What if anxiety wasn’t a red light telling you to stop—but a yellow light asking you to pause, pay attention, and proceed with care?
In this episode of the Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Shelley Martinez—licensed psychotherapist, transformational life coach, and creator of the Inspired Life Alchemy Method—to shift our perspective on anxiety. Shelley draws from over 30 years of experience helping individuals transform anxiety into peace and confidence using the science of neuroplasticity and mind-body techniques.
Whether you're a high-functioning achiever quietly battling perfectionism or someone who feels anxiety in everyday tasks, this episode offers practical tools, science-backed insights, and hope for a more empowered way of being.
Key Takeaways:
Anxiety is not a red light—it’s a yellow light: a signal to pause and become present, not to stop living.
High-functioning anxiety often shows up as perfectionism, procrastination, irritability, or control issues—not always as panic or worry.
The brain can rewire itself through neuroplasticity; repetition of calming, grounding, and gratitude practices literally reshapes how we respond to stress.
Calming the body first (via breathwork, bilateral movement, or even a five-minute dance party) is essential before calming the mind.
Your thoughts follow your feelings—use tools like the “tiara trick” and intentional self-talk to shift your emotional state from the inside out.
Gratitude isn't just feel-good fluff—Shelley shares a brain-training technique using three new things daily that reprograms your mind for peace and optimism.
Reflection Questions:
In what ways does anxiety show up in your life that you may not have noticed before—like perfectionism or over-control?
What daily practices can you commit to in order to retrain your brain toward peace, confidence, and presence?
Connect with Shelley Martinez: 🌐 Website: https://shelleymartinez.com 💝 Free Tools & Resources: Available on her website
