Advertise on podcast: Movement Is My Constant: Real conversations on movement, mindfulness, and making meaningful change - for creatives, caregiver

Episode OverviewFrancisca Mix has spent nearly twenty years working at the intersection of somatic psychology and relational healing. In this conversation, we explore what happens when couples stop trying to talk their way through disconnection and start moving through it instead. From the neuroscience of stress responses to the surprising things partner dancing reveals about power, presence, and trust, this episode looks at what the body knows about a relationship long before the distance between them has a name. What We CoverHow Francisca's own experience with partner dancing led her to dance/movement therapy — and eventually to a thesis on communication and Argentine tangoWhy somatic psychology, once considered peripheral, is now reshaping how the field understands lasting changeWhat couples actually bring into the therapy room — and why their bodies are often saying something their words aren'tThe animal instinct underneath conflict: why stressed nervous systems don't turn toward each other, and what conditions make turning toward possibleThe Beyond Words® workshop — what happens when couples explore communication, trust, and intimacy through movement rather than conversation, including one unexpected outcome that surprised even FranciscaWhat longer-term couples look like in movement, versus newer ones — and what playfulness, or the loss of it, reveals about a relationship over timePower dynamics and embodiment: why lead and follow in partner dancing shows up across all kinds of couples, regardless of genderThe limits of this work: when nervous systems are too activated for movement to help, and when separation — not togetherness — is the right first stepOne simple practice to try at home: the back-to-back sway, and why it works at a physiological level Resources & LinksBeyond Words® — Francisca's experiential workshop for couples: franciscacc.com/beyond-words-1Couples Therapy in Motion® — movement-based training for mental health professionals: franciscacc.com/couples-therapy-motionPolyvagal theory — referenced in relation to nervous system regulation and social engagementBartenieff Fundamentals — the movement framework underlying Francisca's somatic approachBody-Mind Centering — referenced in relation to organ awareness and intentional embodied presence About the GuestFrancisca F. Mix, MA, LPC, ACS, BC-DMT is the CEO and Founder of Francisca Consulting & Counseling, based in the Denver metro area of Colorado. A Licensed Professional Counselor, Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist, and Approved Clinical Supervisor with nearly twenty years of experience, Francisca created Beyond Words®, an experiential workshop for couples, and Couples Therapy in Motion®, a movement-based training for mental health professionals. Her work integrates somatic psychology, nervous system awareness, and embodied approaches to help individuals and couples move beyond stuck relational patterns and reconnect — with themselves and with each other. Call to ActionSubscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. If this episode made you curious about what your body might already be saying in the spaces between conversations, send it to someone who needs to hear it — a couple working through something, or a clinician looking for new ways in. For more at the intersection of movement, the body, and what's underneath it, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode OverviewIn this episode, Beatrice Brunelli brings a perspective you don't often find in the movement world: one that is equal parts scientific and embodied. A former competitive athlete, engineer, and myofascial yoga teacher, Beatrice has spent years working at the intersection of fascial anatomy, the nervous system, and yoga practice. What emerges is a conversation about what it actually means to train the whole body — not as a collection of parts to manage, but as a living system in constant dialogue with what we do, feel, and experience. What We CoverHow a teenager managing breathing problems in swimming and horse-riding competitions ended up charting a path toward myofascial yogaWhat fascia is, why athletes tend to be more guarded in this tissue, and why that stiffness is something to work with, not againstThe distinction between good stress and bad stress — and why sport itself is a stressor we rarely name as oneThe BodyTensFlow® method: how it came to be, why time was the central design problem, and why 30 to 90 seconds of fascial work per area is enough to create a real response in the bodyWhat the contrast between Italy and Northern Europe reveals about how differently we relate to the body — and the cultural shift that's already underway in how we trainWhat athletes and coaches would gain from treating movement as a complete system, and what's still standing in the wayResources and LinksBeatrice's website: yogamiofasciale.itBeatrice on Instagram: @beatrice.brunelli.yoga About the GuestBeatrice Brunelli is a myofascial yoga teacher, engineer, and creator of the BodyTensFlow® method. After fifteen years as a competitive athlete — first as a swimmer, then in horse riding — she studied energy engineering and worked for a multinational company before returning to movement full time. Her work sits at the intersection of fascial anatomy, nervous system science, and yoga practice, and she now teaches practitioners through a master's programme she developed in myofascial release. Her book on BodyTensFlow® is available in Italian, with more to come. Call to ActionSubscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode landed for you — if you've ever pushed through instead of pausing, or trained the activity without training the system around it — share it with an athlete who might be ready to hear it differently. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and performance, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode OverviewIn this episode, therapist and EMDR trainer Erica Bonham makes the case that trauma doesn't live where we think it does — not in what we know, but in what the body has stored, patterned, and organized around long before the thinking mind gets a vote. Erica and Ana talk through what it actually takes to build a nervous system with more capacity: not bypassing what's hard, but developing the physical ability to stay present to it, one breath and one contraction-and-expansion at a time. What We Cover Why trauma "doesn't care what we know" — the difference between cognitive insight and what's actually stored in the body, and why knowing a boundary is healthy doesn't mean the nervous system will let you set oneFight, flight, freeze, and fawn as physical survival strategies, and what a body stuck in a low-grade, functional freeze can look like day to dayToning the vagus nerve as a literal physical practice — the same logic as building a muscle: it takes consistency, not a single good session, and it can be trained through yoga, breath, tai chi, or running with intentionA concrete grounding exercise: hand on the belly, attention two inches below and behind the navel, searching for the still point beneath the surface waves — and why she starts every practice in the lower body before the heartHow generational and ancestral trauma gets passed down, including research on epigenetic trauma transmission, and Erica's own work with EMDR and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy around patterns from her adoption that predate her own memoryHer EMBERS framework — Energy, Mind, Body, Emotions, Reaction, Senses — for tracing whether a pattern in the body is actually older than the person carrying itThe difference between breathwork used to build genuine capacity and breathwork used to bypass a feeling — and the research suggesting that "breathing through" anger can make people less assertive, and "breathing through" guilt can make them less likely to make amendsWhy nervous system regulation isn't a retreat from injustice or collective struggle, but the physical groundwork that makes it possible to stay present to it without collapsing or shutting downWhat actually happens in the body — the bracing, the defensiveness — when a word like "racism" or "patriarchy" enters a room, and why that felt response is more honest than the story told about it afterwardAbout the GuestErica Bonham, LPC, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, a certified EMDR clinician, consultant, and trainer, and the founder of AVOS Counseling Center in Arvada, Colorado. She specializes in somatic and attachment-focused EMDR, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and nervous system regulation, with a practice focus that includes the LGBTQ community and trauma related to racial and social injustice, abuse, and spiritual harm. She is the author of Always Enough, Never Done: Volume I: Heal Your Nervous System, Turn Wounds Into Wisdom, and Cultivate Your Inner Badass, and a nationally sought-after speaker on trauma, embodiment, and collective healing. Resources and Links Always Enough, Never Done: Volume I - Erica's book on nervous system healingAVOS Counseling Center — Erica's practice, based in Arvada, Colorado, including her free Nervous System Reset Toolkit (11 polyvagal exercises and 6 guided meditations)Anne Lamott — sober writer Erica references for the idea of trusting the next right step even without seeing the whole pathThe Body Keeps the Score — the well-known trauma book Erica references, adding that in her field it's often said the brain keeps the score while the body is the scorecardCall to ActionSubscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode landed somewhere, share it with someone who's been told to think their way out of a body that's still holding the story. For more at the intersection of movement, the body, and what's underneath it, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode Overview In this episode, Brendan Cournane — a lawyer turned ultra-endurance runner and coach — talks about what it actually took to run 100+ marathons across all fifty states, seven continents, and all six World Marathon Majors, and why crossing every one of those finish lines never quite delivered the feeling he was chasing. A coronary artery disease diagnosis mid-training eventually forced him to stop, and to ask what all that mileage had really been for. What We Cover Growing up with a self-imposed sense that no accomplishment was ever quite enough — and how that pattern followed him from law school into decades of marathon running Trading one coping mechanism for another: getting sober and replacing drinking with distance running, then escalating from three miles to marathons to fifty states to Antarctica The "false summit" as both a literal experience — watching daybreak reveal another peak above the one he thought was the top of Kilimanjaro — and a pattern that repeated at every marathon finish line Chasing runner's high and flow state, and why trying to hold onto either one tends to make it disappear The morning during marathon training when a four-mile run felt wrong in a way he recognized wasn't just fatigue — and the coronary artery disease diagnosis, two stents, and pacemaker that followed Losing "marathoner" as a defining identity without losing the training and discipline underneath it Deep, diaphragmatic breathing as a physiological tool — how shallow chest-breathing keeps the body in fight-or-flight, and how slower breath work affects blood flow, the vagus nerve, and clear thinking under stress Overtraining and under-recovery — using Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel's months of enforced bed rest as an example of what the body does when effort isn't matched by rest The physical, felt difference between striving and acceptance, and starting as small as three conscious breaths a day when a full meditation practice isn't realistic Resources & Links Seeking Serenity: Finding Happiness by Embracing Your Present Attitude — Brendan's book Coach Brendan — Brendan's coaching site, for anyone who wants to reach out directly Richard Rohr — referenced for the line that a person who doesn't transform their pain will transmit it Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi — referenced for flow theory and the nature of effortless, unforced performance Simone Manuel — Olympic swimmer referenced as an example of overtraining syndrome and the recovery it required About the Guest Brendan Cournane is a Chicago-based running coach, motivational speaker, and practicing municipal finance lawyer. Since getting sober in 1989 and qualifying for the 100th Boston Marathon in 1995, he has completed more than 100 marathons, including one in every U.S. state, on all seven continents, and all six World Marathon Majors — a combination fewer than 250 people worldwide have completed. A coronary artery disease diagnosis in 2022, which led to two stents and a pacemaker, ended his marathon training and reshaped how he thinks about effort, recovery, and identity. He now coaches endurance athletes and professionals through Coach Brendan Running and is the author of Seeking Serenity: Finding Happiness by Embracing Your Present Attitude. Call to Action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode landed somewhere, share it with someone who's chasing a summit, a fight, or a personal record and has never quite asked themselves why the bar keeps moving. For more at the intersection of movement, the body, and what's underneath it, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode Overview In this episode, therapist and climber Michael Herr talks about what actually drove fifteen years of climbing and a decade of boxing — and what happened when he watched a climbing partner nearly die and his body simply refused to climb again. Drawing on his book The Shadow of the Climber, Michael traces how shame and the need to prove something can power real athletic achievement, right up until the moment the body stops going along with it. What We Cover How fifteen years of climbing and an earlier decade of boxing were both, in Michael's words, about controlling his inner world through activities with real danger attached The witnessed climbing accident that left him unable to watch people lead climb, unable to go near ropes, unable to be in the mountains — a full-body trauma response, not a decision Why achievement can run on shame and a sense of inadequacy as much as on love of the sport, and what it feels like to reach a goal and not get "the stamp" — the cup with a hole in the bottom The difference between movement as avoidance and movement as arrival, and how presence and avoidance can live in the same body on the same route A boxing daydream Michael carried for decades — walking to the ring, facing a "monster" — and what happened when he finally stepped into an actual ring at 34 Moving from cognitive behavioral therapy to depth psychology in his own clinical work, and what that shift cost his sense of professional identity The idea of the "golden shadow" — what the people and pro athletes we admire are pointing us toward in ourselves Where Michael's relationship with climbing stands now: mostly on pause, sport climbing over alpine routes, and giving himself permission to move because he wants to, not because something in him is compelling it Resources & Links The Shadow of the Climber: The Psychology of Extreme Sports — Michael's book Carl Jung — psychiatrist referenced for the original concept of the shadow Peter Croft — climbing legend Michael interviewed for the book, known for early hard solos in Yosemite Dean Potter — free solo and BASE-jumping climber referenced in the book, who died in a wingsuit accident Tommy Caldwell — referenced for a line on using climbing as distraction from feeling Rocky Mountain National Park / Longs Peak "The Diamond" — the Colorado alpine climbing Michael describes as the icon of the region About the Guest Michael Herr is a therapist and climber, and the author of The Shadow of the Climber: The Psychology of Extreme Sports. Trained originally as a cognitive behavioral therapist, his own clinical path moved toward depth psychology as he began to recognize how much of his climbing — and before that, ten to fifteen years of boxing — was shaped by forces he wasn't fully conscious of. He has spent roughly fifteen years climbing in and around Boulder, Colorado, with Rocky Mountain National Park as home ground. The Shadow of the Climber draws on his own climbing history, his clinical training, and interviews with figures in the climbing world to look at what pulls people toward extreme sports — and what those sports can end up covering for. Call to Action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode landed somewhere, share it with someone who's chasing a summit, a fight, or a personal record and has never quite asked themselves why the bar keeps moving. For more at the intersection of movement, the body, and what's underneath it, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode Overview In this episode, Suzanne Roberts shares profound insights from her five-decade journey at the intersection of the body, leadership, and systemic change. Her work invites us to see movement as a gateway to wholeness, connecting individual energy to collective systems and societal structures. What We Cover The foundational concept of "The Great Reconnection"—returning to wholeness by remembering what was never lost How disconnection manifests personally, within teams, and in cultural systems The polarity system design and its application to understanding life energy as a dual force within us The importance of honoring the body's signals as the language of systemic health and personal truth Practical steps for cultivating inner calm and stillness through simple physical and mental practices The role of social systems like racism and white supremacy as energetic patterns embedded in the body and collective consciousness Approaches to redesign organizational and societal structures rooted in vitality, unity, and life energy How movement, in a broad sense, sustains us and connects us to our inherent wholeness Resources & Links I't Deeper Than That - Suzanne's book The Great Reconnection - Suzanne's framework Suzanne on Instagram Dr. Stone — identified as the founder of polarity therapy Fernando Flores — referenced for a system of accountability, trust, and feedback George Floyd — referenced in the context of organizational interest in race and systemic racism About the Guest Suzanne Roberts is the Founder of UnifyingSolutions and a transformational speaker, facilitator and author with over four decades of experience guiding leaders and organizations toward sustainable, systemic change. She is the creator of Polarity System Design™- a methodology that empowers individuals and teams to reclaim their inner capacity, lead with clarity, and design cultures rooted in purpose, equity, and lasting impact. Suzanne creates spaces where people can thrive and contribute with clarity and purpose. Her book and documentary, It’s Deeper Than That: Pathway to a Vibrant, Purposeful, Life, will premiere October, 2025. Call to Action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it — share it with someone who's been taught to see their body as something to fix, hide, or fear instead of a source of wisdom. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode Overview Nine months after fracturing his femur in three places on an obstacle course, G. Scott Graham joins the podcast still mid-recovery — not narrating the comeback from a safe distance, but living inside it. A career coach, Tai Chi teacher, long-distance paddleboarder, Appalachian Trail hiker, and EMT instructor, Scott is also the author of Come As You Are: Five Years Later, a memoir that moves between losing his husband Brian after 31 years together and the unexpected grief of falling in love again with Peter. This conversation traces how movement once became a way of outrunning stillness, what Buddhist philosophy's concept of the "near enemy" reveals about mistaking momentum for avoidance, and why Scott insists equanimity isn't armor — it's the capacity to stay open to what scares you. What We Cover Scott’s transformative experience hiking the Appalachian Trail and how it shaped his identity The distinction between movement as healing versus avoidance, and how to recognize the difference Exploring the practice of Vipassana and its relevance to slowing down and observing the mind The concept of equanimity as openness in the face of fear, not armor How slow movement and Tai Chi cultivate silence in the mind and presence in the body The powerful metaphor of “second arrow” in Buddhist teachings—how our reactions to pain prolong suffering The impact of grief, love, and loss on the body and the mind’s micro-movements toward acceptance The importance of persistence, grit, and pushing beyond comfort zones in recovery and growth The role of stillness in healing and how to distinguish genuine presence from hiding or avoidance Reflections on humor, vulnerability, and the humor in the strangeness of our ideas of strength Resources & Links Come As You Are: Five Years Later - Scott Graham book Scott Graham on Medium Scott Graham website About the Guest G. Scott Graham is an existential handyman — fixing what’s broken, realigning what’s off-kilter, and helping people rebuild their lives with meaning, purpose, and the occasional strip of duct tape. He’s also an author, career coach, business coach, and psychedelic support coach based in Boston, Massachusetts. Scott is driven to help clients follow their “true azimuth” — a direction distinct from “true north.” It’s not about chasing some universal ideal. It’s about identifying what genuinely matters to you. It’s about recognizing the forces that pull your life off course and learning how to adjust so you still arrive where your heart wants to go. When you’re 90 and looking back, your life should feel like it was truly yours — filled with pride, purpose, and meaning. No regrets. Call to Action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it — share it with someone who's been taught to see their body as something to fix, hide, or fear instead of a source of wisdom. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode Overview In this episode, I sit down with Sydney Zwicker — fascia-based bodyworker, pelvic health educator, and founder of Sovereign Touch Bodywork and Pelvic Care — for a conversation about reclaiming women's bodies as a site of wisdom rather than fear. Sydney's own healing path, which began after surviving sexual assault in her late teens, led her from talk therapy through somatic and dance-based therapies into a decade-plus practice in pelvic touch work, trauma integration, and the nervous system. Together we explore why movement and touch can access what words and intellect alone cannot, what "non-agenda touch" really means, and how the pelvis — often called the body's foundation — connects directly to breath, voice, posture, and the wider nervous system. Sydney makes the case that embodiment, especially for women, isn't indulgent self-care but a quiet form of rebellion with consequences for relationships, sexuality, and the larger systems we live inside. This episode offers a grounded, anatomy-first entry point into deeper questions of safety, pleasure, and truth — and a reminder that healing is rarely linear, but spiral. What We Cover Sydney's path from surviving sexual assault to building a career at the intersection of bodywork, movement, and trauma integration. Why movement, more than stillness, helps women access the "sensation body" — and how touch extends that same principle. The meaning of "non-agenda touch" and how it differs from a fix-it approach to pain and dysfunction. How the pelvis functions as a diaphragm, breathing in rhythm with the body's other respiratory and structural systems. The mirrored relationship between the jaw and the pelvis, and what tension in one can reveal about the other. How cultural conditioning, not personal failure, shapes most women's disconnection from their bodies. The link between embodiment, sexual sovereignty, and broader cultural and relational change. Why numbness and dissociation are protective responses, not failures, and what it takes to move back into sensation. Simple, accessible ways to start reconnecting to the pelvis and root through breath and touch. Why anatomical understanding is a foundation for, not a barrier to, deeper spiritual or erotic exploration. Resources Sovereign Touch Bodywork and Pelvic Care — Sydney Zwicker's practice Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter Levine — the foundational text behind Somatic Experiencing, closely aligned with the "fact-checking the nervous system" and unfinished stress-response cycles Sydney describes The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk — widely known starting point for how trauma lives in the body, useful for anyone new to that framing Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski — research-grounded look at women's sexuality and arousal, pairs well with the episode's focus on sexuality and the pelvis Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers — the standard reference on fascia for bodyworkers, fits Sydney's "fascia-based" framing if you want something more technical Full Body Presence by Suzanne Scurlock-Durana — a craniosacral-rooted guide to body awareness, gentler and more accessible than the others if you want something practice-oriented rather than clinical About the Guest Sydney Zwicker is a fascia-based bodyworker, pelvic health educator, and founder of Sovereign Touch Bodywork and Pelvic Care. Her work weaves together over a decade of study in women's health, sexuality, trauma integration, and the nervous system, grounded in embodied awareness. After surviving sexual assault in her late teens, Sydney's own healing journey moved through talk therapy, somatic therapy, and dance movement before landing in hands-on pelvic bodywork — the practice she's now offered for almost a decade. She helps women build a relationship with their pelvis, their nervous system, and their own truth through what she calls non-agenda touch: approaching the body with curiosity instead of the goal of fixing it. Find more of Sydney's work through Sovereign Touch Bodywork and Pelvic Care [add website/social links]. Call to action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it — share it with someone who's been taught to see their body as something to fix, hide, or fear instead of a source of wisdom. This summer, join me at the Sun & Light retreat with Five Senses Retreats — July 31–August 2, 2026, at Haltia Lake Lodge in Nuuksio National Park, Finland — where I'll be leading a session series called Move & Settle. Use code MiMC15 for a discount on your booking.  For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode Overview In this episode, Camille Ellis shares her journey through unimaginable loss—the death of her son—and how she transformed grief from a debilitating experience to a source of profound purpose. Her insights illuminate how grief, when consciously integrated, can lead to personal growth, deeper love, and meaningful service. Camille Ellis is a certified coach, speaker, and resilience mentor who helps people rise after devastating loss.  At 60, Camille is proof that reinvention is possible at any stage, and that choosing herself was the beginning, not the end. She speaks powerfully about courage, grief, self-trust, and building a meaningful life after everything falls apart. This episode offers a masterclass in transforming grief into a vessel for love, purpose, and resilience. Camille’s story exemplifies that although grief brings pain, it also opens pathways to profound connection, spiritual growth, and a more compassionate life. Coming from a lineage of healers, Camille reflects on how we can go back to ourselves by embracing the different experiences that prepare us for what's coming. What We Cover Camille’s personal story of losing her son and the immediate shift in her perspective towards love and acceptance. How grief acts as a physical and emotional experience that impacts breathing, posture, and heart space. The importance of loving what is and practicing gratitude to soften the pain of loss. The concept of viewing death as a celebration of a fulfilled journey, not just an end. How spiritual beliefs and purpose-driven living help navigate grief and foster resilience. The significance of love as a healing force that enables growth beyond pain. Practical methods for managing grief: journaling, loving affirmations, and shifting thoughts. The necessity of letting go of rigid stories and embracing the unpredictability of life. Building courage and maintaining virtues as foundation stones for facing life’s challenges. The evolution of grief over years, transforming into a relationship with love and remembrance. Resources The work of Byron Katie Camille Ellis - official website International Suicide Hotlines About the Guest Camille Ellis is a Certified Life Coach, speaker, and resilience mentor who helps people rise after devastating loss. Her story includes surviving abuse, losing a child to suicide, enduring years of emotional loneliness. Camille helps people who feel broken, stuck, or lost after major life events rediscover strength, clarity, and direction. Her clients learn how to move through grief without being consumed by it, reclaim their voice, and build a life that feels honest and fulfilling—even after devastating loss. Find more of Camille's work on her official website and Instagram or Facebook accounts. Call to action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it—share it with someone who's succeeding on the outside but running on empty. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode overview My guest on this episode digs into the core of what it means to operate at the highest levels of performance, blending mental resilience, emotional awareness, and balance. Stuart Wade, a high performance mindset coach and clinical hypnotherapist, offers profound perspectives on how men (and everyone) can cultivate sustainable success without losing their sense of authenticity or well-being. Resources & links Stuart's visualisation audio tool Connect with Stuart on Linkedin More on Stuart's work online Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk - concept referenced in episode What we cover Stuart Wade shares the influence of martial arts and Bruce Lee on his understanding of performance and self-expression How high achievers often develop a performance-based identity that can become limiting or even cages The role of childhood programming and societal expectations in shaping limiting beliefs about masculinity and capability The importance of presence and vulnerability learned through martial arts, and how softness can be a strength Differentiating between suppressing emotions and intentionally processing them with discipline The impact of loneliness and social isolation among high performers, and how trust and support systems can mitigate this A holistic approach to high performance, integrating body, mind, emotions, and relationships Redefining high performance to include quality of life, balance, and overall well-being About the guest Stuart Wade is a High Performance Mindset Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and lifelong martial artist with a bold vision—to elevate human potential at the highest levels in order to create lasting, global change. From a shy six-year-old boy inspired by Bruce Lee to a 5th Dan Blackbelt in Taekwondo, 2nd Dan in Kickboxing, and four-time World Champion, Stuart’s journey has been anything but ordinary. At just eight, he failed his first Blackbelt test. That failure was a defining moment—igniting a relentless drive for mastery that would shape the rest of his life. Call to action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it—share it with someone who's succeeding on the outside but running on empty. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode overview Bracha Goetz delves into the transformative power of gratitude, illustrating how a simple shift in perspective can lead to profound changes in one's life. She emphasizes the importance of movement, not just as physical exercise, but as a way to connect with one's inner self and the world around us. Through her storytelling, Brach reveals how these practices have not only enriched her own life but have also inspired countless others to find joy and purpose. Her unique ability to distill complex ideas into accessible lessons makes her insights valuable for both children and adults, encouraging listeners to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and fulfillment Resources & Links: 1. Nourish the Soul Feeling the Emptiness Within 2. The Happiness Box (Children’s Book) 3. Impact Publications (www.growingimpactpublications.com) 4. Gratitude and Resilience for Children - Book What we cover The emotional and physical experience of emptiness in childhood and adulthood The role of gratitude as a spiritual cure for food addiction and emotional disconnection The transformative power of daily gratitude practices and their rapid habit formation How appreciating simple pleasures, like an orange, unlocks lasting happiness The five levels of the pleasure ladder: from physical sensations to transcendence Movement as a vital contributor to emotional well-being and joy Strategies for teaching children about gratitude and resilience The importance of internal energy and intention in creating a meaningful legacy Neuroplasticity and the brain’s capacity to develop gratitude pathways Practical steps for shifting focus and overcoming feelings of disconnection About the guest Bracha Goetz is the Harvard-educated author of 47 children’s books and a candid memoir for adults about her journey to joy, Nourish the Soul: Filling the Emptiness Within.  Her newest picture books include The Happiness Box and The Mother Who Always Said Yes.  They can be found at www.growingimpactpublications.com. Call to action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it—with someone who could use a bit more self-worth in their life. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode overview This episode challenges the common misconception that movement distracts from focus. Instead, it shows how intentional, mindless movement can support individuals with ADHD in both personal and professional settings. Led by expert psychologist Dr. Carey Heller, we explore practical strategies rooted in understanding regulation and executive function—transforming how we approach attention challenges. This episode reframes ADHD from a focus solely on attention lapses to a nuanced regulation challenge, emphasizing movement and environmental design as powerful tools for enhancement, not distraction. By understanding and supporting regulation, we can unlock potential in all settings. Resources 1. ADHD Evaluation as an Executive Functioning Support - Dr. Carey Heller 2. Goblins Tools - Tool to help break down tasks into manageable parts 3. Heller Psychology Group What we cover The shift in understanding ADHD from attention deficit to a regulation and executive functioning issue How movement, when mindless and controlled, can enhance focus rather than hinder it The role of movement in emotional regulation and managing impulsivity in ADHD Practical tools: use of desk Ellipticals, balance boards, fidget tools, and short mindfulness exercises The influence of environmental structure: from classroom layouts to workplace setups, supporting self-regulation Common emotional experiences of those with ADHD: frustration, shame, and feelings of regret, and how understanding can alleviate these The impact of sports and physical activity on self-regulation and executive functioning in children Long-term strategies for adults: organization systems, AI tools, and avoiding burnout through adaptive techniques The future of ADHD treatment with advances in tech, AI, and environment redesigns How to seek diagnosis and support, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive assessment and formal testing About the guest Dr. Carey Heller is a licensed psychologist and founding partner of Heller Psychology Group. He specializes in the evaluation and treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), executive function issues, learning disabilities, and related items including anxiety. Call to action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it—with someone who could use a bit more self-worth in their life. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode overview In this enlightening episode, Raquel Devillé delves into the transformative phase of midlife, redefining it as a period of recalibration rather than decline. Raquel emphasizes the importance of viewing bodily changes as a form of intelligence and recalibration, rather than mere symptoms. The conversation explores the role of somatic listening, which involves tuning into the body's signals to better understand and support women in their 40s and beyond. Raquel discusses how hormonal regulation acts as a communication system, often impacted by stress and trauma, and highlights the difference between adaptive responses and dysfunction, including neurodivergence and trauma responses. Practical somatic approaches such as Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), somatic experiencing, and brain spotting are introduced as effective methods for trauma and stress release. The episode also touches on the impact of chronic sitting, ergonomics, and movement variability on health, and reframes menopause as a period of freedom and self-discovery. Raquel advocates for building trusting relationships with healthcare providers and embracing holistic medicine to navigate these changes with resilience and curiosity. Resources & key concepts 1. Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) 2. Somatic Experiencing 3. Brain Spotting 4. Dr. Mindy Peltz 5. Raquel Devillé's Website (in French) What we cover Midlife as a reframing of decline: viewing bodily changes as intelligence and recalibration The role of somatic listening in understanding and supporting women in their 40s and beyond Hormonal regulation as a communication system, impacted by stress and trauma Adaptive responses versus dysfunction, including neurodivergence and trauma responses Practical somatic approaches: TRE, somatic experiencing, and brain spotting for trauma and stress release The impact of chronic sitting, ergonomics, and movement variability on health Menopause as a period of freedom and self-discovery, not just decline Building trusting relationships with healthcare providers and embracing holistic medicine About the guest Raquel Devillé, helps exhausted women remember how to listen and connect to their bodies. She works with sensitive, neurodivergent women between 45 and 60, highly sensitive, ADHD, autistic, who've spent their entire lives masking and over-adapting. Using somatic approaches: TRE®, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, trauma-sensitive yoga, Raquel helps them dismantle the adaptations that no longer serve them. Call to action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it—with someone who could use a bit more self-worth in their life. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant   ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode overview Most high performers and everyday practitioners alike are missing out on the secret to sustainable strength: the power of yielding. Jeff Patterson, founder of Portland Tai Chi academy, martial arts and meditation center, with over 30 years of experience, reveals how embracing yielding — not as a sign of weakness, but as a strategic strength — can transform your performance, longevity, and mindset. This episode challenges the myth that force equals power and shows that true resilience lies in active patience, awareness, and strategic response. Through Jeff’s inspiring story, you'll discover how meditative practice evolves beyond mere relaxation into a dynamic tool for optimizing athletic performance, leadership, and aging like a river—fluid, adaptable, and strong. Jeff breaks down the five core regulations of practice: body, breath, mind, energy, and spirit — explaining how neglecting any can hinder your growth. He highlights chronic tension as a universal barrier to health and shares practical strategies to regulate and sustain vitality at any age. We explore the concept of yielding in physical, mental, and emotional realms—learning how subtle responsiveness can outmaneuver raw force. Jeff’s insights show that consistency, guidance, and the right mindset are essential to unlock these internal shifts. Most importantly, he offers a new lens on aging: rather than fighting it, flow with it, stay flexible, and find joy in continuous growth. This episode is perfect for athletes, entrepreneurs, anyone seeking long-term resilience, or practitioners eager to upgrade their internal training. By reframing strength as strategic yielding and internal discipline, you'll leave with a clear path to living with greater ease, clarity, and power. Hit play if you’re ready to see yielding as your ultimate competitive advantage — because sometimes, the strongest move is the one that responds wisely, not forcefully. Resources 1. The Yielding Warrior: One of Jeff's authored books, focusing on yielding as a strategic, mindful approach to performance and life. 2. The Art of Growth: Another book by Jeff, part of his works on meditative arts and personal development. 3. Dalai Lama: Referenced for a quote about meditation, emphasizing the importance of daily practice. 4. Phil Jackson: Cited for integrating meditation in high-performance sports, demonstrating its value in elite athletics. 5. Jade dragon: Part of a parable Jeff shared, symbolizing the results of steady, incremental effort. What we cover Jeff's journey from boxing to meditation reveals that consistent internal practice leads to profound life transformations. Yielding as a philosophical concept offers a strategic approach to physical, mental, and emotional harmony. Key to mastery is understanding the core principles: clarity of purpose, consistency, and guided mentorship. The story of the stonecutter exemplifies how repetition and patience shape both material and personal growth. Five pathways of meditative arts include performance enhancement, therapy, healthcare, philosophy, and spirituality—each valuable depending on the individual’s goal. Chronic tension stems from neglecting body regulation; practices focus on balancing relaxation and tension for health and mobility. Strategic use of the yin (long inhale, deep relaxation) and yang (short inhale, outward energy) breaths helps manage daily fluctuations and stress. Recognizing distractions in meditation teaches us resilience and living in balance—living the practice, not just doing it. The “aging like a river” metaphor emphasizes adaptability and gratitude over resistance to life's inevitable changes. High performers—athletes and creatives—benefit from meditation by sharpening focus, emotional regulation, and tapping into deeper awareness. The most common beginner challenge is mindset: belief in oneself and patience over immediate results. About the guest Jeff Patterson, founder of a thriving martial arts academy and meditation center that has served the Portland community for over 32 years, author and experienced teacher, Jeff bridges intense physical training with deep internal cultivation. He has taught thousands of students how to unlock their potential through the art of yielding — a practice that integrates breath, presence, structure, and performance. Call to action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it—with someone who could use a bit more self-worth in their life. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale

Episode overview In this conversation, Cedric Bertelli delves into the concept of emotional resolution and the methodologies he has developed to address trauma responses. The discussion explores how subtle awareness of our emotional landscape can shape our decisions, influence how we handle pressure, and affect our leadership styles. Cedric shares insights into the Emotional Health Institute and the EmRes® methodology, which focuses on resolving emotional patterns without revisiting past traumas. He emphasizes the brain's role in predicting emotional responses and how understanding this can lead to more effective trauma resolution. Cedric references the idea of "Repatterning Trauma Responses" through the EmRes® methodology, which involves understanding how the brain constructs emotional patterns and using this knowledge to resolve them. He also discusses the brain's predictability in constructing emotions, highlighting how predictions are constantly updated based on new experiences. Resources Emotional Health Institute - Cedric founded this institute, which focuses on emotional resolution. EmRes® (Emotional Resolution) - A methodology co-developed by Cedric for resolving emotional patterns. Dr. Jacques Fumex - A gastroenterologist from the University of Lyon in France, mentioned as a collaborator in developing the EmRes® methodology. René Descartes - Referenced in the context of the scientific revolution and its impact on separating the mind from the body. What we cover EmRes® does not revisit the past but focuses on resolving current emotional patterns The brain constructs emotions based on predictions and past experiences Physical sensations are key to understanding and resolving emotions Resilience is supported by a nurturing environment, not inherent to individuals Emotional resolution can be achieved without the need for cathartic experiences Societal pressures contribute to feelings of isolation and disconnection The future of emotional resolution lies in more research and accessibility of methods. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Physical Intelligence 04:14 Cedric's Journey to Emotional Health 08:39 Understanding EmRes® Methodology 13:21 The Nature of Trauma and Resilience 18:15 Interoception and Emotional Awareness 22:41 The Role of the Practitioner in MRes 27:11 Cognitive vs. Somatic Approaches to Healing 31:51 The Subtle Signals of Emotional Resolution 33:21 Navigating Personal Experience in Therapy 34:32 The Importance of Client Safety and Comfort 37:02 Understanding Emotional Responses and Safety 38:56 Congruence of Emotions and Current Reality 40:51 The Impact of Chronic Stress and Burnout 43:29 Isolation in Modern Society 45:13 The Illusion of Individuality and Connection 46:20 Emotional Management in Leadership 48:54 Discomfort in Emotional Resolution 51:54 Living at the Epicenter of Life 52:51 Future of Trauma Resolution 55:34 Accessibility of Emotional Resolution Techniques 58:32 Practical Steps for Managing Emotions About the guest Cedric Bertelli, founder of the Emotional Health Institute and co-developer of Emotional Resolution®, or EmRes®. Cedric’s work explores how emotions are formed and resolved through the body, and how unresolved emotional patterns quietly shape our health, relationships, and leadership. He works internationally and brings a grounded perspective on emotional healing. Call to Action Subscribe to Movement Is My Constant wherever you listen. And if this episode sparked something, share it—with someone who could use a bit more self-worth in their life. For more at the intersection of movement, health, and systems change, join the newsletter at movementismyconstant.com/newsletter. 🎙️ More Episodes: movementismyconstant.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @movementismyconstant ✨ Want to go deeper? Explore my mindfulness courses and 1:1 sessions at MiCa Mindfulness — designed to support caregivers, creatives, and mission-driven humans. Episode Credits Produced, Edited and Mixed by Chris Forbes Artwork Design by Utterly Create Music is by Pictures of a Floating World from the Free Music archive.org Be sure to follow and tag Movement is My Constant on Instagram 🎧 Subscribe now and get grounded, insightful episodes that feel like a deep exhale