Libsyn Directory

Navigating the Fawning Response

Release Date: 12/16/2025

The Ali Damron Show

Summary In this episode, Ali Damron discusses the complexities of hormonal imbalances, particularly in women experiencing perimenopause. She emphasizes that while hormones play a significant role in various symptoms, lifestyle factors such as chronic stress, self-criticism, and lack of boundaries are often overlooked. Ali explains how the nervous system's state can impact overall health, digestion, and emotional well-being. She advocates for a holistic approach to healing that includes understanding the nervous system, managing stress, and practicing self-compassion. The conversation...

Navigating AI in Health and Fitness

The Ali Damron Show

Summary In this conversation, Ali Damron and Kylie Larson explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and health and fitness. They discuss the benefits of AI in nutrition tracking and meal planning, while also addressing its limitations in personal health assessments. The conversation emphasizes the importance of human insight in navigating health decisions, particularly when it comes to mental health and hormonal issues. They reflect on the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining cognitive engagement in health practices. Takeaways AI is widely used for nutrition...

The Truth About Longevity and Health

The Ali Damron Show

Summary In this episode, Ali Damron dives deep into the concepts of longevity and aging well, discussing the importance of consistent health practices, the impact of diet culture, and the role of hormones and supplements. She emphasizes the significance of building muscle, maintaining good sleep hygiene, and simplifying nutrition to promote overall health and well-being as we age. Takeaways Longevity and aging well are becoming increasingly popular topics. Diet culture has fluctuated between body positivity and weight loss trends. Hormone replacement therapy is beneficial but not accessible...

When Doing All the Right Things Isn’t Helping Our Health and Hormones

The Ali Damron Show

Summary In this episode, Ali Damron discusses the challenges many face in their healing journeys, particularly when they feel they are doing everything right but still not seeing results. \ She emphasizes the importance of understanding the mind-body connection, the dangers of over-optimization, and how tracking health metrics can lead to hypervigilance. Ali encourages listeners to trust their bodies and find balance in their health practices, while also addressing the role of uncertainty in healing. Takeaways Many patients do more than they need to for healing. The brain's perception of...

Why Most Women Fail at Weight Loss in Perimenopause (And What Actually Works)

The Ali Damron Show

Ali and Dr. Hannah Brandt discussed the challenges women face with weight loss and physique changes, particularly during perimenopause. Dr. Brandt emphasized the importance of a personalized approach to weight loss, starting with a thorough self-assessment to identify individual needs rather than jumping into a one-size-fits-all diet or workout plan. She highlighted that most women fail to recognize their unique starting points, which often leads to unsuccessful weight loss attempts. The discussion also touched on the high rate of dieting failure and the need for a clinical approach to weight...

(REPOST) The Hidden Reason HRT Isn’t Working Like You Hoped

The Ali Damron Show

You balanced your hormones, but something still feels off. In this episode, I discuss the deeper factors that make or break your HRT results—like chronic stress, cortisol, emotional tension, and burnout. Discover how to support your body and mind so your hormones can actually do their job and you can feel like yourself again. Ali's Resources: BIOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough 10% off using code ALIDAMRON10

(REPOST) Breaking the Symptom-Fear Cycle: How to Rewire Your Brain for Healing

The Ali Damron Show

Summary In this episode, Ali Damron delves into the concept of neuroplastic symptoms, emphasizing the significant role fear plays in chronic symptoms. She explains how fear can manifest in various forms and how it can perpetuate a cycle of symptoms. The discussion covers the importance of understanding the symptom-fear cycle, breaking the fear loop, and reconditioning the brain to respond differently to symptoms. Ali also introduces the concept of somatic tracking as a tool for healing and encourages listeners to approach their symptoms with curiosity and gentleness. Takeaways...

Reprogramming Your Food Mindset with Cassandra Bodzak

The Ali Damron Show

Summary In this conversation, Ali Damron speaks with Cassandra Bodzak, a mindfulness author and holistic living guide, about her journey towards mindful living and nutrition. They discuss the importance of reprogramming negative food mindsets, building self-trust in nutrition, and the impact of nervous system regulation on decision-making. Cassandra shares her experiences with postpartum challenges and the significance of creating healthy boundaries with technology. The conversation culminates in the introduction of Cassandra's new book, 'The Mindful Table', which...

Why Your Nervous System Matters More Than Calories in Perimenopause

The Ali Damron Show

Summary In this conversation, Ali Damron and Morgana Lakatos Hayward discuss the complexities of perimenopause and menopause, focusing on the hormonal changes that affect women's health, weight loss, and overall well-being. They explore the inadequacies of traditional dieting methods, the importance of understanding women's unique biological needs, and the role of stress and nervous system regulation in health. The discussion also covers the significance of intuitive eating, self-trust, and the challenges faced by women in the sandwich generation. Morgana shares insights from her 60-Day Shed...

How to Know When to Pause—and When to Push

The Ali Damron Show

How do you know when to pause… and when to push? In this episode, I’m talking about something so many women struggle with—giving themselves permission in hard seasons of life. When you’re overwhelmed, burned out, caregiving, dealing with hormone changes, anxiety, or chronic stress, the rules you used to live by don’t always apply anymore. I break down how to tell the difference between: when your nervous system truly needs rest, regulation, and compassion, and when a gentle push forward is actually the most supportive thing you can do. You’ll also learn about the...

More Episodes

Summary

In this conversation, Ali Damron and Kelly Kessler explore the concept of self-respect and the fawning response, discussing how it manifests in relationships and personal dynamics.

They delve into the importance of understanding the nervous system, the impact of grief on personal growth, and the necessity of setting boundaries.

The discussion also touches on the pressures of holiday expectations, the challenge of asking for help, and the journey towards internal validation. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of choosing oneself and cultivating a supportive community.

Takeaways

Self-respect is crucial for personal growth.
Fawning is a response to external pressures and expectations.
Understanding the nervous system is key to healing.
Self-abandonment can lead to unhealthy relationships.
Grief can catalyze significant personal change.
Choosing yourself often means setting boundaries.
The holiday season can amplify feelings of stress and obligation.
Asking for help is a vital skill to develop.
Recognizing patterns of behavior is essential for change.
Internal validation is more important than external approval.

Sound bites

"I was completely abandoning myself."
"You are allowed to prioritize your peace."
"Your energy is worth something."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Self-Respect and Fawning Response
02:56 Understanding Self-Abandonment and Fawning Patterns
05:58 The Impact of Relationships on Self-Identity
09:01 Navigating Grief and Personal Transformation
12:11 The Role of Community and Support in Healing
15:00 Choosing Yourself: The Journey of Self-Love
17:45 The Pressure of Holiday Expectations and Self-Care
20:54 Asking for Help: Building the Muscle of Vulnerability
27:03 Navigating the Challenge of Receiving Help
28:49 The Illusion of External Validation
29:44 The Pursuit of Fulfillment
31:00 Understanding Personal Desires
32:34 Setting Boundaries in Relationships
35:38 Creating Safety Within Yourself
37:42 Recognizing Fawning Behavior
39:50 The Energy Behind Actions
41:16 Choosing Yourself and Your Peace
43:39 Filtering Relationships
46:38 The Ongoing Journey of Self-Discovery