FWTW S3E07 | Why Stress Isn’t the Enemy—It’s the Side Effect of Your Brilliance: Dr Gary Sprouse

What if the anxiety you feel is actually a side effect of your most human superpowers? In this episode of From Wounds to Wisdom, Barbie sits down with retired physician and author Dr. Gary Sprouse—aka The Less-Stressed Doc—to unpack why modern stress isn’t random... it’s neurological. Through powerful metaphors, science-backed insights, and practical tools, Dr. Sprouse reveals how our ability to plan, envision, and care deeply can also wire us for overwhelm—and how to reclaim joy without giving up your edge. Whether you"re soul-tired, anxious, or secretly stuck in "high-functioning stress," this episode will change the way you think about worry, purpose, and your nervous system. 📌 CHAPTERS:    Intro: What if stress is a side effect?    Meet Dr. Gary Sprouse and his Happy Place philosophy    The neuroscience of worry and future-focused anxiety    How high-functioning traits create hidden stress    Practical tools to “worry efficiently”    The Happy Place model for sustainable peace    Overwhelm vs. depression: redefining mental health    Social media, stress blindness, and nervous system fatigue    Parenting, video games, and modern-day anxiety    How to find purpose beyond performance    Final reflections + where to find Dr. Sprouse 🎧 Keywords: stress relief, nervous system, anxiety tools, high achiever healing, burnout recovery, Dr. Gary Sprouse, the less-stressed doc, emotional resilience, trauma-informed healing, somatic wellness, stress and success, mental health tools, From Wounds to Wisdom podcast, Jack Canfield GUEST INFO: Website thelessstressdoc.com Facebook The Less Stress Doc Instagram @thelessstressdoc Twitter/ X @lessstressdoc_ Linked In Gary Sprouse YT  @thelessstressdoc4057 ​ Season 2 Unraveling the Mind: From Mental Struggles to Inner Strength.