The Neuro Collective Podcast
Welcome to The Neuro Collective Podcast!
We are your hosts, Dr. Michael Bagnell, Functional Neurologist and May Bagnell, Mindset and Nutrition Coach. Together, we are here to guide you through the dynamic intersection of Functional Neurology, Mindset Coaching, and Functional Medicine. If you're passionate about neuroscience, alternative health, and holistic wellness, you're in the perfect place.
Our podcast is designed for those who are eager to explore innovative ways to heal brain conditions, optimize brain performance, and enhance overall well-being.
We cater to everyone from health-conscious individuals to high-performing athletes.
Each week, we bring you expert interviews, the latest research, and actionable tips to help you achieve peak mental and physical health. Together, we'll dive deep into the science and practicalities of brain health, empowering you to live your best life with a sharper mind and a healthier body.
So, let's embark on this journey together and unlock the limitless potential of your brain. This is The Neuro Collective Podcast—where holistic health meets neuroscience.
The Neuro Collective Podcast
The Power of Identity in Healing: Rewriting the Story of Chronic Illness- Episode 81
🎙️ EPISODE TITLE:
"When Healing Feels Like an Attack: Identity, the Brain, and the Path to Freedom"
Welcome to another Thoughtful Thursday with Dr. Michael and May Bagnell! Today’s episode is a powerful and eye-opening conversation centered around a deeply human question: Who are you? More importantly — who have you become in the face of pain, illness, or trauma?
Together, we explore how the Default Mode Network (DMN) — a brain network responsible for your sense of self — plays a role in how your identity is shaped, challenged, and even hijacked by life experiences. You’ll learn why some people struggle to heal despite taking all the right steps, and how your thought patterns and language (even something as simple as saying "my anxiety") can entrench unhealthy identities.
In this episode, we unpack:
- How your brain forms your identity — and why it often happens subconsciously
- The real reason why healing can feel like an emotional attack
- The danger of personalizing conditions (“my depression,” “my migraines”)
- Why people can get stuck in their identity of illness — and how to gently detach from it
- What it takes to envision a future version of yourself beyond trauma or disease
- How affirmations from others (even just one mentor or teacher) can shape your entire life
Whether you’re on a journey of recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply ready to change the story you tell yourself, this conversation offers both science-backed insights and soul-nourishing encouragement.
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t know who you are anymore or you’re ready to reclaim your identity with hope and intention — this episode is for you.
💬 Quote to remember:
"When your disease becomes your identity, healing can feel like an attack."
🎧 Tune in now. You can heal — and we can help.