Calm Amidst the Chaos

And that's a wrap for Season 3! I want to first take a moment to thank you for coming along on this journey with me.

One year, 3 seasons and 36 episodes later, it's time for me to take a pause on podcasting and shift my focus. To shift from where I want to be and to instead focus on where I am at. To be here and now in this moment.

In a recent coaching call with a client I shared with her that sometimes the work isn't about getting to where you want to be and instead it's learning how to tolerate being where you are at on your journey.

Instead of fighting and resisting the moment, it's learning how to take a breath, to acknowledge where you are, and to choose how to move forward.

Whether that's recognizing our triggers and that we are still being affected by them. Or recognizing that as much as you want to push yourself to be better and stronger, instead you need to slow down and work with the reality of this moment.

In this final episode of season 3, I break down for you more about being in the moment, learning how to tolerate things we might not like and how a mindfulness meditation practice can help you get there.

In this podcast episode, I am joined by Stefanie Boyer, a pain recovery specialist for woman and a structural integration manual therapist at Encove Health who is deeply passionate about filling the gap that we see in pain care.

Stefanie joins me to discuss the complexities of chronic pain management, particularly for women who are often underserved in this area.

Our conversation highlights the importance of a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to pain care, which includes mindfulness, personalized strategies, and understanding the unique pain experiences of individuals. Both of us share our personal experiences with chronic pain, illustrating the challenges of navigating the healthcare system and the necessity of advocating for oneself. We also emphasize the significance of patient-led care and the integration of various therapeutic practices to effectively manage and recover from chronic pain.

To connect with Stefanie and to learn more about how you ca work with her or to get her 21 page pain guide you can find her here.

In this episode, I am joined by Lori Rose who discusses her mission to end interpersonal violence and promote healing through trauma-informed education and somatic movement.

As a trauma-informed therapist with her own experience of trauma, I was interested in learning more about using movement on ones healing journey. Over the course of our conversation, we explore the complexities of trauma, the need for inclusive practices, and the value of vulnerability and empathy in building supportive communities. We also touch on the importance of accommodating diverse needs and the potential for collective healing through small, mindful actions.

You can find Lori on her website The Rose Model to find out more about exploring somatic movement as part of your healing journey.

In this episode I am joined by Heather Criswell, a seasoned entrepreneur turned communication coach. Heather shares her expertise in helping individuals and leaders navigate difficult conversations with confidence, ease, and grace, emphasizing the importance of clarity and emotional awareness.

To two of us sit down and discuss strategies for improving communication, including setting clear goals before conversations, understanding the energy you bring, and prioritizing relationship, respect, and outcomes. We also explore the impact of technology on communication, highlighting the importance of mindfulness in decoding messages accurately and managing emotional triggers.

Heather provides actionable advice, such as having a conversation with yourself first to identify your non-negotiables and preparing for various outcomes. The discussion underscores the value of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy in creating meaningful connections and resolving conflicts effectively.

You can find Heather at The Conversation Academy to learn more about her tool the conversation station.

In this episode I am joined by Tracy Desjardins, an international best-selling author of "The Diet-Free Diva". Tracy is committed to guiding women towards freedom from the constraints of restrictive dieting. As a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Tracy specializes in emotional eating recovery, guiding women on a transformative journey towards lasting self-love.

Throughout our conversation, we explore the importance of mindfulness, self-compassion, and understanding one's emotional needs to overcome the detrimental effects of diet culture. We emphasize the value of listening to one's body, recognizing emotional triggers, and fostering a positive relationship with food.

In her transformational book, “The Diet-Free Diva,” Tracy shares a powerful 5-step plan, liberating individuals from the toxicity of diet culture. You can find Tracy on her website

This week I am joined by Avery Willdridge, a 17-year-old podcast host, who focuses on mental health and aims to spread awareness and destigmatize it.

In this episode, she shares her personal struggles and journey to help others understand and accept mental health issues. Avery believes it's important to talk openly about mental health, as many people pretend and suppress their struggles, which is not helpful. She emphasizes that it's okay not to be okay and encourages seeking therapy and counselling.

Having experienced bullying myself as a teenager, Avery and I spoke openly about what that experience has been like for each of us and how mindfulness and DBT has helped us on our journey of healing.

Take a moment to pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and join me inside of my virtual living room for this vulnerable episode.

In this episode, I am joined by Neha Negandhi, a TEDx speaker and certified life coach, in a discussion of the importance of meditation and prayer as tools for calming and centering oneself. Neha highlights how daily meditation has alleviated her anxiety and emphasizes the power of slowing down and breathing to access inner strength.

Neha shares her personal practice of meditation and prayer, which she attributes to her cultural upbringing, and how it brings clarity and calmness to her day.

Starting my day off with a 10 minute meditation practice has been so helpful for me in calming my anxiety and creating more clarity and focus. Meditation helps me to make decisions and reduces decision fatigue by planning my day in advance which also helps me to manage my invisible disability and chronic pain.

While we touch on prayer in this episode, prayer and meditation can also be secular. A mantra, a guiding thought, journalling or even a gratitude practice are ways that you can incorporate "prayer" into your practice as it is really about getting quiet and still with your thoughts.

You can reach out to Neha here if you are interested in booking a 20 minute consulting call. As always, I encourage you to reach out to me in my Instagram DMs for any questions about this or any other episode.

In this episode of Calm Amidst the Chaos, I speak with Reign Love, a soul and life alignment mentoring coach, about her journey into coaching and the transformative work she does. Reign discusses how the pandemic led her to host a free self-love course, which unexpectedly launched her coaching career. She emphasizes the importance of aligning one's inner and outer worlds, defining personal success, and cultivating self-love.

In this episode, Reign shares insights on how people often seek fulfillment externally, but true contentment comes from within. The discussion also touches on emotional intelligence, the necessity of experiencing a full range of emotions, and the significance of presence, love, and connection in achieving personal alignment.

You can find Reign on Instagram and don't forget, if you mention you heard her on this podcast episode you can book either a free soul and life alignment call or an expansion call.

In this episode, I got really deep and honest as I give you a look into the reality of the last few years. Full disclosure - it was rough. There might be some curses sprinkled in throughout this episode, which is unusual for me, but some situations call for a good curse word.

Mindfulness and my practice was a Godsend for me during this time. It's what kept me afloat when things were at there worst.

It's why I am so passionate about teaching mindfulness through my programs like, From Overwhelm to Ease, or my 1:1 Anxiety coaching packages. This stuff works if you are open to putting in the time to heal.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please reach out to me on Instagram with any thoughts or questions .

In today's episode I am joined by Alenka Kyslik, a former corporate overachiever who after experiencing burnout and a severe ankle injury, created the SAHA Collective, a platform to connect individuals with holistic health professionals tailored to their unique needs.

Throughout the course of this episode. we discuss the importance of self-advocacy, listening to one's body, and exploring alternative healing methods. We also highlight the challenges of navigating healthcare systems and the significance of making holistic care accessible and affordable for everyone.

Throughout our conversation, we highlighted the need for personalized care, recognizing that what works for one person might not work for another. Alenka's matchmaking system considers shared values, symptoms, and lived experiences to connect individuals with the right professionals. This approach acknowledges the uniqueness of each person's journey and the importance of finding the right fit in healthcare.

As someone who has been told, more than once by doctors, that I don't respond typically to treatment, I am a huge advocate for incorporating holistic options into a medical model.

Please join us inside of my virtual living room for this conversation. Then, come over to Instagram to continue the conversation by sharing with me your thoughts and experiences. I would love to hear them.