Tips and Tales with Tawnie the Neuro Mermaid

Anxiety SOS: Tools for When the Tide Rises

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

Surviving & Thriving Saturday (Not Sunday!) with Tawnie & Maddie

🧠✨ 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

You Can't Mess up your own story! If your a survivor sharing your story & nervous

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 [Www.tawnietheNeuroMermaid.com]

Driving After Stroke, My story and what Ive learned from other survivors

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

What was it like in the beginning from a ruptured brain aneurysm

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 [Www.tawnietheNeuroMermaid.com] or connect here https:// linktr.ee/TawnieTheMermaid [https:// linktr.ee/TawnieTheMermaid] Tawnie the Neuro Mermaid (on all socials) Tawnietheneuromermaid@gmail.com