Building Resilience

Have you ever felt yourself pulling away right as things started going well? You finally feel joy, connection, or success—and suddenly you sabotage it, shut down, or spiral. You’re not broken. You’ve just hit your nervous system’s upper limit.In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, Leah Davidson explores why so many of us unconsciously resist the very things we want—and how to shift that. Self-sabotage isn’t a failure of discipline—it’s a brilliant act of protection when our body doesn’t feel safe holding more.Through nervous system science and real-life examples, Leah walks you through 10 powerful strategies to expand your capacity, calm the fear of goodness, and stop pulling back when it matters most.This episode will help you:✔ Understand the root of your self-sabotage (and stop blaming yourself)✔ Rewire your nervous system to feel safe with ease, success, love, and rest✔ Recognize the subtle ways your body says “too much”✔ Use micro-moments and bottom-up tools to build real resilience✔ Expand your emotional capacity without triggering collapseThis episode is for anyone who’s ready to grow—but wants to do it in a way that’s gentle, embodied, and truly sustainable.—⏱ Timestamps:00:00 – Do You Sabotage the Good Stuff?00:43 – Welcome to Episode 231: What’s Really Behind Resistance01:12 – Sabotage Is Protection in Disguise02:01 – The Body’s Response: “Too Fast, Too Far, Too Unfamiliar”02:49 – The Hidden Beliefs That Keep Us From Expanding03:48 – Why You Can’t Think Your Way Into Safety04:30 – Resistance Isn’t a Motivation Problem—It’s a Mismatch05:37 – Strategy 1: Get Curious With the Part That’s Afraid06:48 – Strategy 2: Anchor Safety in Small Doses07:55 – Strategy 3: Let Yourself Hold the Good Just a Beat Longer08:49 – Strategy 4: Practice Safe Exposure to Joy10:03 – Strategy 5: Expand Through Creative Expression10:49 – Strategy 6: Use Identity Work to Reinforce Safety11:46 – Strategy 7: Regulate Before You Strategize13:01 – Strategy 8: Slow Down Your Intake14:25 – Strategy 9: Stay Connected While Growing15:14 – Strategy 10: Be Gentle With Your Nervous System—📝 Get my Resilience Journal to support your healing journey:📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1🎓 Nervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1—📌 Tags:#Resilience #NervousSystemHealing#TraumaRecovery #PolyvagalTheory#EmotionalRegulation #GriefAndHealing#HealingTools #NervousSystemSupport#BottomUpRegulation #SafetySequence#TraumaInformedHealing #AnxietyTools#HowToHeal #HealingAfterLoss#CoRegulation #NervousSystemCoach#LeahDavidson #BuildingResiliencePodcast

Have you ever been blindsided by something so painful it split your life into a “before” and “after”? Loss, betrayal, trauma, uncertainty—whatever the moment—you’re not broken, you’re human.In this powerful episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, Leah Davidson unpacks the core habits of resilient people—through the lens of nervous system science. Inspired by Lucy Hone’s TED Talk on grief and resilience, Leah shares how real healing happens: not by pushing through, but by tuning in to your body, building capacity, and connecting with others.This episode will help you:✔ Understand what your nervous system is really doing when you feel stuck✔ Shift from survival mode into regulation✔ Use simple tools to hold both grief and growth✔ Learn why co-regulation and community are essential to healing✔ Stop thinking your way out—and start healing from the inside outFeaturing practical tools like “The Safety Sequence,” you’ll walk away with insights you can apply in real time to come back to safety, connection, and wholeness.—Timestamps:00:00 – If You’ve Ever Been Blindsided by Pain…00:26 – Welcome to Episode 230: What Resilient People Do01:29 – Inspired by Lucy Hone’s TED Talk on Resilience02:17 – Why Resilience Lives in Your Body (Not Just Your Mind)02:40 – Lesson 1: Resilient People Know Crap Happens03:07 – What is Neuroception? How Your Body Scans for Danger04:21 – Fight, Flight, Freeze & Fawn: Understanding Survival States05:33 – These Responses Aren’t Flaws—They’re Intelligent05:59 – Lesson 2: Resilient People Choose Where to Focus06:49 – Equal Airtime: Holding Grief & Gratitude Together07:45 – Bottom-Up Tools: Breath, Grounding, Journaling, Doodling09:37 – Lesson 3: Ask “Is This Helping or Harming Me?”10:26 – Re-Engaging the Brain: Why This Simple Question Works11:22 – Befriending Your Nervous System: The Foundation of Healing12:08 – What Is the Safety Sequence & How to Use It13:02 – What Regulation Actually Looks Like in Real Life13:25 – Lesson 5: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone13:55 – Why Co-Regulation Is Essential for Healing14:47 – You Can Grieve and Grow at the Same Time15:07 – Nervous System Work Is the Path HomeNervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1Get My Resilience Journal to help you learn about nervous system regulation:📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1📌 Tags:#Resilience#nervoussystemhealing#traumarecovery#polyvagaltheory#emotionalregulation#griefandhealing#healingtools#nervoussystemsupport#BottomUpRegulation#SafetySequence#TraumaInformedHealing#anxietytools#howtoheal#healingafterloss#coregulation#NervousSystemCoach#LeahDavidson#BuildingResiliencePodcast

Do you ever feel like life is happening to you—like you’re stuck in survival mode and just waiting for permission to live fully?In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, Leah Davidson invites you to step out of fear and into your true power as a creator and co-creator of your life.You’ll learn:• How survival mode keeps your nervous system stuck and limits creativity• Why belief in something bigger (whatever that means to you) can unlock deeper resilience• The hidden costs of living in fear and waiting for proof before you act• Practical ways to shift into creator energy using imagination, visualization, journaling, and doodling• How regulating your nervous system first helps you lead with vision—not survivalIf you’re ready to stop outsourcing your power and start creating from trust, faith, and aligned action, this episode will gently guide you back to possibility.Remember: you were not meant to simply survive—you are here to create, co-create, and live expansively.Nervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1Get My Resilience Journal to help you learn about nervous system regulation:📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1🎧 Tune in now and reconnect with the powerful creator within you.

Stressed out with no time for meditation, breathwork, or long walks? In this video, Leah Davidson teaches you the Safety Sequence—a rapid, science-backed 3-step tool to reset your nervous system in the middle of real life. Whether you’re frozen, spiraling, or shut down, this technique will ground you, reconnect you, and keep you in the game.Learn why your body panics even when you’re safe, and how to stop it—fast.Nervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1Get My Resilience Journal to help you learn about nervous system regulation: 📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N5IUVWcPthGPmTEq-jxcQPIk6tJpD99-XnLM99GwSBXJAkLyMdFN0CDDHLFdHGcc6EyM4DO8tnnH7ji7szBwh9d_76vqB8xH_Je8QPF3ROg.IGiR3gw4FamENcFMJSSGVx4FuM81aMBrYya9EStW-lY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1742349206&sr=8-1&th=1🔔 Hit Subscribe for more nervous system hacks and resilience-building tools!#AnxietyRelief #NervousSystemHealing #TraumaRecovery

Have you ever had a brief moment with a stranger that unexpectedly lifted your mood or shifted your entire day? Whether it’s a kind smile from a passerby, a chatty waiter who made you feel seen, or a stranger’s calm presence in a stressful moment—these small interactions carry a surprisingly big impact.In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, Leah explores the powerful role strangers play in regulating our nervous system. You’ll learn:• Why your nervous system craves small social interactions• How strangers can actually help you co-regulate• Practical, everyday ways to spark meaningful moments with people you don’t knowLeah also shares two touching stories—one from her grandmother’s life during Nazi Germany, and another from a simple dinner out—that illustrate how fleeting connections can help us feel grounded, safe, and deeply human.These are more than just “nice moments”—they are opportunities for resilience, healing, and community in a disconnected world.Nervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1Get My Resilience Journal to help you learn about nervous system regulation: 📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N5IUVWcPthGPmTEq-jxcQPIk6tJpD99-XnLM99GwSBXJAkLyMdFN0CDDHLFdHGcc6EyM4DO8tnnH7ji7szBwh9d_76vqB8xH_Je8QPF3ROg.IGiR3gw4FamENcFMJSSGVx4FuM81aMBrYya9EStW-lY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1742349206&sr=8-1&th=1🎧 Tune in now and discover how strangers can help you come home to yourself.

Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That’s not how I meant it to come out…” or felt the sting of someone else’s words lingering long after? The truth is, our words have weight—and they either build or break. But it’s not just what we say; it’s how we say it, and even more, how we’re showing up in our nervous system when we do.In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, we explore the invisible but powerful role your nervous system plays in communication. Are you speaking from safety—or from survival? Are your words landing as support or as a threat?Join me as we unpack:• What it means to be a builder or a wrecker in everyday interactions• How nervous system cues influence how your words are received• Real-life strategies to communicate with more compassion, clarity, and regulation• Why co-regulation matters—and what isn’t your responsibility• And six practical tools you can start using today to build better connectionsNervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1Get My Resilience Journal to help you learn about nervous system regulation: 📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N5IUVWcPthGPmTEq-jxcQPIk6tJpD99-XnLM99GwSBXJAkLyMdFN0CDDHLFdHGcc6EyM4DO8tnnH7ji7szBwh9d_76vqB8xH_Je8QPF3ROg.IGiR3gw4FamENcFMJSSGVx4FuM81aMBrYya9EStW-lY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1742349206&sr=8-1&th=1This episode is a gentle but eye-opening invitation to reflect, reset, and rewire how you show up in your relationships—with yourself and others. Let’s build better, together.

Do you feel constantly on edge, wired but exhausted, or like you’re just going through the motions of life? You might be stuck in survival mode—and not even know it.In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, we’ll unpack what it means to have a dysregulated nervous system and how it can silently shape your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and even your physical health. We’ll walk through 10 often-overlooked signs that your nervous system might be stuck in survival mode—from chronic tension and trouble sleeping to overthinking, burnout, and people-pleasing.You’ll also learn three simple, science-backed strategies to start bringing your system back to a place of safety and resilience. These aren’t your typical “self-care” tips—they’re practical, body-based tools you can use anytime, anywhere.✨ Plus, there’s a special invitation to join the Nervous System Journaling Club on the Skool platform—a supportive community rooted in connection, creativity, and healing.Nervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1Get My Resilience Journal📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N5IUVWcPthGPmTEq-jxcQPIk6tJpD99-XnLM99GwSBXJAkLyMdFN0CDDHLFdHGcc6EyM4DO8tnnH7ji7szBwh9d_76vqB8xH_Je8QPF3ROg.IGiR3gw4FamENcFMJSSGVx4FuM81aMBrYya9EStW-lY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1742349206&sr=8-1&th=1If you’re ready to stop running on fumes and start feeling safe in your body again, this episode is for you.

Have you ever considered that the secret to a healthier mind and a stronger relationship might be found behind the shower curtain?In this fun and enlightening episode, Leah welcomes her friend and fellow entrepreneur, Neta Talmor, for a refreshingly candid conversation about how sharing a daily ritual like showering with your partner can deepen your connection, boost creativity, improve your mood, and even regulate your nervous system.Together, they explore:• Why showering together is not just about physical intimacy• How daily rituals can build emotional closeness and strengthen relationships• The science-backed benefits of warm water on your mood, nervous system, and creativity• How shared rituals can co-regulate and emotionally ground us• Cold water exposure as a tool to build nervous system resilience• Creative ways to make this ritual work, even for busy parents!Plus, Neta shares her perspective on how this simple, luxurious habit has sustained her marriage of over 30 years—and why it’s her favorite mental health and relationship hack.💡 Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, navigating parenthood, or just curious about nervous system health, this episode is packed with insights and laughter you won’t want to miss.⸻Nervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1Get My Resilience Journal📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N5IUVWcPthGPmTEq-jxcQPIk6tJpD99-XnLM99GwSBXJAkLyMdFN0CDDHLFdHGcc6EyM4DO8tnnH7ji7szBwh9d_76vqB8xH_Je8QPF3ROg.IGiR3gw4FamENcFMJSSGVx4FuM81aMBrYya9EStW-lY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1742349206&sr=8-1&th=1This journal is designed to help you regulate your nervous system, process emotions, and build resilience. Scroll through the Amazon reviews—you’ll see firsthand how people struggling with anxiety have found it helpful.If this video spoke to you, please comment, or share it with someone who could use it. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode on building your most resilient life!

If you’ve been trying to think your way out of anxiety, it’s time to flip the script.In this continuation from last week’s episode, we dive deeper into the truth that anxiety isn’t just in your mind—it lives in your body. And that’s where real healing begins.Join me as we explore three practical, body-based frameworks to help you break the anxiety cycle by creating a sense of internal safety, reconnecting with your nervous system, and interrupting the alarm signals that keep anxiety looping.🔍 In This Episode:• Why traditional thought-based approaches often don’t work for anxiety• How to stop fueling the “alarm cycle” between the brain and body• The ABC Method: Awareness, Befriending the body, and Compassion• The STOP Method: A simple acronym to interrupt anxious thought spirals• The Safety Sequence: My signature 3-step process to help retrain your nervous systemThese are the same powerful tools I teach in my journal, in my programs, and now inside the Nervous System Journaling Club—a new membership community for regulation through journaling and doodling. You can join here: https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1Get My Resilience Journal📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N5IUVWcPthGPmTEq-jxcQPIk6tJpD99-XnLM99GwSBXJAkLyMdFN0CDDHLFdHGcc6EyM4DO8tnnH7ji7szBwh9d_76vqB8xH_Je8QPF3ROg.IGiR3gw4FamENcFMJSSGVx4FuM81aMBrYya9EStW-lY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1742349206&sr=8-1&th=1This journal is designed to help you regulate your nervous system, process emotions, and build resilience. Scroll through the Amazon reviews—you’ll see firsthand how people struggling with anxiety have found it helpful.✨ If this episode resonated, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share on YouTube—or follow and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Your support helps more people find this work.