How A Psychologist Turns Hardship Into Strength You Can Use Today with Dr Kate Lund

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Resilience shouldn’t live on a poster. It should live in your day. We sat down with Dr. Kate Lund—psychologist, TEDx speaker, and host of The Optimized Mind—to turn big ideas about mental health into tools you’ll actually use. From childhood surgeries to two decades of clinical practice, Kate has learned that real strength starts with a steady baseline, not superhuman willpower.

We unpack the relaxation response, a five-minute practice that trains your nervous system to settle. No incense. No perfection. Just a repeatable way to downshift before a tough meeting, after school pickup, or when stress spikes at 9 p.m. Kate explains why rapport is the engine of therapy, how modalities differ across psychology and psychiatry, and what really changes outcomes for parents and professionals under strain. We dig into morning routines that feel human, not heroic—coffee in quiet, a short walk, a word you return to when life tilts—and why joy is a strategy, not a reward you earn after burnout.

Kate also shares a searing story from pediatric care: a young burn patient who lost eyesight and, through months of rehab, found a new normal and the voice to sing Amazing Grace. It’s a reminder that resilience is not about denying pain; it’s about moving toward meaning. If you’re navigating screens, stress, and constant demands, you’ll find permission to simplify, practices that stick, and a clear path to model calm for your kids.

Listen for practical steps to build a resilient lifestyle, explore The Optimized Mind for more real-world stories, and keep your eye on possibility beyond the challenge. If this conversation helped you breathe a little deeper, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review so others can find us.

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