Updates from Jackie Potter

Unshrinking: Why So Many Women Feel Exhausted and Don’t Know Why

Unshrinking: Why So Many Women Feel Exhausted and Don’t Know Why
The blog post addresses a unique form of exhaustion stemming from not being true to oneself for extended periods. This subtle burnout is characterized by completing tasks without feeling fulfilled, often accompanied by self-doubt and a persistent sense of tiredness. Many women experience this hidden cost of shrinking, slowly internalizing societal expectations to be helpful yet invisible, confident but non-intimidating, leading them to question their identity and desires.

The post suggests that these feelings are not signs of a crisis but an awakening, an opportunity to rediscover one's authentic self buried under years of conformity. It encourages readers to identify outdated roles, challenge unhelpful narratives, and make space for genuine desires without the need to reinvent themselves. This process is about creating room for one's true self to emerge rather than transforming into something entirely new.

NLP and coaching are presented as tools to facilitate this transition, offering a judgment-free space to explore the causes of emotional and physical fatigue often mistaken for laziness or weakness. By recognizing where they have been shrinking and what aspects of their identity need acknowledgment, individuals can reconnect with their intrinsic passion and joy. The post suggests that this journey is about reuniting with oneself, offering hope and guidance for those ready to shed the burdens of expectation and reclaim their authentic selves.
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When You’re Not Fine, But Not Falling Apart: Understanding the Nervous System’s Quiet Strain

When You’re Not Fine, But Not Falling Apart: Understanding the Nervous System’s Quiet Strain
Navigating the space where you're "okay" but not quite fine can be challenging, characterized by a persistent sense of tension and weight that seems ever-present. It's common to experience days where you're able to function—going through routines like making coffee or replying to emails—while not feeling fully grounded or present. This state, while not indicative of burnout, is a symptom of nervous system dysregulation that requires attention and care.

Understanding the polyvagal theory offers insight into how our nervous system operates across a spectrum of responses, mediated by the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in determining our state of safety and presence. In navigating through the states of fight-or-flight, freeze, and rest-and-connect, our body signals us through tension or disconnection, highlighting an overload even as we appear high-functioning externally. It’s crucial to recognize these signals not as faults but as cues that suggest our system is holding more than it comfortably can.

Addressing these challenges through nervous system regulation is not about achieving perfection but rather about finding tranquility and relief amid the daily bustle. Simple practices like breathwork, gentle movement, and grounding rituals can promote a sense of calm and safety, essential for genuine relaxation and rejuvenation. Remember, seeking support and allowing yourself the grace to rest does not signify weakness; it's a testament to your humanity and ongoing resilience.
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How Coaching Helps Manage Stress and Anxiety: A Look Inside a Real Session

How Coaching Helps Manage Stress and Anxiety: A Look Inside a Real Session
In a coaching session, the journey from overwhelm to clarity can be transformative. A client enters the room with a polished exterior, masking the storm of emotions within. As the session unfolds, the coach observes subtle shifts in the client's demeanor, from rehearsed narratives to raw, emotional revelations, highlighting the power of being truly seen and heard.

The coach's role is not to provide immediate solutions but to hold up a mirror to the client's internal patterns. By staying present and allowing the client to express unspoken feelings, the coach helps them navigate the storm of emotions. This process of witnessing and naming the winds of the storm—tiredness, frustration, loneliness—enables the client to gain awareness and begin to calm the turmoil within.

Through this experience, the client discovers that the answers they seek are already inside them. By naming their feelings and identifying small, actionable steps, such as resting or reaching out to a friend, they can start to regain control. The coaching session empowers the client to stand steadier, no longer alone in their storm, but equipped with the tools to face it.
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When Rest Feels Wrong: Why So Many Men Struggle with Stillness

When Rest Feels Wrong: Why So Many Men Struggle with Stillness
The blog post explores the silent struggle many men face in balancing life’s demands, where the constant buzz of work and family leaves little room for genuine rest. This pressure-filled phase of life often creates a skewed belief that staying busy equals worthiness, while stillness is mistakenly viewed as risky. By delving into the science behind this discomfort, the post uncovers how the brain misinterprets rest as a threat, pushing individuals to relentlessly achieve and proving that relaxation often feels unnerving.

Highlighting that stillness is not a sign of weakness, the post advocates for embracing moments of calm as a form of strength. It challenges the ingrained belief that one’s value is tied solely to productivity, encouraging readers to recognize that true resilience comes from being present and allowing oneself to slow down. By offering strategies to manage anxiety and promote calm, such as catching the urge to remain busy and practicing bilateral grounding, the post empowers individuals to see rest as an ally, not an adversary.

Finally, the piece invites readers to reconsider their relationship with productivity, emphasizing that self-worth surpasses output and achievements. It serves as a poignant reminder that strength is found in embracing stillness and recognizing one's inherent value beyond the race of life. The post encourages readers to share this insight with men who may benefit from understanding that their worth, even in moments of silence, remains unshaken.
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When the Shop Quieted Down: How NLP Coaching Transformed Work Culture in a Family-Owned Business

When the Shop Quieted Down: How NLP Coaching Transformed Work Culture in a Family-Owned Business
When Maria took over her father's custom metal fabrication shop, she faced unexpected challenges in leading effectively despite years of preparation. Though she held the title of leader, her proposed changes were often ignored, and the loyalty of her team still lay with her father. Seeking a shift in workplace culture rather than enforcing change, Maria turned to an NLP-certified workplace coach to facilitate the adaptation of the team to a new leadership style.

The coaching focused on reframing resistance, improving language clarity, and anchoring progress through collaborative methods instead of traditional consulting techniques. Honest conversations and NLP-based coaching helped the team not only increase efficiency but also foster openness and trust. The team started to engage more proactively, asking questions and sharing feedback, transforming a culture that valued hierarchy and old habits into one of mutual respect and curiosity.

Maria successfully transitioned into her leadership role with her team’s genuine support, moving from complying out of obligation to trusting collaboration. Bringing in an NLP-certified workplace coach signaled that the company valued each team member's contribution and encouraged collective growth and learning. The transformation journey highlights that coaching can be a potent tool for cultural change in businesses, fostering environments that prioritize progress and respect over mere productivity.
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Meet Jackie Potter

Meet Jackie Potter

Owner & Founder, JPotter Health
Hi, I'm Jackie Potter.
I've spent my life asking questions, searching for answers, and trying to understand why we think, feel, and respond the way we do.
My background is in biology and chemistry research, where I developed a deep appreciation for science and evidence-based problem solving. But my greatest education came through my own experience.
I've lived with anxiety for most of my life.
Like many people, I learned to function through it. But when I became a parent and began seeing the same struggles in my son, I realized I wanted more than coping strategies. I wanted to understand what was happening in the brain and body, and more importantly, how people can create lasting change.
That journey led me into the world of professional coaching.
Today, I'm an ICF-Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and a Certified NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Coach. I've completed nearly 20 professional certifications in coaching, communication, neuroscience, behavior change, stress regulation, and emotional wellness.
Those certifications aren't just credentials on a wall. They represent years of studying how people create meaningful, lasting transformation.
My coaching combines evidence-based practices with practical tools that help clients move beyond simply managing stress and anxiety. Together, we work to understand patterns, build emotional resilience, improve self-awareness, strengthen confidence, and create sustainable habits that support the life they want to live.
I believe every person already has the capacity for change. Sometimes we simply need someone who can ask the right questions, provide the right tools, and help us see possibilities we couldn't see on our own.
Whether you're navigating anxiety, chronic stress, overwhelm, major life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, my goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can gain clarity, reconnect with your strengths, and move forward with confidence.

Supporting People... and the Pets They Love

My passion for helping others naturally expanded to include another important member of the family: our pets.
Many of the same principles that affect human well-being also influence our animals. Stress, fear, environmental changes, aging, and nervous system regulation all play important roles in a pet's quality of life.
Over the years, I've completed advanced education in cannabinoids, the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), and pet wellness. This allows me to help pet owners better understand the science behind behavioral support while making informed decisions about cannabinoid-based wellness products.
Rather than focusing only on the pet, I work with both the pet and the owner.
Together, we look at lifestyle, environment, daily routines, stress triggers, and appropriate wellness strategies to help create a calmer, healthier relationship for everyone involved. My goal isn't simply to recommend a product. It's to educate, support, and help families understand why certain approaches work so they can make confident decisions for their pets.
Whether I'm coaching a person through life's challenges or helping a family support an anxious dog, the mission remains the same:
To use science, education, and compassionate coaching to help create healthier, calmer lives.

Let's Build Something Better Together.

If you're ready to take the next step for yourself or for your pet I'd love to help.
Let's Chat.


Photo of Jackie Potter