What if anxiety wasn't a flaw, but a signal? In this solo episode, Darin peels back the layers on a topic that affects every one of us: anxiety. But instead of treating it as something to suppress or escape from, Darin offers a bold new perspective — anxiety is your body's cry for balance in an overstimulated world. From breathwork and food to sunlight, grounding, and mindset, this episode explores practical and biological ways to stop reacting and start responding with awareness.
With science-backed tools and soul-level wisdom, Darin invites you to reclaim your nervous system and transform daily stress into a signal for deeper connection and healing.
00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife + Sponsor: Thera Sage's PEMF & Red Light Mat
02:17 – Why anxiety is not "just mental health" – it's a systems overload
04:53 – How society's inputs (EMFs, plastics, social media) keep us anxious
05:50 – What's happening in your brain: amygdala vs. prefrontal cortex
06:49 – Your body wants to heal — you just need to listen
07:22 – You can't outthink anxiety, but you can breathe through it
08:34 – Gut health, serotonin, and processed foods: the anxiety connection
10:32 – Caffeine, cortisol, and why your digestion matters
13:24 – Grounding, magnesium, and nutrient gaps that fuel anxiety
15:23 – Somatics: using body awareness to decode anxiety
16:53 – Your SuperLife challenge: 3-minute breathwork before phone
17:47 – Circadian eating, better sleep, and stacking daily wins
18:38 – You are not broken: this is a systems issue
19:45 – Build your life, don't just manage symptoms
20:47 – Why anxiety and gratitude can't coexist
LeDoux, J. (2015). Anxious: Using the Brain to Understand and Treat Fear and Anxiety. Viking.
A foundational neuroscience text on how the amygdala and prefrontal cortex are involved in anxiety and fear pathways.
Shin, L. M., & Liberzon, I. (2010). "The neurocircuitry of fear, stress, and anxiety disorders." Neuropsychopharmacology, 35(1), 169–191.
https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2009.83
Examines the roles of the HPA axis, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex in anxiety.
Porges, S. W. (2007). "The Polyvagal Perspective." Biological Psychology, 74(2), 116–143.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.06.009
Introduces the Polyvagal Theory, explaining how vagus nerve regulation can modulate anxiety responses.
Lupien, S. J., et al. (2009). "Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition." Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 434–445.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2639
Describes how chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation impact the brain and cognition.
Foster, J. A., & Neufeld, K. M. (2013). "Gut–brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression." Trends in Neurosciences, 36(5), 305–312.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005
Demonstrates the microbiome's role in emotional regulation and serotonin production.
Slykerman, R. F., et al. (2017). "Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in Pregnancy on Postpartum Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety." EBioMedicine, 24, 159–165.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.09.013
Clinical study on probiotics reducing postpartum anxiety symptoms.
Selhub, E. M., & Logan, A. C. (2012). Your Brain on Nature: The Science of Nature's Influence on Your Health, Happiness and Vitality. Wiley.
Connects time in nature with reduced anxiety and improved mental health.
Noble, D. J., & Hochman, S. (2019). "Hypothesis: Pulmonary Afferent Activity Patterns During Slow, Deep Breathing Contribute to the Neural Induction of Physiological Relaxation." Frontiers in Physiology, 10, 1176.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.01176
Shows how slow breathing reduces sympathetic nervous system activity.
Sears, R. W., & Kraus, S. (2009). "I think therefore I fidget: Anxiety and somatic markers." Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 32(6), 468–469.
On the link between anxiety and somatic dysregulation.
Bessel van der Kolk (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.
Vora, E. (2022). The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body's Fear Response. HarperOne.
Dr. Ellen Vora's integrative psychiatry approach, including nutrition, sleep, and blood sugar as anxiety foundations.
LaChance, L. R., & Ramsey, D. (2018). "Antidepressant foods: An evidence-based nutrient profiling system for depression." World Journal of Psychiatry, 8(3), 97–104.
https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v8.i3.97
Identifies foods rich in nutrients that reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.
Lakhan, S. E., & Vieira, K. F. (2008). "Nutritional therapies for mental disorders." Nutrition Journal, 7(2).
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-7-2
Overview of nutritional supplements shown to affect mood and anxiety.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). "Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food."
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626
Discusses the impact of food, gut health, and inflammation on mental states.
Environmental Working Group (EWG). "Toxic Twelve Chemicals and Health."
https://www.ewg.org/research/dirty-dozen-endocrine-disruptors
Links between synthetic chemicals in daily life and hormone imbalances affecting mood.
Dr. Andrew Huberman – Neuroscientist, Huberman Lab Podcast
Source: "Tools for Managing Stress and Anxiety" – Huberman Lab Episode #10
https://hubermanlab.com/tools-for-managing-stress-and-anxiety/
Dr. Ellen Vora – Holistic Psychiatrist, Author of The Anatomy of Anxiety
Interview: The Doctor's Farmacy Podcast with Mark Hyman
https://drhyman.com/blog/2022/03/23/podcast-ep250/
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Website: darinolien.com
Instagram: @darinolien
Book: Fatal Conveniences
"Life doesn't give us meaning. We give life meaning. And pain? It's not punishment — it's a sacred teacher. Your soul knows the way… if you can get quiet enough to listen."
