She had the titles. The family. The success.
But inside, Alison Bridges was unraveling.
In this intimate and powerful conversation, Alison sits down with Holly Joy McCabe to share what happens when a high-achieving woman finally admits she’s in survival mode — and chooses a new path forward.
This is a story of reclamation: of nervous system healing, of self-trust, and of learning to lead from a place of clarity instead of chaos.
You’ll hear Alison’s raw truth about burnout, the turning point that led her to the Satori Method, and how she finally found peace after years of pushing.
Inside this episode:🧠 Subtle signs of dysregulation most high performers miss🤍 Why talk therapy alone wasn’t enough🧘🏽♀️ How brain-based, somatic healing actually works🩶 What it means to reclaim your intuition, clarity, and power
This episode will move you — and it might just feel like permission to finally exhale.
Ready to go deeper? Listen now.
Connect with Holly Joy McCabe:
Website: brainbodyspeak.com
Instagram: @brainbodyspeak
YouTube: Holly Joy McCabe's Channel
Special Offer:
Enhance your healing journey with Zen In A Bottle supplements and beauty products. Use the code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout to save.
Spread the Word & Win!
Tag @brainbodyspeak on Instagram with your biggest takeaway from this episode to enter our monthly Brain Body Reboot course giveaway ($500 value)!
Zen In A Bottle – Beauty & Supplements
🛒 Use code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout to save
Regulated CEO
Confidence Coalition
What if the thing that breaks your heart… is what saves your life?
In this raw and soul-stirring episode, Holly Joy McCabe welcomes former professional footballer Mark O’Brien for one of the most powerful conversations we’ve ever aired on Brain Body Speak.
At 16, Mark was told he needed open-heart surgery or he would die. He came back against all odds — only to face the same surgery again 11 years later. But what followed wasn’t just physical recovery. It was identity collapse, debilitating panic, and a deep reckoning with purpose, presence, and who we become when everything we’ve built falls away.
Mark’s story is more than resilience. It’s a reminder that you’re not broken — you’re just dysregulated.
If you’ve ever felt lost, exhausted, or like you’re being asked to become someone new... this one’s for you.
Ready to go deeper? Listen now.
Connect with Mark O’Brien:
Instagram: @mobrien1992
Connect with Holly Joy McCabe:
Website: brainbodyspeak.com
Instagram: @brainbodyspeak
YouTube: Holly Joy McCabe's Channel
Special Offer:
Enhance your healing journey with Zen In A Bottle supplements and beauty products. Use the code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout to save.
Spread the Word & Win!
Tag @brainbodyspeak on Instagram with your biggest takeaway from this episode to enter our monthly Brain Body Reboot course giveaway ($500 value)!
Zen In A Bottle – Beauty & Supplements
🛒 Use code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout to save
Regulated CEO
Confidence Coalition
In this compelling episode of Brain Body Speak, host Holly Joy McCabe engages with Dr. Nima Rahmany, an expert in healing attachment wounds and creator of the Trigger-Proof Method. They delve into the intricacies of attachment styles, trauma bonds, and the path to genuine healing.
Key Discussion Points:
Understanding Attachment Styles: Dr. Nima explains how our early relationships shape our attachment patterns and influence adult connections.
The Reality of Trauma Bonds: Exploring the dynamics of relationships that, while intense, may be rooted in unresolved trauma rather than genuine connection.
Empathy vs. Hypervigilance: Challenging the notion of being an "empath" and recognizing when heightened sensitivity is a response to past trauma.
Pathways to Healing: Strategies for individuating from past wounds, regulating the nervous system, and fostering healthier relationships.Apple Podcasts
Notable Quotes:
"You're not falling in love with them... you're falling in love with how they make you see yourself." — Dr. Nima Rahmany
"People pleasing feels virtuous… until you realize it’s rooted in fear and hypervigilance. It’s not love. It’s survival." — Holly Joy McCabe
Resources Mentioned:
Attachment Style Assessment: Gain insights into your attachment patterns with Dr. Nima's Attachment Style Quiz.Apple Podcasts
Connect with Dr. Nima Rahmany:
Website: drnima.com
Instagram: @drnima
Connect with Holly Joy McCabe:
Website: brainbodyspeak.com
Instagram: @brainbodyspeak
YouTube: Holly Joy McCabe's Channel
Special Offer:
Enhance your healing journey with Zen In A Bottle supplements and beauty products. Use code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout to save.
Spread the Word & Win!
Tag @brainbodyspeak on Instagram with your biggest takeaway from this episode to enter our monthly Brain Body Reboot course giveaway ($500 value)!
In this deeply empowering solo episode, Holly Joy McCabe dismantles one of the most toxic personal development ideals: balance.
We’ve been told to “strive for balance” — in our work, our relationships, our self-care — but what if that goal is keeping us in a cycle of burnout, disappointment, and self-blame?
Holly reframes this outdated narrative by offering a revolutionary alternative: harmony.
From juggling glass vs. rubber balls, to hormone cycles, business seasons, nervous system capacity, and daily rhythms — this episode gives women the tools to finally stop chasing a fantasy and start creating a life that works with them, not against them.
Why balance is a myth that sets women up to fail
The power of harmony over perfection
How your hormonal cycle impacts productivity
What “rubber vs. glass balls” really means in your daily life
Why hustle culture isn’t bad — when it’s used correctly
The #1 priority every woman should structure her day around
How to build capacity in your nervous system and life
Tools to regularly recalibrate and check in with yourself
How to organize your priorities to reduce anxiety & increase clarity
✍🏼 $2.99 Printable Self-Care & Habit Tracker:
Your weekly tool for staying grounded, organized, and prioritized.
Get it here → https://www.brainbodyspeak.com/shop
Mind Mag Magnesium by Zen In A Bottle
Your magnesium must-have for nervous system health & stress support.
Use code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout for savings.
Shop now → Mind Mag
Note worthy quotes:
“Balance is a moving target in a constantly shifting world. Harmony, on the other hand, meets you where you are.” – Holly Joy
“When you finally stop expecting every day to be easy, you give yourself permission to build a life that’s real.” – Holly Joy
📲 Share your favorite moment on Instagram and tag @brainbodyspeak to be entered in our monthly Brain Body Reboot giveaway ($500 value!)
✨ Podcast Resource Page (Secret Episodes + Episode Notes)
https://www.brainbodyspeak.com/bbs-podcast
🔗 Brain Body SpeakWebsite: https://www.brainbodyspeak.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainbodyspeak/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hollyjoymccabeX: https://x.com/HollyJoyMcCabeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollyjoymccabe
Zen In A Bottle – Supplements & BeautyWebsite: https://www.zeninabottle.bizInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/zen_in_a_bottle/
🛒 Use code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout to save!
💼 Regulated CEOWebsite: https://www.regulatedceo.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/regulatedceo/
🤍 Confidence CoalitionWebsite: https://www.confidencecoalition.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/confidence_coalition/
📲 Spread the Word & Win!
Tag @brainbodyspeak on Instagram with your biggest takeaway to enter our monthly Brain Body Reboot course giveaway ($500 value)!
The Truth About Emotional Eating—It’s Not What You Think
🎙 Episode Title: The Truth About Emotional Eating—It’s Not What You Think
🧠 What if everything you thought you knew about emotional eating was wrong?
If you’ve ever felt out of control with food, struggled with cravings, or found yourself stress-eating despite knowing better… this episode is for you.
The truth is, emotional eating isn’t just about emotions. It’s not about willpower, self-control, or needing more discipline. It’s about your nervous system, your survival instincts, and how your body responds to stress and restriction.
In this deep dive, I break down:✔️ Why your body treats dieting like a famine (and how it forces you to binge)✔️ The nervous system’s role in emotional eating—it’s not just about stress!✔️ Why extreme dieting backfires and makes cravings worse✔️ How the fitness & diet industry set you up to fail (and what to do instead)✔️ The REAL reason you can’t “just stop” emotional eating—hint: it’s biological✔️ How to regulate your nervous system so food stops feeling like a battle
🚨 This isn’t another “just eat intuitively” talk. This is the science behind why your body fights you—and how to work with it to create sustainable, long-term healing.
🔊 Listen now and learn how to stop the cycle of stress, restriction, and bingeing—for good.
👇 Want to dive deeper?
Follow all Holly Joy’s Pages & Resources
Brain Body Speak
Website & Shop: https://www.brainbodyspeak.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainbodyspeak/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hollyjoymccabe
X: https://x.com/HollyJoyMcCabe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollyjoymccabe
Zen In A Bottle Supplements & Beauty
Use code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout
Website: www.zeninabottle.biz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zen_in_a_bottle/
Regulated Ceo
Website: www.regulatedceo.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regulatedceo/
Confidence Coalition:
Website: www.confidencecoalition.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/confidence_coalition/
Unlocking True Self-Awareness: The Path to Personal Growth and Healing
Most People Are NOT as Self-Aware as They Think
Research shows that only 10-15% of people are actually self-aware, yet 95% of people believe they are. (Eurich, 2018)
Why? Because the human brain is wired to overestimate its strengths and downplay its weaknesses—a bias known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect. The less aware we are, the more confident we feel in our perception of ourselves.
In short: Most people are walking around convinced they know themselves, while their blind spots run the show.
Self-awareness is often mistaken for self-reflection. But the ability to look back on what you did is not the same as understanding why you did it—or changing what happens next.
A lot of people can list 50 reasons for their behaviors: 🚩 “That’s just my personality.” 🚩 “It’s my trauma response.” 🚩 “I’m a Virgo—what do you expect?” 🚩 “That’s just the way I’ve always been.”
But labeling a pattern isn’t the same as breaking it. If anything, it reinforces it—creating an identity around behavior that makes it harder to change.
If your self-awareness isn’t leading to different choices, it’s just self-analysis.
Reflection ≠ Self-Awareness
In this episode of BrainBodySpeak, hosted by Holly Joy McCabe, the focus is on the crucial topic of self-awareness. Holly discusses how true self-awareness is rare, with only 10-15% of people genuinely possessing it, while 95% believe they do. She delves into the critical role of self-awareness in personal development, trauma healing, and entrepreneurship.
Want more?
Follow all Holly Joy’s Pages & Resources
Brain Body Speak
Website: https://www.brainbodyspeak.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainbodyspeak/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hollyjoymccabe
X: https://x.com/HollyJoyMcCabe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollyjoymccabe
Zen In A Bottle Supplements & Beauty
Use code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout
Website: www.zeninabottle.biz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zen_in_a_bottle/
Regulated Ceo
Podcast:
Website:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regulatedceo/
Confidence Coalition:
Website: www.confidencecoalition.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/confidence_coalition/
The episode highlights the irony and challenges of self-perception, using practical examples and statistics to illustrate the gap between assumed and actual self-awareness. Holly also addresses the limitations of traditional talk therapy and the importance of integrating actionable strategies for authentic change. Listeners are encouraged to audit their patterns, seek feedback, and implement new responses to foster genuine self-awareness and transformation in their lives.00:00 Introduction to Self-Awareness01:23 The Importance of True Self-Awareness03:00 Common Misconceptions About Self-Awareness05:01 The Role of Plant Medicine and Integration06:48 Misattribution and Rationalization of Behavior17:22 Special Announcement and Closing Remarks20:21 Challenges in Couples Therapy24:26 Narcissism and Self-Awareness30:17 Practical Steps to Develop Self-Awareness31:43 Final Thoughts and Conclusion
In this first episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of who I am, why this podcast exists, and what you can expect from this journey together.
I’m sharing:
✔️ My personal story – From growing up in an extreme, cult-like environment to escaping at 16, navigating trauma, chronic illness, and rebuilding my life from the ground up.
✔️ How my struggles shaped my work – Why I went beyond fitness and nutrition into psychology, somatic healing, neuroscience, and subconscious reprogramming.
✔️ The missing pieces in traditional healing and self-improvement – Why so many approaches (from mindset work to biohacking to spirituality) fall short, and how I integrate them into a cohesive, effective method.
✔️ What this podcast will bring you – Deep-dive conversations, transformative tools, real-life healing stories (Through the Darkness), and quick, unscripted brain boosts (Mini Reboots).
This episode sets the stage for everything to come. If you've ever felt like something is missing from the way personal growth and healing are usually taught—this show is for you.
🔗 Listen now and get ready for a podcast that challenges the norm and helps you truly thrive.
Podcast Show notes
Follow all Holly Joy’s Pages & Resources
Podcast Resource Page for Secret Episodes & Episode Details
https://www.brainbodyspeak.com/bbs-podcast
Brain Body Speak
Website: https://www.brainbodyspeak.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainbodyspeak/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hollyjoymccabe
X: https://x.com/HollyJoyMcCabe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollyjoymccabe
Zen In A Bottle Supplements & Beauty
Use code BRAINBODYSPEAK at checkout
Website: www.zeninabottle.biz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zen_in_a_bottle/
Regulated Ceo
Website: www.regulatedceo.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regulatedceo/
Confidence Coalition:
Website: www.confidencecoalition.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/confidence_coalition/
Brain Body Speak: The Language of Health, Happiness, and Success 🎙️
💡 Your brain. Your body. Your power.
Learn the Language of Health, Happiness & Success
🎧 Listen & Subscribe
Rewire your brain. Regulate your nervous system. Rewrite your life to RISE.
Where neuroscience, somatics, psychology, and subconscious reprogramming meet health and wellness for real-life transformation.
I’m Holly Joy McCabe, and my mission is simple: to help you understand how your brain, body, nervous system, and subconscious mind shape everything—your health, your happiness, and your success.
✨ If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of stress, burnout, or frustration… ✨ If you’ve read the books, done the work, but still feel like something’s missing… ✨ If you want practical, science-backed strategies to heal, grow, and thrive…
You’re in the right place.
Each episode breaks down complex topics into clear, actionable insights that you can apply immediately—whether you're just starting your self-growth journey, deep into healing work, or an ambitious leader creating success on your own terms.
And if you're a founder, CEO, or high-level entrepreneur who wants to apply these concepts specifically to business and leadership, be sure to check out my other show, The Regulated CEO, where we redefine success by working with—rather than against—our brains and bodies.
A client once told me I was like a female version of Andrew Huberman, Joe Dispenza, and Wayne Dyer—and I’ve never been more flattered.
That description perfectly captures my passion for blending: 🧠 Neuroscience & biohacking – Brain function, subconscious rewiring, and high-performance health optimization. ⚡ Trauma healing & personal transformation – Breaking free from old patterns and creating real, sustainable change. 💡 Spiritual philosophy & deeper self-mastery – How beliefs, emotions, and energy shape reality.
Now, add in a little Mel Robbins/Tony Robbins-style tough love when needed, top it off with the insight and compassion of The Holistic Psychologist, and you’ve got a powerful mix of science, strategy, and soul.
If you like these popular shows by these incredible leaders, and thought-provoking conversations that challenge the norm, this show will be right up your alley!
But Brain Body Speak isn’t just about one lane of healing. We bring it all together.
This podcast dives deep into the mental, physical, and energetic layers of growth and optimization—bringing you out-of-the-box perspectives on:
🧠 Mental & Emotional Well-Being – Depression, anxiety, and mindset mastery beyond traditional psychology, integrating brain-based tools, subconscious reprogramming, and holistic approaches.
⚡ Physical & Biohacking Strategies – From nutrition, fitness, and cellular healing to anti-aging, gut health, and energy optimization.
💡 Spiritual & Energetic Alignment – How your subconscious beliefs, nervous system, and energy affect success, relationships, and overall life experience.
This podcast isn’t just about theory—it’s about real transformation. If there’s a cutting-edge topic that helps you become the best version of yourself, you can bet I’ve explored it—and I’ll be bringing you the insights. And one final note, I promise you I’m not the one to shy away from hard or controversial topics. I truly believe there is some truth in everything and I am committed to bringing unique voices to my show that challenge the status quo and push us all to get a little uncomfortable!
This is the space where I bring my 20+ years in the spaces of mind-body healing, personal growth, and high-performance science into one synergistic, easy-to-digest experience. Because the truth is—we need a little bit of everything to truly thrive.
Follow all Holly Joy’s Pages & Resources
Brain Body Speak
Website: https://www.brainbodyspeak.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainbodyspeak/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hollyjoymccabe
X: https://x.com/HollyJoyMcCabe
Zen In A Bottle www.zeninabottle.biz
In this interview we chat with Mandee Elam. Mandee (Co-Founder, Sea Goddess Healing Arts) is an Intuitive Ascension Guide and modern day Divine Feminine Priestess. She is gifted to see the soul in each being and where it is on its ascension path in the awakening process. Mandee intuitively senses stored trauma and unconscious patterns and helps her clients bring them to the surface for healing. This approach teaches her clients how to build trust in the universe and themselves in order to remove patterns and blocks that are keeping them from living their most authentic life. Mandee has communicated with angels, her spirit guides, had premonitions and saw the divine light within souls her whole life. She believes God is an all encompassing energy of love. As a Spiritual Advisor and Empowerment Coach, Mandee has helped countless clients overcome fear, anxiety, guilt, shame, sadness, and grief leading to finding peace, self love, purpose, and joy. Mandee works with women and men who are survivors of physical, emotional, and sexual trauma. She is also known as a “healer's healer” and helps high vibrational beings, find the trauma and conditioning that is preventing them from ascending on their soul's path at this time. She helps souls to perform their shadow work and ascend to the next dimension. Mandee works closely with the Angelic Realm and Magdalene Consciousness. Mandee also offers affordable options for those who need assistance. If you are interested in working with Mandee, please visit www.SeaGoddessHealingArts.com Check out www.spiritualfitchick.com and www.zeninabottle.biz for my products and services.
Social media is a part of our entire existence these days, but it doesn't have to be, and frankly, it is NOT healthy. In this episode, I talk about the real reasons social media is having a negative effect on you, and offer a few quick and simple solutions that will have a DRAMATIC impact on your emotional and physical wellbeing.
This short episode is a part of my mini bonus series called Morning Musings and I hope it offers you some great takeaways!