Ep #74 - Summer mini-series - Name Your Brain

In this first bite-sized episode of the Summer Mini-Series, I’m sharing one simple but powerful practice that can help you feel calmer, clearer, and more in control — even when your mind feels like it’s running the show.

We’re talking about that loud, negative voice in your head — the one that spirals into worst-case scenarios, talks you out of trying new things, and tells you to eat the biscuits and do nothing. That’s your primal brain. And when you name it, everything starts to shift.

In this episode, I’ll show you why naming your primal brain can help you step into self-leadership — with love, compassion, and zero bullshit. Let’s make friends with the part of you that’s just trying to keep you safe… and learn how to take your power back.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube with Captions - https://www.youtube.com/@TheWorkingWomensLifeCoach

If you'd like to have a chat about how I can help you further, please don't hesitate to click here & book a time with me, I'd love to meet you.

You can also follow me on IG @NickyBevan_LifeCoach

Transcript

I was going to take a break from podcasting over the summer season.
 Then I had this idea—creating a little mini-series, a summer mini-series.

I’ve been so inspired by the thought that I’ve pre-recorded eight very short, absolutely no-bullshit, incredibly loving mini podcast episodes.

I don’t want you to just listen to them—I want you to listen and then practice what’s in them.

So, I invite you to take this summer to listen to each bite-sized episode and apply what I’m teaching.

Then, just notice the shifts that happen in your life over these eight weeks.

I hope you enjoy the episodes, and I’ll see you when I’m back in September!

Name your primal brain — and here’s why.

This idea was inspired by the book Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck. Brilliant book.

When people come to me — and everyone says the same thing — my clients say:
 “Yes, but Nikki, I’m an overthinker.”
 “Yes, but Nikki, my brain always goes to the negative. It gives me the worst-case scenario.”

And I say: That’s because you’re human.

It’s that small, primal part of you that’s designed to keep you safe.
 If you want to Google it, it’s made up of the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and amygdala.

I’m not a neuroscientist, so I won’t go into the details. But that small part of your brain only cares about survival.
 It just wants to make sure you stay alive — from a species perspective, not a better-self perspective.

And it thinks anything new or different surely means death.
 It literally hasn’t changed for hundreds of thousands of years.
 It’s stuck back in caveman days.

So when you name that part of you, you’re able to detach from it.
 You can start hearing what it’s telling you — and then decide whether it’s actually going to help you.

When I first started learning to manage my mind, one thing I’d say to myself was:
 “I’m learning how to be in charge.”

As in: Nikki’s learning how to be in charge.

My primal brain is called Sue.
Sue wants to drink all the wine, eat all the chocolate buttons, eat all the sweets, eat all the pizza.
She doesn’t want to do any work. She just wants to sit on the sofa and do fuck-all.

That’s Sue.

Anything new — giving a presentation, doing a podcast interview, making an offer to work with a client — she thinks all of that is life-threatening.

She doesn’t realize that not eating chocolate, not drinking alcohol, making an offer to a client — these are life-enhancing opportunities.
Not just for me, but for the people around me.

So name your primal brain. It doesn’t matter what you call it.

The task is to start making friends with it.
 This is not another reason to beat yourself up.
 This is not a reason to attack yourself internally anymore.

It’s a reason to start saying:
 “Thank you, Sue, for keeping me safe. Thank you. But I’m learning how to be in charge.”

So this week — start practicing.
 Over the summer, especially when emotions are heightened — maybe everyone’s home, the kids are off school, staff are on holiday, and things feel really busy.

Start with compassion.
 Talk to your primal brain in a kind way.

Have a lush week!