Dr. Melillo is one of the most respected specialists in neurological disorders in America, Dr. Robert Melillo has been helping children overcome learning disabilities for over 30 years. His areas of expertise include: autism spectrum disorders, PDD/NOS, ADD/ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, Asperger’s, Tourette’s, bipolar disorder, and other mental, attention, behavioral and learning disorders. He is also an expert in diet, nutrition and neuroimmune disorders in children and adults. He is best known for his best selling book, Disconnected Kids. He has a brand new version of this book coming out the first week of August (and is available now for pre-orders on Amazon).

In this episode, Christine Hassler coaches Niamh, who struggles with the fear and inner critic preventing her from pursuing her passion for music. Niamh shares her journey of reconnecting with her love for music after being laid off from her corporate job. Despite her progress, she faces a recurring block of fear, especially around visibility and judgment. Christine guides her through strategies to work with her fear rather than trying to overcome it, emphasizing the importance of nurturing and comforting the inner child.

Consider/Ask Yourself:

• Do you want to pursue a passion but feel paralyzed by fear?
• Do you have a loud inner critic that stops you from taking action?
• Do you take fear as a sign that you shouldn’t do something?
• Are you afraid of judgment from others?

Guest Insights:

• Niamh has a deep passion for music but is hindered by a protective part that triggers fear and self-criticism.
• She recognizes that fear stems from childhood and struggles with visibility and harsh self-judgment.
• Niamh has tried forcing herself through fear but finds it counterproductive and re-traumatizing.

Aha Moments:

• Fear is not the absence of courage but moving forward despite fear.
• The inner critic often stems from past experiences where visibility and vulnerability were met with harsh judgment or unsafe situations.
• Working with fear involves nurturing the inner child and compassionately acknowledging the inner critic.

How to Get Over It and On With It:

• Slow down and break down fast-paced, subconscious thoughts to create separation from the inner critic.
• Bring the inner child into the process, comforting and holding her hand through fearful moments.
• Have a plan to support yourself if faced with negative feedback, such as deleting comments and seeking comfort.
• Write and perform songs that express the journey of dancing with fear rather than trying to overcome it.

Social Media Info:

• Follow Christine on Instagram @ChristineHassler (http://instagram.com/ChristineHassler)

• Tweet your insights to Christine @ChristineHassler on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ChristinHassler)

Join us next week for another in sightful episode where we help you get over it and on with the life you love.

ana James MS, CNS, CDN, is a triple certified nutritionist, functional medicine practitioner and cogitative behavioral therapist. She takes a rare approach to women’s weight loss and hormonal health – putting self-worth at the center of the conversation. As a self-worth expert, James has spent the past 22 years studying the complex relationship between food, metabolic issues, and emotions.

Dana has a Master of Science in Medical Nutrition from Columbia University. She is trained by Institute for Functional Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. She wrote the Amazon best selling book, The Archetype Diet, which weaves together food, hormones and self-worth. She now splits her time between Europe and US.