Shannon Mick, NCC, LPC Finish Stronger Counseling

06/22/2026

Most runners know how to train their bodies… but few know how to work with their minds when anxiety shows up.

Here are 3 common ways anxiety appears in runners — and what those signals are really trying to tell you:

- Racing thoughts & overthinking
- Physical tension & body signals
- Performance worry & perfectionism

These aren’t signs you’re “weak” or “not cut out for this.” They’re your nervous system doing its job. Once you understand them, you can respond with compassion and practical tools instead of self-criticism.

(One client went from panic-filled long runs to finishing her ultras with calm confidence after learning these patterns.)

Save this if you’re a runner who deals with anxiety

Book a free consultation (PA residents only) → finishstrongercounseling.com

06/12/2026

✨ Can we actually become lastingly happier?
The research says YES — and it’s more than luck.

Swipe through for the proven benefits and the top evidence-based practices that actually work.

Which one are you committing to this week? Let me know in the comments 👇

Reach out to me through my website if you’d like personalized support turning these into real change.

06/09/2026

Take your medicine today… and every day.

Routine is medicine.
Movement is medicine.
Sleep is medicine.
Breath is medicine.
Consistency is medicine.
Laughter is medicine.
Storytelling is medicine.

These aren’t just nice ideas — they’re the foundation of real healing, resilience, and performance.

If you’re a runner, endurance athlete, or anyone carrying the weight of anxiety, depression, trauma, disordered eating, or simply feeling stuck in your habits and mindset… then this is for you.

I help adults (especially Pennsylvania runners and athletes) turn these “medicines” into daily practices that actually stick.

Whether you need better sleep strategies, nervous system regulation through breathwork, accountability for consistency, tools to bring more joy into hard days, or a safe space to unpack your story — I’ve got you.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Pennsylvania-based (virtual)

Runners, ultrarunners & endurance athletes welcome

Special focus on anxiety, depression, trauma, mindset & habits.

If you’re ready to feel stronger in body and mind, I’d love to hear your story and help you build the life you want.

Tap the link in bio or visit:

https://finishstrongercounseling.com/contact/

Drop a ❤️ if this resonated.

Share this with someone who needs to hear it today.

06/04/2026

Anxiety as a runner is sneaky.

Your life can look completely fine on the outside, but inside it’s racing thoughts, a body that won’t settle, tight shoulders before a run, or that constant “what if something goes wrong?” feeling — even on easy training days.

Performance anxiety before races, worry about injury, overthinking every workout, or the quiet dread that drains your motivation… sound familiar?

The good news? Anxiety isn’t a flaw — it’s your brain trying to protect you. The better news? You can learn how to work with it instead of letting it run the show.

In my latest article, I break down:

Why anxiety shows up so strongly for endurance athletes.

How it can sometimes motivate you… and when it starts holding you back.

Practical tools from CBT, DBT, and ACT that actually fit a runner’s lifestyle.

Plus real strategies you can start using right away — breathing techniques, worry time, grounding skills, and more.

If anxiety has been stealing the joy from your runs, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Read the full article here:
https://finishstrongercounseling.com/2026/06/03/anxiety-as-a-runner-why-it-shows-up-how-it-holds-you-back-and-how-to-finish-stronger/

You deserve to run with more freedom and confidence. Let’s help you finish stronger — on the trails and in life.

05/21/2026

Owning Your Story: How Self-Compassion and Self-Love Lead to Healing

It isn’t always easy to own our story and to love ourselves, but the process of acceptance and moving forward with healing is one of the most important things we can do. It takes courage—real courage—to look honestly at the chapters we’d rather close forever and still choose to write the next ones with intention.

You don’t have to carry the past with you into the future. The past does not get to define you.

We all go through incredibly painful experiences. Trauma, loss, betrayal, disappointment—these things change us.

The change often feels negative at first: We may become more guarded, more anxious, and more self-critical. But hidden inside that pain is also the potential for growth. We learn, grow, and become more resilient, more empathetic, and sometimes even more purposeful than we ever were before the hurt.

The key is refusing to let the pain be the only voice that gets to speak.

Change is hard. That’s why self-compassion matters so much...

https://finishstrongercounseling.com/2026/05/21/owning-your-story-how-self-compassion-and-self-love-lead-to-healing/

It isn’t always easy to own our story and to love ourselves, but the process of acceptance and moving forward with healing is one of the most important...

05/19/2026

What are you focusing on improving right now?

It can be anything (remember to try to be specific when setting a goal):

- Ending a bad habit
- Spending time away from your phone
- Getting to sleep at a good time
- Improving boundaries
- Boosting happiness
- Practicing gratitude for your body
- Managing anxiety at work...

Recently, I've been focusing on boundaries with the amount that I work, and trying to be very intentional when I am working, making sure that the content has value.

I've also been focusing on doing my easy effort runs truly easy and have zoned in on downhill running strength work.

Let me know what you've been focusing on and or write it down in your notebook. Take this moment to think about these things.

By the way, the list above are things that I can help with if you need some support.

If you'd like to start a free consultation, get a hold of me through the contact page on my website, Finish Stronger Counseling (link in comments).

On the contact page, you can complete the form and it will go to my email, or you can book a 15 minute phone consult through the Calendly widget.

Let me know what you're working on!

[I can only work with people in the PA]

05/13/2026

How To Get The Most Out Of Counseling

Things that you can do to get the most out of counseling
1. Be picky about who you work with and make sure that they’re a good fit. Find someone who you see yourself talking with and who specializes in what you need support with.

Check out how to find the right counselor here.

2. Supplement therapy by doing things outside of session. This can be reading credible mental health sources, journaling, doing a workbook and other mental health-related homework assignments throughout the week.

3. Do the homework assignments, even if they seem pointless because they are small. Simple assignments or therapeutic strategies can be effective. Trust that your counselor is giving you assignments and strategies that could be helpful...

https://finishstrongercounseling.com/2021/12/21/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-counseling/

Things that you can do to get the most out of counseling: 1. Be picky about who you work with and make sure that they're a good fit. Find someone who you see...

05/12/2026

Dialectics (DBT) for a Flexible Mind

What are dialectics?
Dialectics relate to our theories and ideas, in terms of the OPPOSITE way we think. Here are some thinking patterns that we all experience, and get caught up in, it does us no favors to become stuck!:

▪︎ “All-or-nothing” thoughts.
▪︎ “Either-or” thoughts.
▪︎ “Black-and-white terms.”

These examples of thoughts are called cognitive distortions.

Instead of thinking this way, we should think in terms of seeing the shades of gray, between black-and-white thinking.

Practice being flexible and find middle-ground options in your behavior. Trying to see the opposing side.

Examples
▪︎ When in conflict, find something to agree about in the other person’s perspective.
▪︎ Instead of procrastinating on a task, break the ice with one or two small steps.
▪︎ Make a list of at least five positive qualities you (or someone else you are down on) have.

If you’re stuck in the above thought patterns, try the opposite.

Look at the other side of things. We often default to the negative side of situations or ourselves. We can be critical and harsh. Look at the opposite side of the dialect...

https://finishstrongercounseling.com/2020/06/02/dialects-dbt/

Dialectics relate to our theories and ideas, in terms of the OPPOSITE way we think. Here are some thinking patterns that we all experience, and get caught up...

04/30/2026

Body Appreciation Worksheet for When You are Struggling with Body Image

The Uniquely Me, Body Appreciation, and Body Positivity worksheet helps with recognizing what our bodies do for us and what is unique about us.

Think about the abilities and all that our bodies achieve every day, there are several!

Walking, speaking, reading, thinking, feeling, eating, and reproducing, just to mention a few.

Our bodies are elaborate and designed to do absolutely astonishing things!

Watch this 5:00 video from National Geographic: Human Body 101 to remind yourself just how incredible your body is.

This downloadable worksheet is for anybody to complete: children, adolescents and adults; use it in a classroom setting with children; use it in a group setting, so that you can learn from and relate to others.

I have used this as a tool when working with people who struggle with body image, eating disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in a group therapy setting...

Visit the article for more and to download the free worksheet.

https://finishstrongercounseling.com/2020/02/25/uniquely-me-body-image-body-positivity/

The Uniquely Me, Body Appreciation, and Body Positivity worksheet helps with recognizing what our bodies do for us and what is unique about us. Think about...