ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 273 Caregiver Archetypes of Survival (Part 3) The Saboteur Archetype: Reclaiming Your Inner Authority Without Losing Yourself, w/ Christy Foster
In part 3 of our 4-part series on Caregiver Archetypes, my sister and somatic therapist Christy Foster returns to unpack the Saboteur — the clever inner voice that second-guesses you, overthinks everything, and talks you out of what you actually want and need.
We explore how this archetype shows up for caregivers (especially around time, perfectionism, trusting your gut when doctors gaslight you, asking for help, and feeling “not enough”). You’ll learn how to spot the Saboteur in real time, separate doubt from data, run tiny experiments to rebuild self-trust, and shift from the Scarecrow (who believes he has no brain) into the Magician — the part of you that creates something out of nothing, including time and sovereignty.
This episode is packed with practical language shifts, somatic awareness, and compassionate tools that have literally changed how I show up for myself and Ford.
Mentioned in this episode:
Once Upon a Gene Episode 29: Oxygen Masks & Motherhood with Christy Foster
Once Upon a Gene Episode 239: How Stress Shows Up in the Body as Real Pain with Christy Foster
If this episode touched you, please share it with another rare disease or special needs parent who needs to hear that they’re not alone — and that hope can come back. 💛
Thanks for listening!
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