Are you leading a high-performing team but still struggling to handle stress as it builds behind the scenes—despite doing all the “right” things?
In this episode, you’ll hear from Keri Ford—former creative director turned global leadership advisor for top-tier women leaders—who explains why success often comes with silent struggles no one talks about. Through her work in nervous system regulation and somatic strategies, Keri helps founders and CEOs break patterns they didn’t know were sabotaging their leadership and well-being. If you’ve ever wondered why the same challenges keep resurfacing no matter how hard you work, this conversation will hit home.
By tuning in, you’ll discover:
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How unresolved trauma and nervous system dysregulation show up in leadership decisions, hiring patterns, and team dynamics.
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What “functional freeze” looks like—and why chronic stress might be hiding behind your drive to succeed.
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How building somatic fluency can expand your capacity to handle pressure, avoid burnout, and lead with more clarity, creativity, and control.
If you’re ready to lead with less stress and more impact, press play now and hear how Keri Ford helps elite leaders rewrite their internal wiring for lasting success.
Understanding the Roots of Leadership Struggles
[04:30] – From Art Director to Nervous System Expert
Keri shares how her creative career in luxury branding left her unfulfilled, prompting a shift into personal training, intuitive eating, and ultimately somatic work—driven by her son’s sensory challenges.
[10:15] – What Is Somatic Work and Why It Matters
She explains how somatic strategies help rewire trauma responses lodged in the body. Leaders often carry unresolved stress without realizing it, and somatic access points—like racing heartbeats or tension—reveal deeper emotional patterns.
[14:47] – Breaking the Cycle of Fight, Flight, or Freeze
Chronic leadership stress shows up in repetitive patterns like hiring the wrong people or overworking. Keri explains that until you regulate your nervous system, you’ll unconsciously recreate the same problems—professionally and personally.
[19:33] – The Leadership Link: Nervous System and Decision-Making
From conflict resolution to boundary-setting, Kerry highlights how somatic awareness improves communication. Leaders must handle stress from all angles, especially when their behavior sets the tone for entire teams.
[24:16] – Functional Freeze: The Silent Struggle of High Performers
Keri introduces “functional freeze,” where leaders appear productive but feel numb, depleted, or stuck. This freeze mode often signals chronic overwhelm and an inability to handle stress in a sustainable, embodied way.
Expanding Capacity to Handle Stress and Lead Well
[29:05] – Why Some Leaders Thrive Under Pressure
Discussing the “window of tolerance,” Keri explains why some executives handle stress better than others. It often comes down to nervous system conditioning—something that can be strengthened, not just endured.
[33:10] – Hiring and the Capacity to Hold Pressure
Leaders should assess team members’ ability to handle stress before hiring. Keri shares how emotional reactivity, past financial exposure, and leadership history reveal someone’s true capacity for stress resilience.
[36:47] – Supporting Women Through Unique Leadership Challenges
Kerry discusses her focus on women leaders, emphasizing how societal roles, motherhood, and lack of role models complicate the ability to lead and handle stress while staying connected to one’s feminine power.
[42:20] – Identity Shifts in Retirement and Exit Planning
Whether stepping down or selling a company, Keri explains how ego detachment and redefining “enough” are essential to avoid emotional crashes post-exit—especially for those who’ve used work as their worth.
[48:05] – Signs You’re Overridden by Stress Patterns
Chronic headaches, teeth grinding, disinterest in work, or “numb productivity” may all indicate a nervous system pushed beyond capacity. Keri urges leaders to listen to their bodies—not just their calendars—when learning to handle stress.
About Keri Ford
KERI FORD, former Creative Director and ex-corporate leader, now serves as the Holy High Council & Elite Advisor to the world’s most influential women in business. As CEO & Founder of Elevate with Keri, a global wellness coaching company, she empowers female founders and executives to achieve new heights through her cutting-edge methodologies in nervous system regulation, peak neuroscience performance, and an embodied approach in leadership.