Jessica Maguire on Why Anxiety, Gut Issues, and Chronic Pain Are All Connected

What if the way you experience stress, anxiety, and even chronic pain isn’t just in your head—but rooted in your nervous system? Jessica Maguire, a physiotherapist, TEDx speaker, and founder of Nervous System School, has dedicated her career to helping people understand how past experiences shape the body’s ability to regulate itself—and, more importantly, how we can retrain it to feel safe.

I first discovered Jessica’s work on Instagram during my own deep dive into nervous system regulation. Her insights resonated immediately—she has a way of explaining complex science in a way that’s not only accessible but genuinely transformative. After signing up for her Vagus Nerve masterclass, I knew I had to learn more. So, while in Byron Bay, I sat down with Jessica in the tranquil garden of Three Meadows to talk about the mind-body connection, trauma, and the science of healing.

Jessica’s journey is as personal as it is professional. After tragically losing two brothers, she experienced firsthand how trauma imprints on the body, manifesting as anxiety, burnout, and physical symptoms like chronic pain and gut issues. This led her to study the nervous system at a deeper level, eventually creating the Vagus Nerve Program and the Nervous System Certification Course, which have now helped over 20,000 people worldwide.

In this episode, we explore how the nervous system affects our emotions, why so many of us feel stuck in fight-or-flight, and what practical steps we can take to move from survival mode to a state of calm and balance.

What we cover:

– How trauma reshapes the nervous system—and how to retrain it

– The three nervous system states and how to shift between them

– The connection between stress, gut health, and chronic pain

– The role of the vagus nerve in emotional resilience

– Simple techniques to self-regulate and feel at home in your body

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who struggles with stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly on edge, Jessica’s insights could be the key to understanding—and finally shifting—your body’s response to stress.

A special thank you to Dermalogica, our season sponsor for Season 4. To experience their products for yourself, use the code BEAUTICATE20 to receive 20% off Dermalogica.com.au from 3 Feb - 30 April.

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