What if being seen feels hard because your nervous system doesn't feel safe yet?

In this episode, I sit down with "Spider" Meka Hemmons to explore why visibility can feel tense or overwhelming for so many women, and how that shows up far beyond the camera.

We talk about creating calm before being seen, not by fixing how you look, but by shifting how you feel in your body. Meka shares how old messaging, cultural pressure, and constant stimulation shape self-image, and why regulation must come before confidence if real change is going to stick.

This conversation is about feeling safe, grounded, and calm in a chaotic world, so you can show up without forcing or performing.

☑️ Why "not being photogenic" is a story, not a truth ☑️ How nervous system regulation changes self-image and confidence ☑️ What it really takes to feel safe being seen

Spider also shares details about her new program, Calm Before the Camera, and how these practices support self-trust, presence, and inner calm well beyond photos.

If being visible has ever felt heavy, tense, or draining, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

Subscribe, listen in, and give yourself permission to create calm first.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction

01:14 Meet Meka and Her Purpose-Driven Work

04:52 Breaking Beauty Myths and Self-Image Stories

10:00 Why "Photogenic" Is a Myth

15:34 Seeing Beyond the Surface

20:34 Why Feeling Good Comes Before Confidence

21:51 Calm Before the Camera Explained

30:23 The Power of Positive Self-Talk

35:21 Final Reflections and What's Next

Meet "Spider" Meka Hemmons

Portrait photographer and speaker, "Spider" Meka Hemmons, is often described as a heart surgeon with a camera—helping people heal how they feel in front of the lens and in the mirror. Blending psychology, language, and visual storytelling, she's spent over two decades helping professionals and creatives reclaim confidence and presence. She's the creator of Calm Before the Camera, a guided course designed to reduce anxiety, shift self-perception, and help people show up as themselves—on camera and in life.

Access the Course: https://spidermeka.com/calm

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/spidermeka

Instagram: https://instagram.com/spidermeka

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spidermeka

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/spidermeka

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