Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 57 minutes ago
n this episode, we’re asking a hard question: Is stress actually making you sick?
I share the behind-the-scenes of my recent spine infection, recurring fevers every 7–14 days, and getting bounced around the medical system while trying to figure out if this is “just stress” or something autoimmune. Dez jumps in with her perspective too—what it’s like watching your partner crash before they realize how bad it is.
We break down what chronic stress actually does to your body, including the HPA axis (your body’s “stress thermostat”), cortisol dysregulation, inflammation, immune suppression, messed-up sleep, digestive issues, brain fog, and that “wired but exhausted” feeling. We also talk about how stress stacks over time—work, finances, health scares, doomscrolling—and how it can quietly push you toward burnout, infections, and long-term health problems.
You’ll hear:
How my stress and burnout set the stage for a serious infection
What the HPA axis is (in normal human language)
Signs your body is too stressed (physical, mental, and behavioral)
Why “I’m fine, it’s just anxiety” is one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves
Small, realistic things you can do this week to start lowering your stress load
This isn’t about getting rid of stress completely—that’s impossible. It’s about respecting what it does to your body and learning to manage it before your body forces you to.
🎧 If this episode hits home, share it with a friend, leave a rating, or tag me on Instagram @mrcoachcody.
👉 Want a like-minded fitness and mental health community? Join my Discord, The Resistance: discord.gg/nzVBbHdzDz
n this episode, we’re asking a hard question: Is stress actually making you sick?
I share the behind-the-scenes of my recent spine infection, recurring fevers every 7–14 days, and getting bounced around the medical system while trying to figure out if this is “just stress” or something autoimmune. Dez jumps in with her perspective too—what it’s like watching your partner crash before they realize how bad it is.
We break down what chronic stress actually does to your body, including the HPA axis (your body’s “stress thermostat”), cortisol dysregulation, inflammation, immune suppression, messed-up sleep, digestive issues, brain fog, and that “wired but exhausted” feeling. We also talk about how stress stacks over time—work, finances, health scares, doomscrolling—and how it can quietly push you toward burnout, infections, and long-term health problems.
You’ll hear:
How my stress and burnout set the stage for a serious infection
What the HPA axis is (in normal human language)
Signs your body is too stressed (physical, mental, and behavioral)
Why “I’m fine, it’s just anxiety” is one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves
Small, realistic things you can do this week to start lowering your stress load
This isn’t about getting rid of stress completely—that’s impossible. It’s about respecting what it does to your body and learning to manage it before your body forces you to.
🎧 If this episode hits home, share it with a friend, leave a rating, or tag me on Instagram @mrcoachcody.
👉 Want a like-minded fitness and mental health community? Join my Discord, The Resistance: discord.gg/nzVBbHdzDz
