Anxiety isn’t always the loud voice in the room. For most of us, it’s the subtle but relentless hum in the background. It’s the uncertainty, the fear of failing, or the worry about what others might think. I know I’ve felt it. And in an episode of Never Been Promoted, I sat down with Daniel Packard, the CEO of Permanent Anxiety Solutions, who has a totally different approach to dealing with anxiety—one that’s permanent. Now, that caught my attention.
Unlike the usual advice to manage anxiety, Daniel’s approach tackles the root cause, and it’s not about suppressing or muscling through it. His story hit home, and I think it will for anyone who’s trying to navigate the pressures of entrepreneurship while battling the internal struggles most of us don’t talk about. Here’s what I learned from our conversation.
Why Entrepreneurs Need More Than Just “Managing” Anxiety
Being an entrepreneur comes with a unique set of fears. Whether it’s the pressure to succeed, the fear of rejection, or just plain worry about making payroll, anxiety tends to show up in one form or another. Daniel explained that anxiety doesn’t just stop you from performing at your best—it can also suck the joy out of the process.
“You can be successful through brute force, but you’re not really enjoying life. When you’re afraid, it’s really hard to truly enjoy anything,” Daniel shared. That one hit me. How many times have we pushed through challenges while still feeling like something’s missing? There’s a difference between getting through the day and actually thriving.
Daniel’s work is all about helping people feel safe from within, which he says is the real key to freedom—both in life and business.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Anxiety might not always show up as panic. Sometimes it’s that nagging self-doubt, fear of failure, or fear of what people think.
- Feeling safe from within isn’t a luxury—it’s essential if you want to fully enjoy your entrepreneurial journey.
- Brute force might get you through, but real freedom is operating without fear or anxiety constantly lurking in the background.
Anxiety Isn’t Just in Your Head—It’s Mechanical
Here’s the part that really got me thinking: Daniel doesn’t view anxiety as purely a mental issue. Instead, he looks at it from a mechanical perspective, focusing on the body’s nervous system. He broke it down for me in a way that made total sense. Anxiety, he explained, comes from the body, not just the mind. And that’s why so many of the traditional methods—like mindset shifts or deep breathing exercises—don’t offer permanent relief. They just help you manage the symptoms.
“Most people think anxiety is in their mind, but you don’t say, ‘I think I’m anxious,’ you say, ‘I feel anxious,’ right? It’s a body issue, not a mind issue,” Daniel explained. That made a lot of sense to me. It’s the reason why even after trying to “think positive” or meditate, the anxiety still creeps back in. Daniel’s solution goes deeper, addressing the actual root cause.
The big breakthrough here is understanding that the nervous system is what’s triggering these feelings. When the nervous system is off, the feeling of unsafety kicks in, and that’s where anxiety stems from. His approach is to reset the nervous system, helping you feel safe again, not just temporarily, but for good.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Anxiety isn’t just a mental problem; it’s a physical response triggered by the nervous system.
- Mindset shifts or temporary fixes don’t address the root cause; they’re just band-aids.
- Resetting the nervous system is key to truly feeling safe and free from anxiety—permanently.
Reflections from the Interview
This wasn’t just a conversation about anxiety. It was about redefining what it means to be free—really free—in both life and business. What Daniel’s approach offers isn’t just the promise of less stress, but the ability to wake up every day feeling solid, secure, and ready to face whatever comes.
Daniel’s personal story was a big part of the interview, and it’s what makes his work so compelling. He’s not just talking theory—he lived through it. From being stuck in an unhealthy relationship to hitting rock bottom with his own anxiety, his journey is a testament to what’s possible when you tackle the problem head-on.
“We’re not talking about managing anxiety. We’re talking about freedom from anxiety, permanently. Because, really, what’s the point of being successful if you’re not free?” That question stuck with me. Isn’t that what we all want? Success without the internal baggage?
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Success without freedom isn’t real success. You can be making money and still feel like you’re trapped. That’s not the goal.
- Operating from a place of safety changes everything. You’re more confident, more creative, and more resilient when you’re not bogged down by fear.
- Stop managing symptoms and start fixing the problem. It’s easy to slap on a quick fix, but real change comes from addressing the root.
- Anxiety can feel like a life sentence, but it’s not. There’s a way out, and it’s simpler than we’ve been led to believe.
- Entrepreneurship should be enjoyable, not just a grind. If anxiety is robbing you of the joy in what you do, it’s time to change something.
Final Thoughts:
As entrepreneurs, we often accept anxiety as part of the package. But what if it didn’t have to be? Daniel Packard’s approach challenges that assumption. After hearing his story and learning about his method, I can’t help but think about all the times I’ve let fear or worry hold me back. And it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you’re tired of anxiety robbing you of enjoying your entrepreneurial journey, maybe it’s time to stop managing it and start eliminating it. Because, like Daniel said, “What’s the point of being wealthy or successful if you’re not free?”
Check out the full episode on Never Been Promoted and take that first step toward finding real freedom from anxiety: Common Mistakes in Managing Anxiety and How to Avoid Them with Daniel Packard
CONNECT WITH DANIEL PACKARD: