What if anxiety wasn't a flaw, but a signal? In this solo episode, Darin peels back the layers on a topic that affects every one of us: anxiety. But instead of treating it as something to suppress or escape from, Darin offers a bold new perspective — anxiety is your body's cry for balance in an overstimulated world. From breathwork and food to sunlight, grounding, and mindset, this episode explores practical and biological ways to stop reacting and start responding with awareness.

With science-backed tools and soul-level wisdom, Darin invites you to reclaim your nervous system and transform daily stress into a signal for deeper connection and healing.

🔍 What You'll Learn (with Timestamps)

00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife + Sponsor: Thera Sage's PEMF & Red Light Mat 02:17 – Why anxiety is not "just mental health" – it's a systems overload 04:53 – How society's inputs (EMFs, plastics, social media) keep us anxious 05:50 – What's happening in your brain: amygdala vs. prefrontal cortex 06:49 – Your body wants to heal — you just need to listen 07:22 – You can't outthink anxiety, but you can breathe through it 08:34 – Gut health, serotonin, and processed foods: the anxiety connection 10:32 – Caffeine, cortisol, and why your digestion matters 13:24 – Grounding, magnesium, and nutrient gaps that fuel anxiety 15:23 – Somatics: using body awareness to decode anxiety 16:53 – Your SuperLife challenge: 3-minute breathwork before phone 17:47 – Circadian eating, better sleep, and stacking daily wins 18:38 – You are not broken: this is a systems issue 19:45 – Build your life, don't just manage symptoms 20:47 – Why anxiety and gratitude can't coexist

Bibliography: "Anxiety is Not You: Reclaiming Calm in a Chaotic World" 🧠 Neuroscience & Biology of Anxiety

1. LeDoux, J. (2015). Anxious: Using the Brain to Understand and Treat Fear and Anxiety. Viking. A foundational neuroscience text on how the amygdala and prefrontal cortex are involved in anxiety and fear pathways.

2. Shin, L. M., & Liberzon, I. (2010). "The neurocircuitry of fear, stress, and anxiety disorders." Neuropsychopharmacology, 35(1), 169–191. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2009.83 Examines the roles of the HPA axis, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex in anxiety.

3. Porges, S. W. (2007). "The Polyvagal Perspective." Biological Psychology, 74(2), 116–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.06.009 Introduces the Polyvagal Theory, explaining how vagus nerve regulation can modulate anxiety responses.

4. Lupien, S. J., et al. (2009). "Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition." Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 434–445. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2639 Describes how chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation impact the brain and cognition.

🦠 Gut-Brain Axis & Nutrition

1. Foster, J. A., & Neufeld, K. M. (2013). "Gut–brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression." Trends in Neurosciences, 36(5), 305–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005 Demonstrates the microbiome's role in emotional regulation and serotonin production.

2. Slykerman, R. F., et al. (2017). "Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in Pregnancy on Postpartum Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety." EBioMedicine, 24, 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.09.013 Clinical study on probiotics reducing postpartum anxiety symptoms.

3. Selhub, E. M., & Logan, A. C. (2012). Your Brain on Nature: The Science of Nature's Influence on Your Health, Happiness and Vitality. Wiley. Connects time in nature with reduced anxiety and improved mental health.

🧘‍♂️ Breathwork, Vagus Nerve & Somatics

1. Noble, D. J., & Hochman, S. (2019). "Hypothesis: Pulmonary Afferent Activity Patterns During Slow, Deep Breathing Contribute to the Neural Induction of Physiological Relaxation." Frontiers in Physiology, 10, 1176. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.01176 Shows how slow breathing reduces sympathetic nervous system activity.

2. Sears, R. W., & Kraus, S. (2009). "I think therefore I fidget: Anxiety and somatic markers." Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 32(6), 468–469. On the link between anxiety and somatic dysregulation.

3. Bessel van der Kolk (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.

🧪 Functional Medicine & Testing

1. Vora, E. (2022). The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body's Fear Response. HarperOne.

Dr. Ellen Vora's integrative psychiatry approach, including nutrition, sleep, and blood sugar as anxiety foundations.

1. LaChance, L. R., & Ramsey, D. (2018). "Antidepressant foods: An evidence-based nutrient profiling system for depression." World Journal of Psychiatry, 8(3), 97–104. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v8.i3.97

Identifies foods rich in nutrients that reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.

1. Lakhan, S. E., & Vieira, K. F. (2008). "Nutritional therapies for mental disorders." Nutrition Journal, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-7-2

Overview of nutritional supplements shown to affect mood and anxiety.

🌍 Environmental & Lifestyle Triggers

1. Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). "Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food." https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626

Discusses the impact of food, gut health, and inflammation on mental states.

1. Environmental Working Group (EWG). "Toxic Twelve Chemicals and Health." https://www.ewg.org/research/dirty-dozen-endocrine-disruptors

Links between synthetic chemicals in daily life and hormone imbalances affecting mood.

🎤 Guest Experts Quoted

• Dr. Andrew Huberman – Neuroscientist, Huberman Lab Podcast Source: "Tools for Managing Stress and Anxiety" – Huberman Lab Episode #10 https://hubermanlab.com/tools-for-managing-stress-and-anxiety/

• Dr. Ellen Vora – Holistic Psychiatrist, Author of The Anatomy of Anxiety Interview: The Doctor's Farmacy Podcast with Mark Hyman https://drhyman.com/blog/2022/03/23/podcast-ep250/

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off

• Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order.

Find More from Darin Olien:

• Website: darinolien.com

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

🔑 Key Takeaway:

"Life doesn't give us meaning. We give life meaning. And pain? It's not punishment — it's a sacred teacher. Your soul knows the way… if you can get quiet enough to listen."