Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
What if the reason you felt like you were never enough… wasn’t you?
In this episode, Teresa explores the striking parallels between narcissistic relationship dynamics and high-demand religious systems, specifically within Mormonism. Through a compassionate but honest lens, she examines how institutional patterns like shifting expectations, avoidance of accountability, image preservation, and conditional belonging can shape identity, nervous system regulation, and long-term wellbeing, especially physical health.
This conversation goes beyond theology and into lived experience and explores:
• Why high-demand systems can mirror narcissistic dynamics.
• How that creates codependency patterns.
• Chronic self suppression and its impact on the nervous system.
• Why chronic symptoms like fatigue, pain, anxiety, and autoimmune conditions can emerge in these environments.
• How healing often requires moving through grief, anger, and identity reconstruction.
• And why the body’s response is not a character flaw, but a survival adaptation.
If you’ve ever felt exhausted from striving, confused by persistent symptoms, or disconnected from your authentic self after leaving a high-demand environment, this episode may help you understand why and that healing is possible.
Join us at our NEW CHANNEL: @almostawakenedpodcast
Teresa will be launching her upcoming Anchor and Regulate groups beginning March 11th. These groups are structured nervous system healing spaces designed for individuals navigating chronic symptoms, chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety and mystery illnesses that are driven by stress or trauma.
These groups combine psychoeducation, somatic practices, emotional processing, and supportive community to help you rebuild safety in the body and support you in resolving chronic symptoms.
Learn more here:
👉 monarchintegrativecoaching.com/group-support
💬 Join the conversation.
❤️ Like, share, and subscribe to support this work.
💛 Donate to Almost Awakened: donorbox.org/almost-awakened-2
🤝 Learn more about coaching at awakenandthrive.org
What if the reason you felt like you were never enough… wasn’t you?
In this episode, Teresa explores the striking parallels between narcissistic relationship dynamics and high-demand religious systems, specifically within Mormonism. Through a compassionate but honest lens, she examines how institutional patterns like shifting expectations, avoidance of accountability, image preservation, and conditional belonging can shape identity, nervous system regulation, and long-term wellbeing, especially physical health.
This conversation goes beyond theology and into lived experience and explores:
• Why high-demand systems can mirror narcissistic dynamics.
• How that creates codependency patterns.
• Chronic self suppression and its impact on the nervous system.
• Why chronic symptoms like fatigue, pain, anxiety, and autoimmune conditions can emerge in these environments.
• How healing often requires moving through grief, anger, and identity reconstruction.
• And why the body’s response is not a character flaw, but a survival adaptation.
If you’ve ever felt exhausted from striving, confused by persistent symptoms, or disconnected from your authentic self after leaving a high-demand environment, this episode may help you understand why and that healing is possible.
Join us at our NEW CHANNEL: @almostawakenedpodcast
Teresa will be launching her upcoming Anchor and Regulate groups beginning March 11th. These groups are structured nervous system healing spaces designed for individuals navigating chronic symptoms, chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety and mystery illnesses that are driven by stress or trauma.
These groups combine psychoeducation, somatic practices, emotional processing, and supportive community to help you rebuild safety in the body and support you in resolving chronic symptoms.
Learn more here:
👉 monarchintegrativecoaching.com/group-support
💬 Join the conversation.
❤️ Like, share, and subscribe to support this work.
💛 Donate to Almost Awakened: donorbox.org/almost-awakened-2
🤝 Learn more about coaching at awakenandthrive.org
