In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and colleague, Anna Holtzman, for a conversation about self-trust, visibility, nervous system healing, and what happens after symptoms stop being the center of your life.

We talk about the often-overlooked phase of healing where life starts opening back up again… and how terrifying that can feel when your nervous system has learned to associate visibility, expansion, creativity, and authenticity with danger.

Together, we explore:

Why healing often involves shrinking your world before expanding it again
The fear of nervous system “repercussions” when you start taking up more space
How perfectionism, people pleasing, and over-self-reliance disconnect us from ourselves
The difference between regret and grief
Why self-trust doesn’t mean certainty
The role of co-regulation and safe relationships in healing
The transition from borrowing belief to learning to self-source safety and trust
Why “getting the right tool” can eventually become another protective strategy
How to begin repairing your relationship with yourself

This episode is for anyone who feels stuck between wanting more for their life and feeling terrified to fully step into it.

About Anna:

Anna Holtzman is a licensed therapist and coach who helps high-achieving women move through the fear of visibility and emerge into a truer expression of their work and identity. After 15 years in TV and publishing, Anna experienced firsthand how burnout, chronic pain, and repeated self-silencing can arise when success is driven by pressure rather than self-trust. Her own healing led her to nervous-system-informed tools that helped her reconnect with her voice and show up more honestly in her work.

Now she supports other women in doing the same, melting through imposter syndrome, bringing their most authentic visions to life, and allowing themselves to be seen without performing. She lives in Queens with her husband, stepdaughter, and three orange cats, and hosts the podcast How to Trust Yourself.

Connect with Anna:

Website: AnnaHoltzman.com
Free workshop: Let Yourself Be Seen
Instagram: @anna_holtzman
Podcast: How to Trust Yourself
Anna’s Email: Anna@annaholtzman.com

Connect with Rachel:

IG: thepelvicpaincoach
Get Your Free Pain Flare Plan
Get on the waitlist for a Pelvic Pain Strategy Session
Get on the waitlist for Beyond Chronic Pelvic Pain (doors opening early summer)

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.