In this conversation, Terry and Debbie explore why so many midlife women live like they’re “being chased by a bear”—constantly proving, performing, and pushing—and how somatic practices can gently teach the body it’s safe again. You’ll learn practical ways to calm the amygdala, reconnect with your feminine receiving energy, and move from overthinking to embodied wisdom so you can feel whole, loved, and present. Key takeaways: Survival mode vs. safety: how to recognize the signs and flip the switch to parasympathetic “rest, digest & connect.” Your body keeps the score: sensations (tight chest, throat lump, gut zing) are messages—not malfunctions. Somatic basics: breathwork, body scanning, gentle movement, and visualization to metabolize emotions. Soft is strong: embracing feminine receiving energy to attract support, ease, and aligned relationships. Purpose is within: when you declutter stored stress and trauma, your authentic self has room to lead. Simple practices mentioned: 60–second body scan: name where you feel sensation, breathe into it for 10 cycles. Micro-movement release: shake out hands/shoulders for 30–60 seconds after stress spikes. Box breath (4–4–4–4) to downshift from “bear chase” to calm focus. Most midlife women—knowingly or unknowingly—have lived in survival mode for decades. The constant pushing, proving, and carrying everything for everyone else takes its toll. Over time, these patterns of responsibility and unprocessed trauma become stored in the body, leaving us exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from who we truly are. As a somatic healer, Debbie helps midlife women reconnect with their bodies and gently release what no longer serves them—creating space to expand into more: more love, joy, health, freedom, and abundance. Her signature program, The Body Awakening, guides women through the first step out of survival mode and into embodied safety, self-awareness, and calm. ✨ Learn more at debbietheaffiliate.com/thebodyawakening-203943 About the Podcast:The Choose Courage Podcast is hosted by motivational speaker, author, and life coach Terry Sidford, whose mission is to inspire others to live with purpose and courage. Each episode features real conversations with extraordinary people who have turned their challenges into opportunities for growth. Through these stories, Terry reminds us that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to move forward in spite of it.For over two decades, Terry Sidford has empowered audiences to overcome obstacles and create a life filled with authenticity, resilience, and joy. As the author of One Hundred Hearts: Inspiring Stories from the Women Who Lived Them and the creator of The Choose Courage Project, Terry helps individuals transform their stories and rediscover their inner strength. Learn more about Terry’s work, keynotes, and podcast at TerrySidford.com.
