Most of us have done it. A headache, a bloated belly, a restless mind at 2am, and the first thought is: how do I make this go away, fast? In a recent conversation on Michelle Chung's podcast Love, Life and Energy, clinical nutritionist and mind coach Anthony Hartcher made a case for doing something different. Instead of silencing the signal, get curious about it.
Anthony's view is shaped by his own story. He describes himself as a sick kid who kept being told what his symptoms were, but never why they were happening. "No one ever questioned why," he told Michelle. "And so my journey was to find out why." That question still sits at the centre of how he works with clients today.
Symptoms Are the Tip of the Iceberg
Anthony uses a simple picture: signs and symptoms are the tip of the iceberg. What really matters sits below the waterline, the physical and mental drivers that are producing those signals in the first place.
In his words, symptoms "are there to tell us something that the body's trying to heal and it needs support." They often point to what the body needs, or what it doesn't need. When we suppress or ignore them, Anthony says, they tend to keep expressing themselves, sometimes in other forms.
The trouble with the quick fix
Part of the problem, Anthony explains, is how much we want immediate relief. We can't put up with the discomfort, so we reach for whatever makes it stop now. That short-term relief can come with long-term problems.
The alternative is slower and, honestly, harder: investigate thoroughly, and don't settle for "I don't know." As Anthony puts it, "The more we look, the more we'll find." You may never land on one single answer, but you will get closer. And the process itself can be healing, touching the emotional and even spiritual side of life, not just the physical discomfort.
From Rock Bottom to Flying Free
Anthony shared the story of a client who came to him at what he described as rock bottom, after several stays in a psychiatric ward in a short space of time.
Anthony's reading was that this client was running from his shadow, a part of himself he had disowned and didn't love. And because what we focus on tends to grow, that hated part had come to overwhelm his life.
Their work together focused on facing that side of himself: first owning it, then learning to love it. It was a long process, two years of working together, with the early stages handled very carefully. Today, Anthony says, "he's flying free." He rarely hears from him now, which is exactly the point.
What made the difference? Anthony believes the client always sensed there was something more, an inner voice that wanted to be expressed. A big part of the work was helping him connect with that voice rather than being swept along by outside voices.
If you are struggling right now, please reach out to a health professional or a crisis line in your area. You don't have to work it out alone.
There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Answer
When Michelle asked what someone stuck in a loop of anxiety or depression should do first, Anthony's answer was refreshingly honest: it depends on the person.
He gave two examples. Some people are told to meditate when they are highly anxious, and for some, meditation makes them feel worse. On the other hand, medication can sometimes give a person enough relief to get the support they need and take the next step. "I'm not dismissing that pill," he said. The key is meeting the person where they are and working out what resonates with them.
Anxiety, Depression and Getting Stuck
Anthony made a point that many people find reassuring. We all experience anxious and low periods at some stage. Moods naturally go up and down. Feeling flustered and overwhelmed might be telling you that you have taken on too much. Feeling flat might be telling you that you are focused on things that aren't really you, doing everything for everyone else.
The real issue, he says, is being stuck in that state and not being able to see a way out. That is when it is time to do something about it. He also offered hope: the waves of mental health come and go for all of us, so don't assume a diagnosis means you are stuck with it for life.
Labels: helpful awareness, or a box?
Michelle and Anthony spent time on the role of labels. A diagnosis can bring real relief: it explains what is happening and opens the door to learning what helps. That awareness is valuable.
The risk comes a layer deeper, when a person becomes attached to the label and treats it as the whole of who they are. Anthony's distinction is a useful one: are you identifying with the label and just surviving, or identifying with it and thriving? Some people build meaning and purpose around their experience by supporting others, and that is worth respecting. The question is whether it is still serving you.
Survival Mode Versus Thrival Mode
One of the standout ideas in the episode is the difference between survival thinking and what Anthony calls a "thrival" state.
Survival thinking says: I need the answer, and I need it now. Anthony compares it to running from a tiger. Thrival thinking is more relaxed: "I may never find the answer, but I'm okay with that." That stance keeps you curious, growing and learning.
He is quick to add that basic needs come first. Referencing Maslow's hierarchy of needs, he acknowledged that you need shelter and food before you can think about thriving. Someone in their twenties who is still couch surfing is rightly focused on stability.
Practical Tools to Start With
When Michelle asked for the most useful tools for improving mental health, Anthony kept it simple:
- Educate yourself. Seek out people whose message resonates with you and aligns with who you are.
- Explore. Let yourself go down a few rabbit holes rather than demanding instant answers.
- Slow down and reflect. You have to notice what needs to change before you can change it.
- Get curious about what you love. Connect with what makes your heart sing. For Anthony, moving out of his "head brain" and into his heart was a turning point.
- Look at the mirror. People who admire you often reflect what they love in themselves; those who criticise you can show you parts of yourself you haven't yet loved.
Cleaning the lens
Anthony described how we see the world as we are, not as it is. Our view is shaped early by parents, teachers and everyone around us, creating a filter or lens. Part of life's work is cleaning that lens so you can see more clearly, and deciding for yourself what you want to let go of.
Feeling Broken: The Book in Progress
Anthony also spoke about the book he is working on, Feeling Broken: The Pathway to Self-Love and Healing. Its central message mirrors his client work: people arrive feeling in pieces, and he helps them see they are already complete and whole. He is currently rewriting it with a book coach because, as he put it, he wants it to be genuinely helpful, a guidebook people can rely on.
The Takeaway
Your symptoms, physical or emotional, are not something to simply shut down. They are information. Slow down, get curious, find the support that suits you, and remember that being stuck is not the same as being broken.
Listen to the full conversation on Love, Life and Energy, and if you would like support on your own journey, get in touch with Anthony at me&my wellness.