Find Your Anchor: Befriending Your Nervous System (with Deb Dana)

I thought I was strong because I could push through anything.

Until my body said, “Not anymore.”

Two years ago, I moved to Tanzania for humanitarian work…but instead of peace, I found myself stuck in constant hypervigilance—dogs barking for hours,
armed robberies outside our door, even being groped in the place I lived.

I was falling apart. Spiritually. Physically. Emotionally.

No amount of “just pray about it” or “be strong” helped. I couldn’t willpower my way out of survival mode.

Then my therapist handed me a book—Anchored by Deb Dana. For the first time, I understood what my nervous system was trying to say. It wasn’t broken. It was protecting me.

That book taught me that healing isn’t just “mind over matter.” It’s body first. It’s noticing the shift from fight or flight to stillness. It’s anchoring yourself in compassion, not shame. And it changed everything.

This week on the Tender & Wild podcast, I’m honored to interview Deb Dana, the author and clinician behind the life-changing work of Polyvagal Theory. She is undoubtedly one of the most influential voices in the world of trauma recovery.

Known globally for her work in translating polyvagal theory into practical tools for healing, she has authored many groundbreaking books, including Anchored and Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection. 

In this episode, we talk about:

• What nervous system regulation is and why it’s crucial to healing

• How to start regulating your nervous system

• Why listening to your body isn’t weakness, but strength

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t willpower yourself out of stressful circumstances, and want to find your way back to wholeness, this episode is for you.

You can explore more of Deb's work at her website: www.rhythmofregulation.com. 

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