Functional Freeze: The Hidden Nervous System Pattern Holding Women Back with Beatriz Albina

About this episode

Cherylanne Skolnicki discusses the hidden nervous system epidemic of 'functional freeze' with Beatriz Albina, exploring its impact on professional women and the importance of self-trust.

This week, I'm joined by Beatriz Albina, a nurse practitioner, somatic coach, and the bestselling author of End Emotional Outsourcing, to discuss a hidden nervous system epidemic among professional women: "functional freeze." Do you look poised and unstoppable on the outside, but often feel disconnected from yourself? Beatriz breaks down the functional freeze phenomenon and "emotional outsourcing," the reason you might be stuck in a pattern of overgiving, perfectionism, and people-pleasing.She explains how chronic disconnection from our bodies is a protective response deeply rooted in our nervous systems. This compassionate and science-backed conversation will illuminate why willpower alone isn't the answer—and how you can begin to reclaim your self-trust and honor your humanness to design an authentic, brilliant next chapter. Don't miss it! Show Highlights: What is functional freeze? [04:05] Is functional freeze a common problem? [07:18] Emotional outsourcing vs. healthy co-regulation. [09:30] Navigating the self and curiosity vs. external expectations. [12:45] The importance of finding "grown-up" support and a "village." [17:22] Why somatic, body-based nervous system rewiring…

People in this episode

Host: Cherylanne

Guest: Beatriz Albina

Topics covered

• functional freeze
• nervous system
• emotional outsourcing
• self-trust
• professional women

Keywords

• overgiving
• perfectionism
• people-pleasing
• somatic coaching

Mentioned in this episode

Products: End Emotional Outsourcing

Books & works: End Emotional Outsourcing

More episodes of Brilliant Balance

• The Hidden Costs of Drive · May 5, 2026 · 24 min
• Why Highly Competent Women Still Feel Overwhelmed (And What I Built to Help) · April 28, 2026 · 32 min
• Setting Boundaries That Actually Hold: Listener Questions Answered · April 14, 2026 · 29 min
• Life is not linear: If I had known then what I know now about the momentum cycle · April 7, 2026 · 33 min
• Getting Good with Money: A Conversation with Kate Northrup · March 31, 2026 · 45 min
• When Being Liked Becomes a Limiter · March 24, 2026 · 27 min