Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers

Navigating Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Chronic Pain & Acceptance.In this episode of Mind Body Medicine for Self-Healers, host Sarah Dawkins welcomes author, speaker and chronic condition advocate Lorraine Ans for a deeply insightful conversation on living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS).Late-diagnosed in her 40s, Lorraine shares her powerful backstory of growing up with unexplainable symptoms, childhood injuries and overlapping conditions like POTS and MCAS. Together, Sarah and Lorraine explore the emotional layers of a chronic illness diagnosis, the necessity of grieving the "what-ifs" and why reframing pain as a "dance partner" can transform your relationship with your body.Discover practical strategies like "surrender snacks," the importance of self-soothing, redefining pain as a challenge rather than an enemy, and finding deep fulfilment through micro-moments of mindfulness and creative expression.Key Takeaways & Timestamps01:09 Growing up with hEDS symptoms Lorraine shares her backstory of living with undiagnosed hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) from childhood, detailing random injuries, high myopia and frequent childhood joint issues.03:34 The emotional impact of a late diagnosis The initial relief of validation balanced with the grief of learning there is "no cure, only management," marking the beginning of her healing journey.06:51 Uncovering overlapping co-morbidities like POTS & MCAS Discovering coexisting conditions like POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) helped finally complete her lifelong health puzzle.10:13 Reframing chronic pain as a "dance partner" Lorraine introduces a revolutionary mindset shift: instead of fighting pain or fearing it as an enemy, view it as a unpredictable dance partner you are learning to move through life with.28:34 The power of bite-sized "surrender snacks" "Surrender snacks"—short, 2-to-5-minute bite-sized moments of gentle breathing, movement, or rest that don't overwhelm a chronic body.31:58 Letting go of hidden physical and emotional tension The profound relief of slowing down, engaging in mindful creative hobbies (like paper crafting) and learning to self-validate instead of seeking external approval.34:53 Shifting mindset from "hard" to "challenge" The power of language, discussing why replacing the word "hard" with "challenge" shifts your subconscious mind and helps you work with your symptoms rather than defeat them.Lorraine's Bio Writer, speaker and advocate living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Lorraine helps organisations understand and support people with chronic conditions, while sharing her story as the author of The Surrender Agenda. Her book is a witty memoir about her life and learning to accept and love Pain. Connect with Lorrainehttps://www.lorraineansellauthor.com/https://www.instagram.com/livinglavoiceart/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineansellcontentcreator/🔗 About Sarah DawkinsSarah Dawkins is an award-winning coach, "The Adaptation Architect," creator of The FREEDOM Framework, #1 author of Heal Yourself, international speaker and the award-winning host of Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers podcast.A former Registered Nurse with over 20 years of clinical experience, Sarah healed herself from multiple chronic conditions, leading her to a powerful realisation: we are not broken, we adapted. Today, she blends neuroscience, nervous system awareness and compassionate storytelling to help individuals and organisations uncover the hidden adaptations shaping stress, burnout and leadership. Through her signature framework, Sarah guides people to replace self-judgment with self-understanding and transition from survival to true freedom.www.sarahdawkins.com#heds #chronicpainsolutions #mindbodymedicine #ehlersdanlosawareness #chronicillnesssupport #painmanagement

Is chronic procrastination, brain fog or feeling completely stuck actually a sign of laziness, or is it your nervous system’s ultimate survival break?In Part 3 of our 4-part series, "Unpacking the Adaptive Mind," host Sarah Dawkins dives deep into the freeze response of the Invisible Child and the adult persona it builds; The Conflict Avoidant, someone living life as a spectator rather than a participant.While growing up in overwhelming or high-conflict environments, making yourself small and quiet was an act of profound self-preservation. But when that childhood survival mechanism spills into adulthood, it shows up as dissociation, chronic indecision, fear of visibility and an inability to advocate for yourself.In this episode, you will discover:The Biology of Freeze: Why your nervous system feigns stillness and how it mirrors nature’s prey response.The "Invisible Child" Persona: How emotional neglect or explosive conflict shapes "good kids" who never ask for help.Adult Consequences: Why freeze looks like procrastination, brain fog and hiding behind your potential.A 3-Step Somatic Tool: Actionable, gentle nervous system exercises to help you unfreeze, ground into your body and safely take up space.You are not broken and your shutdown isn't a character flaw, it was a brilliant strategy to keep you safe. Learn how to gently come out of the shadows and return to being a participant in your own life.🔗 About Sarah DawkinsSarah Dawkins is an award-winning coach, "The Adaptation Architect," creator of The FREEDOM Framework, #1 author of Heal Yourself, international speaker and the award-winning host of Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers podcast.A former Registered Nurse with over 20 years of clinical experience, Sarah healed herself from multiple chronic conditions, leading her to a powerful realisation: we are not broken, we adapted. Today, she blends neuroscience, nervous system awareness and compassionate storytelling to help individuals and organisations uncover the hidden adaptations shaping stress, burnout and leadership. Through her signature framework, Sarah guides people to replace self-judgment with self-understanding and transition from survival to true freedom.www.sarahdawkins.com#FreezeResponse#NervousSystemRegulation#SomaticHealing

Can you heal from deep-seated childhood trauma, severe anxiety, and lifelong self-destructive patterns? In this powerful episode of MindBody Medicine for Self-Healers, host Sarah Dawkins is joined by Tina "Kat" Courtney, founder and CEO of Plant Medicine People, psychedelic pioneer and author of Plant Medicine Mystery School.Kat opens up about her raw journey of self-healing from alcoholism, bulimia, severe bipolar diagnoses and suicidal ideation stemming from cumulative childhood trauma. Together, Sarah and Kat explore the critical difference between the loud, destructive voice of the ego and the quiet, guiding whisper of inner wisdom. Discover how reconnecting with nature, sitting with difficult emotions instead of spiritually bypassing them and using plant medicine as a catalyst can completely transform your life step-by-step.Key Moments & Takeaways:0:00 – Welcome to MindBody Medicine with Sarah Dawkins & guest Kat Courtney01:42 – Redefining a "normal" childhood and recognising hidden trauma05:49 – Moving out of victim consciousness and into personal empowerment12:55 – Kat’s accidental introduction to Ayahuasca and the jungle22:03 – Breaking down the reality of healing bulimia and addiction27:55 – Discerning the ego from inner wisdom and practicing self-compassion29:10 – Kat’s #1 tip for healing: Celebrating awareness over perfectionKat's Bio Tina “Kat” Courtney, founder and CEO of Plant Medicine People, is a psychedelic medicine pioneer with 2 decades of professional experience. She self-healed alcoholism, bulimia and a bi-polar diagnosis with the help of sacred plants. Kat is the author of Plant Medicine Mystery School Vol 1: The Superhero Healing Powers of Psychotropic Plants; she's also a spiritual integration coach, death doula, and ceremony guide. 🔗 Connect with Kat Courtney:www.plantmedicinepeople.comhttps://www.instagram.com/plantmedicinepeople/https://www.youtube.com/@PlantMedicinePeople🔗 About Sarah DawkinsSarah Dawkins is an award-winning coach, "The Adaptation Architect," creator of The FREEDOM Framework, #1 author of Heal Yourself, international speaker and the award-winning host of Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers podcast.A former Registered Nurse with over 20 years of clinical experience, Sarah healed herself from multiple chronic conditions, leading her to a powerful realisation: we are not broken, we adapted. Today, she blends neuroscience, nervous system awareness and compassionate storytelling to help individuals and organisations uncover the hidden adaptations shaping stress, burnout and leadership. Through her signature framework, Sarah guides people to replace self-judgment with self-understanding and transition from survival to true freedom.www.sarahdawkins.com#PlantMedicine #HealingTrauma #SelfHealing #Ayahuasca #HolisticHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #ChildhoodTrauma #MindBodyConnection

Ever feel a heavy knot in your stomach the moment you say "sure, I'd love to help," even when your calendar is overflowing and you're completely exhausted? You're not just "too nice", you might be stuck in The Caretaker survival trap. In Episode 194 (Part 2 of our childhood trauma mini-series of Unpacking the Adaptive Mind), we explore the deep psychological roots of chronic people-pleasing. Discover why scanning the room for safety in a volatile childhood creates the adult compulsion to fix, soothe and appease at the cost of your own identity. Plus, learn actionable somatic tools to help you finally pause, break the automated "yes," and protect your peace without the guilt. 🎧 In this episode, we cover:The childhood origin of "The Pacifier" and hyper-vigilance The adult trap: the visceral, physical dread of disappointing others Why the inability to say "no" is an adaptive survival mechanism, not a personal quirk Practical somatic tools and script phrases to reset your nervous system and reclaim your boundaries 🔔 Subscribe for weekly deep dives into the human mind, trauma responses and mental well-being!🔗 About Sarah DawkinsSarah Dawkins is an award-winning coach, "The Adaptation Architect," creator of The FREEDOM Framework, #1 author of Heal Yourself, international speaker and the award-winning host of Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers podcast.A former Registered Nurse with over 20 years of clinical experience, Sarah healed herself from multiple chronic conditions, leading her to a powerful realization: we are not broken, we adapted. Today, she blends neuroscience, nervous system awareness and compassionate storytelling to help individuals and organizations uncover the hidden adaptations shaping stress, burnout and leadership. Through her signature framework, Sarah guides people to replace self-judgment with self-understanding and transition from survival to true freedom.www.sarahdawkins.com#peoplepleasingrecovery #childhoodtrauma #mentalhealth #boundaries #AdaptiveMind #BurnoutRecovery #somatichealing

Discover how holistic health practitioner Sharon Greenspan reversed her advanced ankylosing spondylitis not through medical protocols, but through mindset shifts, metaphysics, and somatic body connection. In this insightful episode of MindBody Medicine for Self-Healers hosted by Sarah Dawkins, Sharon shares her powerful healing journey from trauma, depression and physical rigidity to total self-trust, emotional freedom, and inner peace. Learn why chronic symptoms carry hidden wisdom, how to shift from victimhood to empowerment, and why changing your perspective is more powerful than looking for a quick fix.Key Information and Time Stamps05:12 The Metaphysics of the Spine: Sharon realised her spine was literally building a physical backbone because she lacked an emotional "backbone" in life, having been raised to be seen and not heard. Through yoga, mindset shifts, and letting go of rigid patterns, she avoided spinal fusion and can still perform a full backbend.12:39 Moving from Symptoms to Root Causes: Instead of defaulting to quick fixes, pills, or obsessing over fighting symptoms, Sharon emphasises tuning into the body to understand what symptoms are trying to communicate.14:21 Reframing Chronic Pain and Nervous System Regulation: For individuals struggling with nervous system dysregulation or chronic pain, Sharon suggests starting small by anchoring awareness to neutral body parts with few nerve endings, like the earlobe or tip of the nose, before moving toward a state of relaxation.27:22 The Power of Being "Dulu" (Delusional): Sharon and Sarah discuss the concept of being "dulu"—visualising and feeling the future you want in your body (the "what") without worrying about the logistical "how," as the universe often brings the how in unexpected ways.30:54 Practical Self-Healing Exercise: For anyone newly diagnosed or struggling with chronic pain, Sharon recommends sitting quietly, breathing, and noticing the physical sensations in the body—observing qualities like temperature, texture, and colour without labelling them as good or bad.Sharon's bio Sharon Greenspan works with people who have “tried everything” to heal—diets, supplements, protocols—and still aren’t seeing results, helping them to finally understand why.After reversing her own ankylosing spondylitis and overcoming years of anger and depression, she now blends energy medicine, emotional healing and nutrition to guide deep, lasting transformation.A Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Nutritionist, Life Coach, and international speaker, she helps clients break free from emotional eating, regulate their nervous systems, and return to self-trust, vitality, and inner peace.Connect with Sharonwww.SharonGreenspan.comhttps://www.instagram.com/wild.successhttps://www.facebook.com/wildsuccess🔗 About Sarah DawkinsSarah Dawkins is an award-winning coach, "The Adaptation Architect," creator of The FREEDOM Framework, #1 author of Heal Yourself, international speaker and the award-winning host of Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers podcast.A former Registered Nurse with over 20 years of clinical experience, Sarah healed herself from multiple chronic conditions, leading her to a powerful realisation: we are not broken, we adapted. Today, she blends neuroscience, nervous system awareness and compassionate storytelling to help individuals and organizations uncover the hidden adaptations shaping stress, burnout and leadership. Through her signature framework, Sarah guides people to replace self-judgment with self-understanding and transition from survival to true freedom.www.sarahdawkins.com#ankylosingspondylitis #spinehealth #naturalhealingjourney #energywork #energyworker