In this episode, I’m joined by therapist Vanessa Blackstone to talk about something I see all the time in the interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder space: the belief that our bodies are too fragile to handle life.

We break down how this mindset shows up through food fear, exercise avoidance, social isolation, and hypervigilance. Vanessa explains how this protective response forms, why it makes so much sense, and what to do when it’s no longer helping.

We cover:

• How the nervous system gets stuck in fear loops
• The connection between trauma and bladder symptoms
• What you’re actually telling your body when you avoid certain triggers
• How to build safety and flexibility without pushing too hard
• Vanessa’s 4-step process to work through fear and feel more free

We also share personal stories (including one about poop on a plane) to show that healing can include humor too.If you’ve been feeling limited, scared to live outside your routine, or unsure how to start challenging your symptoms, this one’s for you.