Ep. 64 - The Power of Presence

Ep. 64 - The Power of Presence

Do you ever feel physically present in your life, but mentally a million miles away? In this solo episode of Holistic Health with Melissa, I share how learning to be present has transformed the way I experience motherhood, family, faith, and my own healing journey. After years of living in the next thing - thinking about the laundry, the emails, the appointments, the bills, and everything that still needed to be done - I realized that life wasn't passing me by because I was busy. It was passing me by because I wasn't fully present for it. I explore why presence can feel so difficult, especially for women who have experienced chronic stress, anxiety, trauma, or years of overwhelm. I explain how the nervous system is wired to scan for danger, why anxious thoughts often live in tomorrow, and how hypervigilance can sometimes be mistaken for responsibility. Through the lens of faith, nervous system regulation, and practical mind-body tools, I invite you to stop borrowing trouble from the future and return to the moment God has placed you in today. In this episode, you'll learn simple practices to help you become more grounded and present, including choosing a daily word, asking "what is true right now?", using the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method, creating sacred pauses, and practicing belly breathing. If you've been longing for more peace, deeper connection, and the ability to actually experience the life you prayed for, this episode will remind you that God's grace is available right here, in this present moment. If this episode feels like the invitation your heart and body have been needing, the Freedom Collective may be a beautiful next step. This six-month coaching experience was created for women who are tired of trying to push, strive, and force their way into healing and are ready to feel grounded, supported, and safe in their bodies again. Inside the Freedom Collective, you'll receive both community and one-to-one support as we bring together science, scripture, and somatic work to care for the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. If you're ready to choose a different way forward, schedule a clarity call here: https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form [https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form].

Ep. 63 - Super Woman Syndrome: Burnout, Boundaries, and Faith-Based Healing

For so many women, burnout doesn't happen overnight. It builds slowly through every yes given out of guilt, every ignored warning sign, and every season of trying to hold everything together. God never asked you to be everything to everyone. This week on Holistic Health with Melissa, Melissa is joined by author and speaker Susan Wiesemann for a conversation about what happens when years of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and trying to do it all finally catch up with the body. Susan shares her powerful story of landing in the emergency room on her 45th birthday, navigating years of mystery symptoms, and eventually being diagnosed with dysautonomia, a condition that affected her breathing, energy, and daily function. Through holistic health practices, healthier boundaries, nervous system awareness, and a deeper relationship with God, Susan began to heal from the inside out. Through Susan's story and Melissa's work in root-cause healing, they unpack the connection between burnout, nervous system dysregulation, faith, and the pressure so many women feel to keep going even when their bodies are asking them to slow down. This episode is for the woman who feels exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode and needs to be reminded that healing is not about doing more. It's about learning to listen to your body, reconnect with God, and begin choosing a different way forward. If you are ready to choose that different way, consider the Freedom Collective, a unique six-month coaching experience with community and one-to-one support designed to help women stop forcing healing and finally feel safe in their bodies again. We blend science, scripture, and somatic work to bring healing to the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. If this resonates with you, reach out for a clarity call to see if it's a good fit. https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form [https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form]. Melissa would be honored to walk your healing journey with you. Connect with Susan here: Instagram: @light.ofthelamp lightofthelamp.org/speaking [https://www.lightofthelamp.org/speaking] Purchase Undoing Super Woman: Losing Total Control to Gain Ultimate Freedom [https://www.amazon.com/Undoing-Super-Woman-Control-Ultimate/dp/B0FTFXBTB9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=INLSDSAAWZ3O&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A7fsTabkaiNkXhFUaHe5D4vTNbA_j94RNe-1qYGXN_HTtZimsr4Mzvey_dxrdYnyXaa9ZpgUgK6c4_h6llGCxAj_uEChjv8fTWYESiu6aHPF-YlKibAzfK72Abi6I-dccCkvy4g4NHNu5rZJITX569WCdFhnoQjXpe9v275746k.mFPVCKpYJyWoEN-uvxJczG8ppDYcWuRBh17xQs2Uxr4&dib_tag=se&keywords=undoing+super+woman&qid=1774723298&sprefix=%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1&ascsubtag=srctok-ceac8815d51145aa&btn_ref=srctok-ceac8815d51145aa].

Ep. 62. - When Faith Hurts: Why "Just Pray About It" Isn't Enough - a Conversation About Faith, Trauma & True Healing

Are you a Christian woman who's done everything "right" - prayed, read the Word, shown up for your faith but still feels stuck, anxious, or burned out? You're not alone, and you're not broken. In this powerful episode of Holistic Health with Melissa, Melissa sits down with Eleanor Brown, Licensed Professional Counselor and author of A Better Way, for a raw and honest conversation about why so many Christian women are struggling and what's really going on beneath the surface. Eleanor breaks down why well-meaning faith communities sometimes do more harm than good when it comes to mental health, what "spiritual bypassing" actually looks like, and why telling someone to "just pray about it" can deepen shame instead of bringing healing. They also dive deep into polyvagal theory and the nervous system, including what it means to be stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, and how unresolved trauma stored in the body could be at the root of your chronic stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why Christian women may be more susceptible to shame-based thinking * What spiritual bypassing is and how to recognize it * How your nervous system responses are connected to childhood attachment wounds * Practical, accessible tools to begin regulating your nervous system today * Why rest isn't selfish - it's biblical * How healing yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do for your family Whether you've experienced trauma that you've been carrying for years or wounds that have quietly shaped how you see yourself and the world, this episode will meet you where you are with compassion, clinical insight, and deep faith. Healing is always possible. This episode is proof. This is the powerful work Melissa does inside The Freedom Collective, and enrollment is now open. Visit https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form [https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form] to schedule a clarity call and see if it's the right fit for you. 🔗 Connect with Eleanor at eleanorbrowncounseling.com [http://eleanorbrowncounseling.com] Facebook URL - https://www.facebook.com/EleanorBrownCounseling/ [https://www.facebook.com/EleanorBrownCounseling/] Instagram URL - https://www.instagram.com/eleanorbrowncounseling/ [https://www.facebook.com/EleanorBrownCounseling/] YouTube - A Better Way channel - https://www.youtube.com/@Embracing-ABetterWay [https://www.facebook.com/EleanorBrownCounseling/] Bookstore - https://www.eleanorbrowncounseling.com/a-better-way [https://www.facebook.com/EleanorBrownCounseling/]

Ep. 61 - Why Mindset Isn't Enough: Trauma, Grief, and Nervous System Healing

What if healing is not about fixing what is broken, but learning how to feel safe in your body again? In this week's episode of Holistic Health with Melissa, Melissa has the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Haley Turpin, a nervous-system-focused chiropractor and breathwork facilitator in Colorado, for a conversation about trauma, nervous system healing, and the mind-body connection. Dr. Haley shares how the unexpected loss of her mother led her to understand healing in a much deeper way. She explains how grief affected her body, her identity, her relationships, and her capacity, and why mindset alone was not enough. Together, Melissa and Dr. Haley talk about what happens when the body has been living in survival mode, why stillness can feel so hard, and how safety becomes the starting point for true healing. They also explore the difference between nervous system healing and nervous system regulation, how to recognize where you are in your healing journey, and how chiropractic care can support communication between the brain, spine, and body. You'll hear more about: * How grief and trauma affect the nervous system * What nervous system capacity means * Why safety matters in healing * How breathwork and chiropractic care can support the body Healing is always possible, and your body is not working against you. It may simply be asking for safety, support, and a new way forward. If you're ready to dive into this work and become part of this powerful movement, The Freedom Collective is now open for enrollment. Visit https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form [https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form] to schedule a clarity call and see if it's the right fit for you. Find Dr. Haley here: blueoakfamilychiro.com [https://blueoakfamilychiro.com/] Online Guided Breathwork Session >> https://blueoakfamilychiro.janeapp.com/locations/blue-oak-family-chiro/book#staff_member/1/treatment/1/2026-01-27 [https://blueoakfamilychiro.janeapp.com/locations/blue-oak-family-chiro/book#staff_member/1/treatment/1/2026-01-27] Instagram: @blueoak_familychiro

Ep. 60 - From Dismissed to Empowered: How to Advocate for Your Health When Doctors Say You're Fine

If you've ever felt like something was "off" in your body but were told everything looked normal… this episode is for you. In this episode of Holistic Health with Melissa, Melissa sits down with Elyse Scheeler, a speech-language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, special needs and homeschool strategy coach, and host of Speaking Life Into Motherhood. Melissa and Elyse talk about what it looks like to trust your intuition, advocate for your health, and care for your body from a place of faith, especially when you feel dismissed, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin. Elyse shares her personal story of infertility, miscarriage, thyroid concerns, and learning to keep asking questions when the answers she was given did not line up with what she knew in her body. They also unpack the difference between selfishness and true stewardship because caring for your body is not about vanity or putting yourself above everyone else. It's about honoring the body God gave you so you can show up well for the people He has placed in your life. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why "normal labs" don't always mean everything is functioning well * How to tell the difference between fear and intuition * Why nervous system regulation matters when you're trying to make clear decisions * How Christian women can reframe self-care as stewardship instead of selfishness * Simple ways to begin supporting your body when you feel burned out or overwhelmed This episode is a reminder that God has not forgotten you, your body is not failing you, and healing does not have to happen alone. If you're ready to do the deeper heart work, The Freedom Collective is open for enrollment. Visit https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form [https://holistichealthbymelissa.com/discovery-information-form] to schedule a clarity call and see if it's a good fit for you. To connect with Elyse: Website: www.speakinglife.co [https://speakinglife.co/] Podcast: Speaking Life Into Motherhood https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-life-into-motherhood-routines-time-management/id1790191030 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-life-into-motherhood-rhythms-child-development/id1790191030]