Why rest can feel unsafe—even when you’re exhaustedHigh achievers aren’t lazy.They’re often stuck in survival mode.In this conversation, Helen Garcia and Lauren DeVera unpack the psychology behind nonstop productivity, burnout, and nervous system dysregulation—and why so many driven, capable people feel productive yet disconnected. In this episode, you'll learn -

• 🧠 Why productivity can become a stress or trauma response
• 🧠 How chronic overdrive impacts mental health and clarity
• 🧠 Why slowing down actually increases focus, capacity, and performance
• 🧠 How embodiment and movement support nervous system regulation
• 🧠 What sustainable growth really looks like for high achieversIf you feel like you can’t stop — even when you’re burned out — this conversation will help you understand why, and where to begin.

👇 Stop forcing. Start listening.🌿 Support & Resources — Helen Garcia (The Sincere Practice)

• Website:https://www.sincerepractice.com
• Free 2-Minute Calm Reset (nervous system relief):https://www.sincerepractice.com/free-calm-reset
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thehelengarcia/
• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehelengarcia/🦁

Movement & Embodiment — Lauren DeVera (The Lion’s Den)

• Lauren DeVera:https://www.lauren-devera.com
• The Lion’s Den Classes & Community:https://www.lauren-devera.com/tldschedule
• Instagram — Lauren DeVera:https://www.instagram.com/thelaurendevera/
• Instagram — The Lion’s Den:https://www.instagram.com/thelionsdendmv/
• Lauren + Helen Interview  @yellowchaircollective  : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqeu5knYKF0

We often move too quickly through life, preventing us from truly hearing ourselves. This episode invites you to slow down and explore what shapes your inner world, rather than just managing symptoms. It's a journey into self discovery where we gently examine feelings of fear and regret, and how peace can sometimes feel unsettling, especially when dealing with anxiety. In this episode, we explore:

• Why “trying harder” often keeps you stuck
• How outsourcing self-trust delays your life
• The subtle ways productivity can become emotional avoidance
• Why calm can feel unsettling when intensity has been your baseline
• How protective roles shape identity—and limit growth
• What actually creates lasting emotional change

• Where am I waiting for permission I may never receive?
• What emotion might I have to feel if I truly went after what I want?
• Which protective role am I afraid to loosen?
• What would it feel like to let calm be unfamiliar, not wrong?

If you’ve ever felt close to what you want—but unable to reach it—this conversation is for you.Reflection questions to sit with:Resources & SupportLearn more or explore support at https://www.sincerepractice.com

If this episode resonated, consider sharing it with someone who might need it—and take a moment to leave a review. It helps this work reach the people it’s meant for. Thank you for being here.

Healing is supposed to make you *better*, right? So why does it feel like you’re getting worse—less productive, more emotional, more messy? Because most of us start healing with a hidden agenda:“I’ll heal my anxiety and finally become the calm, perfect, unstoppable version of me.”But when the work actually starts… your old “fuel” gets taken away.High-functioning anxiety. Perfectionism. People-pleasing. Proving yourself.They worked—but they burned you out.So the beginning of healing can feel like failure.Not because you’re broken… but because you’re in the **refuel phase**.Like renovating a house: it looks worse before it’s rebuilt. Dust. Holes in the wall. Chaos.If you feel like you’re “falling apart,” it might be the best sign yet:You’re finally safe enough to.And falling apart is often the first step to coming together in a way that’s actually real.Want support through the messy middle?Work with Helen + the team at Sincere Practice → www.sincerepractice.com#healing #therapy #mentalhealth #anxiety #perfectionism #peoplepleasing #selfworth #boundaries #grief #psychology

Prompted by a recent family health scare, a psychotherapist shares reflections on life’s unpredictable timeline—and what it teaches us about grief. The experience reframes new years resolutions, the American work ethic, and the pressure to “keep going,” offering grounded insights from psychology.In this video, Helen breaks down what grief actually looks like in real life: the anxiety, the waves of sadness, the numbness, the guilt, and the quiet moments that don’t fit anyone’s timeline. You’ll learn why grief can show up in your relationships, your motivation, your body, and your sense of identity—and how to respond with more compassion instead of self-judgment.If you’re carrying loss, feeling behind, or trying to force yourself into a “fresh start,” this is for you. This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about making room for what’s true—and taking one honest step toward a real healing journey through therapy.Watch if you’re struggling with:- grief that doesn’t make sense yet- anxiety + racing thoughts after hard news- new years resolutions that feel impossible- tension or distance in relationships- the pressure to “be productive” while hurtingWork with Helen: www.sincerepractice.com

Ever wonder how to truly embrace your multifaceted self instead of just one version? This discussion explores the human voice as a vessel for truth, questioning societal pressures and encouraging genuine "self expression". Discover how honoring your full identity is key to "personal development" and maintaining strong "mental health". It's about finding your authentic voice and learning "how to be authentic" in a world that often asks you to pick a lane.

We dive deep into the "sincere practice" of maintaining a multi-hyphenate identity in a world that pressures us to simplify ourselves. Whether you are navigating a career change, balancing multiple passions, or looking for inspiration on how to be your most authentic self, Xochitl’s journey offers a masterclass in living without limits.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey

00:55 The Intersection of Music and Journalism

02:45 Cultural Identity and Storytelling

03:36 Navigating Career Choices and Faith

05:26 The Pressure of Perfectionism

07:38 The Political Landscape and Personal Identity

10:23 Embracing Multiculturalism in Art

13:07 The Importance of Representation

15:55 Understanding the Political Nature of Identity

18:40 The Emotional Toll of Performance

21:30 Lessons from Live Performance

25:00 The Pursuit of Perfection in Performance

29:05 Navigating Perfectionism and Self-Compassion

31:27 Faith as a Foundation in the Face of Challenges

36:10 Understanding Calling vs. Job

41:44 Embracing Multi-Hyphenate Identities

46:00 Confronting Conformity and Embracing Authenticity

Follow Xochitl’s journey:

Website: xochitlshernandez.com

Instagram: @xochimilcatv

Ever felt like you're battling writer's block or finding it hard to get started? This video explains why `creativity` sometimes feels impossible, using a famous writer's journey.It's not about laziness or a lack of ideas; it's about understanding and overcoming the internal resistance. Learn how to stop procrastinating and find your inner motivation for greater productivity in your writing endeavors.

Struggling to create? It might not be laziness, but burnout. Your nervous system is protecting you from performance. Learn 3 ways to make creating safe again & break the cycle. Tell me what happened! Chapter Timestamps:

0:00 - The Burnout Nobody Talks About1:30 - What I Discovered About My Creative Block3:15 - 3 Steps to Climb Out of Creative Burnout

Stay in touch: https://bio.site/helengarcia#CreativeBurnout #NervousSystem #CreativeHealing #authenticity

In this conversation, Matthew Bliss discusses the intersection of creativity and risk in podcasting, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, philosophical thinking, and the challenges of conventional wisdom in the industry. He shares insights on how to flourish creatively, the significance of building others' brands, and the balance between chaos and strategy in podcasting. Matthew encourages podcasters to embrace vulnerability and self-validation as they navigate their creative journeys.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Risk

05:45 Challenging Conventional Wisdom in Podcasting

11:45 The Intersection of Philosophy and Podcasting

17:55 Flourishing in the Creative Process

23:29 Building a Business in Podcasting

29:41 Embracing Vulnerability and Risk

35:27 Chaos vs. Strategy in Podcasting

Matthew's Podcast Website: https://rethinkingpodcasting.com/

Follow Helen's Work: https://bio.site/helengarcia

I get pretty vulnerable in this episode. It’s an open, honest look at all the rebrands, mistakes, and wrong turns I’ve made in podcasting—basically, the stuff we usually try to hide. But the funny thing is, when I was spiraling about it, my friend Matthew just smiled and said, “These aren’t failures… they’re snapshots of your growth. Happy reinventions.”

And honestly, that shifted everything for me.

Follow Matthew's WorkWebsite: https://rethinkingpodcasting.com/

Listen on Matthew's Podcast: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2d35b2d9-cce8-4f09-99a5-dd46589acf91/

Follow Helen's Work: https://bio.site/helengarcia

In this episode, Helen explores the intertwined journey as both a creator and a therapist. She reflects on her personal experiences with burnout, the blending of her identities, and the importance of honesty in the process of reinvention. Through her narrative, she emphasizes that transformation is not a linear path but a layered experience that reveals one's true self.

Newsletter: https://sincerepractice.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehelengarcia/

Time Stamps

00:00 The Journey of Transformation

02:48 Burnout and Breakthrough

06:01 The Evolution of Identity

08:40 Reinvention and Choices