going on the pill a good idea for managing mood and anxiety, as some doctors suggest? And if you’ve recently stopped a progesterone-only pill to return to a natural cycle, how can you support your body while it adjusts? If you’re considering transitioning off birth control or just want to understand how it can impact your mental health, this episode is for you! If you’re interested in charting your cycle, check out Justisse: Chart Your Cycle. Some great books I recommend in this episode include Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, Beyond the Pill by Jolene Brighten, and In the FLO by Alisa Vitti.  If you’d like to submit a question or topic for future episodes, click here to fill out this form! All questions are answered anonymously. I’m excited for you to tune in, and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Send me a message on Instagram after you’ve listened @tay.gendron And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! – –  Download My Free 5 Day Mini Workshop to Soothe an Anxious Mind here: https://courses.taygendron.com/calm Click here to purchase the Anxiety Workshop Bundle Let’s hang out on Instagram! @tay.gendron Website: www.taygendron.com

Today’s episode is special because I’m doing things a bit differently and bringing on a friend who played a huge role in my journey to break free from anxiety, panic disorder, depression, and medication. Kelsi and I met when our lives looked very different. We were working at a bar and partying into the early hours nearly every night. Then, on June 6, 2013, Kelsi got sober after a life-changing experience in rehab—a turning point that deeply impacted me. About a year later, I hit my own rock bottom, and watching Kelsi transform her life helped me see that there was a way out of the cycle I was stuck in. In this episode, I’m taking you back to that messy 2011-2014 chapter of my life, when my anxiety, depression, and panic were at their peak, and I was using substances to cope. We talk about the “butterfly effect,” how one person’s journey can set off ripples in another’s, and how Kelsi’s path toward sobriety inspired my own journey toward mental health and recovery. Today, Kelsi is a wife, a stepmom, and a business owner who helps women grow their brands online. She openly shares her story about mental health and recovery, and her DMs are always open to anyone re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol. Connect with Kelsi on Instagram @kelsibyers I’m excited for you to tune in, and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the episode. Send me a message on Instagram after you’ve listened @tay.gendron And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Kelsi’s Book Recommendations: 1. Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol 2. Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol 3. Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget If you’d like to submit a question for future episodes, click here to fill out this form (all questions are answered anonymously). – –  Download My Free 5 Day Mini Workshop to Soothe an Anxious Mind here: https://courses.taygendron.com/calm Let’s hang out on Instagram! @tay.gendron Website: www.taygendron.com