Can unresolved trauma contribute to chronic illness? In this episode, Paula sits down with Dr. Anna Hodshire — atmospheric chemist, STEM mentor, professor, and host of the STEMdentity podcast — to discuss the powerful connection between IBS, stress, trauma, perfectionism, burnout, and nervous system healing.

After the traumatic loss of her father as a teenager, Anna began developing chronic digestive issues, anxiety, and symptoms later labeled as IBS. Like many people struggling with chronic illness, she found herself frustrated with the medical system and searching for deeper answers beyond medications and temporary fixes.

Together, Paula and Anna explore:

• IBS and the mind-body connection
• Trauma stored in the body
• Nervous system dysregulation
• EMDR therapy and parts work
• Hypnotherapy for IBS
• Burnout and perfectionism in STEM careers
• Chronic stress and inflammation
• Somatic healing and emotional regulation
• Self-worth, overachievement, and identity
• Learning to trust yourself and your body again

Anna also shares how healing her relationship with herself transformed not only her physical health, but also her career path and sense of purpose. Through therapy, nervous system work, mindset shifts, and self-awareness, she learned how to stop living in survival mode and begin creating a life that actually felt aligned.

If you struggle with IBS, chronic illness, anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode offers a compassionate and empowering perspective on healing from the inside out.

Topics Discussed:

• IBS symptoms and chronic digestive issues
• Trauma and chronic illness
• Stress-related illness
• Healing the nervous system
• EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• High-achiever burnout
• Women in STEM
• Emotional healing and self-compassion
• Mindset shifts for healing
• Personal growth and self-discovery

Connect with Dr. Anna Hodshire

https://calendly.com/annahodshire/intro-work-audit-call

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stemdentity?igsh=dzRsbTNwd2Nsejk1

Podcast: STEMdentity https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stemdentity/id1856075481

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this conversation today.

You can find me at:

https://www.instagram.com/rewritingtheillnessstory?igsh=MWEzZDc2bWFyaXpyZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

OR

rewritingillness@gmail.com

Music: Island Glow by Dirk Dealer

Book with Meditation: You Are Not your Pain Book by Danny Penman and Vidyamala Burch (on Amazon). https://amzn.to/3PIT118

Cathy Heller https://cathyheller.samcart.com/referral/thisabundantlifebycathyheller/bT7E7mYq6rPBaJ9g