Anna Pinkerton: Overcoming “Inner Brutality” Through Self-Awareness and Curiosity Without Judgement

Anna Pinkerton is a psychotherapist based in the UK who specializes in helping individuals and corporate groups overcome trauma, burnout and breakdown. This show starts out talking about the stresses of the traditional corporate workplace and how bad energy and dysfunctional communication can spread through an organization much like the pandemic virus. As we discuss how business leaders and executives can heal from trauma and improve corporate culture, Anna explains that these techniques and strategies are applicable to every other source of stress and trauma we face in life, especially healing from our own flawed subconscious programming. 

This is where the show gets deep and meaningful for all of us, even if you aren’t dealing with workplace dysfunction. Anna drops the brilliant insight that before we can achieve any form of life transformation, we must first increase self-awareness and “train oneself to be curious without judgement.” It occurs to me that this is incredibly relevant to the pursuit of diet and fitness goals. We are so used to getting bombarded with information, advice, and rigid programming but we fail to recognize our blind spots that lead us to repeat the same flawed patterns that leave us frustrated, confused and falling short of our goals. You will love many fresh insights and cool new vocabulary terms from Anna, such as the dreaded “inner brutality” - the negative self-talk and self-judgement that is so common that it’s become a normal and customary part of culture. You know, those seemingly trivial comments like, “I’m so stupid I lost my car keys,” all the way over to the deep-seated subconscious beliefs that you’re not good enough, you don’t deserve to be happy or successful, and so forth. Anna reports that 93% of her patients over the course of her 25 year practice have engaged in inner brutality. 

Learn more at annapinkerton.com and take the 60-second quiz about burnout at AnnaPinkerton.com

TIMESTAMPS:

Brad’s guest talks about negative self-destructive thoughts. [01:37]

Look for reasons, rather than blame. [02:51]

There is a crisis of people feeling fried from working at home. [05:25] 

Is this crisis a case of time management? [08:03]

These stressful dynamics might very well predate the pandemic. [10:46]

The counselor can evaluate the level of stress by noticing trauma beneath the skin or see how the muscles are held. [12:06]

The careful and tactful conversations with corporate leaders are when you can help them separate themselves as people away from the problem. [15:35]

The best way to deal with the stress in the workplace is to own your part of it. [19:49]

Has the hyperconnectivity and the boundaries of the workplace been broken down by technology? [24:10]

Sometime it is difficult to realize that certain triggers affect the dynamics of your life. [27:43]

The personal health and self-care piece is big, when you are dealing with stress in the workplace. [30:45]   

You can’t deal with self-care concerns if you aren’t self-aware. [33:12]

It is almost normal in our society that people are cruel to themselves. [35:04]

Sometimes a person is not really an asshole, they are acting like one because they need something from you. [36:49]

It is said that 90 percent of our thoughts about ourselves in a day are negative. [38:47]

We need to learn not to waste time with Inner Brutality. Why waste time in interaction that doesn’t serve me well? [41:08]

How does one begin this process of rewiring? [43:18]

We tend to give ourselves over to something outside of us in an attempt to feel valuable. [47:24]

We don’t realize the impact on our life when we demean ourselves and talk in a derogatory manner towards ourselves. [50:01]

What can the listeners do to train their brains to change from Inner Brutality to compatibility compassion? [53:56]

LINKS:

Brad’s Shopping Page

Biology of Belief

Anna Pinkerton

Follow me on social media for more great content!

Instagram: @bradkearns1

Facebook: @bradkearnsjumphigh

Twitter: @bradleykearns

Sponsors

Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, Brad won’t sell out to anyone if he doesn’t love the product. Ask anyone.

Almost Heaven Sauna: Affordable at-home sauna kits for the ultimate relaxation and hormonal boost on demand

Brad’s Macadamia Masterpiece: Mind-blowing, life-changing nut butter blend

CAR.O.L bike: Cardiovascular optimized logic stationary bike for a highly effective eight-minute workout

Male Optimization Formula with Organs (MOFO): Optimize testosterone naturally with 100% grassfed animal organ supplement

Perfect Keto: The cleanest, purest, most potent ketone supplements and snacks

LetsGetChecked: At-home medical testing with great prices, quick results, and no hassles

Vuori Activewear: The most comfortable, functional, and fashionable gear, evoking the chill SoCal coastal lifestyle

Donations!

This free podcast offering is a team effort from Brad, Daniel, Siena, Gail, TJ, Vuk, RedCircle, our awesome guests, and our incredibly cool advertising partners. We are now poised and proud to double dip by both soliciting a donation and having you listen to ads! If you wanna cough up a few bucks to salute the show, we really appreciate it and will use the funds wisely for continued excellence. Go big (whatever that means to you…) and we’ll send you a free jar of Brad’s Macadamia Masterpiece as a thank you! Email to alert us! Choose to donate now, later, or never. Either way, we thank you for choosing from the first two options! :]

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-get-over-yourself-podcast/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.