Have you ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of the world while quietly falling apart inside? You’re the reliable one, the strong one, the caretaker everyone depends on—but behind closed doors, you feel exhausted, unseen, and like you’ve lost yourself.

That was me.

For years, I lived in survival mode. Trauma, caregiving, loss, chronic illness…it all piled up. I numbed my pain with food, busyness, and the pressure to keep performing. My body started breaking down. Chronic pain, digestive issues, weight gain, and anxiety became my everyday reality.

And then came my wake-up call. My doctor looked me in the eye and told me if I didn’t make serious changes, I wouldn’t live to see my kids grow up. That was the day I drew a line in the sand. I can still remember how the room went silent, how my stomach dropped, and how my tears burned as I forced myself to stay composed. Inside, I knew this wasn’t about weight—it was about my future, my purpose, and the chance to truly live.

Healing wasn’t linear, it was messy. I didn’t change everything overnight. I started with small resets: better food choices, gentle walks, supplements, breathwork, and mirror work. Over time, I lost 150 pounds, healed my gut, and, more importantly, I found myself again. I looked in the mirror and saw me—the woman I was created to be.

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The RESET Framework

On the podcast, I share how I healed by learning to:

• Regulate my nervous system with tools like breathwork, prayer, and journaling.
• Rewire my thoughts by replacing toxic patterns with truth—what neuroscience calls neuroplasticity.
• Rise into my true identity by giving myself permission to rest, say no, and honor my health.

Healing isn’t just mental. Functional medicine shows us that 80% of serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, is made in the gut. That’s why gut health, inflammation, and stress management are just as critical as mindset. True transformation happens when body, brain, and spirit all align.

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Why This Matters Right Now

So many of us are living in quiet survival mode—pushing through days on autopilot, ignoring the whispers of our bodies until they become shouts. Fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, anxiety, weight gain—these aren’t random symptoms. They are signals. Your body isn’t failing you; it’s fighting for you.

When you learn to pause and listen, you’ll see the connection. Stress isn’t just “in your head.” It raises cortisol, disrupts your gut health, throws off your hormones, and leaves you feeling inflamed, exhausted, and stuck. This is why healing requires a reset that integrates body, mind, and spirit.

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How to Begin Your Reset

If this feels overwhelming, start small. Healing happens one choice at a time:

• Begin with your breath. Practice box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) when stress spikes.
• Add water before coffee in the morning to signal hydration and calm to your nervous system.
• Create one boundary this week—whether it’s saying no to an extra commitment, or shutting down screens 30 minutes before bed.

Small steps stack into powerful transformation. The woman you see in the mirror a year from now will thank you for the choices you make today.

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Your Reflection

Ask yourself:

• Where in my life do I feel like I’m stuck in survival mode?
• What thought am I repeating that doesn’t serve me anymore?
• What small reset can I give myself this week?

Close your eyes and imagine yourself one year from now—rested, joyful, healthy, and alive in purpose. That life is possible. It begins with one small reset today.

Take a deep breath. Place your hand over your heart. With each inhale, remind yourself: I am worthy. With each exhale: I am safe. This simple practice helps your nervous system shift from survival to peace.

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A Word of Encouragement

Friend, you are not broken. You are awakening. Your body is not your enemy—it’s your messenger. You don’t need to fix yourself—you need to remember yourself. And you don’t have to do it alone. That’s why this community and this podcast exist—to remind you that you were made for more and to walk alongside you as you rise.

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Take the Next Step

You are not broken. You are awakening. Your body is not your enemy—it is your messenger. And you have the power to reset, rewire, and rise.

✨ Free Gift: Download The RESET Toolkit: 5 Steps to Regulate, Rewire, and Rise here. Inside, you’ll find simple ways to calm your nervous system, reset your energy, and reconnect with your purpose.

💜 Group Coaching: My RESET Group Coaching Program begins November 4th at 7 PM CST. It’s a 6-week journey into gut health, mindset, and sustainable habits. Spots are limited—learn more and sign up at monicaconnollycoaching.com/reset-group-coaching/

And remember: You were made for more. Reset, rewire, and rise in purpose.