The Sleep Coach School Podcast

How do you convince your brain that it's safe to be awake at night? In this episode of Mining in the Comments, Daniel explores a thoughtful question from the community:

"How do we convince ourselves to feel safe with the outcome if we genuinely do not feel safe with the outcome?"

Many people with insomnia understand logically that being awake at night isn't dangerous, yet still feel trapped in a cycle of fear, pressure, and sleeplessness.

So how do we help the brain see what the logical mind already knows?

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why trying to force yourself to feel safe often backfires

• The surprising similarities between changing your own mind and changing someone else's • How insomnia is fueled by resistance and fear rather than wakefulness itself

• The difference between what feels true and what is actually true • Why feelings of exhaustion and depletion don't necessarily mean something is wrong

• How recovery can happen even when doubt is still present This conversation offers a gentler perspective on insomnia recovery—one rooted in understanding, patience, and allowing your mind the space to discover safety on its own.

💬 Have a question you'd like featured in a future Mining in the Comments episode? Leave it in the comments below. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu.

The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.

Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊.

And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

In this episode of Aly’s Take, Aly is joined by insomnia and chronic fatigue recovery coach Daniel Shai for a deep conversation about the biggest spiritual and emotional lessons they’ve learned through the insomnia recovery journey.

Daniel shares his powerful 30-year journey through insomnia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and dependence on sleep aids — and how recovery transformed not only his sleep, but his entire relationship with life, fear, control, and self-acceptance.

Together, Aly and Daniel explore how insomnia recovery becomes far more than “getting sleep back.” It becomes a path of nervous system healing, emotional growth, spiritual embodiment, and learning how to stop fighting ourselves.

Connect with Daniel Shai: 🌐 Website: restedandfree.com 📺 YouTube: @restedandfree Connect with Aly: 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsleepcoach

This episode is featured on The Sleep Coach School channel. If this conversation resonated with you, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing with someone navigating insomnia recovery, anxiety, or chronic fatigue.

If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.

BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now.

Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ 

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊.

And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

In this episode, Coach Daniel welcomes his namesake, Daniel who shares a powerful story of transformation. For over thirty years, Daniel struggled with a combination of chronic fatigue and severe insomnia that completely reshaped his life. Everything changed when he learned what truly had been happening as that he was NOT alone.

If you’d like to learn more with Coach Daniel Shai (highly recommend!),

here are his links: YouTube:  @restedandfree  Website: https://www.restedandfree.com/ — If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options.

Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu.

The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.

BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. 

Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊.

And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

In this episode of Insomnia Insight, Coach Daniel explores 7 common habits that can unintentionally keep insomnia going — and how changing these patterns can make sleep feel easier and more natural again. From constantly researching sleep problems to tracking sleep data obsessively, these habits often come from a genuine desire to feel safe, reassured, and in control. But paradoxically, they can increase pressure, anxiety, and self-monitoring around sleep. Coach Daniel walks through each habit compassionately, emphasizing that these patterns are not personal failures, but understandable responses from a mind trying to help.

If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu.

The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well. BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. —

 

Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ 

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

Turning the Insomnia Anniversary Upside Down In this Mining the Comments episode, Daniel explores a surprisingly common experience in insomnia recovery: the “insomnia anniversary.” For some, the anniversary of when insomnia began can trigger fear that the struggle may return — even after months of sleeping well. For others, reaching the one-year mark while still struggling can create discouragement and thoughts like: “Will this ever end?” In this episode, we explore: Why insomnia anniversaries can feel emotionally charged What “return concern” really is Why insomnia is maintained by attempts to control sleep How “speed bumps” differ from setbacks or relapses Why a year of struggle does NOT mean something is wrong with you The role of self-kindness in healing How the insomnia anniversary can eventually become a symbol of growth rather than fear One of the central insights in this episode: Insomnia itself does not “come back” on an anniversary date — what can return is the urge to monitor, control, or prevent sleeplessness. Daniel also shares an encouraging reminder that insomnia recovery rarely has a clear ending date. Instead, it tends to fade gradually as fear and pressure dissolve.

 

 

If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu.

The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.

BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. 

Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

 

 

If you’ve ever heard someone say they recovered from insomnia after they “stopped caring about sleep,” this video explains what that REALLY means. Because the truth is: nobody completely stops caring about sleep. In this episode of Insomnia Insight, we explore: Why sleep pressure keeps insomnia going The difference between caring and attachment Why acceptance is NOT giving up How the meaning you give sleepless nights affects your experience Why insomnia recovery often begins when sleep stops feeling like an emergency.

 

If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.

BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. — Do you like learning by reading?

If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs! Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ 

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊. And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

How does insomnia actually end? In this episode of Insomnia Insight, we explore a powerful and often overlooked truth: while many people can pinpoint the exact moment their insomnia started, almost no one can say exactly when it ended.

So what does that tell us? Daniel (sleep physician turned sleep coach) shares three key insights from working with thousands of people who have overcome insomnia: 

Why insomnia doesn’t end with a single “aha” moment • How “aha chasing” can actually keep you stuck • The illusion behind success stories and recovery timelines

Why there’s no clear “graduation day” from insomnia

The reality is simple—but freeing: insomnia doesn’t suddenly disappear. It fades. It loses momentum.

It quietly exits. If you’ve been waiting for a breakthrough moment to fix everything, this episode might change how you see your progress—and help you move forward with less pressure.

 

If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu.

The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.
BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. 

Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊.

And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool —

Henry shares his powerful journey from the Dominican Republic to Switzerland, where the pressure of a new job and supporting two families led to a "bomb about to explode" moment of zero sleep. After trying "everything humanly possible"—from singing bowls and gongs to fasting and trips to India—Henry finally found the turning point when he stopped the constant "fix-its" and approached the issue the proper way.

If you’re new here and curious to learn more, our FREE video course, The Festival of Understanding, is the perfect place to start. Head over to https://buff.ly/9odM9t3 and click the link at the very top of the page to begin your journey.

If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu.

The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.

BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. 

Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ 

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊.

And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

 

Struggling with sleep and starting to worry about your memory? If you’ve noticed yourself forgetting simple words, needing to reread things multiple times, or even blanking on past events — you’re not alone.

In this episode, we dive into the connection between insomnia and memory, and why it can feel like your brain just isn’t working the way it used to. If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu.

The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.

BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. 

Do you like learning by reading?

If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊.

And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool

Are you trapped in a cycle of "I must" or "I must not"? When we struggle with sleep, we often create a mental prison built on strict rules: I must take a pill, I must avoid coffee, I must not go out. Ironically, these very rules create the high-stakes environment that keeps us awake.

In this video, Coach Daniel (Sleep Physician turned Sleep Coach) breaks down why "low stakes" are the ultimate key to peaceful nights and how you can break the shackles of sleep anxiety for good.

If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu.

The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.

BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket.

The 1:1 Zoom based program is for you if you like to connect one on one with someone who has been where you are now. 

Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!

Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX

Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ 

Would you like to become a Sleep Hero by supporting the Natto movement on Patreon? If so, that’s incredibly nice of you 😊.

And here’s the link to do just that: https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool