172. Helping High-Functioning Anxiety Through Somatic Healing with Special Guest Rachel Friedman

Host Jason Zuk welcomes Rachel Friedman, MSW, longtime yoga teacher with over 500 hours of training, and founder of the Somatic Coach School, for an insightful conversation about helping people with high-functioning anxiety move beyond overthinking through body-based (somatic) healing. Rachel shares her personal journey with anxiety, including growing up with achievement pressure and becoming disconnected from her body as a competitive gymnast. She explains how discovering yoga transformed her relationship with anxiety by teaching her to reconnect with her body, tolerate discomfort, and develop greater self-awareness. Together, Jason and Rachel explore how anxiety can serve as a valuable "check engine light" rather than an enemy to fight. Rachel introduces the different nervous system states including sympathetic activation, dorsal shutdown, and ventral regulation and explains how learning to recognize these patterns helps people better understand their emotional experiences. The conversation also dives into somatic inquiry, demonstrating how paying attention to physical sensations can uncover unmet needs, clarify personal boundaries, and promote lasting emotional resilience. Rachel concludes the episode by leading listeners through a calming guided meditation focused on breath, sensory awareness, self-compassion, and gently bringing attention to areas of physical tension. She also shares information about her coaching programs, retreats, and educational resources. 00:00 – Introduction 02:11 – Rachel's Personal Journey with Anxiety 09:43 – Understanding the Nervous System 11:05 – The Body as Wisdom: Somatic Healing Explained 18:56 – Guided Somatic Meditation 26:09 – Closing Thoughts & Resources Connect with Rachel Friedman: Learn more about Rachel's work, somatic coaching programs, retreats, and educational resources through her official platforms. You can connect with Rachel Friedman here: Instagram: @rachelbfriedmanWebsite / Soma School: somapwr.comSoma Power Yoga: somapoweryoga.comFacebook: Rachel Goldberg Friedman / @1rachelbfriedman Rachel’s earlier coaching work appears under Rachel Beth Coaching and Yoga, but her current branding appears centered around The Soma School, SomaPWR, and Soma Power Yoga. I’d avoid saying “Beyond the Mat” unless Rachel specifically wants that included, because her current public links point more clearly to SomaPWR/Soma School. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices