CLICK HERE TO SEND ME A MESSAGE. I love to hear from my listeners --Leslie

As I sit with the heaviness of the devastation caused by the Eaton and Palisades Fire here in SoCal, I felt deeply moved to create and share this meditation and gentle movement practice with you. This tragedy has impacted so many, including people I know who have lost their homes or who are mitigating smoke damage, and it has left a profound ache in my heart.

The Eaton Canyon Fire in Altadena, CA destroyed what I consider my local community, a place that is a mere 15-min drive from my house. Witnessing the pain and loss has been overwhelming and it's taken me a few days to feel resourced and ready to help people with what I love to do most: guiding people back to their bodies in a slow, gentle, and loving way.

Finding our way back to feeling our bodies in times of pain, difficulty, grief and sadness may feel impossible, and this is completely reasonable. We sometimes must numb away from our inner world to continue moving on with our lives. And you may need to stay there awhile.

But in time, when you're ready, this is a practice to begin melting that icy, numbing hold so that you can process all that is shoved down, unattended to and waiting to be lovingly felt and compassionately witnessed. This may feel scary, but it can be done one gentle breath, one small loving touch, one small movement at a time.

Sending the signal to your body:

You are safe.

You are loved.

You are safe.

You are loved.

In this time of uncertainty and grief, I hope this meditation and practice offers a moment of peace, grounding and healing. Take your time with you; move slowly. Don't rush. Let your body have moments to breathe and rest while navigating these challenging times.

This is my love letter of support to all of us navigating these difficult emotions and honoring the beauty and resilience of my local Altadena and Pasadena communities that has given so much to me.

Sending love, light, and comfort to everyone affected, and may we continue to find ways to support and uplift one another through this time.

With Love,

Leslie

---
The words in this meditation were directly taken from or inspired by my two mentors: Erin Pace of the Responsive Body Practice and Michaels Boehm author and creator of the Wild Women's Way.

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Sick and Seeking Disclaimer

CLICK HERE TO CONNECT! I'D LOVE TO KNOW -- What keeps you listening? Ideas for future episodes? Something that landed on your heart or mind you needed to hear? Looking forward to connecting with you! --Leslie

In this episode of the Sick and Seeking Podcast, I have an intimate conversation with Tessa Muldoon, also known as the Spoonie Ninja. Tessa shares her inspiring journey through chronic illness, particularly the management of dermatomyositis and other autoimmune diseases. Our discussion explores the emotional complexities of living with invisible illnesses, the impactful role of IVIG treatment, and the significance of self-advocacy and community support. Tessa emphasizes how sharing personal stories can foster connections and promote understanding in the face of chronic health challenges.

Conversation Highlights:

Tessa's Health Journey: Tessa shares her health struggles starting in 2012 with severe itching, leading to her diagnosis of dermatomyositis.

Understanding Invisible Illness: We explore the challenges of living with an invisible illness, often invisible to others.

Transformative IVIG Treatment: Tessa explains how IVIG has significantly improved her quality of life.

The Spoon Theory: This concept is discussed as a useful tool for energy management for those with chronic conditions.

Humor as a Coping Mechanism: The importance of humor in coping with chronic illness is highlighted as a key source of resilience.

Multiple Diagnoses and Impacts: Tessa shares her experience with multiple diagnoses, including congestive heart failure, and links them to her birth defect and autoimmune issues.

The Importance of Advocacy: We talk about how self-advocacy and education empower those managing chronic conditions and promote awareness.

Emotional Impacts on Loved Ones: The emotional strain on families and caregivers is discussed, stressing the significance of supportive networks.

Redefining Independence and Empowerment: Tessa emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy in empowering individuals in the chronic illness community.

Creating Community through Storytelling: Sharing personal stories fosters a sense of belonging and mitigates isolation.

Quotes:

"IVIG is life-saving."

"It's like liquid gold."

"I had to be very intentional about protecting my energy."

"My goal is to help at least one person."

Connect with Tessa:

Instagram |

🌟 Connect with Leslie and Sick and Seeking Community: 🌟
Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

Join an Embodied Movement Class or Wild Women's Circle!
🔥 CLICK HERE for details 🔥

🌟 FREE Support Group: Chronic Conditions - Coffee & Connection🌟
--> For people who are managing a long term health issue
-->We meet on ZOOM once a month at 12pm PT

Like The Show? Show Your Support With a Donation!

Sick and Seeking Disclaimer

CLICK HERE TO CONNECT! I'D LOVE TO KNOW -- What keeps you listening? Ideas for future episodes? Something that landed on your heart or mind you needed to hear? Looking forward to connecting with you! --Leslie

In this episode of the Sick and Seeking Podcast, I share a ‘fly on the wall’ style conversation with my two chronic illness soul-sisters: Stacie and Yoli. We candidly discuss the complexities of living with chronic illnesses and mental health challenges. Our conversation sheds light on the essential role of friendship and community support in navigating these health battles.

Join us for this insightful discussion that highlights the resilience required to manage chronic illnesses and the importance of self-advocacy, body awareness, and finding humor amidst struggles.

Conversation Highlights:

Stacie's TMS Journey: Stacie shares her experience with TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment, emphasizing its positive impact on her chronic pain and mental health.

Yoli's Battle with Endometriosis: Yoli opens up about the challenges of endometriosis and the misconceptions she faces while seeking medical opinions.

Leslie's Ayurvedic Practices: Leslie provides an update on her health and how incorporating Ayurvedic practices has influenced her self-care routine.

The Emotional Toll: The trio discusses the emotional challenges associated with living with chronic conditions, including grief and isolation.

The Power of Self-Advocacy: They emphasize the importance of standing up for oneself in healthcare and seeking multiple perspectives when navigating their health journeys.

Building Connections: The conversation highlights the vital role of community and connection in healing, including the joys and difficulties of maintaining relationships.

Finding Humor: They explore how humor can be a powerful tool for coping with the realities of chronic illness life.

Quotes:

"A lot of people with chronic illnesses don't completely understand that there's a mental health aspect that goes along with it." - Stacie M

"If I'm already at rock bottom, there's only one way up." - Yoli Jimenez

🌟 Connect with Leslie and Sick and Seeking Community: 🌟
Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

Join an Embodied Movement Class or Wild Women's Circle!
🔥 CLICK HERE for details 🔥

🌟 FREE Support Group: Chronic Conditions - Coffee & Connection🌟
--> For people who are managing a long term health issue
-->We meet on ZOOM once a month at 12pm PT

Like The Show? Show Your Support With a Donation!

Sick and Seeking Disclaimer