5 styles of healing that can slow you down

When it comes to healing, your mindset and patterns matter just as much as the protocol you follow. Over the years of coaching and guiding people through gut and body healing, I’ve noticed distinct “healing styles” that shape the way people approach their journey. The way you approach your healing can either create momentum or quite sabotage progress. In other words, your approach has massive influence on how well you solve the problem.

Why This Matters

Each healing style has strengths, but also blind spots that can block progress if left unaddressed. By understanding your healing style, you can spot the patterns that keep you stuck and learn how to work with your natural tendencies instead of against them.

Below is a list of the 5 most common styles I’ve run across, NOT INCLUDING a bonus blended style of a few of these approaches.

How Common Are These Styles?
There’s no published research on healing styles (yet!), but here’s the rough breakdown I’ve seen from coaching clients over the decade plus that I have been doing this:

The Analyzer (25–30%) → Very common! Many gut-healing clients are “seekers” who already know a lot. But they are unable to use the information effectively because much of the information they collect is contradictory or does not work if applied incorrectly, in the wrong order or inconsistently.
The Hopper (20–25%) → Also common. People go from protocol to protocol searching for a quick fix but never staying long enough for anything to work.
The Pusher (20%) → Perfectionistic “do-ers” are often found in functional/holistic health spaces. While perfectionism may seem like advantage for being thorough, it can also be a paralyzer or create unrealistic and damaging expectations. Perfectionists are more focused on doing the program perfectly as described, rather than listening to their body’s feedback or guidance. The pusher personality may also be part of what got them sick in the first place.
The Doubter/Avoider (15–20%) → Less visible since they often start protocols or programs, but still a significant representation.
The Steady Healer (10–15%) → The rarest type; usually people who’ve done self-work or are naturally consistent.

Which one resonates most ?

If you don’t recognize yourself in one of these styles right away I’ve designed some questions that will help you clarify what type you are. And give you some light coaching on how to work with each style.

Write down your response to each question and add up your total at the end.

1. When you start a new healing protocol, how long do you usually give it before deciding if it’s working?

A. A few days — I want results fast
B. A few weeks — I’ll know pretty quickly
C. A few months — I understand healing takes time
D. I’m not sure, I tend to second-guess myself
E. I keep researching new options instead of really starting

2. How do you usually respond when symptoms get worse during healing (a “healing crisis”)?

A. I panic and stop — I assume it’s not working
B. I push through but feel frustrated
C. I see it as part of the process and adjust gently
D. I freeze and get stuck in confusion
E. I start researching more instead of listening to my body

3. When it comes to protocols or diets, you…

A. Hop from one to another, looking for the magic fix
B. Stick with things rigidly, even if they aren’t helping
C. Adapt and tweak based on what feels aligned
D. Avoid fully committing — it feels overwhelming
E. Keep learning but struggle to implement consistently

4. What’s your expectation for how long gut healing should take?

A. A few weeks
B. 1–2 months
C. 3–6 months or longer
D. I honestly don’t know
E. I read so much conflicting info I’m never sure

5. When you make progress, you usually…

A. Go “all in,” push harder, and sometimes crash
B. Celebrate quietly but doubt it will last
C. Use it as motivation to keep going steadily
D. Lose momentum and slip back into old habits
E. Question if it’s enough and go looking for more answers

6. How do you react when you don’t see results as fast as you hoped?

A. I get discouraged and switch approaches
B. I double down and push harder
C. I stay steady and look for small wins
D. I shut down and avoid dealing with it
E. I go back into research mode

7. Which describes your relationship with food and healing routines?

A. Strict — I like clear rules and stick to them
B. Flexible — I adjust based on how I feel each day
C. Inconsistent — I swing between being disciplined and giving up
D. Avoidant — I struggle to even start
E. Knowledgeable but inconsistent — I know a lot, but don’t always apply it

8. What role do emotions play in your healing process?

A. I try to ignore them and focus on the physical
B. They overwhelm me and make healing harder
C. I see them as part of the process and work with them
D. I don’t know how to connect emotions to healing
E. I overanalyze them but don’t always embody the lessons

9. When you hit resistance (like cravings, fatigue, or setbacks), you…

A. Push through with willpower
B. Feel frustrated and question everything
C. Get curious and adjust your approach
D. Avoid or procrastinate until it passes
E. Research more instead of taking action

10. What motivates you most in healing?

A. Fast relief from symptoms
B. Avoiding future health issues
C. Becoming my healthiest, most aligned self
D. Just surviving day-to-day
E. Understanding the “why” behind everything

11. Which best describes your personality in general?

A. Action-taker but impatient
B. Perfectionist and self-critical
C. Reflective and willing to learn
D. Easily overwhelmed or avoidant
E. Curious, thoughtful, and knowledge-driven

12. If your body could talk, what would it say about your healing style?

A. “Slow down and give me time.”
B. “Stop being so hard on me.”
C. “Thank you for listening and adjusting.”
D. “Please don’t ignore me.”
E. “Stop overthinking and start trusting me.”

🌟 Scoring

Count how many times you chose A, B, C, D, and E.
Your dominant letter = your Healing Style.
If you scored evenly across types, you may be a Blended Healer.

What the Letters Mean

Letter	Style	Description	My Total
A	The Hopper	Impatient, quick to switch approaches	⬜
B	The Pusher	Disciplined, perfectionistic, risks burnout	⬜
C	The Steady Healer	Patient, adaptable, consistent	⬜
D	The Doubter/Avoider	Overwhelmed, freezes or avoids commitment	⬜
E	The Analyzer	Knowledge-seeker, gets stuck in research	⬜

🌿 The Hopper (mostly A’s)

Pattern: You’re an action-taker with tons of enthusiasm. You dive into new protocols, diets, and supplements full of hope , but if results don’t come quickly, you jump to the next thing.

Your blind spot: Real healing happens in cycles, usually 3 months or more. By hopping too soon, you never give your body the chance to settle and show you what’s possible.

Why it slows healing: By switching too soon, your body never has the chance to stabilize or show progress. Lack of faith or trust in realistic healing time line will slow progress as abandoned things that don’t work quickly or jump ship when a healing crisis comes.

Shift to try:

Commit to one approach for 12 weeks before deciding if it’s working.
Use a habit tracker or journal to visually mark your progress every day.
Anchor consistency by pairing new health habit with daily ritual you already do.
Celebrate micro wins weekly (like better sleep, less bloating, calmer moods).
Celebrate subtle shifts (better sleep, less bloating, more energy) instead of chasing dramatic “overnight” results.

🔥 The Pusher (mostly B’s)

Pattern: You are determined, disciplined, and strong-willed. You follow protocols exactly, strive for perfection, and push through no matter what. But all-or-nothing intensity often leaves you exhausted or burned out.

Your blind spot: Pressure and rigidity may be working against you. Your body can’t heal under constant strain, and pushing harder often backfires, creating more symptoms.

Why it slows healing: All-or-nothing intensity leads to stress, burnout, and sometimes worse symptoms because the body doesn’t heal under pressure, it heals when it feels safe.

Shifts to try:

Build in non-negotiable rest days or “gentle” days into healing plan
Set boundaries with yourself: progress matters more than perfection
Focus more on what your body is telling you then what the experts say
Swap one demanding practice for a gentle one (like stretching or a slow walk)
Include one nourishing comfort meal weekly with meat stock for softness.
Practice self-compassion: notice one way your body is showing up for you today

🌱 The Steady Healer (mostly C’s)

Pattern: You’re reflective, consistent, adaptable, and committed to the long game, even when progress is slow. You know healing takes time and stay the course because you know it’s a journey, not a quick fix.

Your blind spot: If you are steady and committed but still not seeing results, your healing may stall if your healing may stall if you miss a hidden root causes such as thyroid, adrenal, or liver imbalances. You may also drift into “too flexible” territory and lose structure.

Why it slows healing: Sometimes flexibility turns into “too loose,” where structure fades. You may find yourself floating because you are confused about what to do or your body is giving you mixed signals about what is working.

Shift to try:

Anchor one non-negotiable daily habit (broth, journaling, a walk).
Do a monthly reflection: what shifted in the last 30 days?
Consider testing thyroid, adrenal, or liver support if you plateau.
Review your progress monthly so you don’t drift without noticing.
Tighten your rhythm if it is fading: pick 2–3 weekly practices that remain steady.
Choose one non-negotiable habit daily (like journaling, meat stock, or a walk).

If you would more clarity on what system may be holding up healing find out more here.

🌙 The Doubter / Avoider (mostly D’s)

Pattern: You want to heal, but it often feels overwhelming. You may second-guess yourself, freeze when things get confusing, or avoid committing because you’re afraid of “failing.”

Your blind spot: Fear and uncertainty. Doubt keeps you circling the same starting line, never moving forward long enough to see results.

Why it slows healing: Without consistent follow-through, your body never gets the steady input it needs to shift. Doubt drains energy that could go toward action.

Shift to try:

Take one small step at a time (add one food, one ritual, or one habit each week).
Track your progress to build confidence to show yourself that change is possible.
Pick one tiny step to practice daily.
Keep a visible checklist and tick off each step.
End each week by writing down 3 small signs of progress.
Celebrate every step forward, even if imperfect. Momentum heals.

📚 The Analyzer (mostly E’s)

Pattern: You love knowledge and to understand things deeply. So you research deeply, listen to podcasts, read books and articles. Sometimes you know more than practitioners. But even though you gather all the information it doesn’t translate into the results you want.

Your blind spot: Staying in your head creates an imbalanced approach to healing, which also requires intuition and connection to your body. While research feels safe, it can disconnect you from your own inner wisdom. In some cases it can keep you from actually doing the work as you keep gathering more knowledge. Analysis paralysis often means you delay taking action.

Why it slows healing: Finding safety in outside information only disconnects you from embodied wisdom. Being cut off from your body may be part of the root cause issue.

Shift to try:

Pick one trusted source/approach and stick with it for 90 days.
Pause after meals to notice how your body feels, without analyzing it.
When tempted to research more, ask: Am I learning — or avoiding action?
Create a short ‘do list’ and act before consuming more info.
Follow a 3-action rule: implement 3 steps before researching more.

🌟 The Blended Healer

Pattern: If you saw yourself in more than one of these styles — you’re not alone. Most people carry a mix of tendencies. You may not fit into just one box because you can start as a Pusher (going all-in), become a Hopper (switching when you burn out), and eventually slip into Doubter territory when nothing sticks.

Your blind spot: Because you shift between patterns, it’s harder to see your core blocks. The mix of impatience, self-pressure, avoidance, or even steady habits can feel confusing when things are not working and there’s not clear path forward.

Why it slows healing: Shifting patterns create multiple blocks to overcome. The cycle of pushing, hopping, and doubting can keep you feeling stuck and sabotage hope. You may say “nothing works” but a different approach may open up promising possibilities.

Shift to try:

Notice the cycle: when you are stressed or things get tough, do you hop? Push harder? Freeze? Awareness of your pattern helps break the loop.
Anchor one steady practice (like morning broth, journaling, or a daily walk) no matter which mode you’re in.
Do a weekly check-in: which style was strongest this week?
Ask: what deeper needs drives your patterns, the need for safety, clarity, or control?

Reflecting on what you learned in this exercise can help you move past your own healing blocks. And coaching can help keep you moving forward without falling into familiar patterns.

The three month Self Healing Body coaching program helps you find resolution to your unique root causes and overcome your hidden blocks to healing.