Alive & Well – Burnout, Anxiety, Nervous System, Productivity, Time Management, Somatic Tools, Work-Life Balance

Michelle Grosser – Inspired by Mel Robbins, Rachel Hollis & Dr. Becky Kennedy
  • 4.8 (51)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

On paper? You’re crushing it. But your body’s telling a different story: fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, and a burnout you just can’t seem to shake. Welcome to Alive & Well—the podcast for high-achieving women ready to burnout-proof their lives by rewiring their nervous system for clarity, energy, productivity, and ease. I’m your host, Michelle Grosser, Esq.—trial attorney turned nervous system strategist, wife, mom, and entrepreneur (x3). After burning out hard trying to do it all, I discovered the missing piece: nervous system regulation.  Now I help ambitious, high-capacity women like you build a life that’s sustainable and successful—where your nervous system becomes your superpower, not your saboteur. Around here, you’ll learn: ✔️  Burnout-proof systems for time management and productivity ✔️  Science-backed tools for nervous system and emotional regulation ✔️  Somatic practices that help you stay grounded & calm under pressure ✔️  Faith-rooted wisdom for leading from overflow—not overdrive ✔️  Boundaries that protect your purpose—not just your calendar ✔️  Sustainable strategies for stress management, presence, and work-life balance It’s time to break the burnout cycle, reclaim your well-being, and lead with the kind of peace that doesn’t cost your ambition. Hit follow and start your path to living Alive & Well. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

  1. 2D AGO

    377 - How to Transform Your Mindset and Break Through Limiting Beliefs with John Assaraf

    ➡️ ➡️ > SAVE YOUR SPOT: "FROM ON EDGE TO AT EASE" WORKSHOP Unleash My Brain's Full Potential Related Episodes to Explore: Previous EpisodeHow to Reach Your Goals Without all the HustleA Mindset Shift for Life’s Challenging SeasonsFeeling Overwhelmed with Work-Life Balance? 3 Mindset Shifts for Working MomsHate to Break It to You, but Focusing on Mindset Work Won’t Get You Where You Want to Go. Here’s Why… --- ➡️ ➡️ > SAVE YOUR SPOT: "FROM ON EDGE TO AT EASE" WORKSHOP ⬅️ ⬅️

    54 min

  2. 5D AGO

    376 - 6 Things I Stopped Doing to Regulate My Nervous System and Protect My Energy

    You know better—but you’re still pushing past your limits. You’ve read the books. You’ve blocked off the calendar. You know what to do. But somehow, the burnout keeps creeping back in. Sound familiar? This week on Alive & Well, we’re talking about a tough truth: Sometimes, the very habits that make you high-performing are the same ones burning you out. In this episode, I’m sharing 6 things I stopped doing in order to actually heal my nervous system—not just manage stress better on the surface.  These are subtle but powerful shifts I made after my own burnout in 2017—and they’ve changed the way I live, work, and lead. You’ll learn:  🔹 How hustle patterns are often rooted in nervous system dysregulation  🔹 Why high-functioning women get rewarded for being in survival mode  🔹 What it means to create safety in your body instead of just checking another box We’ll cover:  ✔️ The link between people-pleasing and fawn responses  ✔️ Why pushing through fatigue wires your body against rest ✔️ How morning phone-checks hijack your neurochemistry ✔️ What it takes to decouple productivity from self-worth ✔️ How joy helps rewire your nervous system for sustainability These aren’t rigid rules or one-size-fits-all fixes. They’re nervous-system-aware, body-based pivots that support your capacity long term. 💡 Because healing burnout isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing it from a regulated, rooted place. Related Episodes to Explore: Previous Episode4 Game-Changing Strategies for Nervous System Regulation4 Overlooked Symptoms of Dysregulation That Aren’t Actually “Normal”5 Daily Habits That are Dysregulating Your Nervous SystemOverwhelm, Brain Fog, and Irritability? 10 Ways a Dysregulated Nervous System Shows Up in Your Body5 Somatic Techniques to Regulate When You're Feeling Overwhelm --- ➡️ ➡️ > SAVE YOUR SPOT: "FROM ON EDGE TO AT EASE" WORKSHOP ⬅️ ⬅️

    35 min

  3. JUL 25

    375 - 4 Shifts That Helped Me Recover from Burnout (They’ll Help You Too)

    You’re showing up, but inside, you’re unraveling. You’re getting the work done. Smiling when you’re supposed to. Even squeezing in the workouts and the meetings and the meal prep. But if you’re honest? You’re running on fumes. This is burnout—but not the collapse-on-the-bathroom-floor kind. This is high-functioning burnout. The invisible kind. The kind that simmers quietly in high-achieving women until everything starts to feel like too much. In this episode of Alive & Well, I’m walking you through my nervous-system-first approach to healing chronic stress that doesn’t ask you to hustle harder or download another planner. You’ll learn:  🔹 Why burnout is a biological process, not a personal failure  🔹 How your nervous system gets stuck in survival—and what to do about it  🔹 The role of allostatic load, chronic stress, and hidden trauma in burnout  🔹 The 4 shifts that help you stop surviving and start recovering We’ll cover:  ✔️ How performing your worth keeps you in sympathetic overdrive  ✔️ Why rest isn’t optional (and how to reclaim it even when it feels unsafe)  ✔️ What fawning and people-pleasing have to do with burnout  ✔️ Why reconnecting to your body is the most effective path out If you’re tired of white-knuckling your way through life, this episode will give you a new framework for understanding burnout—and a real plan to move through it. 💡 Because you don’t need more discipline. You need more safety.  And that starts in your body. Related Episodes to Explore: Previous EpisodeIgnoring What Your Body is Trying to Tell You? Pay Attention to These 10 Warning Signs of BurnoutTired, Anxious, and Overwhelmed? The Step-by-Step Process to Heal Burnout and Regulate Your Nervous System5 Signs of Mom Burnout and How to Start HealingUnlocking Burnout Recovery: 3 Reasons Time Off Isn't EnoughFrom Burnout to Balance: Introducing RESTORE and my 6-Step Framework to Reset Your Nervous System and Beat Burnout👇 Ready to stop the spiral? Download the Nervous System Reset Guide and start building your burnout recovery toolkit today. --- ➡️ ➡️ > SAVE YOUR SPOT: "FROM ON EDGE TO AT EASE" WORKSHOP ⬅️ ⬅️

    27 min

  4. JUL 22

    374 - 4 Effective Tools to Help You Relax When Feeling Dysregulated

    When your stress is off the charts, the last thing you need is vague advice and zero follow-through.  What you do need? Tools that actually work—with the science to back them. In this episode of Alive & Well, we’re unpacking four body-based techniques that regulate your nervous system in real time.  These are somatic tools, rooted in neuroscience, that help you shift out of chronic stress—without needing to book a retreat or download another meditation app you’ll never open. We’ll start with the why—what happens in your brain and body when you’re stuck in stress mode—and then I’ll walk you through four simple, powerful techniques to bring your system back to safety. You’ll learn:  🔹 Why traditional stress relief doesn’t work when your nervous system is dysregulated  🔹 How bottom-up regulation works (and why your body leads, not your brain)  🔹 What “the vagus nerve” has to do with calm, clarity, and healing  🔹 How to use somatic tools to create real relief—not just temporary escape Then, we’ll dive into four practical tools that you can start using this week. We’ll cover:  ✔️ The physiological sigh – a 10-second breath pattern to interrupt anxiety  ✔️ Shaking – a natural discharge tool to release stress from your body  ✔️ Weighted input – how deep pressure signals safety to your brain  ✔️ Cold therapy – using the dive reflex to calm the fear center If your body feels like it’s stuck in survival mode—or you just need something that works when the overwhelm hits—this episode will give you practical, science-backed ways to shift out of stress and back into regulation. Related Episodes to Explore: Previous Episode3 Ways to Show Your Body It’s OK to Relax & Be CalmAre You Dysregulated? 10 Surprising Signs of Nervous System Dysregulation4 Overlooked Symptoms of Dysregulation That Aren’t Actually “Normal”5 Daily Habits That are Dysregulating Your Nervous System3 Popular Wellness Trends That Might Be Dysregulating Your Nervous System --- ➡️ ➡️ > SAVE YOUR SPOT: "FROM ON EDGE TO AT EASE" WORKSHOP ⬅️ ⬅️

    20 min

  5. JUL 18

    373 - Unlock the Gut-Brain Connection: How Healing Your Gut Will Transform Your Health with Hannah Aylward

    If you’ve ever felt like your gut has more control over your day than you do—bloating, food anxiety, exhaustion, skin flares, mood dips—you’re not imagining things. And you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Aylward, functional nutritionist and founder of HAN, and we’re unpacking the deep, often misunderstood connection between your gut, your mood, and your nervous system. Hannah brings the receipts: how your digestion is linked to everything from your sleep and energy levels to your anxiety and hormonal health—and what to do when it feels like your body’s working against you. We’re diving into:  ✔️ How undiagnosed gut imbalances can lead to chronic bloating, fatigue, skin issues, and even hormone disruption  ✔️ Why restriction and elimination diets aren’t the healing fix they promise to be  ✔️ How to nourish your body in a way that promotes gut repair and nervous system safety ✔️ The impact of antibiotics and childhood infections on your adult gut health ✔️ What it really takes to balance blood sugar, boost microbiome diversity, and support long-term energy If you’re sick of cutting foods, afraid to eat, or just tired of feeling off—and you know something deeper’s going on—this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Press play to learn practical, powerful ways to support your gut health—without restriction, obsession, or burnout. Connect with Hannah: 🌐Hannah’s Website 📸Find Hannah on Instagram Related Episodes to Explore: Previous EpisodeHealing Your Symptoms From the Inside OutThese 5 Habits Are Causing Your BurnoutBeyond Burnout: Top 3 Reasons You Feel Fried3 Things I Started Saying That Helped Heal My BurnoutAre You High or Low Energy? Nervous System Balancing Exercises Based on Your Energy Type --- ➡️ ➡️ > SAVE YOUR SPOT: "FROM ON EDGE TO AT EASE" WORKSHOP ⬅️ ⬅️

    37 min

  6. JUL 15

    372 - 6 Hidden Habits of High-Functioning Anxiety (and How to Heal Them)

    You’re functioning. Performing. Keeping it together. But deep down, your mind is racing. Your shoulders are tense. And you’re one more Slack notification away from snapping. If you’re looking calm on the outside—but buzzing underneath, it might be high-functioning anxiety—and most women don’t even realize they’re living in it. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on high-functioning anxiety from a nervous system perspective.  I’ll walk you through what it really is, how it forms, and the hidden habits that keep you stuck in the loop—plus simple body-based ways to start shifting out. You’ll learn:  🔹 Why high-functioning anxiety isn’t just “being Type A”  🔹 How your nervous system creates a performance-survival blend  🔹 The physiological reason you can’t just “think your way out of it”  🔹 How to spot (and shift) 6 subtle patterns that keep you dysregulated Then, I’ll walk you through 6 hidden habits that high-functioning anxious women tend to carry—and the somatic tools that help you release them. We’ll cover:  ✔️ People-pleasing – the fawn response disguised as kindness  ✔️ Overthinking – survival mode in a productivity costume  ✔️ Perfectionism – when safety gets fused with performance  ✔️ Suppressed needs – why you freeze when someone asks what you want ✔️ Hypervigilance – the nervous system on high alert, 24/7 ✔️ Procrastination + sprinting – how your system flips from freeze to hustle Because high-functioning anxiety isn’t your personality—it’s your protection. And when you learn to regulate your body, you can finally stop white-knuckling your life. Related Episodes to Explore: Previous Episode3 Somatic Practices for Anxiety: Why They Work & How to Do ThemHealing Anxiety & Burnout: 4 Non-Negotiables for Nervous System RegulationThe #1 Reason You Haven't Been Able to Heal Your AnxietyHow to Reduce Anxiety When It's Happening3 Sneaky Habits That Are Making Your Anxiety Worse --- ➡️ ➡️ > SAVE YOUR SPOT: "FROM ON EDGE TO AT EASE" WORKSHOP ⬅️ ⬅️

    22 min

  7. JUL 11

    371 - 5 Anti-Burnout Behaviors to Protect Your Energy (Backed by Neuroscience)

    You know you need to manage your stress… but why does managing stress feel like another stressor? If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a self-care checklist, you’re not alone.  High-capacity women don’t need more pressure to “do wellness right.” You need tools that actually work—and fit into real life. In this episode of Alive & Well, we’re unpacking five anti-burnout behaviors backed by neuroscience.  These aren’t morning routine fluff or band-aid fixes.  They’re simple, nervous system-friendly habits that help you regulate stress, replenish energy, and stay grounded—without needing a full life overhaul. You’ll learn:  🔹 How your stress response system works—and what happens when it never gets to turn off  🔹 Why your body can feel depleted, even if your calendar is “under control”  🔹 The daily habits that actually recalibrate your nervous system over time Then, I’ll walk you through 5 specific behaviors that buffer against burnout—and explain the science behind why they work. We’ll cover:  ✔️ Play & pleasure – how fun rewires your stress response ✔️ Phone boundaries – how overstimulation hijacks your capacity ✔️ Embodied gratitude – not just journaling, but regulation through reflection ✔️ Movement & nature – quick, accessible ways to discharge stress ✔️ Capacity-aware boundaries – how saying no protects your nervous system Because burnout doesn’t happen because you’re weak. It happens when your body is strong enough to keep going—long past the point of enough. 💡 You don’t need a reset. You need rhythms that support your biology. Related Episodes to Explore: Previous EpisodeTips for Balancing Hormones & Boosting EnergyThese 5 Habits Are Causing Your BurnoutBeyond Burnout: Top 3 Reasons You Feel Fried3 Things I Started Saying That Helped Heal My BurnoutAre You High or Low Energy? Nervous System Balancing Exercises Based on Your Energy Type --- ➡️ ➡️ > SAVE YOUR SPOT: "FROM ON EDGE TO AT EASE" WORKSHOP ⬅️ ⬅️

    25 min

  8. JUL 8

    370 - Are You Stuck in Fight, Flight, or Freeze? 3 Signs You're in a Stress Response

    Ever feel like you’re trying to do all the right things—but your body still feels tense, wired, or totally wiped out? In this episode of Alive & Well, we’re unpacking how chronic stress hijacks your nervous system—and what it actually looks and feels like when you’re stuck in fight, flight, or freeze.  You’ll learn:  🔹 How the nervous system actually works under stress (and why it’s not about willpower) 🔹 What “fight,” “flight,” and “freeze” look like in high-functioning women 🔹 The real reason you can’t relax, focus, or stop overthinking when you’re dysregulated 🔹 Why stress responses aren’t bad—they’re just incomplete (and how to complete them) Then I’ll guide you through how to recognize the signs of each stress state in your body—and teach you body-based tools to shift out of them in real time. We’ll cover:  ✔️ FIGHT – ragey outbursts, control mode, pressure cooker energy ✔️ FLIGHT – overworking, constant movement, anxious perfectionism ✔️ FREEZE – shutdown, fog, “what’s the point?” energy ✔️ REGULATION – how to stop overriding your body and start listening to it instead Because real resilience doesn’t come from pushing through. It comes from knowing how to come back. From working with your biology, not against it. 💡 Your nervous system isn’t the problem—it’s the pathway. Related Episodes to Explore: Previous EpisodeAre You Ready for a Soul Shift? How to Get Unstuck and Reclaim Your JoyStuck in Bad Habits? Stop Spinning Your Wheels and Learn the 3 Requirements for Lasting Change5 Subtle Signs You're Stuck in Survival ModeThe Reset Mindset: How to Get Unstuck and Focus on What Matters MostTalk Therapy Not Working? 3 Reasons You’re Still Stuck in Anxiety & Burnout --- ➡️ ➡️ > SAVE YOUR SPOT: "FROM ON EDGE TO AT EASE" WORKSHOP ⬅️ ⬅️

    24 min
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51 Ratings

About

On paper? You’re crushing it. But your body’s telling a different story: fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, and a burnout you just can’t seem to shake. Welcome to Alive & Well—the podcast for high-achieving women ready to burnout-proof their lives by rewiring their nervous system for clarity, energy, productivity, and ease. I’m your host, Michelle Grosser, Esq.—trial attorney turned nervous system strategist, wife, mom, and entrepreneur (x3). After burning out hard trying to do it all, I discovered the missing piece: nervous system regulation.  Now I help ambitious, high-capacity women like you build a life that’s sustainable and successful—where your nervous system becomes your superpower, not your saboteur. Around here, you’ll learn: ✔️  Burnout-proof systems for time management and productivity ✔️  Science-backed tools for nervous system and emotional regulation ✔️  Somatic practices that help you stay grounded & calm under pressure ✔️  Faith-rooted wisdom for leading from overflow—not overdrive ✔️  Boundaries that protect your purpose—not just your calendar ✔️  Sustainable strategies for stress management, presence, and work-life balance It’s time to break the burnout cycle, reclaim your well-being, and lead with the kind of peace that doesn’t cost your ambition. Hit follow and start your path to living Alive & Well. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

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