Because I Love My Body

14. Self-Love as a Daily Practice: Reconnecting with Your Body and Trusting Your Inner Wisdom with Nadine, Universal Empress

Self-love sounds beautiful in theory—but how do you actually practice it when life feels heavy and your body feels like a stranger? In this heartfelt episode we are joined by transformational coach, yoga teacher, and global retreat leader Nadine McNeil—also known as Universal Empress. Together, they dive deep into what it really means to practice self-love. Far beyond affirmations and bath rituals, self-love is about rebuilding trust with the body, accepting imperfections, and creating safety within yourself. Nomi and Nadine share stories from their own journeys, explore why we lose connection with our bodies in the first place, and offer practical ways to return home to yourself—no matter where you’re starting from. From mirror work and breathwork to dancing in your room and hugging yourself like you would a child, this episode offers a powerful reminder: self-love isn’t something you wait to feel—it’s something you do. In this episode: * Why self-love is a practice—not just a mindset * How to reconnect with your body after years of disconnection * The importance of physical rituals like touch, breath, and movement * Why discomfort, grief, and setbacks can actually be portals to healing * How building a relationship with your body leads to deeper intuition and self-trust * What it really looks like to meet yourself with compassion on hard days About Nadine McNeil: Nadine McNeil, known as the Universal Empress, is a transformational coach, yoga teacher, and retreat facilitator helping women around the world step into healing, power, and purpose. Through her workshops, global retreats, and moon circles, she guides others to come home to themselves with grace and truth. https://www.instagram.com/universalempress/?hl=en

13. Casting Out Shame: Art, Identity, and Empowerment with Viktoria Krug of Vulvarium

What if a statue of your vulva could change how you see your body—and help rewrite a generation's relationship with pleasure, shame, and power? In this boundary-breaking episode, we welcome the incredible artist and founder of Vulva Casting, Viktoria Krug. Known for her empowering vulva sculptures, Viktoria uses art to help women and vulva-havers around the world reclaim body confidence, dismantle shame, and celebrate the diversity of our bodies. Viktoria shares how a single discovery in her twenties led to a global mission to normalize vulva diversity and empower people through casting sessions. Together, we discuss identity, self-expression, sexuality, and what it means to honor the parts of ourselves that have been hidden, judged, or misunderstood. From boudoir photography to vulva art, this conversation explores how personal liberation can be a political act—and how simply saying yes to seeing yourself can be revolutionary. In this episode: * Why vulva castings are about more than art—they’re about healing and reclamation * The emotional and cultural power behind casting the most intimate part of your body * How shame around genitalia starts—and how we can dismantle it * Why vulva diversity matters in conversations about sexuality, gender, and identity * What to expect from a vulva casting session (yes, it’s safe, sacred, and deeply empowering!) * How you can be part of the movement, even if you don’t book a session 01:45 Discovering the Diversity of Vulvas 02:37 The Emotional Journey of Vulva Casting 04:27 Global Impact and Educational Outreach 07:40 Boudoir Photography and Body Positivity 12:13 The Healing Power of Vulva Casting 12:44 The Casting Process Explained 17:09 Empowerment Through Art and Conversation About Viktoria Krug & Vulva Casting: Viktoria Krug is a biologist-turned-artist based in Austria, and the founder of Vulva Casting. Her mission is to challenge shame and celebrate individuality by casting real vulvas from real people around the world. Each statue is a piece of art—and a symbol of liberation, pride, and visibility. Book Your Vulva Casting in NYC: Viktoria will be offering limited sessions in New York City from July 21–28, 2025, hosted by Nomi at Boudoir by Nomi’s studio. Connect with Viktoria: * Follow on Instagram: @vulvacasting [https://www.instagram.com/vulvacasting] * Learn more and book: vulvacasting.com [https://www.vulvacasting.com/]   Connect with Nomi: Instagram: @boudoirbynomi Website: https://boudoirbynomi.com [https://boudoirbynomi.com/] Schedule a consult: https://boudoirbynomi.com/contact [https://boudoirbynomi.com/contact]

12. Healing from Within: Yoga, Womb Cleansing, and Self-Discovery with Cassanie Mckenzie

What if the path to deeper self-awareness and healing wasn’t in doing more, but in slowing down? Cassanie Mckenzie is a yoga teacher, wellness coach, sound healer and my dear friend based in Jamaica. In this episode, we explore Cassanie's journey from discovering yoga in her "party girl phase" to becoming a renowned teacher who integrates movement, sound, and spiritual practices into her offerings. Cassanie shares how her personal evolution led her from intense cardio workouts to a deeper connection with her body, mind, and spirit through yoga and wellness - because movement is not about weight loss. They we chat into the importance of nourishing practices, the role of the womb as a creative and energetic center, and how retreats and cleanses can transform lives. 02:35 Cassanie's Journey into Yoga 06:40 First Yoga Class Experience 11:05 Transition to Professional Yoga 15:50 First Teaching Experience 23:09 The Spiritual Connection of Music and Life Experiences 24:13 The Deeper Purpose of Movement and Cleansing 25:58 Understanding the Womb Cleanse 26:44 The Role of Yoga and Physical Practices 32:37 Embracing Plant Medicine and Holistic Healing 34:21 Starting Your Journey with Movement and Yoga 37:31 Connecting with Cassanie and Upcoming Retreats 41:59 The Importance of Nourishment and Personal Growth Connect with Cassanie: Website: https://www.cassaniemckenzie.com [https://www.cassaniemckenzie.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassanisun/ [https://www.instagram.com/cassanisun/] Retreats: https://www.cassaniemckenzie.com/curated-retreats-1 [https://www.cassaniemckenzie.com/curated-retreats-1?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaaLPTE-Tooos4JMn4WnmT2-ZMhfTVRQAScAgJ9_wn8A6bqoa77awvGp78_aem_RLdn3atB8Ty3F7xx_70HbQ] Connect with Nomi: Instagram: @boudoirbynomi Website: https://boudoirbynomi.com [https://boudoirbynomi.com/] Schedule a consult: https://boudoirbynomi.com/contact [https://boudoirbynomi.com/contact]

11. Honoring the Divine Feminine: Womb Rituals, Balance, and Healing with Empress Tandi

How do we connect with our divine feminine and honor the balance between creation, nurturing, and healing in our lives? Welcome to Season 2 of Because I Love My Body! In this episode, host Nomi sits down with Empress Thandi, founder of the Wise Wellness Center in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. Empress Thandi shares her incredible journey of self-healing and how it led her to become a wellness practitioner and healer. Together, they explore the powerful concepts of divine femininity, balance, and creation, offering practical ways to connect with your divine feminine energy—even in urban environments. The cover the ancient practice of Yoni steaming, the importance of honoring the womb as a center of creation (beyond childbirth), and how we can embrace the different phases of womanhood. Connect with Empress Tandi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empressthandi/ Website: https://wisewellnessja.com/about-us/the-team/ Connect with Nomi: Instagram: @boudoirbynomi Website: https://boudoirbynomi.com Schedule a consult: https://boudoirbynomi.com/contact

2. Body Neutrality and Embodying Masculine and Feminine Energy

You’ve heard about body positivity before, but it’s not realistic to always feel positive about your body. In today’s episode, Nomi discusses the concepts of body positivity, body neutrality, and body liberation. She explains the differences between each, how they intersect, and why they’re all essential tools for building a healthy relationship with our bodies. Nomi also discusses how boudoir photography aligns with these philosophies by offering a space to celebrate and embrace bodies of all shapes and sizes. Nomi then chats with a recent boudoir client, Wani, who shares how her photoshoot was a transformative experience in embracing her authentic self and how she could see both feminine and masculine energy come through in the shoot. The episode finishes with the “Ask Nomi” segment, where Nomi breaks down the concepts of masculine and feminine energy and how these energies play a role in daily life. Timestamps: * 00:00 – Body positivity, neutrality, and liberation * 14:03 – Client interview: Wani celebrates her 40th birthday with a boudoir photography session * 27:21 – “Ask Nomi” segment: What is masculine and feminine energy? Thank you so much for listening! Don’t forget to rate the show, subscribe and share it on Instagram! See you next week. Connect with Nomi: Instagram: @boudoirbynomi [https://www.instagram.com/boudoirbynomi/] Website: boudoirbynomi [https://boudoirbynomi.com/] Schedule a consult: here [https://calendly.com/boudoirbynomi/boudoir-envisioning-call?month=2024-05]