When Emotions Don’t Make Sense: Breathwork, Triggers & Healing

In this week’s episode, I talk with Nicole Gotthold, a Transformational Breathwork & Empowerment Practitioner who found herself completely undone after the sudden loss of her husband. Grief, anxiety, perfectionism—it all came crashing in. Nicole is a Transformational Breathwork, Energy & Empowerment Practitioner who found her way to healing after one of life’s most heartbreaking moments.

She was left overwhelmed, in survival mode, doing everything “right” on the outside… and feeling completely lost inside. And yet, it was in that place of emotional chaos that she discovered a tool that would change everything: breathwork.

Now, she helps others—especially those navigating trauma—reconnect to their bodies, uncover the root of their emotional patterns, and release what’s been weighing them down. And partners of trauma survivors? This conversation is a must-listen.

About Nicole Gotthold

With over two decades in marketing communications, Nicole built her career helping brands connect authentically. But her life changed after her husband’s unexpected passing. Her grief, anxiety, and perfectionism were running the show—until she turned inward.

Through breathwork, sacred geometry, energy healing, and somatic coaching, she discovered how to align the body, mind, and spirit to finally heal the unprocessed trauma stuck in her system. Nicole now helps others access that same healing power—especially heart-led people who are ready to stop “holding it all together” and start truly feeling free.

My 3 Biggest Takeaways from Our Conversation

1. "If it's coming up, it's ready to be looked at."

Nicole reminded me that emotional reactions—no matter how messy—are never random. Even if your partner’s reaction feels totally out of proportion, something deeper is being activated. That doesn’t excuse hurtful behavior, but it does help you stop taking it so personally. Trauma isn’t logical—and neither are the reactions it creates.

2. Breathwork helps separate the trigger from the truth.

Nicole said something I’ll never forget: “You can’t respond from clarity when your body is stuck in survival mode.” Breathwork helps regulate the nervous system so you can finally tell the difference between being hungry, tired, or triggered. This is a game-changer for anyone who feels like they’re walking on eggshells in their relationship. It’s not about fixing your partner—it’s about finding tools that actually work in the moment.

3. You can’t show up with love if you’re stuck in fear.

One of Nicole’s most vulnerable shares was how she tried to control everything after her husband died. She did all the “right” things, but she realized she was doing them from a place of fear and lack, not love. That hit me hard—because so many of us do the same thing in relationships. We’re trying to keep the peace, but we’re doing it from a place of panic. Healing starts when we stop controlling and start connecting—with ourselves first.

Want to Experience This for Yourself?

Nicole is offering three free resources to help you try breathwork for yourself or share it with your partner:

💨 5-Minute Reset for Energy & Inspiration – Perfect for when you need a quick boost to feel more grounded and focused.
😌 5-Minute Reset for Calm & Stress Relief – A simple technique to instantly relax and bring peace to your mind and body.
🌬️ Breathwork Techniques Cheat Sheet – A breakdown of different breathing techniques, including ones that can help with sleep, anxiety, and mental clarity.

👉 To access these free resources, visit or download them directly here.

Bottom line?

If your relationship feels like a rollercoaster, if your partner’s trauma feels bigger than you know how to handle—you’re not alone. And you’re not stuck. There are tools that help.

This episode is a powerful reminder that healing isn’t just possible—it’s already inside of us. Sometimes, we just need to remember to breathe.

🔗 Watch the full episode here

👉 Have you ever tried breathwork? Let me know in the comments!