Episode 133: "Should I Stay or Should I Leave?" Is the Wrong Question

In this episode, Lindsey talks with Farrah, a client from Southern California who found Lindsey’s work through Instagram while she was untangling faith, identity, and relationship patterns. Farrah shares what it looked like inside her previous partnership when conflict showed up: she brought concerns forward, he experienced criticism and shame, and the cycle escalated into blowups. Over time, Farrah recognizes how much mental load she was carrying, functioning as the tracker, the reminder system, the organizer, and the emotional initiator, while also craving a simple experience of being heard and held.Farrah connects her over-functioning and anger to earlier experiences of abandonment, being unseen, and rupture in her family system. She explains how those old wounds shaped what she needed from a partner and why it felt terrifying to step back and let consequences land. As she experiments with doing less, she names the internal conflict: things can look calmer on the outside while she feels like she’s swallowing herself on the inside.Eventually, after a final rupture and days of emotional shutdown, Farrah chooses to end the relationship. She describes walking as a turning point that helped her clarity return, and she reflects on what she wishes she’d tried sooner: a deliberate pause where she focused on her own wellbeing without immediately ending the partnership. She also shares what the work gave her even though the relationship ended: more self-trust, less self-abandonment, and a growing ability to meet herself with care through practices like mirror work and long walks.

UNBROKEN Q&A (Lindsey + David)Live Ask Us Anything: Tuesday, January 13th at 5:00 PM US/Central (Zoom)What it is: a real-time Q&A where they “pull back the curtain” on how they identified and interrupted over-functioning / under-functioning in marriage, parenting, and working together.Ticket: $55 and a lifetime replay is included.Registration link: ⁠https://lindseylockett.com/unbroken/⁠In this episode, Lindsey names “relational endurance” — and why so many people feel “stuck” in the stay-or-leave question when the real issue is the pattern running the relationship. She breaks down two dominant flavors of online relationship advice — “just leave culture” and new-relationship-energy certainty — and explains how both can soothe your nervous system while flattening the nuance required for real discernment.Lindsey also unpacks the “glow up after leaving” phenomenon and why relief after a breakup can get misread as proof that the relationship was abusive, even when the dynamic was “normal-but-hard” (especially over-functioning / under-functioning). She challenges the way words like “toxic” and “gaslighting” get used as junk-drawer labels for everything from discomfort to actual abuse — which ultimately makes it harder to discern what abuse really is and easier to avoid accountability and skill-building.

Get my newest workshop replay, BRILLIANT - Understanding the Somatic Intelligence of Over- & Underfunctioning.Lindsey pulls back the curtain on two sets of her bloodwork (June 2024 → December 2025) to show how healing the nervous system — and lowering the total life load — changes measurable physiology. She explains why over-functioning isn’t a personality trait; it’s a survival physiology that drives inflammation, insulin, thyroid conservation, liver burden, and stress-lipid patterns. She walks through each lab marker in plain language, contrasts meds/supplements alone with nervous-system and lifestyle change, and shares the supportive protocol she used alongside big shifts in emotional, domestic, and relational load. She closes with how the BRILLIANT workshop and CRUCIBLE practice space fit into this work.Show notesBig ideasOver-functioning is physiology, not personality; your body keeps the score.You can’t out-supplement or medicate chronic over-functioning; support helps, and change lands when load drops and safety increases.Low-threat, well-nourished, well-rested physiology shows up clearly in labs: inflammation, insulin, thyroid conversion, lipids, and liver enzymes all move toward safety.Lab highlights (June 2024 → December 2025)CRP (inflammation): 3.0 → 0.9 (≈ 66% drop; low-inflammation range)Fasting insulin: 17.7 (insulin-resistant) → 6 (insulin-sensitive)Thyroid: TSH 3.22 → 1.23; Free T4 0.81 → 1.15; Free T3 2.88 → 3.2 (robust conversion)Liver enzyme (ALT): 33 → 15 (burden eased)Triglycerides: 105 → 68LDL-C: 126 → 97DHEA: 58 → 48 (healthy downshift within the improved overall pattern)What changed besides the numbersLoad reduction: less emotional labor, less domestic/relational over-functioning, fewer sensory demands, more boundaries.Inputs: consistent eating (enough), deeper sleep, real rest, improved circulation/movement without overdrive.Result: cortisol normalized — inflammation down, insulin normalized, thyroid conversion improved, liver less burdened, hair loss reversed, energy steadier.Supportive protocol (alongside the lifestyle shift)NP Thyroid (desiccated), bioidentical progesterone (vaginal delivery), low-dose naltrexone 4.5 mg.Magnesium (glycinate + l-threonate), glycine (~ 3 g/day), vitamin D3 + K2.GLP-1 experience: brief full-dose trial (too suppressive) → discontinued; later micro-dosed retatrutide after nutrition and rest were restored.Who this episode helpsOver-functioners who “look fine” but see inflammation, insulin resistance, sluggish thyroid conversion, stressed liver enzymes, or stress-lipids.Under-functioner/over-functioner couples wanting physiology-and-practice-based next steps.Mentioned resources & linksPrevious episode for backstory — Episode 131: Listen on SpotifyLindsey’s ebooks: When Rest Feels WrongWhen Action Feels WrongSupplements Lindsey uses/loves: Glycine supplementHemaplexD3 + K2Magnesium glycinateMagnesium l-threonateFree Video Series:Unfiltered Real Talk About OverfunctioningThe Underfunctioner's Wake-Up CallNotes & gentle disclaimerThis episode shares one person’s labs, context, and protocol decisions. Work with a trusted clinician for your own evaluation and dosing — and use these insights to track the impact of real rest, nourishment, and load reduction over time.

After four months away, I’m back — and I’m telling the truth about why I ghosted the pod. 2025 has been a snake-year of shedding: I dropped the identity of “the woman who holds it all together,” named my over-functioning for what it is, and watched my marriage hit an honest, necessary reckoning. I walk you through the spell of over/under-functioning — how it’s wired by nervous systems, patriarchy, and the overculture — and why moralizing it never changes anything. You’ll hear the experiment that changed everything for us, what “authentic functioning” looks like, and why I’m inviting you into BRILLIANT to do this work in your own life and relationships.Workshop mentioned:Brilliant: The Somatic Intelligence of Over- & Under-Functioning — live on Tuesday, Dec 9 at 5:00 pm US/Central on Zoom. Ticket: $99. Replay included if purchased before the workshop. Includes a special discount for the upcoming Crucible relational membership/mastermind. (See link in show notes or lindseylockett.com/brilliant.) What we cover in this episode:Why 2025 became a deep identity shed—and why “over-functioner” was a survival adaptation, not the goal.The link between evangelical conditioning, overculture (capitalism/patriarchy), and women’s chronic over-functioning.Mental load vs. over-functioning: why the hashtag data misses the full pattern.Burnout and “survival creativity”: when output becomes self-exploitation.The July rupture, naming under-functioning, and beginning “purposeful under-functioning.”Nervous-system framing: fight/flight-dominant over-functioners, freeze-dominant under-functioners, and why dopamine hits keep the cycle going.Capacity audits at home and in emotions: tailor shared spaces to the partner with lower capacity in that context; slow emotional pacing to the partner with lower capacity there.The reframe that works: from “What’s wrong with you?” to “Why did your body choose this strategy?”—and how that breaks shame.Instagram posts mentioned:1. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRm85RTkcaf/2. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRpJbERjbCN/

Conflict is inevitable — but disconnection doesn’t have to be the end of the story. In this episode, I share five foundational truths about rupture and repair in relationships. Whether you’ve struggled to speak up after being hurt, feel overwhelmed by others’ pain, or just want to build more honest and resilient connections, this episode will reframe repair as a path to deeper intimacy — not just something you do when things go wrong.In this episode, I cover:• Why avoiding conflict doesn’t protect your relationship — it erodes it• What real repair actually requires (hint: it has to do with having a resourced regulated nervous system)• Why repair needs to happen in ALL relationships, not just romantic ones• How you can still reconnect even if you don’t agree on what happened• Why successful repair builds safety, trust, and deeper emotional intimacy Mentioned in this episode:→ LL's Guide to Rupture & Repair: a 40-page guide to walk you step-by-step through how to navigate rupture, hold your center, and initiate or receive repair with integrity.→ ⁠Join the Waitlist for Rooted WebMy off-Instagram community for women who are weaving relational safety, authenticity, and embodied connection — together.

In this episode, Lindsey speaks directly to men about a common pattern in emotionally intimate relationships with women: the instinct to fix instead of feeling. Lindsey dives deep into why men often respond with solutions or shutdown when their partner is emotional, what emotional capacity actually looks like, and practical ways to stay present instead of seeking control.Topics Covered:Why the instinct to fix emotional distress in women doesn't actually work.Understanding emotional capacity vs. emotional intelligence or maturity.How cultural conditioning leaves men with low emotional capacity.Practical, real-life strategies to build your emotional capacity.Three simple, powerful steps to respond to your partner’s emotions differently.A special invitation to Lindsey’s men's cohort of Feel Without Fear, beginning June 19th.Key Insights:The need to fix is often a nervous system defense mechanism, not malicious intent.Emotional presence means being with feelings, not immediately fixing or escaping them.Low emotional capacity shows up as defensiveness, withdrawal, anger, or shutting down—but it's not emotional immaturity; it's overwhelm.Building emotional capacity is about practicing awareness, regulation, and staying present even when uncomfortable.Practical Tips for Men:Regulate before responding: Slow your breath, notice sensations in your body, and ground yourself.Reflect and validate: Instead of advice, reflect feelings back to her ("That sounds really hard.") and validate her experience.Clearly ask for space while staying connected: Communicate your needs without severing emotional connection.Join Lindsey’s Men’s Cohort:Enrollment is open for Feel Without Fear, starting June 19th, 2025. This program guides men in expanding emotional capacity, becoming more emotionally present partners, and improving relationships through body-based nervous system training.Links Mentioned:Join Feel Without Fear (Men’s Cohort)Thanks for listening! Share this episode with a man you respect or love who could benefit from building emotional capacity and presence.

In this episode, Lindsey and Chelsea strip away the gloss of influencer culture to reveal what it really takes to build a conscious, integrity-driven business. From the primal survival wiring around money to the shame we carry when our bank balance dips, they share the unspoken struggles that every service-based entrepreneur faces — and how leaning into that discomfort becomes the alchemy of true growth.What You’ll LearnThe Myth of Followers = FortuneWhy a six-figure audience doesn’t guarantee six-figure earnings, and what really moves the needle.Money as Survival CodeHow childhood wounding shows up in your relationship with cash and the inner work to rewire it.Embodying Wealth in All FormsThe five domains of “wealth” (financial, relational, time, nervous-system, and soul), and why you’re already richer than you think.The Entrepreneurial AbyssA guided free-fall into your worst-case scenario, and how hitting rock-bottom can spark your most creative breakthroughs.Behind-the-Scenes Real TalkIntimate confessions about bank statements, savings thresholds, team paychecks, and the hidden rituals that keep Chelsea and Lindsey moving forward.Resources & Next StepChelsea's Somatic Coach Certification Program — Learn to lead from embodied wisdom. Chelsea's Rock Solid Relationship — Learn to open your heart to love and life.Stay Connected — Hit "Follow" above so you never miss the unfiltered conversations that matter.Connect with UsChelsea: @healing.embodiedLindsey: @iamlindseylockett

Links:One Thread At A Time: A Somatic Mini-Course For Shifting Relational PatternsLindsey Lockett's Instagram @iamlindseylockettLindseyLockett.comIn this episode, I’m joined by Drew Wild for a raw and layered conversation about what it really means to be authentic — especially in relationships that are shaped by trauma, addiction, and nervous system dysregulation.We dive into the web of relational dynamics — how our survival patterns play out in intimacy, how addiction can be a form of self-regulation, and why co-authenticity (not just self-authenticity) is essential for real connection.We unpack the difference between rupture and harm, the danger of bypassing emotional truths, and why vulnerability isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a necessary practice for relational healing.This isn’t a fluffy convo about “better communication.” It’s a deep dive into the messy, sacred, uncomfortable work of being seen, staying open, and choosing truth over performance — even when rejection or disconnection is on the table.We talk about:— The nervous system’s role in how we relate— Why couples work is such potent terrain for transformation— How to tell when it’s time to stay … or go— Letting go of surface-level “connection” and choosing depth instead— Confronting self-abandonment, emotional shutdown, and the protective parts of us that avoid intimacy— What it takes to build trust through conflict and disagreementThis episode is a wide, honest, and unfiltered exploration of relational healing — woven with metaphor, emotion, and lived experience. If you’re craving deeper connections, more honesty, and a map for navigating relational complexity… this one’s for you.

In this episode, Lindsey Lockett dives into the frustrating reality that many people face in their healing journey: why does healing still feel so damn hard? Even after years of therapy, self-work, nervous system education, and deep intellectual understanding, many still feel stuck in the same patterns. Lindsey challenges the mainstream approach to healing, revealing that it’s not a lack of knowledge that’s holding you back—it’s your nervous system.She explains how your body, not your mind, determines whether healing is possible and how perfectionism, pressure, and an overemphasis on cognitive awareness can keep you on an endless healing hamster wheel. If you've ever felt like you're doing all the "right things" but still aren’t seeing the change you want, this episode is a must-listen.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🔹 Why your nervous system may actually be blocking your healing.🔹 The difference between knowing about healing and actually embodying it.🔹 How trauma, safety, and familiarity shape your nervous system’s resistance.🔹 The four key areas necessary for true healing: cognitive, somatic, energetic, and relational.🔹 Why healing isn’t about eliminating triggers or always being regulated.🔹 The difference between genuine safety and perceived safety in the body.🔹 How healing needs to feel like permission, not pressure.🔹 Why your healing journey is NOT about perfection or “finishing” healing.Special Invitation:Join Lindsey for her FREE Masterclass on February 27th at 12 Noon Central: "Why Your Nervous System Won’t Let You Heal (Yet)". This live workshop will go deeper into the blocks that keep you stuck, how to shift from intellectualizing healing to embodying it, and practical tools for moving forward.🔗 Sign up here: https://LindseyLockett.com/heal/Connect with Lindsey:🌐 Website: LindseyLockett.com📸 Instagram: @iamlindseylockett

In this deeply insightful and raw conversation, Lindsey Lockett and Kat Lee come together tounpack the complex layers of codependency—what it feels like in the body, how it shapes our relationships, and how we can begin to break free from its patterns.Drawing from personal experiences, childhood conditioning, and real-life relationship dynamics, Lindsey and Kat dive into:Why codependency often shows up infamily relationships and partnershipsHowchildhood survival responses (like fawning, people-pleasing, and dissociation) shape adult relational patternsWhatcodependency feels like somatically in the bodyThenuanced difference between genuine support and codependent enmeshmentThe importance ofboundaries, personal responsibility, and differentiation in healing from codependencyHowauthenticity is the antidote to codependencyResources & Links:🔗Follow Kat Lee:Instagram |Website🔗Follow Lindsey Lockett:Instagram |Website🔗Check Out Lindsey’s Book:Nourish Your Nervous System –Click here