Gut health issues can be a rollercoaster. From candida overgrowth to cycles of constipation and diarrhea, and even testing for SIBO, I’ve been through a lot.
Along the way, I’ve become increasingly aware of the powerful gut-brain connection, which affects both mental and physical well-being. As a holistic coach, I often focus on how mindset can throw us off balance, but I’m also acutely aware of how ongoing stress wreaks havoc on gut health.
Today, I want to share a framework that’s been invaluable in managing stress and its physical effects. When I learned the Positive Intelligence (PQ) framework, developed by Stanford lecturer Shirzad Chamine, it gave me the tools to identify and shift the mental patterns keeping me stressed. These shifts have made a huge positive impact on both my life and my clients’ lives.
Specifically, I want to explore how recognizing your saboteurs—those mental voices that create stress and overwhelm—can help calm both your mind and body, including your gut, your “second brain.”
Meet the Saboteurs: How Mental Patterns Might Be Affecting Your Gut
Saboteurs are the “voices” in your mind that trigger stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. We all have them, and they show up in different ways and varying degrees.
For me, the top three saboteurs running my life were the Hyper-Achiever, the Controller, and the Perfectionist (Stickler). These voices constantly pushed me to do more, be more, and control every little thing.
And let me tell you, that pressure? It was exhausting—not just mentally, but physically, too.
Let’s break down some of the saboteurs that might influence your life.
Check in with yourself to see if any of these resonate:
- Judge – The main saboteur we all face. This “inner critic” constantly evaluates situations, people, and especially yourself as “bad” or “not enough.” It’s quick to find fault and often recruits other saboteurs to join in.
- Controller – This saboteur makes you feel the need to control everything, even things beyond your power. It creates anxiety when things don’t go your way and frustration when you can’t control it all.
- Hyper-Achiever – This one drives you to constantly perform and seek validation from others. It convinces you that your worth is tied to external achievements, which can be relentless and exhausting.
- Hyper-Rational – With this saboteur, intense logic and analysis take over, often leading to emotional detachment (coming off as “cold”). You might rationalize everything to the point of being disconnected from your own needs and emotions.
- Hyper-Vigilant – Excessive worry and preparation for worst-case scenarios define this saboteur. Even when the likelihood is low, it keeps you anxious, preventing you from fully enjoying the present moment.
- Pleaser – The “people-pleaser” causes you to neglect your own needs in favour of others, avoiding conflict and seeking acceptance at the expense of your well-being.
- Restless – This saboteur constantly jumps from task to task, always searching for the next thing. It creates a sense of busyness and prevents you from finding peace or satisfaction.
- Stickler – Also known as the “Perfectionist,” this saboteur insists that if things aren’t perfect, they’re not good enough. It drives you to seek flawlessness to avoid criticism or feelings of inadequacy.
- Victim – The Victim saboteur makes you feel like life is happening to you, often in an attempt to gain emotional support. This mindset reinforces a sense of helplessness, keeping you stuck.
Note: It’s important to acknowledge these saboteurs without judgment (hello, Judge!). We all have them, but some may be more prominent for you than others. The first step is recognizing which saboteurs resonate with you and understanding how they contribute to stress and impact your overall well-being.
Shifting from Your Saboteur to Sage Mind
Once you’ve identified your top saboteurs, strengthening your “sage” mindset is the next step. The sage allows you to shift from survival mode to a calm, grounded state of self-mastery.
The goal isn’t to reject your saboteurs, but to recognize them as parts of you that believe they protect you. The problem is, when you’re stuck in saboteur mode, your nervous system remains on high alert—often unnecessarily. This prevents your true self from taking aligned, meaningful action.
By developing your sage powers, you shift from your “survival” brain to your “thrive” brain. While saboteurs trap you in reactive, unconscious patterns, the sage operates from a conscious, intentional place.
The five sage powers you can cultivate are:
- Empathize – Show compassion, forgiveness, and appreciation toward yourself and others.
- Explore – Approach challenges with curiosity, viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth.
- Innovate – Think creatively and come up with outside-the-box solutions.
- Navigate – Make decisions based on your values and long-term goals, not short-term fears.
- Activate – Take empowered action (not just contemplate) on what matters most.
Get Your Step-by-Step Guide to Cultivate Your Sage Powers
Want to know how to shift from your saboteurs to your sage mindset in the real world?
My step-by-step guide will help you apply these principles to show up as your best self—whether with family, friends, or in challenging work situations that trigger your saboteurs. You can get your copy here.
This shift has been a game-changer for me and my clients—both mentally and physically. By strengthening your sage mindset, I have seen first-hand how you’ll experience similar benefits. Less stress has meant fewer digestive issues, more ease, and a clearer mind.
This isn’t about simply thinking positively—it’s about acknowledging these parts within you and rewiring how you approach stress and anxiety at a foundational level. An ongoing practice of this will help you enjoy more harmony between your mind, body, spirit – and gut.
How did moving front your saboteur to your sage mind go for you? Let me know on Instagram @crescentcoaching or via email at rebecca@crescentcoaching.ca.
Author Bio
Hey, I’m Rebecca (she/her), founder and coach at Crescent Coaching.
After ten years in the fast-paced corporate world and hustling as a freelance digital marketer, I hit rock bottom and burned out. When I couldn’t get out of bed, I knew something had to change. Now, I’ve found peace and fulfillment by embracing my saboteurs, taking empowered action, and choosing an authentic, aligned path.
Today, as a Certified Holistic Life Coach, I help high-achieving women do the same—escape burnout and create their dream careers and lifestyles. My mission is to empower you to reconnect with your unique talents, develop sustainable mindsets and habits, and live a life of purpose that excites you.
Neuro Fit For Life 