Getting Unstuck Part 4: Breaking Barriers and Building Momentum

Have you ever been so stuck in your head that you couldn't even begin to picture what "right" looks like? I recently had someone message me saying she was having a panic attack, and in that moment, she remembered something I said: "What if it all goes right?" That one thought helped her push through the panic, reset her state, and regain control. That's how powerful our mindset truly is.

But sometimes, just thinking isn't enough. When we're deep in anxiety and fogged up with negativity, we have to physically move through it.

The Science Behind Movement and Mindset

Have you ever noticed how animals shake their bodies after a stressful situation? My dog Pepper does this all the time. When she gets overwhelmed, she shakes it out. As her trainer explained, she's resetting her nervous system—shaking off the stress and returning to the present moment.

We humans can do the same thing. It's called somatic release, a technique used in therapy and trauma work to help the body release built-up stress and tension. When we experience stress, our body goes into fight or flight mode, even when we're not in physical danger. For me, I freeze—I feel like everything's impossible, and I can't move. That stress gets stored in our muscles, posture, and even breath patterns.

But when we physically move—shake, dance, jump—we send a powerful signal to our nervous system that it's safe to let go of the tension.

The One-Minute Shake-It-Out Exercise

Here's a simple exercise I use with my Pull-Up Revolution clients before they attempt their first unassisted pull-up:

1. Set a timer for one minute
2. Move your body for the full minute—shake your arms and legs, roll your shoulders, wiggle your fingers, jump up and down, or dance like a complete weirdo (like me!)
3. While moving, channel the highest version of yourself

For me, my highest version is "Teresina"—my inner Xena the Warrior Princess who has overcome every obstacle, rebuilt herself after tearing her ACL on American Ninja Warrior, and started from zero after shutting down my gym.

After shaking it out:

• Take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it, then let it go
• Repeat this breathing pattern
• Say aloud: "I am stepping into my power"
• Say aloud: "I am shaking off what no longer serves me"
• Say aloud: "I am choosing to believe that what if it all goes right?"

How to Use This in Daily Life

This isn't just for workouts or anxiety—it's a daily tool you can use before big meetings, when you're feeling stuck, or anytime you need a reset. I do this before keynote speeches, before competitions, and whenever I catch myself slipping into worst-case scenario thinking.

The negative thoughts don't just disappear—that's a huge misconception. We're human; we'll always have moments of worst-case scenario thinking. But with awareness, we can train ourselves to recognize those patterns and shift out of them.

Your Challenge

Try this once a day for seven days. That's just 14 minutes out of your 168-hour week. Do it first thing in the morning, before stressful events, or whenever you need a reset. Pair it with your "What If It All Goes Right" walk for even greater impact.

A bonus tip: Record yourself saying affirmations as if they've already happened ("I am enough," not "I will be enough"). Listen to these recordings with high-frequency music in the background each morning or night when your brain is most receptive.

There will always be days when you wake up in a fog—I've been feeling that way this week myself, even though many things in my life are going well. But you don't need to stay stuck. Your body is your greatest tool to snap out of it.

The next time you're feeling stuck, shake it out, step into your highest self, and ask yourself: "What if it all goes right? What if it's already going right?"

If this resonated with you, tag me on Instagram @Angela_Gargano and let me know your highest self's name!