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ALEX'S 15-YEAR JOURNEY: FROM SLEEP STRUGGLES TO A NEW UNDERSTANDING What happens when you spend years trying to fix your sleep, only to discover that the effort to fix it may be keeping the problem going? In this episode of Talking Insomnia, Alex shares his nearly 15-year journey with sleep problems, from health optimization, supplements, sleep studies, and sleep hygiene to finally recognizing what was really happening: insomnia was not a mechanical problem he needed to solve. Alex talks openly about the frustration of lying awake, the pressure he put on himself to sleep, and his experience with CBT-I and sleep restriction therapy. He also explains what changed when he discovered a different, non-effort-based approach to insomnia. Most importantly, Alex shares how he learned that even after a difficult night, he could still meet the next day, live his life, and do the things that mattered to him. Connect with Alex Want to connect with Alex? Visit his website: https://paperbell.me/alexrosscoaching Ready to Leave Insomnia Behind? If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to https://www.thesleepcoachschool.com/ and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. Insomnia Immunity Perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey toward sleeping well. BedTyme Ideal if you like learning via text and want to have a sleep coach in your pocket. 1:1 Zoom-Based Program For you if you like connecting one-on-one with someone who has been where you are now. Recommended Books Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set It & Forget It by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ Support The Sleep Coach School Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that's incredibly nice of you! 😊 Here's the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

NOCTURNAL PANIC ATTACKS UPDATE Do nocturnal panic attacks jolt you awake just as you're falling asleep, leaving you convinced you'll be awake for the rest of the night? In this episode of Mining the Comments, Daniel responds to a community question about nocturnal panic attacks and explains why they can happen in the context of insomnia. In this episode, we'll explore: Why panic attacks can happen just as you're drifting off to sleep What happens when you wake up with a sudden panic attack in the middle of the night Why having a panic attack doesn't necessarily mean you'll be awake all night How thoughts like "What if I can't fall back asleep?" can keep the nervous system activated Why thinking the night is "doomed" can prolong wakefulness How befriending wakefulness and nocturnal panic attacks can help them fade away How you can have a panic attack, get jolted awake, and still have a peaceful, restful night afterward The key realization is that being awake is not a threat or danger, and a nocturnal panic attack doesn't predict what will happen for the rest of the night. If you've been struggling with nocturnal panic attacks, insomnia, or fear around falling asleep, this episode may give you a different way to understand what is happening. Stay Connected with The Sleep Coach School 📩 Want more from The Sleep Coach School? Visit our website and join the newsletter: https://thesleepcoachschool.com/ Ready to Leave Insomnia Behind? If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to https://www.thesleepcoachschool.com/ and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. Here are the available programs: Insomnia Immunity Perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey toward sleeping well. BedTyme Ideal if you like learning through text and want a sleep coach in your pocket. 1:1 Zoom-Based Program For those who prefer connecting one-on-one with someone who has been where you are now. Recommended Books Do you like learning by reading? Here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set It & Forget It by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ Support The Sleep Coach School Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that's incredibly nice of you! 😊 Here's the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool #NocturnalPanicAttacks #PanicAttacks #Insomnia #SleepAnxiety #SleepCoach

For a long time, Tabby believed she might never recover from insomnia. The fear of another sleepless night, the constant focus on sleep, and the feeling that she had to find the right solution made insomnia feel overwhelming and impossible to escape. In this episode of Talking Insomnia, Tabby shares her experience with insomnia, what recovery looked like for her, and the important shift that helped her stop seeing insomnia as something she had to constantly fight or fix. She talks openly about the fear, frustration, and uncertainty that came with insomnia—and how her relationship with sleep gradually began to change. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ — Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

If you've struggled with insomnia, you've probably asked yourself a lot of “Why?” and “Should I?” questions. Why does my body feel so uncomfortable at night? Why do I keep waking up? Should I wear earplugs? Should I leave the bedroom if I can't sleep? In this episode of the Summer Series, Coach Daniel explains how two simple principles can help answer these questions: 1. The Principle of Effortlessness 2. The Principle of Survival These are the Two Natto Principles, and they provide a practical way to understand many of the confusing experiences that come with insomnia. This episode was brought back as an encore after Coach Alina recommended it as one of the most practical episodes for putting these principles into action. If you're struggling with insomnia, this episode may help you look at your experience from a completely different perspective. 🎧 Watch and learn how the Two Natto Principles can help you better understand insomnia. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.  Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

What happens when you’ve tried almost everything for insomnia—and nothing seems to work? In this Summer Series episode, Coach Daniel revisits Simone’s story of recovering from insomnia after feeling like she had exhausted every option. Simone tried sleeping pills, beta blockers, antidepressants, and other approaches, but the more she tried to solve her insomnia, the harder things became. Yet she eventually left the insomnia struggle behind. In this episode, Daniel explores Simone’s story and the inner journey that helped her move from feeling trapped by insomnia to finding peaceful sleep again. This episode was chosen by the community as a Summer Series favorite, after Jen specifically recommended Simone’s story as one of her favorite episodes. If you’re struggling with insomnia and feel like you’ve already tried everything, Simone’s story may offer a different perspective on what recovery can look like. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ  Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

For years, Sam believed one thing about himself: "I'm just a bad sleeper." That belief followed him through high school, relationships, and adulthood—until he discovered that it wasn't his sleep that needed fixing. It was the way he understood it. In this episode of Talking Insomnia, Sam sits down with Coach Daniel to share his recovery story and explain how changing his relationship with sleep, fear, and anxious thoughts transformed everything. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. — Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ  Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

Have you ever felt like you were finally making progress with insomnia—only to have a few difficult nights and think, "I'm relapsing." You're not alone. In this Summer Series episode, Coach Daniel revisits one of the most frequently discussed topics in insomnia recovery: the "speed bump." Joined by Coach Alina, they explain why what many people call a relapse isn't actually a relapse at all—it’s a normal and expected part of the recovery journey. Based on a community recommendation from Jen, this episode continues one of our most popular Summer Series selections. Together, they explore why difficult nights can return after progress has been made, why this doesn't mean you've gone backwards, and how understanding the true nature of insomnia can help you move through these moments with greater confidence. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.  Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ  Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

Recovery from insomnia is rarely a straight line. In this Summer Series episode of The Sleep Coach School, Coach Aly and Coach Alina explore one of the most important—and often misunderstood—aspects of insomnia recovery: its non-linear nature. Together, they discuss why setbacks, speed bumps, and unexpected difficult nights are not signs that you're "back to square one," but a normal part of the healing process. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.  Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ  Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

When Daniel's insomnia began, he did what many people do—he searched for answers everywhere. He visited doctors, tried medications, followed strict bedtime routines, printed pages of sleep rules, and chased every possible solution. Yet nothing seemed to bring lasting relief. Everything began to change when he discovered The Sleep Coach School and started understanding the role of anxiety, sleep effort, and acceptance. But unlike many recovery stories, Daniel never experienced a dramatic "click" or breakthrough moment. Instead, his recovery happened gradually. In this inspiring episode of Talking Insomnia, Daniel shares how letting go of sleep efforts, facing his fears, and living life despite uncertainty helped him reclaim restful sleep and a renewed appreciation for life. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.  Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ  Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

Sometimes, insomnia recovery doesn't happen because you find the perfect technique—it happens because something finally makes sense. In this fifth episode of our Summer Series, Nina shares the insight that completely changed how she viewed insomnia and recovery. Rather than chasing better sleep, she discovered a new way of understanding her experience that ultimately led to lasting change. If you've been waiting for the moment when everything finally "clicks," this conversation may be exactly what you need. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.   The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.  Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ  Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

This special series features some of the most impactful conversations from The Sleep Coach School archives—carefully selected by our community for the wisdom, hope, and life-changing insights they continue to offer. This episode was recommended by Donka, who felt Zach's story deserved to be revisited. For years, Zach believed he had tried everything. Sleeping pills. Breathing techniques. CBD. Therapy. Sleep hygiene. Countless books. Nothing seemed to work. Then came the pivotal moment—the insight that completely transformed his relationship with insomnia. In this conversation with Daniel Erichsen, Zach shares how he went from years of fear, exhaustion, and chasing sleep to discovering genuine acceptance, letting go of control, and ultimately finding freedom from insomnia. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. — Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

Why does one bad night of sleep leave you feeling like everything is falling apart the next day? In this Summer Series episode, Daniel revisits one of the most important concepts in insomnia recovery: it's not just the lack of sleep that makes the next day so difficult—it's the meaning we attach to it. Through a simple but powerful thought experiment, he explores why the fear of tomorrow often becomes the real engine that keeps insomnia alive. If you've ever thought, "I'm not afraid of being awake at night— I'm afraid of how I'll feel tomorrow," this episode is for you. Daniel explains why sleepless nights naturally make us tired, but why the emotional suffering, anxiety, and dread that often follow are driven by the story we tell ourselves about what a bad night means. Understanding this distinction can be a turning point in breaking free from the cycle of insomnia. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.  Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ  Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

When Jen's insomnia began, it quickly spiraled into fear, panic attacks, and the feeling that something was deeply wrong. Like so many people, she became trapped in the cycle of trying harder to sleep—only to find herself sleeping less. In this heartfelt conversation with Daniel, Jen shares how discovering The Sleep Coach School changed everything. While her sleep gradually improved, the biggest transformation wasn't just better nights—it was learning to respond differently to fear, anxiety, and the thoughts that once controlled her life. Together, they discuss why recovery isn't about achieving "perfect sleep," how occasional sleep setbacks are a normal part of the journey, and why acceptance, mindfulness, and self-compassion can lead to lasting resilience. Whether you're in the middle of insomnia or supporting someone who is, Jen's story offers hope that recovery is possible—and that the lessons learned along the way can transform far more than sleep. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. — Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! \Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

Sometimes, a single idea can completely change the way you experience insomnia. In this second episode of our Summer Series, Daniel revisits one of the community's most impactful conversations with Tess, whose journey has encouraged countless people struggling with sleeplessness. Inspired by a heartfelt recommendation from Carolyn in Germany, Daniel explores the powerful insight that became the turning point in Tess's recovery: "Your brain is not your business." Rather than trying to control every thought, sensation, or sleepless night, Tess discovered the freedom that comes from letting the brain do what it naturally knows how to do. If you've hit a speed bump in your own sleep journey, this episode serves as a reminder that healing isn't about perfect nights. It's about trusting the process, continuing to live your life, and allowing your brain to take care of what it was designed to do. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.  Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ  Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

Have you ever felt confident after a good night of sleep, only to feel discouraged after a restless one? In this Summer Series encore episode, Coach Daniel revisits a community favorite recommended by Angela, who shared how this episode continues to bring her comfort and reassurance during recovery. Coach Daniel explores the common "confidence and doubt roller coaster" of insomnia recovery and explains why setbacks, speed bumps, and difficult nights don't mean you've lost progress. Most importantly, he shares how changing the meaning we assign to sleep can help us move from fear and frustration to smoother sailing and lasting peace of mind. In This Episode • Why insomnia recovery often feels like a roller coaster • The connection between sleep, confidence, and self-doubt • Why speed bumps are a normal part of recovery • How to approach difficult nights with less fear and panic • The key to a smoother recovery journey If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool