The Stress Dojo

07/29/2026

It's a trap

07/23/2026

Nobody taught Jimothy that he has to be optimized before he’s allowed to go do the things he wants to do. He’s just doing them. Wonky spine and all.

That’s not toxic positivity, that’s values-based living. You don’t wait until the anxiety’s gone or the body’s “right”—you go be a raccoon anyway.

The Body Keeps the Score. And sometimes, the body keeps a very weird score that doesn’t fit the manual.

Psychological flexibility means we stop waiting for a full system reset and start living inside the system we have.

Even if that system is a trash pandas’ goblin body.

07/13/2026

Avoidance can feel like coping. Skipping the thing that makes you anxious feels like self-protection in the moment.

New research out of Emory is looking at what’s actually happening in the brain when that happens — using brain scans plus daily phone check-ins to catch anxiety and avoidance as they occur, not just in hindsight.

Early findings suggest avoidance isn’t just “being careful” — it may reflect how anxiety changes the way we take in and filter information in real time.

Here’s why that matters: if avoidance is your brain filtering things differently rather than a character flaw or lack of willpower, that reframes the conversation.

It’s not about trying harder. It’s about understanding the pattern and building new ones with support.
If this resonates, that’s exactly the kind of work we do here. Reach out if you want to talk it through.

07/04/2026

Independence is a state of mind.

Happy 4th of July

05/26/2026

Out of the room. Off the grid. Offline.

From May 31st through June 6th, I am closing the laptop, putting the phone on silent, and giving my own nervous system a minute to breathe.
The Stress Dojo will be completely closed during this time. No emails, no texts.

Current Clients
We’ve already talked about this, but consider this your official, final log of the dates. If you need to shift an upcoming appointment or double-check your schedule, reach out before Friday, May 29th. When I am out, I am out. No sneaking glances at the inbox.

New & Potential Clients
If you’re ready to look at the cracks behind the “perfectly fine” armor, I want to hear from you. But the intake queue is paused until I return. You can still drop a message through the site, and I will get back to you in the order received starting June 8th.
Go gently with your bodies this week. Notice where you’re holding your breath. Let it out.
See you on the other side.

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

Your mind is like a garden, whatever seeds you plant, nourish, and tend will be the seeds that grow and bloom. When we water our seeds with our highest intention and bring our beautiful gifts to this world, we have the opportunity to create something that really matters, that brings positive benefit to ourselves and truly nourishes all other beings.

👩‍🌾🪴🫜

03/23/2026

The System is Broken. Your Mind Doesn’t Have to Be. 🥋

Listen, High-Achieving Empaths: Late-stage capitalism wants you burnt out, the patriarchy wants you quiet, and the traditional therapy world wants you to have a trust fund just to process your trauma.

I call bu****it.

At The Stress Dojo, we’re decolonizing the couch. Healing shouldn't be a luxury for the 1% while the rest of us navigate this systemic insanity.

I’ve spent 30 years in the trenches, and I’ve officially moved to a Pay What You Can model for all new clients. Permanent. No fine print. No "limited time" bait-and-switch.

My Rules for Our Dojo:
• ACT & EMDR/Flash for trauma that actually works.
• 50% Woo, 100% Real: system-aware, and entirely unshooketh.
• The Vibe: Do no harm, but take no sh*t—especially from your own inner critic.

Your anxiety, trauma, and stress are sane responses to an insane world. Let’s stop "fixing" you and start integrating those scars into Kintsugi power.

⚡ READY TO FREE YOUR MIND?

Stop scrolling and start breathing.

Message the word DOJO for next steps.

03/08/2026

https://twomugs.substack.com/p/no-mud-no-lotus?r=7t9ydx