
Show Notes
In this episode of The AnxietyRX Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Nick Holton and Dr. Adam Wright as we explore the powerful connection between trauma, resilience, and well-being.
I dive into why I believe the traditional medical focus on medication isn't enough and why a holistic approach, including spiritual healing, is so important.
Dr. Holton shares his thoughts on how having a clear sense of purpose and value-based goals can help us unlock our full potential.
Dr. Wright offers insights from sports psychology, explaining how controlled exposure to stress is key to building resilience.
We wrap up by discussing the concept of "anti-fragility" — how, with the right support, we can actually thrive through adversity.
Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.
PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
______________________________
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - Dr. Nick Holton's Background
01:53 - Dr. Adam Wright's Experience
03:08 - Disenchantment with Systems
04:32 - Importance of Purpose
05:09 - Concept of Anti-Fragility
07:31 - Proactive Resilience Building
09:10 - Childhood Trauma and Resilience
10:14 - Defining Anti-Fragility
12:42 - Cultural Influence on Resilience
13:55 - Trauma's Impact on High Achievers
14:38 - Talent and Trauma Correlation
18:27 - Trauma and Cellular Memory
19:06 - Understanding Trauma and Sensitivity
20:01 - Expanding Capacity and Resilience
21:15 - Cortisol Response and Inherited Trauma
22:15 - Reframing Trauma Perspectives
24:44 - The Importance of Safety in Healing
25:17 - Neurogenesis and Safety
27:37 - Applying Skills to Real-Life Challenges
28:30 - Navigating Stress Responses
31:02 - Health Management vs. Sick Management
32:12 - Client Goals and Progression
34:04 - Case Studies in Performance Improvement
37:44 - Defining Mental Health
38:18 - The Reward of Worry
40:10 - Defining Mental Wellness
42:01 - The Role of Joy
44:13 - Contrast in Life
45:06 - Tolerating Negative Feelings
48:27 - Creating a New Narrative
50:19 - Optimizing Performance
51:12 - Finding Resources
More from Anxiety Rx
What if worrying is just your mind’s way of trying to stop you from worrying? In this episode, I pull apart the myth that positive thinking can cure anxiety. The alarm in the body and the worries in the mind feed each other in a loop that never ends. Childhood separation leaves a mark when you aren’t seen, heard, or protected, and that’s where the alarm takes root. Growing up with a father who had schizophrenia, I learned to escape into worry as my coping strategy. The real healing began when I turned toward the younger version of myself and felt what I’d spent years running from.
What if the real scam isn’t the robocall, but the idea that your worth is measured in dollars? In this episode, the lie that money can replace human connection takes center stage. A medical system built on billing codes pushed me to trade care for speed, and that disconnection fueled my own anxiety. Scams, ads, and constant grabs for attention keep the nervous system on high alert. The “monetization fairy” gets called out for what it is, and simple practices bring us back to intrinsic value and genuine human connection.
What if being “too sensitive” isn’t a flaw but the hidden root of your anxiety?
Ever pushed yourself to eat clean and work out, hoping it would calm your anxiety, only to feel even worse? Here’s why it happens…
What if burnout isn’t failure, but your body’s protective shutdown? In this episode, I open up about burning out as a doctor and why it went far beyond just being tired. Burnout showed up as a split between my mind pushing forward and the younger part of me saying, “I can’t do this anymore.” The mask of “Dr. Russell Kennedy” gave me income, status, and validation, but it also crushed my sense of self.