Why Your Anxiety, Gut Issues & Exhaustion Might Be Stored Trauma (and how to finally release it) with Liz Tenuto

Operation Podcast

21 May 2026

This episode is brought to you by Ancient & Brave, Strong Coffee Company and Audible. What if your anxiety, exhaustion, gut issues, insomnia, chronic tension, or even emotional numbness weren't random… but your body trying to communicate unresolved stress and trauma? Somatic healing expert and When the Body Speaks author Liz Tenuto—better known online as "The Workout Witch"—joiins us to unpack how trauma gets stored in the nervous system and why so many people stay stuck even after years of therapy, self-help, and "doing all the right things." Liz explains the science behind somatic healing, bottom-up nervous system regulation, neurogenic tremors, emotional release, chronic stress physiology, and how seemingly "normal" symptoms like jaw clenching, gut issues, fatigue, insomnia, and brain fog may actually be signs your body never fully completed the stress response. This conversation blends neuroscience, emotional healing, nervous system education, and practical tools into one of the deepest conversations yet on what it truly means to move Ever Forward. YOU WILL LEARN: Why trauma is physical, not just emotional The difference between top-down vs bottom-up healing How chronic stress silently changes the body Why high performers often normalize dysregulation The role of safety and co-regulation in healing The surprising power of tiny movements and somatic exercises How unresolved trauma can mask deeper layers of pain Why healing can lead to a more authentic and connected life Follow Liz @theworkoutwitch_ Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 – Trauma gets stored in the body 00:44 – What "bottom-up healing" means 01:00 – Why physical release creates emotional healing 01:33 – Neurogenic tremors explained 01:51 – Your body is your most honest messenger 03:09 – Giving yourself permission to not feel okay 06:11 – Is healing a luxury in modern life? 07:35 – When your body is quietly screaming at you 09:07 – Healthy coping vs hidden avoidance 11:42 – Why we always go to extremes with stress 14:21 – Can 5–10 minutes a day really heal stress? 16:12 – Signs trauma may be stored in your nervous system 19:58 – A simple vagus nerve exercise for relaxation 22:25 – Rocking movements & soothing the nervous system 25:14 – Gabor Maté's definition of trauma 26:56 – What is secondary trauma? 30:05 – Chase shares his PTSD healing journey 31:59 – Somatics vs talk therapy explained 35:11 – Why the jaw & psoas hold stress 36:09 – Why animals shake after stress (and humans don't) 38:54 – Why physical release creates emotional release 40:46 – The importance of safe people & co-regulation 43:08 – Signs your nervous system may be dysregulated 45:20 – Liz shares her trauma story 47:14 – Discovering somatic healing for the first time 49:39 – What somatic exercises actually look like 51:16 – Why gentle movement heals the nervous system 53:09 – Can you do somatic healing on your own? 54:20 – Reclaiming ownership of your body 55:50 – Healing trauma through unlearning survival patterns 57:43 – Somatics vs therapy: where should people start? 58:45 – Healing trauma you can't consciously remember 01:02:16 – Why avoiding trauma never truly works 01:03:09 – Trauma lives in your cells & tissues 01:05:57 – Healing creates ripple effects for others 01:09:57 – Liz on joy, hobbies & learning to play again 01:12:45 – What "Ever Forward" means to Liz 01:14:24 – "When the body speaks… are we listening?" ----- Episode resources: Save 20% on Tru Biome with code EVERFOFRWARD from Ancient and Brave Save 15% on organic coffee with code CHASE from Strong Coffee Company FREE 30-day trial of Audible audiobooks Watch and subscribe on YouTube Get Liz's new book When the Body Speaks