A Thought I Kept
A Thought I Kept is a podcast about the ideas that stay with us, long after we’ve forgotten the rest. In each episode, a guest shares the one thought that shaped their life — the one they couldn’t let go of, and maybe you won’t either.
A Thought I Kept
Reclaiming Calm in a World on High Alert | A Conversation with Carrie Ekins
Why do our hearts race at the sound of an email? Why does one glance at our phones send us into full-blown panic? In this episode, we're joined by massage therapist and author Carrie Ekins, who helps us understand what’s really going on in our bodies when everything feels like a threat.
Carrie shares how the nervous system can get stuck in survival mode and why modern life triggers ancient fear responses that were once meant to protect us from sabre-toothed tigers. Together, we explore simple, practical ways to return to safety, anchor ourselves in the present, and reclaim emotional steadiness in a world that often feels like too much.
You’ll learn:
- Why your brain can't tell the difference between an email and a real-life threat
- The hidden cost of being constantly “on” — and how to gently switch off
- What “safety” actually feels like in the body
- Small, powerful tools to regulate your emotions
Whether you’re feeling fried, frantic, or just a bit untethered lately, this conversation offers a warm, human path back to yourself. You don’t need to meditate for 40 minutes or change everything about your life – just a few small shifts can make a big difference.
01:41 The Saber-Tooth Tiger Analogy
02:46 Carrie's Journey into Massage Therapy
05:10 Understanding the Stress Response Cycle
07:03 Techniques for Managing Stress
08:57 The Disembodied vs. Embodied Self
13:19 The Importance of Mind-Body Connection
20:32 Storytelling and Myofascial Release
24:40 The Power of Breath and Softening
26:02 The Magic of Being Present
28:09 Challenging Hustle Culture
29:43 Emotions and the Body
32:15 Building Emotional Safety
36:24 Navigating Midlife Changes
37:26 The Importance of Connection
41:47 Embracing Magic and Alchemy
Mentioned in this episode:
- The Polyvagal Theory by Dr. Stephen Porges
- Breath by James Nestor
- Anchored by Deb Dana
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
About Carrie Ekins
With two decades of experience as a Massage Th
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
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