The Mind-Body Couple

Parenting and chronic pain/illness—two life challenges that seem impossible to juggle, right? Join us, Tanner Murtaugh and Anne Hampson, as we unravel the intertwined complexities of nurturing our children while healing from neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Reflect on Tanner's journey from pre-parenthood healing to the new stressors and joys children bring into the mix. For those without kids,...

Imagine navigating the complexities of a challenging week marked by your child's illness and a sudden power outage. That's precisely what we faced recently, and it highlighted how stress can make life seem all the more serious. Join us as we unpack personal experiences and the often unspoken issue of medical trauma—a significant form of trauma that's largely overlooked in the health...

After battling a relentless bout of stomach flu that turned our household upside down, we uncovered profound insights into the mind-body connection that we're excited to share with you. Picture this: each family member succumbs to illness, fear creeps in, and suddenly, we're revisiting our mind-body techniques to navigate the chaos. In this episode of the MindBodyCouple podcast, we unrav...

What if processing shame could be the key to unlocking your healing journey from chronic pain and illness? Join us as we promise to unravel this complex emotion and its significant role in recovery. Our latest episode features an exploration of how guilt, the feeling of having done wrong, differs from shame, which attacks our very sense of self. By shining a light on these often-confused emotions...

What if the key to alleviating chronic pain lies in the way we perceive and engage with our own emotions and habits? Join us as we tackle this intriguing question and uncover the habits that might be hindering your healing journey. We dive into the necessity of downtime and how regulating your nervous system can be a game changer. Plus, we're thrilled to introduce our new weekly virtual Qigon...

After years of battling with chronic neuroplastic pain, Tanner Murtaugh discovered the power of purposeful action as a transformative tool in their healing journey. Join us on the MindBodyCouple podcast, where we share how engaging in actions with a sense of purpose, passion, and creativity can help shift focus from fear-driven behaviors to those grounded in values and meaning. By letting go of pe...

What if your dizziness and anxiety were more connected than you ever imagined? Join us in a groundbreaking conversation with Dr. Yonit Arthur, a board-certified audiologist and vestibular specialist, as we unravel the unexpected link between chronic dizziness and mental health challenges like anxiety and obsessive-compulsive patterns. Dr. Arthur sheds light on how sudden bouts of dizziness can tri...

Discover the revolutionary approach to retraining your brain to conquer chronic pain and illness as we welcome a fresh start in the new year. Through candid reflections on our holiday experiences, we underscore the critical importance of easing pressure and maintaining emotional regulation. Dive deep into the transformative practice of somatic tracking, a cornerstone of pain reprocessing therapy,...

After enduring decades of chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, Aoife, a courageous mind-body coach, graces our latest episode with her incredible journey to healing. As a child, Aoife was dubbed the "mystery girl" by doctors due to her endless symptoms and elusive diagnoses, including fibromyalgia. Her story is a testament to resilience and transformation, from struggling with drugs an...

Ever felt the weight of the holiday season bearing down on you, especially when managing chronic pain or illness? You're not alone. Join us as we promise to equip you with a "mind-body holiday toolkit" designed to navigate the intense pressures of festive obligations, relationship dynamics, and financial strains. Our heartfelt discussion sheds light on the common yet overwhelming ex...

Unlock the secrets to navigating uncertainty in your healing journey with insights from the MindBodyCouple podcast. Ever wondered how your nervous system's subconscious signals might be impacting your emotional regulation and perception of safety? Join us as we explore the concept of neuroception from polyvagal theory, revealing how childhood adversity, trauma, and chronic pain can skew these...

What if the chronic pain you experience isn't just a physical ailment, but a complex interplay of emotions and neurological patterns? Join us on the MindBodyCouple podcast as Simon unravels his personal journey of battling chronic pain. Despite expert opinions leaving him at a loss, Simon's story is one of resilience and discovery. He sheds light on the neuroplastic nature of his symptom...

Imagine discovering a path to healing chronic pain/symptoms and  trauma that involves something as simple and joyful as play. Join us, Tanner and Anne, as we embark on an insightful journey through the intricate workings of the autonomic nervous system and its vital role in well-being. Our series kicks off with a lighthearted exploration of the ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal states,...

Imagine a world where chronic pain is not a lifelong sentence but a puzzle that can be solved. That's exactly what Paul Lapointe, our esteemed guest from the Pain Psychotherapy Canada Clinic, discovered on his remarkable journey. After facing his own debilitating chronic pain, Paul unearthed the transformative concept of neuroplastic pain—a revelation that turned his world upside down. Join u...

In this episode we dive into discussing symptom imperative, a fascinating phenomenon where new symptoms arise as one heals from chronic pain/symptoms through a neuroplastic approach. We guide you through effective strategies for overcoming the symptom imperative, emphasizing the need to recognize symptoms without an obsessive urge to fix them. Beware of the trap of consulting "Dr. Google,&quo...

Discover the secrets of taming the "spooky beast" of chronic pain/symptoms as we unravel the intricate dance between our brains and our bodies. Ever wondered how your brain's misinterpretation of signals keeps you ensnared in a relentless cycle of discomfort? We'll demystify the science of nervous system survival responses like fight, flight, fawn, and freeze and explore how th...

In this episode of the MindBodyCouple podcast, Tanner reveals how chronic pain and mental health struggles led him away from work and into a cycle of avoidance that only deepened his challenges. Discover Tanner's personal story of healing through a mind-body approach, a method that helped him gradually and safely reintegrate into the workplace. We discuss why it's crucial to solidify rec...

Ever wondered if perfectionism could be causing your chronic pain or symptoms? Join us on the MindBodyCouple podcast, where we unravel the fascinating link between these two issues, drawing from our recent experiences at the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association conference in Colorado. Our insights are breaking new ground by challenging the notion that perfectionism is an immutable part of your...

What if the path to healing chronic fatigue syndrome and long COVID lies not in medication or supplements, but within our own minds? Discover how special guest Raelan Agle transformed her decade-long battle with chronic fatigue syndrome into a journey of recovery and empowerment. As the creator of a thriving YouTube channel, Raelan Agle shares the evolving stories of resilience and recovery, highl...

Ever wondered why your chronic pain or symptoms returns even after periods of relief? Learn the secrets to sustaining your healing journey and discover daily practices that can regulate your nervous system for the long run. We share compelling personal stories and client observations that reveal common pitfalls and emphasize the necessity of a lifestyle overhaul. From reshaping your thoughts and b...

Can pain and physical symptoms exist without any physical damage? Join us for a mind-bending exploration on the MindBodyCouple podcast as we unravel the mysteries of neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Hosts Tanner Murtaugh and Anne Hampson dive into the science behind chronic pain/symptoms, explaining how the brain can misinterpret harmless signals as threats, leading to real pain/symptoms despite th...

Can the mind really amplify pain even when your body is healed? Join us as we unravel this fascinating concept of neuroplastic pain and symptoms Fresh off our family trip to British Columbia, we share our travel adventures with young children and shift our focus to understanding the seven ways neuroplastic pain and symptoms develop. We dive deep into how pain signals can serve as meaningful messag...

Ever wondered why animals seem to bounce back from stress so effortlessly, while humans often get stuck? In this episode, Tanner and Anne dive deep into the science of trauma and the nervous system, guided by insights from experts like Peter Levine and Deb Dana. We'll explore how intentional movement can rewire our nervous systems from a state of chronic stress to one of connection and healin...

Imagine spending years in search of a cure for chronic pain or symptoms, only to find the answer in an unexpected place. That's precisely what happened to us, Tanner and Anne, as we navigated the rocky terrain of mind-body healing. Join us on this episode of the MindBodyCouple podcast as we peel back the layers of our personal journeys and introduce you to the seven stages of healing. We kick...

How do you reconcile with the idea that you may never be the person you once were? Join us as we unravel this tender and challenging journey, starting with a light-hearted update on our recent kid-free adventure and the charming Dumbo-themed birthday party we're planning for our son. We then pivot to a profound discussion on the impact of chronic pain and symptoms, often rooted in a lifetime...