118. Breaking the Achievement Trap: Finding Fulfillment Beyond Success

Welcome back, everyone! In this episode, I sit down with psychiatrist Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris to unpack a spicy little tangle many of us know all too well: anxiety and achievement. We dive into how our culture’s obsession with success can quietly (or loudly) erode our mental health—think burnout, chronic worry, and that nagging sense that no matter what you do, it’s never quite enough. We explore how trauma can wire us to chase gold stars at the expense of our nervous systems, and why learning to be here—not three steps ahead—is actually the most revolutionary act of self-care. Dimitrios brings a grounded clinical lens, I bring my usual blend of neuroscience, stand-up comedy, and soul (yes, that’s a combo now), and together we offer some real-world tools to soften your grip on striving and build a gentler, more present relationship with success. Come for the insights, stay for the laughter... and maybe, just maybe, leave with a little less anxiety in your achievement. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Anxiety and Achievement 00:57 The Pressure of Achievement in Society 03:51 The Illusion of Happiness Through Achievement 07:01 Recalibrating Our Relationship with Achievement 09:54 Mindfulness and Presence in Nature 13:00 Understanding the Default Mode Network 15:53 Agency and Control in Managing Anxiety 19:00 The Role of Trauma in Anxiety 22:01 Practical Strategies for Managing Anxiety 30:46 Understanding the Amygdala's Role in Stress Responses 33:34 The Importance of Somatic Awareness in Managing Anxiety 36:46 Repetition Compulsion: Patterns from Childhood to Adulthood 39:30 The Pressure of Achievement and Its Psychological Impact 42:04 Finding Happiness in the Present Moment 45:32 The Power of Expression: Talking and Writing as Healing Tools

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