No Fear, Just Life: Ben’s Lessons from Insomnia (Talking Insomnia #212)

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Join us in this episode as Ben shares his profound struggle with insomnia triggered by chronic pain and medication withdrawal. He discusses the challenges, the dark thoughts, and the steps he took towards recovery, including helpful insights from CBTI and the BedTyme app. Ben emphasizes the importance of living life despite sleep difficulties and the gradual nature of recovery. His candid journey offers hope and practical advice for anyone facing similar struggles.<br /><br />00:00 Introduction and Personal Struggles<br />01:59 The Onset of Sleep Issues<br />03:03 Medication and Its Consequences<br />04:52 Finding Help and Coping Strategies<br />07:07 Challenges and Setbacks<br />15:23 Experience with Benzodiazepines<br />19:25 Discovering CBTI and Other Resources<br />25:14 Facing Travel Anxiety and Overcoming Phobias<br />26:32 The Role of Ellie the Chatbot<br />27:09 Missed Insights and Exposure Therapy<br />29:20 The Power of Thoughts and Acceptance<br />34:18 OCD and Sleep Compulsions<br />36:50 The Gas and Brake System<br />37:50 Michael Jackson's Sleep Struggles<br />40:53 Final Reflections and Advice<br /><br /><br /><br />If you're new here and like what you've seen so far, you'll want to download our FREE 'Off-to-Dreamland' e-booklet.<br /><br />Simply head over to https://www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click the link at the tippy top. <br /><br />Happy reading!<br /><br /><br />—<br /><br />If you're ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options. <br /><br />Head over to www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click on GET SLEEP in the menu. <br /><br />The Insomnia Immunity program is perfect if you like learning through video and want to join a group on your journey towards sleeping well.<br /><br />BedTyme is ideal if you like to learn via text and have a sleep coach in your pocket. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />—<br /><br />Do you like learning by reading? If so, here are two books that offer breakthroughs!<br /><br />Tales of Courage by Daniel Erichsen <br /><br />https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Courage-Twenty-six-accounts-insomnia/dp/B09YDKJ3KX<br /><br />Set it & Forget it by Daniel Erichsen <br /><br />https://www.amazon.com/Set-Forget-ready-transform-sleep/dp/B08BW8KWDJ<br /><br />—<br /><br />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:<br /><br />https://www.patreon.com/thesleepcoachschool<br /><br />—<br /><br />Not sure where to start on your path to sleeping well? Check out these playlists!<br /><br />This is natto - the perfect place to start learning.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cik8Xr8iVdxmKB9FYieevYj<br /><br />Success stories - if you need hope and inspiration, this is for you.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cj68v9hdoXYv_fpOR65oI3U<br /><br />Talking insomnia - guests with trouble sleeping or experts share their stories / tips. <br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1ciGheE7iHbvdjXu29ZssK4q<br /><br />Hypnic jerks, hypnic awareness and other common issues.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1ci1B__oGwLvLaJ9Da1lmIKs<br /><br />Fatal insomnia - for those concerned about ffi and sfi.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cgjEXNFSpelP_HSsCpF56Ey<br /><br />Speed bumps - when you think you had a setback or “relapse.”<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC8kIR3zDKA&list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cj4Q9IDryjCkjOONk7bv1wF<br /><br />Unrefreshing sleep - when you always feel tired or exhausted. <br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cje9e66guVo6BsSF-glS8c7<br /><br />Momsomnia - if you’re a mom or becoming a mom.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1chwai9WPUngyfUs7j4w0e1F<br /><br />Heard online - when you’ve worried about claims made about health problems and insomnia.<br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1chQrr1ZeglMDHGKipJYuHZe<br /><br />This content does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

The Sleep Coach School 1.4K views September 11, 2025 6:00 pm

Join us in this episode as Ben shares his profound struggle with insomnia triggered by chronic pain and medication withdrawal. He discusses the challenges, the dark thoughts, and the steps he took towards recovery, including helpful insights from CBTI and the BedTyme app. Ben emphasizes the importance of living life despite sleep difficulties and the gradual nature of recovery. His candid journey offers hope and practical advice for anyone facing similar struggles.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Struggles
01:59 The Onset of Sleep Issues
03:03 Medication and Its Consequences
04:52 Finding Help and Coping Strategies
07:07 Challenges and Setbacks
15:23 Experience with Benzodiazepines
19:25 Discovering CBTI and Other Resources
25:14 Facing Travel Anxiety and Overcoming Phobias
26:32 The Role of Ellie the Chatbot
27:09 Missed Insights and Exposure Therapy
29:20 The Power of Thoughts and Acceptance
34:18 OCD and Sleep Compulsions
36:50 The Gas and Brake System
37:50 Michael Jackson’s Sleep Struggles
40:53 Final Reflections and Advice

If you’re new here and like what you’ve seen so far, you’ll want to download our FREE ‘Off-to-Dreamland’ e-booklet.

Simply head over to https://www.thesleepcoachschool.com and click the link at the tippy top.

Happy reading!

—

If you’re ready to leave insomnia for good, check out our coaching options.

Head over to http://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

—

Not sure where to start on your path to sleeping well? Check out these playlists!

This is natto – the perfect place to start learning.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cik8Xr8iVdxmKB9FYieevYj

Success stories – if you need hope and inspiration, this is for you.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cj68v9hdoXYv_fpOR65oI3U

Talking insomnia – guests with trouble sleeping or experts share their stories / tips.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1ciGheE7iHbvdjXu29ZssK4q

Hypnic jerks, hypnic awareness and other common issues.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1ci1B__oGwLvLaJ9Da1lmIKs

Fatal insomnia – for those concerned about ffi and sfi.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cgjEXNFSpelP_HSsCpF56Ey

Speed bumps – when you think you had a setback or “relapse.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC8kIR3zDKA&list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cj4Q9IDryjCkjOONk7bv1wF

Unrefreshing sleep – when you always feel tired or exhausted.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1cje9e66guVo6BsSF-glS8c7

Momsomnia – if you’re a mom or becoming a mom.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1chwai9WPUngyfUs7j4w0e1F

Heard online – when you’ve worried about claims made about health problems and insomnia.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6RQ1GS7B1chQrr1ZeglMDHGKipJYuHZe

This content does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.