In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom podcast, host Janet Sandberg is joined by the inspiring Dr. Jeannie May, a board-certified physician with expertise in geriatrics, hospice, and addiction medicine. Dr. Jeannie shares her profound journey from battling lifelong depression and suicidal ideation to discovering the transformative power of breath work.

Dr. Jeannie opens up about her early struggles with mental health, including a suicide attempt at the age of seven, and the stigma she faced within the medical community. She candidly discusses how Prozac played a crucial role in stabilizing her life, allowing her to see the world in a new light. However, it was the discovery of somatic breath work that truly revolutionized her healing journey, enabling her to release deeply held traumas and embrace life with renewed energy and perspective.

Dr. May resides in Nashville, Tennessee and is helping people all over the globe through online Breathwork. By promoting the power of breath and fostering community through TheBreathMD and her new book Breath: The Remote Control to Inner Calm, Dr. Jeannie May seeks to empower millions to achieve a holistic sense of well-being in mind, body, and spirit.

Chapters:

(00:00 ) Janet Sandberg welcomes Dr. Jeannie May

(02:16 ) The first time I attempted suicide was at 7 years old

(08:06 ) Using your breath can shift your nervous system from fight or flight to rest

(12:46 ) I went off antidepressants in 2010

(16:03 ) Somatic means getting into the body

(18:45 ) Somatic breath work

(20:31 ) What advice would you have for listeners currently in the dark and feeling hopeless

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In Crisis?

Canada:

Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988

In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec

If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.

If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.

USA:

Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Call 911 in life-threatening situations.