Mastering Nervous System Regulation To Balance Burnout with Amber Humphrey

Are you a high-achiever stuck in constant “fight or flight”? From running a business to managing a household, today’s leaders operate under relentless pressure. In this episode of the Will Power Project, host Will Humphreys sits down with Amber Humphrey—Occupational Therapist, Reiki practitioner, and owner of Open Door Pediatric Therapy—live from Growth Code.Amber shares her journey from severe burnout to healing through nervous system regulation. She explains the science of the vagus nerve, how teams “borrow” a leader’s emotional state through co-regulation, and simple 30-second tools to shift from stress to clarity.Key TakeawaysThe Four Pillars of Dysregulation: Understand how stress manifests as Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn (people-pleasing) and how to recognize these in your leadership style.The Vagus Nerve: Learn why this "wandering nerve" is the secret to resilience and how to improve your "vagal tone" just like a muscle.Co-Regulation: Why your employees and children mirror your internal state—and how being a regulated leader creates a regulated team.Ancient Wisdom vs. Western Medicine: Exploring the intersection of somatic healing, Reiki, and the physiological evidence supporting "woo-woo" practices.The "I Am" Power: Why your words are "spells" and how changing your internal narrative can physically shift your health.Quick Regulation ToolsThe 4-7-8 Breath: Inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8 to signal safety to the brain.The Diver’s Reflex: Using cold water or an ice pack on the chest to instantly lower a racing heart rate.Vagal Eye Movements: Looking to the far left or right for 30 seconds to trigger a reflexive yawn (a sign of down-regulation).Butterfly Tapping: A bilateral stimulation technique to integrate the left and right hemispheres of the brain during high stress.Humming/Voo Breathing: Stimulating the vocal cords to vibrate the Vagus nerve and clear "blockages."Connect with Amber HumphreyOpen Door Pediatric TherapyWebsite: www.opendoorpt.comInstagram/Facebook: @opendoorptLight Beyond The AshesInstagram/TikTok: @lightbeyondtheashesYouTube: Light Beyond The AshesSend us Fan MailVirtual Rockstars specialize in helping support or replace all non-clinical roles.Learn how a Virtual Rockstar can help scale your physical therapy practice.Subscribe here to our completely free Stress-Free PT Newsletter for your weekly dose of joy.