In this episode, Dr. Ali Novitsky, triple-boarded physician, Master Coach, and founder of The FIT Collective, continues her deep exploration of stress — this time focusing on how different stress types influence relationships, team dynamics, and emotional regulation.

Dr. Ali revisits the origins of her company, MindBodyMarriage, as she lays the groundwork for a series on how stress types interact in pairs, families, and professional teams.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Why Stress Types Matter in Relationships

Dr. Ali explains that interactions between stress types can be complex and deeply influential. By understanding:

• What each type does when stressed, and

• What each type contributes when regulated,

We can accurately predict team behavior, decrease conflict, and strengthen relationships. This awareness becomes essential when multiple people—and multiple stress types—interact at once

2. A Review of The Six Stress Types:

Assertive – Stressed: takes over; Regulated: decisive leader.

Isolation – Stressed: avoids vulnerability; Regulated: productive, independent.

Control – Stressed: rigid, inflexible; Regulated: organized, structured.

Validation – Stressed: seeks reassurance; Regulated: creates harmony.

Impulsivity – Stressed: reacts quickly; Regulated: creative, executes well.

Catastrophizing – Stressed: fears worst-case; Regulated: strong problem-solver.

3. Real-Life Application: Team Dynamics

Dr. Ali illustrates a medical code scenario with two possible outcomes:

Dysregulated Team

• Assertive type takes over abruptly

• Isolation type withdraws

• Control type panics over broken expectations

• Validation type doubts themselves

• Impulsive type fires off ideas without follow-through

• Catastrophizing type spirals into worst-case thinking

The team technically achieves the outcome—but experiences burnout, fear, and dysfunction.

Regulated Team

• Assertive type leads with clarity

• Isolation type stays focused and productive

• Control type keeps structure

• Validation type creates calm

• Impulsive type supports with creativity

• Catastrophizing type anticipates needs and supports problem solving

Same patient outcome—entirely different team experience.

Dr. Ali emphasizes that true success includes psychological safety, teamwork, and emotional regulation.

3. The “Leaky Valve” Analogy

Dr. Ali introduces the concept of a leaky emotional valve:

When we are chronically dysregulated, stress “leaks” into every system in our lives—relationships, work, communication, and health. Regulation closes the valve, making all downstream healing easier.

Takeaways

• Understanding your stress type increases self-awareness and compassion.

• Daily regulation practice—not occasional effort—is necessary for real change.

• Healthy teams are built on regulation, not perfection.

• You can always choose to become the “regulated member” of your team.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & why this series matters

00:27 – MindBody Marriage → The FIT Collective

00:38 – Stress & relationships: the “relationship matrix”

02:03 – Different stress scenarios in relationships and teams

02:24 – Overview of the 6 stress types

05:06 – Assertive stress type

06:11 – Isolation stress type

07:09 – Control stress type

08:51 – Impulsivity stress type

10:06 – Catastrophizing stress type

11:22 – Validation stress type

12:22 – Dysregulated team code scenario

18:29 – Regulated team code scenario

26:01 – How do we measure team success?

27:29 – Why whole-team training and daily regulation matter

28:43 – Transform 10 & the leaky valve

29:26 – Private coaching with The FIT Collective

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