In this episode, we explore the science and lived reality of allostatic load—the cumulative cost of being in survival mode for too long. Drawing on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Bruce McEwen, we break down what allostasis means, how your body adapts to stress, and what happens when there’s no chance to recover.

You’ll learn:

• Why stress itself isn’t harmful—but the lack of recovery is
• The difference between everyday stress and long-term biological overload
• How energy balance explains fatigue, burnout, and chronic illness
• The two types of allostatic overload: depletion vs. chronic overdrive
• Why many “wellness” routines can actually increase stress and make healing harder

With science, soul, and personal storytelling, this episode invites you to rethink what’s really going on when your body starts to break down and how it might be trying to protect you, not punish you.