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Podcast Episode

#23: Exercise as an emotional defense with Jewel Anderson

The Dr. Shannon Show·Dr. Shannon Ritchey, PT, DPT·19 July 2026·51 min

About this episode

"Exercise is my therapy" is a common phrase. Today, Jewel Anderson, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Kansas City area, discusses why you could be using exercise as a coping mechanism. She discusses how exercise is often a "defense" against things of our past or uncomfortable emotions. She leaves you with a powerful tool, called the Change Triangle, that can help you dig a layer deeper to uncover what you could be avoiding and defending against using exercise.  2:55  Using exercise as therapy 7:16  Sublimation aka Defense Mechanisms 19:39  Avoidance as a defense mechanism 23:26  Emotional experiences after exercise 28:24  The Change Triangle 43:30  How to recognize if you are using exercise as a defense behavior  Work with Jewel by visiting her website: http://www.jewelandersoncounseling.com/ Book referenced by Jewel: "It's Not Always Depression" by Hilary Jacobs HendelTo try Evlo for 2 weeks free, visit www.evlofitness.com