You know the strategies. You've taken the courses, joined the masterminds, and understand the frameworks. So why does your body still feel like it's standing on the edge of a cliff every time you make a money decision? In this powerful episode, Jennifer Damaskos reveals the hidden force driving almost every financial choice you make—your nervous system. Most high-performing women don't have a strategy problem; they have a nervous system that's still operating in "what if it all falls apart" mode. And when your internal alarm system is running the show, even the best financial plan becomes a white-knuckle ride. Jennifer breaks down the science behind why stress literally changes how your brain makes decisions, introduces three common wealth nervous system types, and shares a practical three-step check-in you can use before any money decision. This isn't just mindset work—it's brain maintenance that lets strategy flow from safety instead of panic.

Key Topics & Timestamps [00:00:00] - Introduction: Your Nervous System as CFOWhy self-trust, not strategy, is the missing piece in your wealth-building [00:01:00] - The Strategy ParadoxWhy knowing the "right" moves doesn't stop the anxiety, restlessness, or freeze response [00:02:00] - The Biology of Money StressHow stress shuts down your prefrontal cortex and activates fear-based decision making [00:04:00] - Defining Wealth SafetyThe felt sense of "I can hold what I have and handle what comes" without burning out [00:06:00] - Safety vs. StrategyWhy you need both—and how to let strategy serve your safety instead of building on panic [00:07:00] - Three Wealth Nervous System Types

• The Over-Earner, Under-Receiver
• The Financial Chameleon
• The Invisible Stabilizer

[00:09:00] - The Three-Step Wealth Safety Check-InA practical framework for making decisions from regulation, not reaction [00:12:00] - Your Reflection PracticeOne micro-adjustment to signal safety in pricing, saving, investing, spending, or giving [00:13:00] - Final ThoughtsWhen your system feels safer, you don't need the perfect strategy—you become a better strategist

Powerful Quotes from This Episode "You don't just have wealth strategies. You have a wealth nervous system. And whether you like it or not, that is your real CFO." "Most of the women I coach do not have a strategy problem. Your body is still in 'what if it all falls apart' mode." "Strategy without safety is like driving a high-performance car with no brakes. It's fast, it's impressive, and it's one unexpected turn away from a crash." "When your system doesn't feel safe with money, you're not irrational or bad with money. Your brain is simply trying to function under pressure." "What would I choose if I already trusted myself with money?" Key Takeaways ✅ Your nervous system, not your knowledge, drives most money decisions✅ Stress literally changes brain function—the prefrontal cortex goes offline while fear centers get louder✅ Wealth safety isn't just a number; it's a felt sense of capacity and trust✅ Three nervous system types: Over-Earner/Under-Receiver, Financial Chameleon, Invisible Stabilizer✅ The 3-step check-in: Pause the story/feel the body → Name the state → Choose from regulation✅ One micro-adjustment in one area can begin to rewire your wealth nervous system This Week's Reflection Pick ONE area: pricing, saving, investing, spending, or giving. Ask yourself:

• What does my body believe is safe here?
• What does it believe is dangerous?
• What is one micro-adjustment that would signal we're safer now?

Choose one shift that feels meaningful but doable. Maybe it's creating a small emergency buffer, finally raising your rates, saying no to one misaligned ask, or deciding "I don't chase clients, I invite them." Ready to Go Deeper? If you're realizing you don't just need a better financial plan—you need a calmer internal operating system—this is exactly the work we do inside the 5-Day Wealth Activation. We blend nervous system work, identity work, and strategy so your next level of income doesn't require your next level of burnout. 👉 Start the 5-Day Wealth Activation Today Connect with Jennifer 🎙️ Podcast: Unapologetically In Power 🌐 Website: jennifer-damaskos.mykajabi.com 📸 Instagram: @unapologeticallyinpower This is Unapologetically In Power—the show for high-performing women who are done proving their worth and ready to build wealth from self-trust instead of self-sacrifice. Lead with ease. Earn in alignment. And let your nervous system retire as your emergency-only CFO.