Unboxable — Somatic Self Development

What if healing isn't something another person does to you? This week I'm joined by Brea Segger, retreat facilitator, writer and host of the podcast Beneath the Story. She's calling in from her family's permaculture farm on Vancouver Island, though home is mostly Costa Rica these days.

Brea shares the story of leaving a corporate finance career in 2007, ending up on Zanzibar, and floating in the Indian Ocean with nothing to prove. She describes what happened when she finally stopped holding on.

From there we get into the difference between effortless and easy, why trust is the prerequisite for surrender, and why the "broken to be fixed" model of healing takes people's power away. We also talk about why neither of us wants to be needed forever by a client, and how to tell when your work is draining you for the wrong reasons.

In this episode:

Find Brea: 

https://www.breasegger.com/

https://www.instagram.com/breasegger/

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This episode is brought to you by the Clear Ground Program, a somatically informed, multimodal online and live-call program for connecting within and between your relationships, healing what holds you back, and stepping into your biggest vision, grounded and supported. Find out more at alenaturley.com or via the links below.

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I'm Aléna Turley — Somatic Therapist and Business Mentor for over-extended givers. I help high-achieving healers, educators, and leaders move from chronic depletion to clarity and grounded power.

On Unboxable, we explore somatic tools and Root Cause Therapy to support physiological healing and help you reclaim your vitality. Self-development from the body up.

If you're hyper-capable and quietly running on empty, this free guide was made for you. Three practical ways to stabilise when you're the one everyone leans on.

⚡️Get the Guide: 3 Ways to Stabilise
https://www.alenaturley.com/come-home-to-yourself

Website: alenaturley.com

Instagram: @alenaturley

Work with Me: Book a Somatic or Business Session

Clear Ground (Group Program): https://www.alenaturley.com/clearground

In this episode of The Unboxable Podcast, Alena Turley speaks with Miami-based marketing strategist Sasha Awwa, who helps entrepreneurs stop wasting money by returning to marketing foundations, optimizing leaks and gaps, and navigating an increasingly noisy, AI-amplified landscape. They discuss why clarity beats cleverness (including SEO and simple messaging), why social media and standard launch formulas don’t fit everyone, and how “failed” launches still produce valuable data. The conversation explores the renewed importance of trust, genuine connection, collaboration, and community-building—online and offline—alongside creative, low-budget strategies and partnerships. Sasha outlines her three-phase launch approach: foundations (goals, the four Ws, audience, landing pages, tech stack), marketing planning, and analytics/testing, and shares how she supports small businesses with end-to-end strategy.

00:00 Sacha Awwa - Marketing Magician

02:35 Navigating Marketing Noise

05:54 Formula vs. Instinct

11:28 The Butterfly Transformation Analogy

15:37 Community Over Commerce

34:47 Sacha's Three-Phase Formula

37:43 Marketing by Design

Founder of Uncomplicate It "CLARITY OVER COMPLEXITY, uncomplicating growth for Founders"  Sacha spent spent 23 years inside high-performance institutions. The New York Times. The U.S. Army National Guard. Venture-backed tech startups. Sacha collected the titles and the accolades. And watched smaller founders get handed the same playbooks without the teams, the capital, or the margin to survive the experiment.  So she walked away and built something different. Today she work with Seed to Series B founders who need strategy that fits their stage, not someone else’s.  

Explore her work at sachaawwa.com/ 

I'm Aléna Turley — Somatic Therapist and Business Mentor for over-extended givers. I help high-achieving healers, educators, and leaders move from chronic depletion to clarity and grounded power.

On Unboxable, we explore somatic tools and Root Cause Therapy to support physiological healing and help you reclaim your vitality. Self-development from the body up.

If you're hyper-capable and quietly running on empty, this free guide was made for you. Three practical ways to stabilise when you're the one everyone leans on.

⚡️Get the Guide: 3 Ways to Stabilise
https://www.alenaturley.com/come-home-to-yourself

Website: alenaturley.com

Instagram: @alenaturley

Work with Me: Book a Somatic or Business Session

Clear Ground (Group Program): https://www.alenaturley.com/clearground

In this 100th episode of Unboxable, Somatic Therapist Aléna Turley reflects on the power of deep, body-held belief that defies logic, rational thinking, or even medical science.

She shares her four-year journey to conceiving and carrying her third child—after pregnancy loss, a difficult second pregnancy, multiple miscarriages, intense life pressure, alternative support, and discouraging fertility assessments including IVF that was halted due to low eggs.

Following a Whole30 wholefood reset and a move overseas to Bath, England, she conceived and experienced a largely low-intervention, empowered birth supported by a doula, midwives, and birth education, and community breastfeeding support.

This episode is all about cultivating trust in the body as an intimate companion, seeking support, resting and replenishing, and learning the difference between distraction and an aligned, life-affirming path.

TO READ more about the birth, head to the She Births blog at 
https://shebirths.com/australian-birth-stories/birth-story-birth-cole/

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

2:09 Body as Companion
4:08 The Baby I Knew
4:52 Losses and Miscarriages
7:12 Depletion and Pressure
10:15 Searching for Answers
13:29 Whole30 and Moving
14:48 Pregnant at 44
15:44 Empowered Birth Story
17:35 Deep Knowing Lesson
19:30 Support and Community

I'm Aléna Turley — Somatic Therapist and Business Mentor for over-extended givers. I help high-achieving healers, educators, and leaders move from chronic depletion to clarity and grounded power.

On Unboxable, we explore somatic tools and Root Cause Therapy to support physiological healing and help you reclaim your vitality. Self-development from the body up.

If you're hyper-capable and quietly running on empty, this free guide was made for you. Three practical ways to stabilise when you're the one everyone leans on.

⚡️Get the Guide: 3 Ways to Stabilise
https://www.alenaturley.com/come-home-to-yourself

Website: alenaturley.com

Instagram: @alenaturley

Work with Me: Book a Somatic or Business Session

Clear Ground (Group Program): https://www.alenaturley.com/clearground

In this episode of the Unboxable podcast, host Alena Turley, a somatic therapist and educator, sits down with Dr. Oscar Perez, a soul recovery specialist.

Dr. Perez shares his journey and extensive experience in healing emotional, physical, and spiritual trauma through traditional and indigenous practices. He introduces his book 'The Flowering War,' which focuses on healing ancestral and generational trauma, rooted in the Toltec tradition. The discussion delves into the concept of 'grief bearers'—individuals who carry the unprocessed trauma of their lineage—and the importance of reconnecting with the land and nature to heal these deep wounds. Dr. Perez also discusses his passion for martial arts, exploring the interplay between trauma and martial arts training. Alena emphasises the need for heart, presence, and alignment over mere hustle, inviting listeners to join her Lion Life Method for ongoing somatic support.

00:58 Meet Dr. Oscar Perez: Soul Recovery Specialist
05:42 The Flowering War: Healing Ancestral Trauma
06:42 Understanding the Grief Bearer
14:28 The Concept of the Flowering War
27:54 Martial Arts and Personal Transformation
39:57 Strength and Conditioning for Martial Arts
40:26 Longevity in Filipino Martial Arts
41:23 Trauma and Martial Arts: A Deep Connection
44:55 The Philosophy of Martial Arts and Emotional Interplay
47:40 Reconnecting with Nature and Ancestral Wisdom
58:34 Grief and Healing: The Journey of a Grief Bearer

Get your copy of Oscar's book,The Flowering War, on Amazon

Oscar's FREE ONLINE TRAINING is for leaders in the healing professions that are ready to transcend emotional fatigue...How Transformational Healers That Were the "Black Sheep" Go From Silently Shouldering Emotional Exhaustion to Embracing Their Unique Abilities & Purpose With ​​​​​​​The Soul Recovery System https://droscarcperez.com/register

I'm Alena Turley — Somatic Therapist and Business Mentor for over-extended givers. I help high-achieving healers, educators, and leaders move from chronic depletion to clarity and grounded power.

On Unboxable, we explore somatic tools and Root Cause Therapy to support physiological healing and help you reclaim your vitality. Self-development from the body up.

If you're hyper-capable and quietly running on empty, this free guide was made for you. Three practical ways to stabilise when you're the one everyone leans on.

⚡️Get the Guide: 3 Ways to Stabilise
https://www.alenaturley.com/come-home-to-yourself

Website: alenaturley.com

Instagram: @alenaturley

Work with Me: Book a Somatic or Business Session

Clear Ground (Group Program): https://www.alenaturley.com/clearground

In this episode of the Unboxable podcast, we meet Dr. Adam Dorsay, a psychologist and resiliency expert working primarily with men in Silicon Valley. Dr. Dorsay discusses his background, personal life, professional work, and his passion for connection.

The conversation dives into the vital importance of connecting with oneself, others, the world, and something greater. We explore the essence of flow, authenticity, and overcoming societal pressures. We also discuss Dr. Dorsay's book on connection, the therapeutic benefits of awe, and the challenges of being authentic in a society filled with expectations. The discussion is peppered with insights on music, personal anecdotes, and the importance of human connection in mental well-being.

Learn more about DR ADAM DORSAY at 
https://dradamdorsay.com/

Get his book
SUPER PSYCHED: Unleash the Power of the 4 Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love

Mentioned in this Episode:
Phosphorescence, a book by Julia Baird

✨MEET YOUR HOST ✨

Hey, I'm Alena, a Somatic Therapist, Educator, and Hapkido Black Belt. My mission is to support women — especially those in service or helping professions — finally shift from recurring cycles of hustle and overwhelm to a space of clarity, presence, and peace.

On this podcast, we have honest conversations about true healing and inner freedom.

We specifically dig into navigating that challenging space I call "grey area mental health"—when you're not fully well, but maybe not "sick enough" for conventional support..

My signature program, The LionLife Method, is all about accessing body-based (somatic) tools to help you reconnect inside and out, recalibrate your nervous system and reclaim your energy, for good.

Connect with me on Instagram at @alenaturley for more daily insights on somatic healing and living in alignment.

✨ Your Free Resources: Halt the Hustle Cycle!

Before you leave, I want to give you something to help you start reclaiming your energy today. If you're tired of feeling fatigued, rushed, and frustrated, I created an anti-depletion protocol just for you:

⚡️ Get instant, free access to my somatic guide: "3 Ways to Break the Hustle Habit." at www.alenaturley.com/3-ways

This guide provides three powerful ways to heal from depletion right now, allowing you to step into greater ease and possibility. Inside, you'll learn how to cultivate deeper:

 • Self-Love

 • Connection

 • Purpose

Plus, when you sign up, I'll send you my top transformative tools and resources each week to keep you moving toward clarity and presence.

Highlights:

01:13 Discussing Ancestry and Personal Background

03:10 Professional Journey and Experiences

03:51 Star Wars and Personal Interests

04:40 Connecting Through Pets and Family

06:31 Resiliency Programs and Coaching

10:59 The Concept of Connection

14:22 Experiencing Awe and Radical Amazement

18:54 Music, Flow, and Personal Pleasures

25:11 A Tribute to George Michael

25:25 Embracing the Gay Community

26:02 The Safe Haven of Gay Clubs

27:21 The Joy of the Castro District

29:11 Martial Arts and the Power of Presence

31:32 The Importance of Authenticity

36:10 The Power of Trying New Things

37:21 The Magic of Music and Connection

43:06 The Essence of Connection in Mental Health

46:27 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Ting Ting Guan is the founder of the Guan Jing Method, a unique movement practice she channeled during a period of deep introspection and transformation in Los Angeles. Drawing from a deep connection to nature and her Chinese-Mongolian heritage, Ting Ting’s work integrates movement, breath, and energy work, focusing on helping people clear emotional blockages and transmute challenging energy.

Having previously facilitated yoga teacher trainings globally, she now leads Guan Jing workshops, retreats in stunning locations like Egypt and Mexico, and a comprehensive teacher training program, all aimed at helping individuals find greater balance, intuition, and power by connecting with their inner "mountain pass" and moving through life's challenges with grace and expansion.

You can find more information about Ting Ting Guan and the Guang Jing method at GuanJingMethod.com on INSTAGRAM and get her free resources.

✨MEET YOUR HOST ✨

Hey, I'm Alena, a Somatic Therapist, Educator, and Hapkido Black Belt. My mission is to support women — especially those in service or helping professions — finally shift from recurring cycles of hustle and overwhelm to a space of clarity, presence, and peace.

On this podcast, we have honest conversations about true healing and inner freedom.

We specifically dig into navigating that challenging space I call "grey area mental health"—when you're not fully well, but maybe not "sick enough" for conventional support..

My work, including my signature program, The LionLife Method, is all about accessing body-based (somatic) tools to help you recalibrate your nervous system and reclaim your energy.

Come hang out with me on Instagram at @alenaturley for more daily insights on somatic healing and living in alignment.

✨ Your Free Resources: Halt the Hustle Cycle!

Before you leave, I want to give you something to help you start reclaiming your energy today. If you're tired of feeling fatigued, rushed, and frustrated, I created an anti-depletion protocol just for you:

⚡️ Get instant, free access to my somatic guide: "3 Ways to Break the Hustle Habit." at www.alenaturley.com/3-ways

This guide provides three powerful ways to heal from depletion right now, allowing you to step into greater ease and possibility. Inside, you'll learn how to cultivate deeper:

Plus, when you sign up, I'll send you my top transformative tools and resources each week to keep you moving toward clarity and presence.

On Healing Trauma and Building Trust...

In this episode of the Unboxable Podcast, we enjoy a heartfelt conversation with Nicole Healy.

We discuss navigating personal challenges, offering empathetic support, and fostering deep connections while maintaining boundaries. Nicole shares her personal story of a husband's gambling addiction and her desperate and courageous steps to regain control over her life and family.

We delve into the importance of somatic practices, recognising and addressing personal resistance, and fostering safety and honesty within relationships.

There's an emphais on the power of small, courageous decisions in transforming your life and the lives of those you love.

Highlights:

01:02 Deep Conversations and Open Hearts
01:54 Exploring Empathy and Sensitivity
02:30 Supporting Loved Ones in Addiction
03:26 The Power of Somatic Therapy
05:35 Overcoming Resistance in Healing
06:46 The Journey to Self-Healing
11:07 The Turning Point: Embracing Change
17:01 Courage and Willingness to Change
21:48 Understanding the Need to Control and Rescue
22:27 Adapting to New Ways of Being
23:30 The Power of Compassion and Boundaries
25:32 Honesty and Connection in Relationships
28:04 Embracing Imperfections and Authenticity
30:30 Redefining Strength and Vulnerability
36:12 Gratitude for Past Selves and Healing
37:33 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

ABOUT NICOLE:

I'm Nicole from Myndful Healing and I am a trauma informed holistic and somatic therapist using my lived experience to support people who have a loved one living with or in recovery from addiction.

Find out more about Nicole's work and connect with her at: 
www.myndfulhealing.com

📌 Stay Connected

Your host, Alena, is a somatic practitioner, business alchemist, black belt, mum of three, and digital storyteller with decades of experience dedicated to nurturing women as they emerge through seasons of challenge - from burnt out to brilliant, exhausted to truly alive. 

Follow @alenaturley for more conversations on healing, transformation, and inner freedom with somatic therapies.

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Before you go, here's a free guide for you. It's called 3 Ways to Break the Hustle Habit. It helps you do what you love, connect with those you love, and build self-love in three ways.

⚡️ Get instant access to the somatic guide “3-Ways to Break the Hustle Habit” for free at www.alenaturley.com/3-ways

Or BOOK A PRIVATE SESSION
at www.alenaturley.com

In this episode of the Unboxable Podcast, I am joined by Jessica Read, an advanced EFT practitioner and hypnotherapist. We discuss Jessica's journey through anxiety, PTSD, and chronic stress, leading her to holistic wellbeing. Jessica explains EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and its powerful impact on stress, anxiety, PTSD, and personal development.

We also delve into the importance of addressing trauma somatically and spiritually, and how finding the right healing modality, whether EFT, hypnotherapy, or traditional talk therapy, can profoundly transform one's life. The conversation is enriched with personal anecdotes and professional insights, emphasising the importance of choosing to heal when you are ready and willing.

00:43 Meet Jessica Reed: Holistic Wellbeing Advocate
01:19 Understanding Holistic Wellbeing
03:07 Exploring EFT: Emotional Freedom Techniques
05:46 Personal Experiences with EFT and Trauma
14:21 The Power of Gestalt Therapy
18:56 Personal Trauma and Chronic Stress
19:42 Medication Side Effects and Anxiety
20:17 Processing Trauma with EFT
20:58 Exploring Alternative Healing Methods
21:53 The Importance of Personal Physiology and Spiritual Mapping
22:33 Jessica's Current Work and Practice
24:57 The Healing Journey and Client Transformations
28:06 The Role of Willingness in Healing
31:19 Energy Depletion and Self-Care
36:30 Finding the Right Healing Approach
37:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jessica Read is - in her own words - an EFT practitioner | hypnotherapist | 6/3 Mani-Gen | Visionary.

"In 2017, I hit rock bottom. Overworking, unresolved trauma, and self-doubt left me battling anxiety, burnout, and panic attacks daily. Through emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and aligned growth, I rebuilt myself and my business.

Now, as an intuitive business mentor with 17+ years of entrepreneurial experience, I guide women to create success that's not just scalable - but emotionally sustainable. We blend:
- Deep healing
- Energetic alignment and
- Strategy that actually fits your life, your cycle, and your soul."

https://jessicaread.com/links

https://www.instagram.com/jessica.read.ilc/

📌 Stay Connected

Your host, Alena, is a somatic practitioner, business alchemist, black belt, mum of three, and digital storyteller with decades of experience dedicated to nurturing women as they emerge through seasons of challenge - from burnt out to brilliant, exhausted to truly alive. 

Follow @alenaturley for more conversations on healing, transformation, and inner freedom with somatic therapies.

_______

Before you go, here's a free guide for you. It's called 3 Ways to Break the Hustle Habit. It helps you do what you love, connect with those you love, and build self-love in three ways.

⚡️ Get instant access to the somatic guide “3-Ways to Break the Hustle Habit” for free at www.alenaturley.com/3-ways

In this enlightening episode of the Unboxable Podcast, Alena Turley sits down with Katia Vlachos, a reinvention coach, author, and meditation teacher. Together, they delve into the journey of self-discovery, shedding societal expectations, and embracing one's true self. Katia shares her personal story of transformation, discusses the role of meditation, and offers practical advice for those feeling stuck or unfulfilled. Welcome and Introduction Meet Katia Vlachos Journey to Self-Discovery and Reinvention The Role of Meditation in Transformation Engaging in Transformational Work Connecting with Your True Self Conclusion

Connect with Katia on Instagram

Visit her official homepage at https://www.katiavlachos.com

📌 Stay Connected:

Your host, Alena, is a somatic practitioner, black belt, mum of three, and digital storyteller with decades of experience dedicated to nurturing women as they emerge through seasons of challenge - from burnt out to brilliant, exhausted to truly alive. Follow @alenaturley for more conversations on healing, transformation, and inner freedom with somatic therapies.

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This podcast is brought to you by AlenaTurley.com — enabling women to come home to themselves through healing, connection, and inner freedom. 

Get instant access to the somatic guide “3-Ways to Break the Hustle Habit” for free at www.alenaturley.com/3-ways

In this heartfelt episode of the Unboxable Podcast, host Alena Turley converses with long-time friend Lisa McLean about personal growth, mindfulness, and holistic health.

Lisa shares her life's journey from being a sick child to becoming a marketing consultant and eventually transitioning into a holistic counsellor and mindfulness mentor.

They discuss the importance of self-awareness, parenting challenges, meditation practices, and the transformative potential of addressing intergenerational trauma and stress.

This episode is rich with insights on how to live a more connected, purposeful, and joyful life.

HIGHLIGHTS: 

01:41 Introducing Lisa McLean, Holistic Counsellor

02:46 Lisa's Journey to Wellness

05:56 The Impact of Childhood Illness

08:06 Exploring Trauma and Healing

21:53 The Power of Meditation and Mindfulness

26:25 Personal Stories of Meditation

30:56 The Addictive Nature of Cortisol and Stress Hormones

30:59 Rediscovering Forgotten Frameworks for Joy and Love

31:45 Emotional Intelligence and Ancestral Wounds

32:54 The Benefits of Emotional Work and Personal Growth

34:00 The Calm Life Project: A Journey to Self-Regulation

35:27 Parenting and Personal Growth: A Delicate Balance

36:54 The Challenges and Rewards of Emotional Regulation

39:47 The Power of Awareness and Emotional Expression

48:11 Taking Action: The Key to Personal Transformation

55:00 Final Thoughts and Resources for Holistic Counselling

Stay in touch with Lisa and access her free resources for mindfulness, connecting with teens and more below.  

Website |  Instagram | Facebook | Free Guide

📌 Stay Connected:

Your host, Alena, is a somatic practitioner, business alchemist, black belt, mum of three, and digital storyteller with decades of experience dedicated to nurturing women as they emerge through seasons of challenge - from burnt out to brilliant, exhausted to truly alive. 

Follow @alenaturley for more conversations on healing, transformation, and inner freedom with somatic therapies.

Explore how we can work together here

_______

This podcast is brought to you by AlenaTurley.com — enabling women to come home to themselves through healing, connection, and inner freedom.  

_______

Before you go, here's a free guide for you. It's called 3 Ways to Break the Hustle Habit. It helps you do what you love, connect with those you love, and build self-love in three ways.

⚡️ Get instant access to the somatic guide “3-Ways to Break the Hustle Habit” for free at www.alenaturley.com/3-ways