Fear Less

106. The Hidden Anxiety in Competitive Sports: A Runner's Story of OCD, Fear, and Recovery

What happens when the pressure to succeed in sports quietly turns into anxiety, perfectionism, or OCD? In this powerful episode, Zack talks with elite runner, therapist, and former Olympic Trials marathoner Dr. Cali Werner about her personal journey growing up as a high-achieving athlete while secretly battling OCD and anxiety. From compulsive pre-race rituals and overwhelming fear of failure to intrusive thoughts and perfectionism, Cali shares how mental health struggles can hide behind athletic success for years. This episode is especially valuable for parents of athletes, coaches, and young people navigating competitive sports. Cali explains the difference between healthy routines and anxiety-driven rituals, how sports pressure can amplify OCD symptoms, and why early support matters. Zack and Cali also explore topics like reassurance seeking, shame, sports psychology, exposure therapy (ERP), identity outside of athletics, and how recovery is possible even after years of struggling. A hopeful and deeply relatable conversation for families trying to support anxious teens and young adults in sports. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from mixed martial artist and fighter Ronday Rousey to help you Fear Less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

105. Beyond the Autism Label: Helping Neurodivergent Young Adults Build Independence and Purpose

What does it really mean when a young adult receives a late diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder? In this thought-provoking episode, host Zack sits down with clinical psychologist Eric Beaudoin, Psy.D., Executive Director of Cornerstones of Maine, [https://cornerstonesofmaine.com/young-adults-residential-treatment] to explore a growing trend in mental health: the rise of late autism diagnoses in teens and young adults. Together, they unpack the complex overlap between autism, developmental delays, anxiety, and social skill deficits—raising important questions about whether some individuals are being misdiagnosed due to limited life experience, environmental factors, or gaps in comprehensive assessment. More importantly, this episode shifts the focus away from labels and toward what truly matters: helping young people build meaningful, independent lives. Eric shares a powerful, function-first approach that emphasizes identity, purpose, and real-world engagement over diagnostic categories. For parents navigating uncertainty about their child's diagnosis—or wondering how best to support a struggling young adult—this conversation offers both clarity and hope, highlighting that growth, resilience, and capability are often far greater than a label might suggest. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from inspiring author, Norman Vincent Peale to help you Fear Less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

104. From Fear to Freedom: What Parents, Professionals, and People with OCD Need to Know

What if your child's anxiety isn't just a phase—but something more? In this episode, Zack sits down with OCD clinician Victoria Lane of the OCD Institute of Texas [https://ocditexas.com/victoria-lane/] to explore how obsessive-compulsive disorder can quietly take hold in teens and young adults. Drawing from both her professional role and lived experience with OCD, Victoria helps parents recognize early warning signs that are often missed and understand when anxiety may have crossed into something more serious. Together, they break down Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—the gold-standard treatment for OCD—and explain why it works, even when it feels counterintuitive. Parents will gain practical insight into how to support their child without reinforcing anxiety, what it means when a teen is "half in, half out" of treatment, and how real recovery is possible. This conversation offers both clarity and hope for families navigating OCD. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares lyrics from a song from Ziggy Alberts, an Australian acoustic artist who's really terrific. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

103. School Anxiety in Neurodivergent Kids: What Parents Need to Know About Autism, ADHD, and Academic Stress

Why does school feel overwhelming—or even impossible—for some children, especially those with autism, ADHD, or learning differences? In this episode, Zack sits down with Brandon Moffitt, executive director of Black Mountain Academy [https://theblackmountainacademy.com/], to explore the rising challenge of school anxiety and how it uniquely impacts neurodivergent students. Together, they unpack how anxiety often coexists with autism and ADHD, and why it can be easily misunderstood or overlooked by parents and educators alike. From school avoidance to perfectionism and emotional shutdowns, this conversation helps parents better recognize what may really be driving their child's struggles. Brandon offers a hopeful and practical framework for supporting kids—emphasizing the importance of addressing both anxiety and underlying learning differences through a balanced, individualized approach. The episode highlights how integrated support between parents, educators, and clinicians can help children not only succeed academically, but also socially and emotionally. For parents feeling overwhelmed, this conversation provides reassurance, clarity, and actionable insights to better understand their child—and to help them move from fear and avoidance toward confidence and engagement in school. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a lyric from famous American singer and songwriter, Jack Johnson. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

102: Why Women Struggle with Anxiety: Perfectionism, Trauma, and the Pressure to Be Everything

Why do so many women feel anxious, overwhelmed, and like they're never doing enough? In this episode, Zack sits down with Madi Harper, co-founder of Emerge Treatment, [https://www.emergeutah.com/] a women only mental health treatment center, to explore the unique ways anxiety shows up in women's lives. From perfectionism and people-pleasing to emotional labor and societal expectations, Maddie shares how many women are conditioned to prioritize others while suppressing their own needs—often leading to chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, and a loss of identity. Drawing from both her personal journey and clinical experience, Maddie explains how anxiety in women often hides beneath high achievement and caretaking roles rather than obvious distress. She highlights the importance of shifting from self-blame to self-understanding, helping women see their anxiety as an adaptive response rather than a personal flaw. This episode offers a compassionate and insightful look at how women can begin healing—by reconnecting with themselves, setting boundaries, and learning that their worth is not defined by performance, but by who they are. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from famous American writer and feminist activist Andrea Dworkin. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]