Unmasking the Self: Nervous System Regulation, Breathwork, and Real-World Mindfulness with Alicia Zielinski-Straub

On this The Mindful Living episode, host Sana sits down with therapist and former corporate high-achiever Alicia Zielinski-Straub to talk about what it really takes to “unmask” — moving beyond people-pleasing, stress autopilot, and cognitive overdrive. Alicia explains how nervous system regulation, breath-led practices, and present-moment sensing help dissolve emptiness, expand our window of tolerance, and create more honest relationships. Expect a direct, practical take on boundaries, the “observer” mindset, and why emotional waves often resolve in about 90 seconds when we stop over-analyzing. If you’ve felt successful on paper yet hollow inside, this conversation gives grounded next steps you can use today.

About the guest:

Alicia Zielinski-Straub is a therapist and guide who left a thriving corporate career to build a private practice centered on mindfulness, breathwork, and nervous system regulation. She helps individuals and couples shift from reactivity to clarity by cultivating daily, body-based practices and compassionate self-awareness.

Key takeaways:

• Unmasking starts by noticing defense patterns and “masks” (performance, perfection, people-pleasing) without rushing to fix them.

• Breath and senses anchor attention in the body, helping regulate the nervous system and widen the window of tolerance.

• From a regulated state, insight, creativity, and problem-solving emerge with far less force and overthinking.

• Emotional surges often pass within roughly 90 seconds when we witness rather than analyze or suppress.

• Boundaries create space to process, integrate, and show up more patient, kind, and genuine.

• Changing our inner state often shifts relationships organically; one person’s regulation can de-escalate dynamics.

• Autopilot has a role (habits save energy) but must be updated when it stops serving our values.

• Reframing purpose from “be happy” to “learn and grow” reduces shame and supports steady expansion.

• Shame lightens when we see patterns as conditioning and nervous-system impacts—not identity.

• Daily consistency (small practices, often) rewires baseline living from fear-driven to grounded and authentic.

Connect with the guest:

• Website/Email: https://aliciazstraubcounseling.com/ (contact email available on site)

• Instagram & Facebook: @journeywithalicia

• Phone/Text: available via website contact page

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Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.

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