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Don't like slowing down? Signs of the flight trauma response and how to get out

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If you have perfectionist tendencies and you’re the kind of high achieving person who usually chooses checking one more thing off your to-do list over rest, this might surprise you…

That’s a sign of the “flight” trauma response (aka you’re stuck in survival mode)!

A trauma response happens any time you encounter more stress than you can process in the moment. Since life has a lot of stressors and the norm is to keep them all bottled up, everyone can relate to at least one of the 4 (flight, fig…

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Easily frustrated with others or yourself? Signs you're in survival mode and how to get out.

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If you tend to get easily frustrated by others or yourself and if things like someone cutting you off in traffic feels like a personal insult that’s hard to let go, this may surprise you…

That’s a sign of the “fight” trauma response (aka you’re stuck in survival mode)!

A trauma response happens any time you encounter more stress than you can process in the moment. Soooo, everyone can relate to at least one - check out my last post for signs of the others: flight, fawn, and freeze.

Basically, …

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Feeling lazy? Signs you're in survival mode and how to get out.

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If you feel like you’re lazy and the idea of spending hours on end watching tv or playing video games, eating comfort food, and not having to interact with a single human sounds like the best thing ever, this may surprise you…

That’s a sign of the “freeze” trauma response (aka you’re stuck in survival mode)!

A trauma response happens any time you encounter more stress than you can process in the moment. Soooo really everyone can relate to at least one of the 4 F’s - flight, fight, fawn, or fre…

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Feel bad saying "no"? Signs You're In Survival Mode + How To Get Out

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If you tend to say “yes” to things (because you feel bad saying “no” and like helping out) even though it makes you feel overwhelmed or resentful, this may surprise you…

That’s a sign of the “fawn” trauma response (aka you’re stuck in survival mode)!

A trauma response happens any time you encounter more stress than you can process in the moment. Soooo really everyone can relate to at least one of the 4 F’s (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn).

Basically, your brain has decided that the fawn respo…

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How To Keep Eating Healthy Even When Life Gets Busy and Stressful (Easy 5 Minute Lunch Idea Included!)

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Easy, healthy, and delicious is my jam.


I like yummy food that leaves me feeling strong, satisfied, lean, and energized throughout the day. Really, who doesn’t?


When my life gets stressful and busy, I keep eating the same nourishing food I always eat because it’s quick and doable for my lifestyle. 


If your healthy habits tend to disappear when life gets busy (or you’re putting off eating “better” until you have more time), that tells me that at least one of these is true:

  1. You have a …

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Why I Stopped Drinking Without Intending To Stop Drinking

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Today I thought I'd share why I stopped drinking without intending to stop drinking…

Note: I haven’t labeled myself as someone who “doesn’t drink” (why create that box?). I just always choose not to. 

Backstory: Alcohol used to be a big part of my life. Not in an overly reliant way, but it was one of my favorite ways to do something fun. I loved hanging out a brewery enjoying a delicious IPA while laughing with friends, I’ve enjoyed wine tastings throughout the world and love the feeling of ha…

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Ep. 65 | When Doing Big Scary Things Leads To Zero Regrets with Hannah Knight

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In the span of a few weeks, Hannah called off her engagement, moved out of the home she loved, packed up her Subaru, and went on a solo 6 week cross country road trip to hike in National Parks and to start living the life she wanted instead of continuing down the "easier" path everyone expected. 

The week leading up to the trip she felt "so anxious...terrified". 6 weeks later as she finished her trip, she thought "This is 100% what I should have done. I regret nothing."
Listen to the episo…

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Ep. 64 | Compassion, Curiosity, and Connection: The 3 C's For Creating Positive Change + Living A Fulfilling Life


Welcome to the "Life Boost with a Amelia" podcast, where we're changing the narrative around what true health and success look like. They should give you energy, not drain it. I'm your host, Dr. Amelia, a multi-passionate integrative health and life coach, entrepreneur, and recovered burnout veterinarian. Together, we'll explore the science behind how your brain and body work, including the unconscious mind, while also connecting with what your heart needs in order to stand up to the norm of…

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Are You Being Honest About What You Want?

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The 5 Freedoms Revisited – An Epilogue (Part 2): Freedom From Want

By Dr. Amelia Knight Pinkston

The high burnout and suicide rate in the veterinary profession cannot be our norm, and it doesn’t have to be. Dr. Don DeForge’s article “The Veterinary 5 Freedoms” was inspired from a speech designed to rally change for “a world attainable in our own time and generation”. Change is possible starting now – today. As a profession we need to be asking, “what specifically needs to change to foster a su…

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What Is Integrative Change Work?

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One of the techniques I use in my coaching is integrative change work. If you see “integrative change work” and think “🤷‍♀️🤔....?”, that was totally my reaction before becoming certified. It’s not a term you hear every day…although it should be! Just like how we’re going to look back in 10 years and be very embarrassed by how much we ignored gut health, this is going to become VERY popular in the future. 

Have you ever watched a movie that is so well done that by the end you feel like it has …

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