Begin Within Today - Therapy, Coaching, Chronic Illness Journal & Resources

08/14/2026

“I was taught that keeping quiet kept the peace, until I realized whose peace it was keeping.”
— Dr. Thema Bryant .thema

quoted this during our interview for The Trauma Therapist Podcast and I texted her right after to have her write it out because I was like 1000000%. THIS.

I think this hits especially deeply for those of us living with chronic illness.

Because keeping the peace can become a trauma response.

When we learn that speaking up creates conflict, that having needs makes people uncomfortable, or that other people’s emotions feel safer to manage than our own, we learn to stay quiet. To appease. To push through. To not need too much.

And then those patterns can follow us into chronic illness.

How often do we ignore what our body is telling us?

Push through.
Don’t complain.
Don’t cancel.
Don’t be difficult.
Don’t need so much.
Keep going.

Not because these things caused us to become sick, but because the survival strategies we learned long before illness can still shape how we respond to our bodies and our needs once we are sick.

Sometimes healing means realizing that what once kept us safe may not be what we need anymore.

And maybe we finally get to ask:

Whose peace am I keeping?

This is one of the many things Alanna and I got into during our conversation.

Be sure to check out our interview together! Link is in the bio. 🌀

🎙️

08/14/2026

08/10/2026

I’m glad ❤️ via WE THE URBAN

08/07/2026

Realignment is self-care ❤️ Diego Perez

08/07/2026

Couldn’t not screenshot this beauty from our very wise Melissa • integrative somatic psychotherapist LCSW, SEP, RYT 😍

Our soma (body) and nervous system WILL tell us when something is out of alignment. Sometimes it whispers through subtle sensations, tension, emotions, changes in breath, or that feeling in your gut. Sometimes it gets louder. And sometimes it screams.

The practice is learning to notice these signals before they have to scream.

Slowing down. Feeling into the body. Noticing what doesn’t feel good. Asking yourself:

“What doesn’t feel good right now?”
“What am I noticing in my body?”
“What might I need?”

Not every uncomfortable sensation is a warning, and not every body signal has a simple meaning. But learning to become curious about our internal experience can help us recognize when something needs our attention.

08/06/2026

I recently had the opportunity to join the Reproductive Rebel Podcast for a conversation about trauma, chronic illness, the nervous system, and reproductive health. We talked about why it's so important to look beyond symptoms and consider the whole person when supporting healing.
These are conversations I wish were happening more often because so many people struggle for years without anyone connecting the dots.
A heartfelt thank you to the Reproductive Rebel Moon Essence team for inviting me to be part of the show.
I'd love to hear what you think after you listen.
🎧 Listen here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2087965/episodes/19588284
If this conversation resonates with you, I'd appreciate you sharing it with someone who might benefit.
'sHealth

What if your body isn’t broken…but responding intelligently to a life that doesn’t feel like yours?In this Reproductive Rebel conversation, I sit down with Christina Kantzavelos to explore the often-overlooked truth:your mental and emotional authe...

08/06/2026

I recently guest-hosted the Trauma Therapist Podcast and had the chance to sit down with for a conversation about trauma, chronic illness, psychedelic-assisted therapies, research, and why it's so important to stay both curious and discerning as our understanding of healing continues to evolve.
There are no simple answers when it comes to healing, but I believe conversations like this help us move the field forward.
A huge thank you to The Trauma Therapist Project for trusting me with the mic, and to Alanna Brennan for such an engaging discussion.
I'd love to hear what you think after you listen.
🎧 Listen here:

Alanna is a Womb Worker, Vocal Coach, and Somatic Practitioner devoted to helping women reclaim their Divine Feminine power. Through her own deep journey of

08/06/2026

I’m glad you were born ❤️ via Jeff Brown

07/27/2026

It’s here 🤍🎙️
I’m so excited to share my conversation on Thursday Tea with Sami!
A huge thank you to for inviting me onto the podcast and holding such a compassionate space for this conversation.
We talked about something I care deeply about: the connection between chronic illness, the nervous system, trauma, and healing.
Living with complex chronic illness can feel incredibly isolating, especially when symptoms are invisible or misunderstood. In this episode, we explore the emotional impact of illness, the importance of nervous system regulation, and why healing requires support for the whole person.
My hope is that this conversation helps someone feel seen, understood, and a little less alone. 🤍
Listen here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2443854/episodes/19427334
Thank you again, , for this beautiful conversation!

Chronic Illness & the Nervous System: Healing the Mind-Body Connection with Christina KantzavelosWhat if chronic illness isn't just something happening to your body, but a signal that your whole system — mind, body, and nervous system — needs ...