Checkered Jaguar

Mental health looks different for everyone, but over the years I’ve built my own little “mental health survival kit” of tools that help me when I’m anxious, overwhelmed, overthinking, or simply having a hard day.

In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, I’m sharing the things I actually use in my everyday life, from morning rituals, movement and breathwork to gratitude, letting myself cry, changing my environment, asking for help, and learning how to stop being afraid of anxiety itself.

These aren’t magic fixes, and I definitely don’t have everything figured out. They’re simply tools I’ve collected through my own experiences with mental health, physical health challenges, and some really difficult seasons of life.

My hope is that you leave this episode with even one new tool to add to your own mental health survival kit, and a reminder that having hard days doesn’t mean you’re going backwards.

Connect with me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brescia.dover/?hl=en

What does depersonalization actually feel like, and why can anxiety make it so frightening? Niall Sankey joins Brescia Dover on The Checkered Jaguar to share how a THC experience triggered depersonalization, leaving him feeling disconnected from his body and surroundings.

They discuss the anxiety cycle, talk therapy, grounding techniques, relationships, productivity, vulnerability, and learning to move forward without allowing a mental health struggle to become your entire identity. If you’ve ever wondered, “Will I ever feel like myself again?” this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone.

#mentalhealth

In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, I'm opening up about something I've only recently come to fully accept: my diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).

For years, I believed my perfectionism, need for control, and constant overthinking were simply part of who I was. It wasn't until navigating my autoimmune disease and facing some of life's biggest challenges that I realized there was something deeper going on.

In this conversation, I'm sharing what OCPD actually is, how it's different from OCD, the ways it has shaped my relationships, work, and daily life, and why I've made the personal decision to begin medication alongside caring for my physical health. As someone also living with an autoimmune disease, I've come to understand that healing isn't just about treating one part of ourselves. It's about caring for both our mental and physical health with honesty, compassion, and the willingness to accept help.

If you've ever felt like your mind never slows down, struggled with perfectionism, found it difficult to rest, or felt an overwhelming need to stay in control, I hope this episode helps you feel seen and reminds you that you're not alone.

Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brescia.dover/

Connect with me on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@checkeredjaguar

Connect with me on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@BresciaDover

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal story with ankylosing spondylitis. AS is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints.

I open up about what my symptoms have looked like, the journey to getting answers, what it feels like to live with chronic pain and inflammation, and the emotional side of being diagnosed with an invisible illness.

I also talk about autoimmune disease, lifestyle changes, flares, fear, hope, and what I’m learning as I navigate both natural healing tools and modern medicine.

My hope with this episode is to help anyone living with ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune disease, chronic illness, or unexplained pain feel less alone. This is not medical advice, just my story, my experience, and a reminder that even when your body feels like it’s fighting you, you are still so much stronger than you know.

Connect with me on Instagram:

@brescia.dover

In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, Brescia sits down with her brother, Jensen Dover, for an honest conversation about health, healing, inflammation, and the lifestyle changes that can truly transform the way we feel.

After recently being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and pain, Brescia opens up about the emotional and physical challenges that came with the diagnosis, and the changes she’s been making to support her body naturally alongside medical care.

Together, they dive into the modern wellness world through a grounded and realistic lens, discussing nutrition, nervous system regulation, stress, gut health, inflammation, biohacking, and the daily habits that may either help or hurt our overall well-being. Brescia’s brother shares evidence-backed wellness insights, personal experiences from his own healing journey, and practical ways people can begin supporting their health without becoming overwhelmed.

From anti-inflammatory living and chronic stress to cold plunges, infrared saunas, movement, and the importance of slowing down, this episode is a reminder that healing is deeply personal, and often starts with the small choices we make every day.

Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, burnout, inflammation, or simply trying to feel better in your body, this conversation is filled with honest perspective, actionable wellness wisdom, and hope.

Use this link for discounted Nuvio products:

https://nuviorecovery.com/jensendover50

or code JENSEN50

Reach out to Jensen on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jensen_dover_

#ankylosingspondylitis #chronicillness #wellness

In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, Erin Hatch shares her experience living with trichotillomania, anxiety, and control-related coping behaviors, and how these patterns began in childhood and have continued into adulthood.

Erin opens up about growing up in an environment marked by instability and unpredictability, and how those early experiences shaped the way she processes stress, anxiety, and the need for control. She shares how trichotillomania, often misunderstood as “just a habit,” is actually a deeply rooted coping behavior tied to the nervous system and emotional regulation.

We talk about the reality of living with something that many people silently struggle with, the shame and misunderstanding that can come with it, and what it looks like to build awareness, self-compassion, and healthier ways of coping.

This is an honest and vulnerable conversation for anyone who has struggled with anxiety, control, or behaviors they don’t fully understand.

In this episode of The Checkered Jaguar, Jacob Hatch shares his personal experience living with OCD, panic attacks, and anxiety, and what it was like to go years without fully realizing what he was experiencing was actually Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Jacob opens up about how his symptoms first began, how OCD showed up in different ways throughout his life, and the emotional toll of living in a constant state of fear, uncertainty, and overwhelm. We also talk about how trauma can shape the way anxiety and control show up in adulthood, and what it looks like to finally gain language for something that once felt impossible to explain.

This is an honest, vulnerable, and eye-opening conversation for anyone who has ever struggled with anxiety, panic attacks, or mental health challenges that felt bigger than they could fully understand.

#ocd #mentalhealth #anxiety

In this deeply honest episode of The Checkered Jaguar, Brescia Dover sits down with her mom, Susie Dover, to explore mental health through a perspective that is rarely talked about—the parent’s.

As both Brescia and one of her brothers navigated serious mental health challenges growing up, Susie had to learn how to support her children while also protecting her own well-being.

Together, they share the emotional realities of parenting through mental illness, the lessons their family learned along the way, and how these experiences ultimately turned them into mental health advocates.

This conversation offers hope, understanding, and practical insights for parents who may feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure how to support a struggling child.

Topics include:
• Recognizing mental health struggles in children
• How parents can offer support without losing themselves
• The emotional toll on families navigating mental illness
• Communication, compassion, and resilience
• Finding hope even in the hardest seasons

If you are a parent walking alongside a child who is struggling, this episode will remind you that you are not alone.

Reach out to Susie on Instagram:

@suzy_dover

Reach out to Susie via email:

[email protected]

In this solo episode of The Checkered Jaguar, Brescia dives into an honest, vulnerable conversation about self-love, dating, and why choosing the right life partner matters more than ever — especially on the eve of Valentine’s Day.

This episode goes beyond surface-level self-care and explores the deeper truth: self-love is discernment. It’s the courage to honor your non-negotiables, to walk away from connections that don’t align, and to trust yourself even when something feels “good” but not right.

Brescia opens up about her recent experience getting on dating apps, navigating first dates, etc. She also unpacks how women often belittle themselves in dating, settle out of fear, or confuse chemistry with compatibility.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re being “too picky,” struggled with walking away, or felt pressure to find love at the expense of your peace — this episode is for you.

This is a reminder that you are allowed to be selective, that love should feel safe and aligned, and that choosing your future partner is a decision that impacts every part of your life.

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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to connect.
You can find me on Instagram at:

@Brescia.Dover

https://www.instagram.com/brescia.dover/?hl=en

where I share more honest conversations around self-love, dating, healing, and choosing yourself — even when it’s hard.

And if this episode helped you feel seen, grounded, or a little less alone, please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. It truly helps The Checkered Jaguar reach the people who need these conversations most.

CheckeredJaguar.com

#SelfLoveJourney #ModernDating

In this episode, I’m sharing the real, behind-the-scenes lessons I’ve learned as an entrepreneur and marketing agency owner while building The Checkered Jaguar. From navigating unexpected roadblocks to refining systems, boundaries, and client relationships, this episode is a candid look at what it actually takes to run a boutique marketing agency.

I break down the challenges that don’t get talked about enough — including scaling struggles, mindset shifts, and learning how to operate like a CEO instead of a freelancer. Whether you’re starting a marketing agency, running a creative business, or looking to scale sustainably, this episode offers practical tips, honest reflections, and lessons learned along the way.

If you’re a marketing agency owner, creative entrepreneur, videographer, social media manager, or service-based business owner, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes, build stronger systems, and grow a business that actually supports your life — not just your workload.

Learn more about The Checkered Jaguar:

CheckeredJaguar.com

https://www.instagram.com/checkeredjaguar/