Hot Mess with Alix Earle
Episode: Living with Anxiety (My Story + Tips)
Release Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Alix Earle
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt episode, Alix Earle opens up about her lifelong journey with anxiety — sharing her personal story, reflecting on how it has affected her life, and offering practical tips to listeners who may be struggling. She candidly discusses her initial confusion about anxiety as a teen, her experiences with therapy and medication, and techniques she's discovered that offer real relief. Through listener questions, Alix addresses common concerns about anxiety and provides encouragement for anyone feeling alone in their struggles, all while keeping the conversation casual and relatable as she gets ready.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Alix’s Personal Anxiety Story
[00:29-08:26]
- First Encounters:
- Anxiety first struck at age 14, right before starting high school.
- Alix's first panic attack occurred at a restaurant after previously fainting in a salon, leaving her convinced something was physically wrong.
- Physical Symptoms:
- Describes the panic attack vividly: lightheadedness, clammy hands, racing heart, and nausea.
- After a hospital visit ruled out physical illness, she remained convinced she had a health issue.
- Struggles in High School:
- Anxiety was so intense she would vomit every morning and often left school early.
- Family didn’t initially recognize what was happening, thinking it could be physical illness or avoidance.
- Understanding Anxiety:
- A therapist finally offered the term “anxiety,” which felt “so relieving” to understand what she was experiencing.
- Therapy offered comfort but was challenging:
"Anytime I left the comfort of my bed, which I felt was my safe space, I just started to freak out." (06:33)
2. Living with Anxiety: Day-to-Day Realities
[08:27-11:15]
- Lingering Effects:
- Despite improvements, anxiety “never really leaves you” and can still be triggered by situations like hot Pilates classes or even too much downtime in summer.
- Coping with Spontaneous Intrusions:
- Even after years of experience and therapy, thoughts like “oh my god, am I about to pass out right now?” persist, though she has learned to challenge them.
3. Listener Q&A: “What Would Alix Do?”
Coping with Change & Travel
[11:16-16:15]
- Travel Anxiety:
- Travel used to be “very anxiety inducing,” causing a feeling of “spaciness” and detachment, especially when far from home.
- Go-To Calming Techniques:
- The “3-5-7” Breathing Technique:
"Breathe in for three seconds, hold for five, and out for seven. It’s supposed to calm your nervous system." (13:20)
- Ear Pull:
- Place your finger in your ear and pull down gently for a sense of release (“learned this on TikTok").
- Cold Water & Sour Candy:
- Apply cold water to wrists or eat sour candy to calm nerves.
- Distraction Skills:
- Count backwards, focus on objects in the room, or physically move to redirect your mind.
-
Giving Yourself a “Reality Check”:
“I’ve been in the bathroom mirror... like, ‘Alix, you need to calm the fuck down. Get it together right now. It is OK.’” (15:25)
- Visualize anxiety as a separate person and firmly tell it to stop.
- The “3-5-7” Breathing Technique:
Distinguishing Stress from Anxiety
[16:16-19:45]
- Stress vs Anxiety:
- “Anxiety is like a crippling feeling... much more physical symptoms... sort of overruling and overtaking anything else in that moment.” (17:20)
- Stress allows more normalcy; anxiety can feel paralyzing.
- Best Advice:
- Notice the intensity and physical symptoms to distinguish between the two.
- Both can benefit from grounding coping techniques, especially early on.
4. Relationship with Medication
[19:46-23:36]
- Initial Resistance & Acceptance:
- Stubbornly resisted medication at first, preferring to “do it myself.”
- Therapy and anxiety became so overwhelming that she agreed to try medication (Lexapro), starting at age 15.
- How It Helped:
- Medication didn’t feel like a quick fix but gradually “the voice in my head started to get quieter.”
- Found it easier to retrain her thinking over time.
- Tried getting off medication in college but noticed anxiety returning, so chose to continue as long as it helps without side effects.
- Personal Disclaimer:
“Obviously, I’m not a doctor so take everything I say with a grain of salt. This is just what works best for me.” (23:30)
5. Not Pushing People Away: Support Systems
[23:37-27:18]
- Instinct to Isolate:
- Admits to sometimes withdrawing from others during intense anxiety or panic.
- Opening Up Helps:
“Talking about it to the people around me... sometimes just makes it a little less scary.” (24:30)
- Speaking fears out loud brings relief, context, and support; can make anxious fears seem less rational.
- Even if close friends or family don’t have the same intensity of anxiety, “the people around you love you and want to support you.”
- Building Community:
- Feels less alone by relating to others who experience anxiety, whether that’s friends, listeners, or the broader audience.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Panic Attacks:
“It’s like this evil person in your brain that you have to tell to stop.” (02:56)
- On Understanding Anxiety:
“Just classifying it as something... because for a few months, I just thought I was, like, dying.” (06:15)
- On Traveling with Anxiety:
“It was always like a weird sort of uncomfortable feeling when I got to a new place... are my feet really even on the ground here?” (12:50)
- On Self-Talk:
“You need to be a little bit of a bitch... and just tell it to shut up.” (15:44)
- On Medication:
“There’s a chemical imbalance in my brain, and the medication was the only thing to boost that up...” (22:12)
- On Not Being Alone:
“There’s so many of us that deal with this... it’s really nice to just have this community where we can all rely on each other.” (26:40)
Main Takeaways
- Anxiety can have a profound physical and mental impact, often misunderstood and invisible to others.
- Therapy, support systems, and — for some — medication, can be crucial to recovery and management.
- Practical coping skills make a real difference: breathing techniques, sensory tricks, distraction, and “reality checks.”
- Talking honestly about anxiety — with professionals, friends, or community — is healing, grounding, and reduces shame or isolation.
- You are not alone. Many people share these struggles and can support each other.
For listeners struggling with anxiety or looking to support someone who is, Alix’s candid, honest, and compassionate approach provides not only comfort but actionable advice and hope that it does get better.