In this episode, psychotherapist and author Nicole Sachs joins Mark Groves to explore the profound connection between emotional repression and chronic pain. Drawing from her personal story of healing from a debilitating spinal condition, Nicole shares how unprocessed trauma, perfectionism, and suppressed emotion get trapped in the body—manifesting as pain and illness. She introduces her groundbreaking method, JournalSpeak™, and explains how radical honesty, nervous system regulation, and self-compassion can unlock deep healing. This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone struggling with physical symptoms that traditional medicine can’t explain. If you’ve ever wondered if your pain has a story to tell, this episode is your invitation to listen.
Diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition in her twenties, Nicole Sachs transformed her life through Mindbody medicine after discovering the work of Dr. John Sarno. What began as a personal healing journey evolved into a professional collaboration—she lectured with Sarno at NYU and supported his patients through her private psychotherapy practice. For over 20 years, Nicole has researched chronic conditions and helped countless people heal by addressing the root cause: a dysregulated nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight, attempting to suppress unresolved emotions and trauma. Her practical, science-backed approach has been featured in USA Today, Woman’s World, and the Washington Post.
Links:
—This episode is sponsored by:
—Have a question For Mark to answer on the podcast?https://www.speakpipe.com/TheMarkGrovesPodcast
—Have a question for Mark and want an immediate answer? Mark's Dexa page: https://ask.markgroves.com
—How are your Nervous System + Attachment Style connected? https://markgroves.com/connectthedots
- Subscribe to Mark’s Substack to receive his weekly reflections and insights straight from his heart to your inbox. https://markgroves.substack.com/
—Contact us at podcast@markgroves.com for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.