✨ “Sometimes we just need to be—without the pressure of doing more.” – Dr. Kate Lund

✨ “Movement and nature help us return to ourselves when the world feels too loud.” – Dr. Kate Lund

What does resilience really look like when life pulls the rug out from under you—again and again? Clinical psychologist, author, and resilience expert Dr. Kate Lund joins Rupert Isaacson for an intimate and powerful conversation about childhood illness, brain surgery, parenting, pressure, movement, nature, and how we find our way back to possibility.

Diagnosed with hydrocephalus at age four, Kate spent much of her childhood in and out of hospitals—big surgeries, big fears, and big recoveries. Yet she grew into someone who not only rebuilt her life, but teaches others how to reclaim theirs. Today, she specializes in resilient parenting, stress regulation, and helping families thrive inside their own unique context.

In this episode, Rupert and Kate explore how movement (from walking to tennis to long‑distance cycling), intentional rest, nature, visualization, and even animal‑assisted therapy shape our emotional survival. They break down why slowing down is often the hardest thing for parents, why we forget what joy feels like, and why resilience is less about bouncing back and more about building forward—one small step at a time.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How childhood illness shaped Kate’s lifelong understanding of resilience ([00:04:00])
• What hydrocephalus is—and how shunts, surgeries, and uncertainty affect a child’s identity ([00:06:00])
• The role of movement (tennis, walking, cycling) in recovering brain function and emotional balance ([00:23:00])
• Why parents must learn to regulate their own stress before they can help their children ([00:31:00])
• How the “Relaxation Response” technique works (and why it’s simpler than mindfulness) ([00:34:00])
• Using visualization and nature—real or imagined—to calm the nervous system ([00:50:00])
• The surprising power of animal‑assisted therapy (and Wally the therapy dog) ([00:53:00])
• Why slowing down is the #1 barrier to resilience—and how to begin ([01:14:00])
• How parents with different approaches can communicate and find middle ground ([01:16:00])
• Small daily practices to build a resilient life (movement, joy, reflection) ([01:26:00])

🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode:

• “I wasn’t the carefree child—I was always calculating risk. But I could still find what I could do.” ([00:11:00])
• Kate walking the circular driveway over and over while recovering from brain surgery—movement as survival. ([00:29:00])
• Rupert trying the Relaxation Response in real time—with the word “horses.” ([00:36:00])
• “Animals always show up. They teach us how to show up too.” ([00:59:00])
• The child in the hospital hallway who walked for the first time in weeks—just to reach Wally the therapy dog. ([00:55:00])
• When crisis hits: why sometimes the bravest act is simply allowing yourself to stop.” ([01:06:00])
• “We can get so used to living in suboptimal states that we forget there’s more available.” ([01:15:00])
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📚 Books and Projects Mentioned:

Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting – Dr. Kate Lund

The Relaxation Response – Herbert Benson (background method referenced)

The Optimized Mind Podcast – Hosted by Dr. Kate Lund

Website: https://katelundspeaks.com

🌍 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:

Website: https://rupertisaacson.com

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📊 Affiliate Disclosure:

Links to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.