Grief and Fear: Why Loss Can Make Everything Feel Overwhelming with guest, Cori Myka

If grief has left you feeling anxious, fearful, or overwhelmed, you're not alone. Loss can shake your sense of safety and make even small decisions feel heavy. In this episode (25) of The GRIEF Ladies Podcast, Kelly Daugherty and Karyn Arnold are joined by Cori Myka to explore why grief often triggers fear and how overwhelm impacts your nervous system. Using powerful insights drawn from swimming, Cori explains how we can build internal trust, tolerate emotional waves, and take small, steady steps forward. In this conversation, we discuss: Why grief can heighten fear and anxiety How overwhelm shows up in the body Building internal trust after loss Celebrating small wins in early and ongoing grief Mindfulness and grounding tools to help you feel steadier This episode connects to the Evolving trail marker in our G.R.I.E.F. Framework — focusing on working through roadblock emotions like fear while honoring the person who died through storytelling and continued connection. If you've felt stuck, scared, or unsure how to move forward after loss, this episode offers validation and practical strategies you can begin using right away. Guest Bio: Cori Myka is the founder of Calm Within Adult Swim, with over 25 years of experience in adult swim education. She specializes in helping adults overcome their fear of water through a unique blend of mental and physical training techniques. Her mission is to empower individuals to become confident swimmers and embrace personal growth by working with students and certifying instructors. Connect with Cori Myka/Calm Within Adult Swim Social Links: https://www.facebook.com/cori.myka https://www.youtube.com/@adultswimlesson https://adultswimlesson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/calmwithinadultswim https://www.instagram.com/calmwithinadultswim https://orcaswimschool.com/ https://www.facebook.com/OrcaSwimSchool https://www.instagram.com/orcaswimsch https://twitter.com/OrcaSwimSch https://twitter.com/adultswimlesson https://www.linkedin.com/company/orcaswimschool Promo Links: 3-day Immersive Adult Swim Course. Check this link for the dates and locations: https://lts.adultswimlesson.com/swimming-retreat?ck_subscriber_id=2313550880 GRIEF Ladies: Your Guide to What Comes Next If you're ready to move forward without moving on—this show is for you. 🎧 Follow and connect: https://www.griefladies.com/ Kelly Daugherty: https://www.kellydaugherty.com/ Karyn Arnold: https://www.griefincommon.com/ Stay up to date with all the latest information about The GRIEF Ladies- Sign up for our newsletter at: www.griefladies.com Join the FREE, Private Facebook GRIEF Ladies Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WuZNsNGu/ The GRIEF Ladies podcast offers education and support for people living with grief after someone they love has died. Our content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or crisis services. If you are in crisis or concerned about your safety, call 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services.