In today’s episode I am joined by Janis Isaman, the Founder of My Body Couture, a 1:1 private movement studio. Janis is a trauma sensitive movement specialist who focuses on providing customized body focused services to clients with chronic pain, illness, injuries and other movement limitations. Join us inside of my virtual living room as we talk all about taking a mind body approach to healing. 

As someone who has experienced trauma, I know how important it is to be attuned to our bodies, to be able to hear them and to help them to move our emotions through the body. Movement is part and parcel with learning how to regulate and manage your emotions. 

In this episode, we discuss the importance of the mind-body connection and how trauma can be stored in the body. We explore the role of movement and exercise in healing trauma and regulating emotions. One of the main things that I want to emphasize is the need for self-awareness and self-compassion in listening to and understanding the signals of the body. 

When looking to introduce movement into your daily life it’s important to find movement practices that are enjoyable and sustainable for each individual. Overall, this episode promotes the idea of embracing movement as a tool for healing and well-being, and encourages listeners to cultivate a deeper connection with their bodies.

We had such a great time chatting that this is a long interview, haha. So grab yourself a cup of coffee, put on your earphones and dive right into today’s conversation. 

You can find Janis on Instagram @mybodycouture or on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave this podcast a review.

Have a follow up question for me or Janis? Please find us on Instagram and send us a DM.

In this episode, I am joined by Carol Mae Whittick, a creativity and spiritual life coach. Carol supports women over 40 to trust their intuition, rediscover their creativity, leverage their unique wisdom and design a purposeful life.

Over the course of our conversation, we discuss topics such as dealing with criticism and rejection, finding confidence in oneself, and embracing the wisdom gained from life experiences.

Carol emphasizes the importance of owning one's identity and not comparing oneself to others. She encourages listeners to trust their intuition and recognize the connection between spirituality and creativity.

Both of us highlight the significance of embracing midlife as a time of growth and self-discovery. Through the sharing of personal anecdotes and insights, we talk about how to navigate challenges and find joy in life.

Overall, our conversation promotes self-acceptance, resilience, and the power of finding one's unique path and I think that it is one that you will really enjoy.

You can find Carol at her instagram @cazmick or on her website.

In this podcast episode, I interview Maggie, a licensed clinical social worker, about the topic of anxiety and how it can cause individuals to shrink themselves and struggle to ask for what they need.

Maggie shares her personal journey and how she discovered her passion for working with clients who struggle with anxiety and setting boundaries. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in recognizing and accepting anxiety, rather than trying to fight against it.

Maggie also discusses the various therapeutic approaches she uses, such as DBT and self-compassion practices, to help her clients find their voice and overcome social anxiety. She encourages individuals to do things even when they are scared and highlights the significance of practicing self-compassion and embracing imperfection.

Throughout our conversation, both of us emphasize that healing from anxiety is a continuous practice and that progress over perfection is key. We also emphasize the importance of finding connection and support in a community.

Maggie shares information about her solo practice, Rosebud Psychotherapy, where she offers virtual sessions and walk-and-talk therapy in Georgia. She also mentions her women's anxiety group and DBT skills group.

As a final reminder, both Maggie and myself want you to remember that anxiety does not have to control your life and that it is possible to live with more ease and empowerment.

You can find me on Instagram @themindfulnessjourney or Maggie @rosebud.psych

Welcome back to Season Two of Calm Amidst the Chaos! This season, other than this episode, I will have guest experts joining me inside of my virtual living room. Why the change? Well, for one, I absolutely love having conversations with other people and getting different perspectives. Plus, I thought it would be incredibly helpful to hear expert opinions on the topics we discuss here on the podcast.

In Season One, we delved into anxiety in various forms, exploring its causes and ways to manage it. Now, in Season Two, we're diving deep into social anxiety, specifically for entrepreneurs. We'll explore how social anxiety can impact entrepreneurs and discuss topics like emotion regulation, healing our nervous system, networking, confidence building, conserving energy, having difficult conversations, advocating for ourselves, dealing with uncertainty, task avoidance, and handling negative feedback.

As an entrepreneur, networking can be incredibly challenging and draining, and it's not just about attending events and meeting new people. Networking also involves building collaborations, participating in summits, and guesting on podcasts. All of these can be daunting for those with social anxiety or introverted tendencies. That's why this season is dedicated to exploring how to navigate social anxiety as an entrepreneur.

I want to show you that even with social anxiety and introversion, you can still thrive as an entrepreneur. In fact, I'm using the skills I teach in real-time by inviting guests onto the podcast. It's a way for me to practice what I preach and show you that it's possible to overcome these challenges.

I've come a long way from the shy and socially anxious person I used to be. Tomorrow, I'll be recording my first guest episode for this season, and it's something I couldn't have imagined doing a decade ago. I've grown so much that I can now have conversations with confidence and ease. It's a testament to the power of doing the work and practicing mindfulness consistently. And let me tell you, it is work. Inner work that takes time and effort, but the benefits are immeasurable. I'm incredibly grateful that I made the choice to embark on this journey years ago.

That's why I'm so passionate about teaching mindfulness and sharing my experiences. I want you to know that it's possible to overcome social anxiety and thrive as an entrepreneur. It's not always easy, but the work is worth it. I've seen the transformation in my own life, and I want to help you experience it too. That's why I'm starting this podcast, bringing on guest experts, and running a group coaching program on managing social anxiety as an entrepreneur. It's all connected because I believe in the power of mindfulness and its ability to change lives.

So, as we embark on this new season, I want to invite you to join me on this journey. Let's explore social anxiety together, learn from experts, and support each other along the way. If you have any thoughts or topics you'd like us to cover, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @themindfulnessjourney. I'd love to hear from you.

Until next time, remember that you have the power to overcome social anxiety and create the life you desire. Keep practicing mindfulness, embrace the work, and watch as your life transforms one moment at a time. You've got this! 💪🌟

Hey there! Today, let's dive into the topic of burnout. It's something that so many of us are familiar with, including myself. I've experienced burnout a few times in my life, and I'm sure many of you can relate.

I was trying to do it all, and it was overwhelming. That's when I realized I needed to hit the pause button. I took a break from teaching, coaching, and even social media. I sent an email to my subscribers letting them know I needed some time off. And you know what? It was exactly what I needed. I gave my body the time it needed to heal. And that's the key to overcoming burnout - giving yourself the time and space to heal.

So, what exactly is burnout? It's a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. We've talked a lot about stress in previous episodes, so feel free to check them out for more information. Burnout can be particularly challenging for entrepreneurs because if we can't work, we don't get paid. That's why learning how to manage and prevent burnout is crucial for us.

Remember, healing and managing burnout is a journey. It takes time and practice. That's why I offer coaching programs and workshops, like my upcoming workshop on healing burnout, to help you develop the skills and strategies you need. If you're interested, check out the link in the show notes to learn more and register.

And with that, we've reached the end of season one of Calm Amidst the Chaos. I want to thank you for being a part of this journey and for all the support you've shown. I'll be taking a break for the next four weeks, but don't worry, I'll be back for season two with more episodes to help you find peace and balance in your life.

In the meantime, feel free to connect with me on Instagram @themindfulnessjourney. I look forward to having you join me again soon. Take care and be well. Bye for now!

Learning how to meditate, particularly through mindfulness meditation, has taught me how to quickly calm my mind and find peace amidst the chaos. It has been my saving grace during the toughest moments of my life, as I faced crisis after crisis. Meditation has become an essential part of my daily routine, and I can't wait to share its incredible benefits with you.

Imagine grabbing a hot beverage, curling up in your coziest chair with a soft blanket, and joining me inside my virtual living room as we delve into the world of mindfulness meditation. I have personally experienced the transformative power of meditation, and I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs like you harness its potential.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. Meditating is tough, and it's not something most of us want to do. Trust me, I've been there. I used to struggle with meditation too, especially when I was under immense stress during my university years. But let me tell you, meditation isn't about quieting your mind completely. It's about being present, focused, and engaged in the practice. It's about learning to sit with discomfort and cultivate resilience.

During the most chaotic times in my life, mindfulness meditation became my anchor. It helped me navigate uncertainty, sit with difficult emotions, and find strength within myself. It taught me to accept the reality of the present moment with kindness, curiosity, and non-judgment. By embracing the unknown and focusing on the here and now, I discovered that I had the skills to navigate whatever challenges came my way.

I invite you to join me on this journey of self-discovery and healing. Let's learn how to calm our minds, manage anxiety, and find peace amidst the chaos. To get you started, I've created a guided meditation called The Welcome Mat. It will help you practice sitting with your thoughts, emotions, and sensations in a kind and non-judgmental manner.

If you're ready to explore the transformative power of meditation, simply click the link to access the guided meditation.

Remember, meditation is a practice that requires patience and consistency. Start with just a few minutes each day, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable. With time, you'll notice the positive impact it has on your overall well-being.

I'll be here to support you every step of the way. In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing more insights on managing burnout and incorporating mindfulness into your entrepreneurial journey. Stay tuned!

Now, let's talk about skills. Learning mindfulness meditations completely changed my life and even saved me during the chaos of the last few years. In fact, I'm so passionate about mindfulness meditation that I'll be discussing it in today's episode and next week's too. I'll be sharing some of the skills and strategies I teach, and how they can help you manage your mental health.

Just a quick heads up, I'm a registered psychotherapist with a background in psychology. I used to work as a therapist before my accident, and although I can no longer practice, I still incorporate my training into my courses and programs. I've studied cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and I find that these therapeutic skills are incredibly helpful for managing mental health.

Now, let's talk about therapy. I'm a huge believer in therapy and I'm actively in therapy myself. It's fantastic! But sometimes, we need a little extra support in between sessions or when we can't access therapy for various reasons. That's where skills come in. Skills are like tools in our toolkit that we can use when we need some extra support. They're not a replacement for therapy, but they can be a valuable addition to your mental health journey.

One of the great things about skills is that you can take them with you wherever you go, and most of the time, all you need is your breath. It's pretty amazing, right?

So, what exactly is a skills-based approach to managing your mental health? It's all about enhancing your coping skills, emotional resilience, and problem-solving abilities. We do this through stress management, communication skills, mindfulness, and emotion regulation techniques. These evidence-based practices, like CBT and mindfulness-based stress reduction, have been effective for my clients and have helped me navigate some of the toughest times in my life.

Before we wrap up, I want to emphasize that skills are not a replacement for therapy or medication. Sometimes, we need more support, and that's okay. Skills can be a valuable addition to your mental health toolkit, especially in those moments when therapy isn't accessible or in between sessions.

I hope you found this episode helpful. Next week, we'll dive deeper into mindfulness and meditation, and how they can further support your mental health. And in our final episode of this season, we'll discuss burnout and how all these skills come together.

Thank you so much for joining me today. If you resonated with this topic or know someone who could benefit from it, please share this episode. Take care, be well, and I'll catch you next time. Bye!

As an entrepreneur and solopreneur, I make countless decisions every single day for my business. But here's the thing: I've always struggled with self doubt and anxiety.

Doubt, overthinking, second-guessing, you name it. It would always show up when I had to trust myself and make important decisions. It made me so nervous that I would often avoid taking action altogether. But as an entrepreneur, hiding away and not making decisions is simply not an option.

That's where mindfulness comes in. It has been a game-changer for me in recognizing and letting go of self doubt, insecurities, and negative thoughts. My meditation, The Welcome Mat, is a great practice to help you to start to notice which thoughts and emotions are contributing to your self-doubt and to start to make friends with them.

I talk about this all the time on my podcast, website, and social media because paying attention to our thoughts is crucial. It helps us understand how we talk to ourselves and how our doubts and insecurities can hold us back.

So today, I invite you to grab a cup of tea or coffee and join me in my virtual living room as we dive into how to overcome self doubt using mindfulness meditation.

I used to be incredibly shy and socially anxious. Learning how to heal my anxiety with mindfulness meditation changed my life. I always thought I would be stuck in that anxious state forever, watching others navigate social situations with ease. But through mindfulness, I discovered that I could change my life. It wasn't always easy, but it was worth it.

Mindfulness meditation has given me the tools to overcome my anxiety and increase my confidence. It's not about never feeling anxious again, but rather learning how to navigate those moments and not let them hold me back. I've come a long way from the shy and socially anxious person I used to be. I can now attend networking events, strike up conversations with strangers, and even speak in front of a room full of people. It's incredible how much mindfulness has transformed my life. It's not just about the big moments either. Mindfulness has helped me in everyday situations, from talking to the barista at my local coffee shop to attending social events. It's given me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences.

Mindfulness has taught me to be present in the moment, to let go of self-consciousness, and to embrace life with confidence. It's been a journey of self-discovery and growth, and I'm grateful for every step of it.

Remember, you don't have to meditate for hours on end to experience the benefits of mindfulness. Even just a few minutes a day can make a difference. So take a moment each day to sit, breathe, and be present. You'll be amazed at the positive impact it can have on your life. If you'd like to try a guided meditation, I've included a link to my most popular one, the Welcome Mat, in the show notes. Give it a try and see how it feels to welcome everything that shows up in your life. And if you find this podcast episode helpful, please share it with your friends and consider leaving a review. Your support means the world to me. Thank you for joining me on this mindfulness journey. Until next time, take care and be well. Bye!

Hey there! Today, I want to talk about one of my favorite topics when it comes to mindfulness: acceptance. Now, acceptance can be a tricky thing. Just the word itself can bring up a lot of feelings for people. Many of my clients have struggled with acceptance over the years. It carries a weight that I want to unpack a bit.

So, let's dive into what acceptance really is, why it's so important, and how to practice it. Acceptance is a critical skill when it comes to mindfulness. Mindfulness is all about paying attention to the reality of the present moment with kindness, curiosity, and nonjudgment. And that's exactly what acceptance is all about. It's about accepting the reality of the present moment, whether we like it or not. You don't have to like the present moment to accept it.

I want to emphasize that acceptance is a choice we make. We don't have to like the choices we're faced with, but by accepting the reality of the moment, we create space for making the best decisions for ourselves. It's about opening the window of choice and responding instead of reacting. It's not always easy, and it's a practice that requires patience and self-compassion. But the more we practice acceptance, the more ease and peace we can bring into our lives.

I hope this episode has shed some light on the importance of acceptance and how to practice it. Remember, you don't have to like the present moment to accept it. Acceptance is about embracing the reality of this moment, the good and the bad. It's about finding a more neutral stance and working with what is. It's a lifelong journey, but one that can bring more ease and peace into our lives.

If you want to dive deeper into acceptance and mindfulness, I invite you to check out my programs. They provide guidance and support in developing your mindfulness practice. And remember, acceptance is a continuous practice. So, let's start small and notice when resistance shows up in our lives. Let's choose acceptance and see how it can make a difference.

Thank you for joining me in my virtual living room today. I appreciate you taking the time to explore acceptance with me. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your loved ones. Let's spread the message of healing anxiety one moment at a time. Take care and be well until next time!