When anxiety hits, you don’t always have time for a 20-minute meditation. In this episode of Tips & Tales with Tawnie The Neuro Mermaid, I share fast, science-backed tools to help you regulate your nervous system and get grounded in the moment — no matter where you are.

From humming to activate your vagus nerve, to using sour or spicy flavors for sensory distraction, to temperature shifts and the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method, you’ll walk away with an Anxiety SOS toolkit you can use instantly.

We’ll also talk about preventative daily practices for anxiety, how to communicate your needs to loved ones, and why these techniques work from a neuroplasticity and brain retraining perspective.

Perfect for anyone who is neurodivergent, on a healing journey, or interested in holistic and biohacking approaches to mental health.

🌊 Save this episode for your next high-tide moment — because even the strongest mermaids need a lifeboat sometimes.

#AnxietyRelief #Neuroplasticity #HolisticHealing #NeurodivergentTools #BiohackingMentalHealth #VagusNerve #GroundingTechniques #NervousSystemRegulation

🧠✨ Stroke Recovery • Brain Aneurysm Awareness • Survivor Stories

Shello, beautiful souls! 🧜‍♀️💖

Welcome to a special episode of Survivor Sunday—on a Saturday! Your hosts, Tawnie, a 2x brain aneurysm survivor and awareness ambassador, and fellow stroke survivor Maddie, dive into the power of resilience, reframing challenges, and showing up (even when your nerves say otherwise!).

This candid conversation covers everything from brain injury conference prep and stroke survivor tips to speaking engagements and self-empowerment. Tawnie shares her excitement—and nerves—about speaking at the UC Irvine Brain Injury Conference as the Neuro Mermaid, while Maddie recaps her experience performing in the powerful Stroke Monologues in Pittsburgh.

💬 Topics include:

• How to overcome anxiety before a speech

• What to wear to a brain injury or stroke awareness event

• Reframing fear as growth in your stroke recovery journey

• Celebrating your strokeversary/life-aversary

• Building community after a brain aneurysm or stroke

• Empowering yourself to travel and speak solo

Whether you’re healing from a stroke, living with a brain aneurysm, or supporting a loved one, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone—and you get to thrive after survival.

💌 Want to be featured on a future Survivor Sunday?
Send a DM to Tawnie or Maddie (even better set up a 3 way chat)—we welcome stroke warriors, caregivers, brain injury advocates, and healthcare providers to share their stories.

🔗 Follow for weekly survivor interviews, healing tips, and brain health awareness.

to connect with Maddi: https://linktr.ee/maddistrokeofluck?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAac_sOTerpt8KEJdBJBqdFU8l2NmhOkTJAmRcclPiXhuBzH5VD4NoEPOj4IysQ_aem_dihs3XFSV4kw3HkMetCH2g

connect with me: https:// linktr.ee/TawnieTheMermaid

Al’oh, shallo — your Neuro Mermaid here, aka your Stroke Support Siren 💙✨
With my big speech at the Beyond the Brain Brain Injury Conference coming up, I’ve been reflecting on what it reallymeans to share your story as a brain injury or stroke survivor.

In this episode, I dive deep into: 🧠 The healing power of storytelling after brain trauma
💬 Why it’s okay if you stumble, forget, or cry while sharing your journey
🧅 My favorite metaphor: your story is like an onion (yes, Shrek-style)
🎤 How going live weekly with fellow survivors has helped us process, connect, and thrive
🫶 Why there’s no wrong way to tell your truth — and how sharing can literally save lives

Whether you’re neurodivergent, healing from a traumatic brain injury, navigating aphasia, or just trying to find your voice again — I see you. You are not alone. And you’re never “too messy” or “too late” to start telling your story.

💌 If you’ve ever said “I don’t think I could do that” — this one’s for you.
DM me your questions, share what part resonated most, or just say Shello mermaid 🧜‍♀️💕

resource and info Www.tawnietheNeuroMermaid.com

Today we’re diving deep into something that every stroke survivor wonders at some point: Can I drive again? 

The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all—and it turns out, it’s not just about where you live but how much you self-advocate.

From Italy to Canada to the US, I share what I learned chatting with other stroke warriors across the globe 🌍

Spoiler: It’s often more about self-reporting and doctors' notes than strict DMV rules. I talk about my own experience—how my eye crossed in, rehab, and a simple note led me back to the driver’s seat (music and snacks included 🎶🍓).

Whether you’re 9 months or 9 years into your recovery, this episode is your reminder that where there’s a will, there’s a way. It may not look like it used to—but you CAN get there.

💬 Drop your questions or share your story with me. Let’s keep this healing convo going!

✨ Topics covered:

• Driving after brain injury or stroke

• Self-reporting laws in different countries

• Neuro-ophthalmologists & second opinions

• Mindset shifts and hope-filled healing

  
  

  https://

  linktr.ee/TawnieTheMermaid

  
  

  or

  
  

  Www.tawnietheNeuroMermaid.com

Every day this month, I’m sharing a bite-sized brain retraining moment—an organic question, convo, or curious thought that bubbled up in real life. Today’s episode dives into the beginning of my healing.

I share about my

-visual issues (my left eye was crossed in)

-light sensitivity

-sound sensitivity

-vertigo

-built up spinal cord fluid "hydrocephalus"

- my crooked smile or side mouth talking

-aphasia

- my speech was slower, my processing slower

💬 Got a topic or question floating in your mind?

Drop it in the comments or DM me—I’d love to share my personal tips & mermaid tales on your healing journey too. 🧠

Resources and links here Www.tawnietheNeuroMermaid.com

or connect here https:// linktr.ee/TawnieTheMermaid

Tawnie the Neuro Mermaid (on all socials)

[email protected]

🎙️✨ Welcome to the NeuroMermaid Daily Drop-In! ✨🧜‍♀️

This isn’t your typical podcast—it’s a daily wave of reflection, brain health tips, and awareness moments that come up organically through life, community, and conversation. 💬💙

Today’s tip is all about starting the month with intention by reflecting on what worked last month—and stacking new habits with ones you already love. 🧠🌊

📝 For me, that means keeping my journaling routine going by pairing it with something I already do daily. (Shello, coffee + journaling vibes!) ☕📓

This series is unfiltered, unscripted, and designed to meet you where you are—because healing and habit building aren’t one-size-fits-all.

🌟 Have a question or topic you want me to dive into? Send it my way and I might feature it in tomorrow’s episode!
🔁 Come back daily for your quick brain boost and a moment of mindfulness.

connect with me https://linktr.ee/TawnieTheMermaid

or more resources here on Www.tawnietheNeuroMermaid.com

Navigating Emotions Post Stroke

Tracey & I speak on our life experiences as we navigate life dealing with the emotional trauma of living as stroke survivors...

-understanding post stroke depression

-recognizing the signs and symptoms

-effective coping strategies

Join us weekly as stroke survivors and awareness ambassadors, sharing candid conversations about the journey of recovery, resilience, and redefining life after stroke. From practical tips and personal stories to exploring healing strategies and building community, this podcast is a space of hope, support, and empowerment for survivors and their loved ones.

connect with us on IG:

https://ig.me/j/AbY_Xl-LXDd01rE7/

Tracey: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bodytracefit?igsh=YzVkODRmOTdmMw==⁠⁠
⁠https://www.instagram.com/strokerecoverystrategist?igsh=YzVkODRmOTdmMw==⁠
Tawnie: https://www.instagram.com/theneuromermaid/
 ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tawnietheneuromermaid?igsh=YzVkODRmOTdmMw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠
https://www.instagram.com/bodytracefit?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

replay: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGtsSdkORUe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

3.2.25 Survivor Sunday live 
@maddistrokeofluck and @tawnietheneuromermaid interview @lonny.astrid post- brain surgery, and this is not her first one! Lonny is a mom and a stroke superhero, catch the replay to hear her story and amazing perspective on life.

Hope to see you guys too at fast fwd nyc on April 25, come and hang out with Maddi and Lonny ! or join in LA September 19th

want to share your story with us?

please DM us

https://

linktr.ee/TawnieTheMermaid

or

https://linktr.ee/maddistrokeofluck?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaaUHgaYvDaz93hbv7_AlTerAzehvG-PlhQKufCiIGdSSEG3QgZLeI6nlk_aem_OOQS2GPsm9uw7gECkE5NIA

Everyone is so different and we all heal in our own ways, luckily as talking to other survivors I get asked questions and want to share my tips and resources.. looking forward to updating this and continuing to raising awareness

want to see the video from this join as a member for free to see more https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-i-swam-my-my-123357420?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

or here on YouTube https://youtu.be/FzmvSUywVRI

Shivika's story of how she turned the passing of her grandmother from a ruptured brain aneurysm into education & advocacy 
It's a 50% mortality rate flip of a coin that I luckily landed on the other side of so I'll continue to use my voice & platform to raise awareness 💚 
We met through @taaf_org please connect for more resources 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGj-ajQxVGj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

we should do a follow up right? on all the platforms? drop some questions

follow and connect with her https://www.instagram.com/its_just_shivs/