109. Navigating the Storm: Kendra Fisher's Journey from Anxiety to Empowerment

Hey Everyone! Welcome back. Today on Anxiety Rx Podcast I talk with former ice hockey goaltender and mental health advocate Kendra Fisher. We share our personal battles with anxiety and the paths we've taken toward healing. Kendra opens up about how a car accident intensified her anxiety, leading her to seek various treatments and eventually find solace in somatic therapies. As a clinical neuroscientist, I discuss the limitations of traditional cognitive therapies and emphasize the importance of addressing the physiological roots of anxiety. Together, we highlight the significance of community, resilience, and embracing vulnerability in managing mental health. Our conversation offers hope and practical insights for those struggling with anxiety, I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX You can find Kendra on most social platforms as @kfisher30 ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction to the Podcast 0:42 Kendra's Background 2:19 Car Accident Impact 3:09 Struggles with Anxiety 4:00 Team Canada Tryouts 5:33 The Illusion of Success 6:49 Journey to Diagnosis 8:13 Learning to Cope 10:14 Accountability in Support 10:56 The Tactical Advantage of Anxiety 12:23 Navigating Grief and Loss 19:09 Surrendering Control 21:12 The Role of Hockey 23:12 Kendra's Struggle with Anxiety 23:27 Vulnerability and Acceptance 24:03 The Illusion of Quick Fixes 25:04 Familiarity and Security 26:13 Coping Strategies and Their Consequences 27:17 Embracing Anxiety 28:16 Childhood Trauma and Healing 29:42 Physiological Responses to Anxiety 32:41 The Role of the Amygdala 33:59 Healing Through Understanding 34:01 Neurobiological Wiring of Anxiety 34:25 Exposure Therapy Insights 35:15 Virtual Reality in Therapy 36:41 Tangible Healing Methods 38:18 Somatic Experience and Release 38:25 Feeling Structure vs. Cognitive Strategies 42:27 Rewriting Childhood Narratives 44:21 The Role of Responsibility in Healing 45:14 Critique of Cognitive Therapy 46:05 Personal Experience with Grief 48:13 Processing Grief and Anxiety 49:12 Adversity and Resilience 50:33 Fear vs. Anxiety 51:39 Value of Suffering 52:39 Avoidance in Coping 56:32 Creating Safe Spaces 57:02 The Importance of Community 58:42 Support vs. Fixing 59:32 Finding Kendra Fisher