What matters to you right now?

That's the question this episode is built around, because when everything feels important, nothing gets your proper attention. And when nothing gets your proper attention, you burn out trying to hold it all together.

I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and this episode is about how to work out where to put your energy when your list of "important things" has quietly become unmanageable. It's inspired by a task from my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit, which is turning 10 this December.

What I cover:

Why "where the attention goes, the energy flows" isn't just a nice phrase

Why the standard Wheel of Life headings (health, money, relationships) are too vague to help you

How to make the Wheel of Life work for you by writing your own headings

Why you can't get everything to 10 out of 10 at the same time (and why trying is a fast track to burnout)

The link between not knowing what matters and running yourself into the ground

Why knowing something intellectually and putting it into practice are two different things

Why external support (therapy, coaching, bodywork) matters even when you already know the material

The "confidence comes after competence" reminder, and why imposter syndrome often just means you haven't built the reps yet

What I'm currently working on in my own therapy sessions and why

A heads up on the 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit podcast launching this October

A few questions I answer:

How do I work out what to focus on when everything feels important?

Why do I keep feeling stuck even though I'm doing loads?

What is the Wheel of Life exercise and how do I use it properly?

Why can't I just fix everything at once? How do I know when I need external support?

Free download: my Lymphatic Drainage Self-Care Routine. A gentle, daily practice you can do in as little as one minute a day https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/

2027 Oban Wild & Well Retreat https://iamjenwilson.com/retreat

Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnq

Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGIC

About Jen: Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 15 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online classes and an on-demand subscription library.

Find out more at iamjenwilson.com

Follow my social channels Subscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilson Like my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilson Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

"I don't know how I'm still alive. My burnout has burned out."

That was a message from a client of mine recently, and it hit me hard. Because I've been that client. I spent the first 10 years of self-employment working seven days a week, from 7am to 9pm most days, telling myself that because I loved what I did, it didn't count as work. I was wrong.

I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and this episode is about why rest needs to be part of your actual strategy, not something you do when everything else is finished. Because it never will be finished. And if you wait until you have time, you will never have time.

What I cover:

Why loving your work doesn't exempt you from needing rest The 10 years I worked without a proper break, and what it cost me Why it took years of scheduled downtime before I could switch off What rest looks like for different people How to pre-schedule social media, out-of-office replies, and downtime The dance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system Why your best ideas come when you stop working How dopamine hits become addictive, and why slow satisfaction is better Why nothing you do is life or death How your values inform your rest strategy

A few questions I answer:

Why is rest important for business owners? How do you take a proper holiday when you're self-employed? What does rest look like when you love your work? How do you switch off when you've been "on" for years? How much rest does your nervous system actually need?

Free download: my Lymphatic Drainage Self-Care Routine. A gentle, daily practice you can do in as little as one minute, in the shower or before bed. Access it FREE here: https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/

If you're in or around Glasgow and you'd like to come in for a treatment, my Reset (90 minutes) and Recalibration (3 hours) sessions are designed for exactly this kind of nervous system exhaustion. www.iamjenwilson.com/relax

FREE Posture for Health mini workshop: https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/

Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit: https://amzn.to/4eYtVnq

Rebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts: https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/

Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book: https://amzn.to/4gJsGIC

About Jen:

Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 15 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online classes and an on-demand subscription library.

Find out more at iamjenwilson.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilson Instagram: https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

Why your feet might be the key to your whole body feeling different is what we're getting into today.I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and this week just about every client who's walked into my studio has ended up on the table getting foot work done. Neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, pelvic floor issues, postural collapse. When I've looked at their feet and listened to them walk up and down the room, the story has been the same. The feet need attention first.Your foot is an architectural masterpiece: 26 bones (28 if you include the ankle), 33 joints, over 100 ligaments and tendons, 25% of your muscles and bones, five arches, and around 7,000 nerve endings in each sole. When your feet aren't working properly, the ripple effect goes all the way up.What I cover:The five arches of the foot and what each one actually doesHow your feet connect fascially and energetically to your pelvic floor, diaphragm, and thoracic systemWhy collapsed or overly stiff arches disrupt your posture, pelvic floor, and breathingThe link between your feet and your nervous system stateWhy thick-soled shoes desensitise you and cause dysfunction up the chainHow working on your feet with a tennis ball, cork ball, or resistance band changes everythingTwo client examples from this week where we only worked the feet and their posture completely changedThe connection between your feet and reflexology pointsFeet, circulation, lymph flow, and why it's never too late to startWhy silicone toe spacers help but aren't the whole answerHow to work with your feet without holding your breath and clenching everything elseA few questions I answer:Why do my feet hurt?Can foot problems cause back pain, neck pain, and posture problems?How are your feet connected to your pelvic floor?What's the best way to release tight feet at home?Why do arches matter?Do minimalist shoes really make a difference?Free download: my Lymphatic Drainage Self-Care Routine. A gentle way to build a daily body-listening practice, in as little as one minute a day. Access me FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/If you'd like to work on your feet more deeply, I've got a Foot Mobility and Strength course that includes the fascia foot spa recording. Details in the show notes.If you're in or around Glasgow and you'd like to come in for a treatment, all the booking details are in the show notes too.About Jen:Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 15 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online classes and an on-demand subscription library.Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

"Safety isn't the absence of threat, it's the presence of true connection." That single sentence has been running through my mind for a week, and this episode is me thinking out loud about it.I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and today I'm exploring the tension between self-soothing, self-regulation, and the idea that we actually need community and connection to regulate our nervous systems properly.

The conversation started when I heard someone say that self-soothing doesn't really work, that you need to be in connection with other people to soothe and regulate. My honest response was, yes and. Because there's nuance here. There's a level of self-responsibility we need to take, and there's a time and place where you absolutely need other humans around you. The answer depends on where you are on your journey, what you've already learned, and what's available to you in the moment.

In this episode:

Why self-soothing alone isn't always enough.

The difference between being alone and being lonely.

What self-regulation actually looks like in practice (drumming, blankets, fascia work, smoothies, the lot).

Why some classic self-compassion techniques like self-hugging make some of us feel agitated rather than soothed.

The role of true community and safe people in nervous system regulation.

Why talking ideas through with another human beats running them in your own head.

Where AI tools fit (and where they fall short) when you need to actually be heard.

The cultural nuance in how we communicate, and why it matters.

A few questions I answer:

What's the difference between self-regulation and co-regulation?

Can you regulate your nervous system on your own?

Why doesn't self-soothing work for everyone?

How do you know when you need community versus when you need solitude?

What are some practical ways to self-soothe that actually work?

This episode is a thinking-out-loud in the moment one. I want to know what you think. Drop your thoughts into the comments wherever you're listening. How did that opening statement land for you? What came up? Let's make this a real conversation.

About Jen:

Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 17 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online classes and an on-demand subscription library.

Access my FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/

Should you purge after a lymphatic drainage treatment?

Short answer: no.

I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and this episode is me getting into why the "go hard or go home" mentality has crept into lymphatic drainage, why some practitioners are pushing aggressive treatments designed to make you purge afterwards, and why that's the opposite of what your body actually needs to heal.

This episode came out of a conversation with a fellow massage therapist friend whose client kept going to someone else for lymphatic drainage because she always had a big purge afterwards. My reaction was: no. That's not what's meant to happen.

What I cover:

What purging actually is and when it's appropriate (sickness, diarrhoea, your body clearing something genuinely harmful)

Why a treatment that makes you purge is too aggressive for your nervous system

The concept of a "healing crisis" and why it's a red flag, not a badge of honour

How the parasympathetic nervous system safety is where healing actually happens

The Vodder technique I was trained in, and how a proper, gentle lymphatic drainage treatment works

Why the dramatic before-and-after photos of lymphatic drainage are mostly fluid loss that comes straight back

Why getting lymphatic drainage before your holiday won't keep you looking sculpted on the beach

What aggressive treatments actually cost you (vitamins, minerals, microbiome)

Why being soothed during a treatment matters more than the manual technique itself

How to support your lymphatic system at home in as little as one minute a day

A few questions I answer:

Should you purge after lymphatic drainage?

What is a healing crisis, and is it real?

Why does my body purge after some treatments?

Is aggressive lymphatic drainage better than gentle?

Can I do lymphatic drainage on myself?

Does lymphatic drainage help you look thinner?

Free download: my Lymphatic Drainage Self-Care Routine. A gentle, guided way to support your lymphatic system every day, in as little as a minute. https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/

If you're in or around Glasgow and you'd like to come in for a proper, gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment, all the booking details are over at www.iamjenwilson.comGet my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

Is trauma stored in the body? Can fascia release heal it? Is there one modality, one practitioner, one magic pill that's finally going to fix you?

Short answer: no.

I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and this episode is me wading into the conversation (and in some places, the argument) that's playing out across the wellness industry right now. There's a particular kind of marketing happening where practitioners are promising trauma release through fascia work, and there's a particular kind of seeking happening where people are looking for the one thing that'll resolve everything.

I want to talk honestly about what's actually going on in your body when you experience trauma, what fascia is and isn't, what touch and movement and breath actually do, and why the "pill for every ill" mentality keeps us stuck.

What I cover:

Why The Body Keeps the Score has been overtaken by newer thinking (the brain keeps the score, the body is the scorecard)

Why two people can go through the same experience and only one comes out traumatised

How trauma creates patterns of movement, holding, and bracing in your body

A real client example of how a car collision shaped how she held herself in the driver's seat

My own example of holding patterns after my last Crohn's flare and the 2-year process of unwinding them

Whether fascia actually "holds" trauma in any meaningful way

Why emotional release during bodywork is real but isn't quite what people think it is

The role of touch, movement, and diaphragmatic breath in your body's natural processing

Why your lymphatic system needs breath and movement to do its job

How tears, sweat, and exhaling breath are part of your body's detoxification process

Why we've been culturally trained out of expressing emotion, and how to retrain ourselves

The "pill for every ill" mentality and why it keeps us stuck

You are not broken. You don't need to be fixed.

A few questions I answer:

Is trauma actually stored in the body?

Can fascia release heal trauma?

Is fascia an organ?

Why do I cry during massage or fascia work?

the difference between trauma and holding patterns?

Why is touch so important for healing?

Why does diaphragmatic breath matter for the lymphatic system?

This is for anyone who's been on the wellness path long enough to feel exhausted by the constant search for the next thing.

There's no one path through. There's only what's right for you.

Free download: my Lymphatic Drainage Routine. A simple way to start touching your own body with awareness, getting to know your own physiology, and supporting your natural detoxification process. https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/

If you're in or around Glasgow and want to come in for a treatment, https://iamjenwilson.com/relaxAccess my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

I've been a participant in the wellness and wellbeing industry since 2002 and working in it since 2009. That's 24 years of being in this world, watching it evolve, watching the science shift, and watching myself shift along with it.

This episode is an honest review of the things I used to believe, used to teach, used to post about, and have since had to let go of.I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and if you've been on your own wellness path for a while, you'll probably recognise yourself in some of these. The point isn't that I got it wrong and feel bad about it. The point is that being willing to update your beliefs as you learn more is part of being a serious practitioner and a serious human.

What I unlearned:

That science is the pinnacle of all knowledge (it's brilliant, but human biology doesn't always behave the way science needs it to)

That I was indestructible and could just push through with more effort, more workouts, more discipline

That "go hard or go home" gym culture was actually healthy

That rest is lazy or unproductive

That veganism was the healthiest way to eat (after 20-25 years vegetarian/vegan, my body told me otherwise)

That elimination diets are a long-term solution

That you can just push through tiredness, fatigue, and burnout

That suppressing emotions is the same as being strong

That being on the contraceptive pill for years had no effect on my emotional landscape

That a chronic illness diagnosis (Crohn's, in my case) was the end of the road

That fasting is universally healthy, particularly for women in the perimenopausal years

A few questions I answer:

Why isn't science always the final word in wellbeing?

Is veganism actually healthy for everyone?

Why is rest so often confused with laziness?

Should women in perimenopause be doing intermittent fasting?

Can chronic illness actually lead to a better life?

What's the link between contraceptive pills and emotional flatlining?

Drop your own "what I've unlearned" moments into the comments, I'd genuinely love to know.

Free download: my Lymphatic Drainage Routine to get you started. https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/About Jen:

Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 17 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online classes and an on-demand subscription library. Access my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

"Safety isn't the absence of threat, it's the presence of true connection." That single sentence has been running through my mind for a week, and this episode is me thinking out loud about it.I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and today I'm exploring the tension between self-soothing, self-regulation, and the idea that we actually need community and connection to regulate our nervous systems properly.

The conversation started when I heard someone say that self-soothing doesn't really work, that you need to be in connection with other people to soothe and regulate. My honest response was, yes and. Because there's nuance here. There's a level of self-responsibility we need to take, and there's a time and place where you absolutely need other humans around you. The answer depends on where you are on your journey, what you've already learned, and what's available to you in the moment.

In this episode:

Why self-soothing alone isn't always enough.

The difference between being alone and being lonely.

What self-regulation actually looks like in practice (drumming, blankets, fascia work, smoothies, the lot).

Why some classic self-compassion techniques like self-hugging make some of us feel agitated rather than soothed.

The role of true community and safe people in nervous system regulation.

Why talking ideas through with another human beats running them in your own head.

Where AI tools fit (and where they fall short) when you need to actually be heard.

The cultural nuance in how we communicate, and why it matters.

A few questions I answer:

What's the difference between self-regulation and co-regulation?

Can you regulate your nervous system on your own?

Why doesn't self-soothing work for everyone?

How do you know when you need community versus when you need solitude?

What are some practical ways to self-soothe that actually work?

This episode is a thinking-out-loud in the moment one. I want to know what you think. Drop your thoughts into the comments wherever you're listening. How did that opening statement land for you? What came up? Let's make this a real conversation.

About Jen:

Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 17 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online classes and an on-demand subscription library.

Access my FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/

Are you a firstborn daughter who's always switched on, always scanning for the next thing to fix, and secretly knackered underneath it all? This episode is for you.I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and today I'm talking about eldest daughter syndrome, nervous system dysregulation, and why so many of us firstborn daughters and born leaders end up in burnout more than once before we finally listen.I share my own experience of hitting a Crohn's disease flare in 2022 that became the wake-up call I couldn't ignore, plus research from the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts on eldest daughter syndrome, and why Gabor Maté's work in The Myth of Normal and When the Body Says No keeps showing up in conversations about autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, and the personality types most likely to develop them.In this episode:What eldest daughter syndrome actually is (and why it's not in the DSM-5)Why firstborn daughters are wired to fix, help, and people-please from childhoodThe link between being "the responsible one" and burnout, anxiety, depression, and autoimmune conditionsWhy being fit isn't the same as being healthyHow to spot the signs you're running on high alert without realising itWhy saying no to one thing lets you say yes to what your soul actually wantsWhat my clients who book their treatments a year ahead know that the rest of us are still learningA few questions I answer:What is eldest daughter syndrome?Why do firstborn daughters burn out so often?Is there a link between personality type and autoimmune disease?How do I know if I'm dysregulated?What can firstborn daughters do to start recovering from burnout?If this resonates, share it with a firstborn daughter or born leader you love who's heading back toward burnout. And drop me a comment wherever you're listening. I want this to be a two-way conversation.About Jen:Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 15 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online Pilates and movement classes.Access me FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/Access my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

In this episode, Jen and Ashley talk about what it means to be a trauma-informed leader and how Ashley is developing a book and programme to inspire leaders to approach their work from heart lead, trauma-informed approach. Ashley Scotland is an Award Winning CEO & Founder, Thriving Survivors | Board Member, The Robertson Trust | Advocate for Restorative Justice, Survivor Empowerment and Lived Experience Leadership.She is a passionate social entrepreneur and visionary leader dedicated to transforming the lives of trauma survivors through innovative, trauma-informed services. As the Founder and CEO of Thriving Survivors, I’ve led the development of Scotland’s first restorative justice service for survivors of sexual harm, securing major funding and shaping national policy through initiatives like the Survivors Voices consultation.With over a decade of experience in the third sector, she brings strategic foresight, ethical governance, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. She serves on several influential boards, including:* The Kintail Trust (Corporate Trustee)* The Robertson Trust* Cross Party Group for Adult SurvivorsHer work has been featured in national and international publications, and she's a strong advocate for lived experience leadership and the integration of AI to drive sustainable social impact.Connect with Ashely on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyscotland/Connect with Jen: Access me FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/Access my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson