Navigating the Unseen: Why I Became a Nervous System Fitness Trainer and Champion Sacred Rage
The Silent Weight: My Journey from Repression to Release
For years, I believed that true resilience meant pushing through, ignoring the subtle whispers of anxiety, frustration, and grief that life inevitably brings. Like many, I was conditioned to suppress my emotions, to be "strong" and "get over it." But my body, the ultimate truth-teller, eventually revealed the cost of this unspoken burden. Persistent tension in my shoulders, a constant knot in my stomach, creeping fatigue, restless nights, and a perpetually short fuse became my unwelcome companions. I was, fundamentally, dysregulated – my nervous system trapped in a ceaseless state of "fight or flight," even when no physical threat was present.
Reiki, meditation, and modalities that are deep into what many consider “woo woo” saved me many times over. As a wellness practitioner, my biggest puzzle piece was centered around how to support people who would never step into the spiritual realm. I found my answer in what I had ignored for most of my life, “the body.” I was there for my body when it was not well and knew how to fix issues, but a deep understanding of the body was necessary in my journey, and it happened. Through the study of massage from medical and sports perspectives, I gained a deeper understanding of anatomy, and that knowledge allowed me to integrate what I always knew from mind and spirit perspectives into the mind-body-spirit triangle.
Bridging the Gap: From Talk Therapy to Somatic Release
Through meditation, Reiki, energy work, and spiritual guidance, I've long worked with individuals facing deep concerns that extend beyond the purely physical. This intimate connection to the unseen energetic and emotional realms is precisely why I recognized the critical need for a Trauma-Informed Coach Certification. I wanted to support people in the most comprehensive and effective ways possible.
During my Trauma-Informed Coach training, a particular lecture struck me to my core because I had lived it. The discussion centered on the body's physical response during and after a talk therapy session. At minute 45 of an hour-long session, you might finally reach the vulnerability to discuss a deeply painful incident from the past, only to find yourself, at minute 59, gripped by anxiety and physical tightness. This profound somatic response, this bodily clenching in the face of emotional excavation, made me wonder: Why aren't we seeing more collaborations between massage therapists and mental health professionals to help people regulate their nervous systems after such emotionally intense sessions?
My conversations with my personal medical practitioners and even clients, many of whom are psychologists, neurologists, cardiologists, and licensed therapists, confirmed what I knew and learned about the mind and body reactions to stress and trauma. While mental health and massage therapy duos exist in the same office, this combination is far from the norm.
The Body Speaks: Massage as a Gateway to Emotional Release
What I've learned since becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist is eye-opening: at least half of my clients seek massage not just for physical aches, but for the profound relief of mental and emotional stress that has manifested physically. Some share their concerns openly; others mention their stress with a brief sentence and stay silent for their first session, and without prompting, may open up around their 3rd session. Either way, my massage table is a safe space, a sanctuary where tears are welcome, and common concerns like grief, burnout, and general overwhelm are heard without judgment.
I vividly recall a client at a franchise spa who seemed to be "short-circuiting" on my table. Her joints were tight, her body tense, and she struggled to calm down, while also needing the lightest pressure. She repeated details of intense lows and pressures, and she appeared to be 20 years older than the age she stated. I’m glad she had daughters to push her to get support, even if it was through massage, but I didn’t feel like I could support her the way she needed and it was not my place to meet the daughter at the door to tell her that her mother needs more help than a standard massage could provide at a franchise spa. This client needed more than just physical manipulation.
This desire to provide deeper, holistic relief led me down a rabbit hole of research into emotional and nervous system release techniques through massage. With permission, I refined my methods, testing them with clients who had relevant professions connected to mind and body health - physicians, psychologists, counselors, neurologists, and even psych and neuro nurses. The results were great. Everyone could feel a positive difference from when I started the technique vs when I ended the technique. Today, with permission, I integrate a specialized technique at the beginning of my Deep Tissue and Custom sessions for anyone mentioning stress. Furthermore, I created the Emotional Reset Massage, a dedicated service that begins with the technique mentioned, followed by targeted work to resolve the physical impacts of emotional stress. It has quickly become one of our most popular services.
Completing the Triangle: Mind, Body & Spirit
The mind and spirit have always been the home for my wellness services. Adding massage was the final piece, completing the mind-body-spirit triangle of care. But the lines between mind, body, and spirit are not rigid; they blend and blur, because we are all of them, simultaneously. Years before massage school, I instinctively felt the impact of trauma on the body through my Reiki sessions, observing how every chakra imbalance often correlated with a physical ailment, intricately woven with a traumatic story from this lifetime or the past.
After mastering the physical body's systems, bones, muscles, and nerves through massage therapy training, my desire to learn somatic therapies intensified. I found the right certification for me, and still nursed the idea of the certification for over a year. Then, during a massage session with a psychologist client (who was also an Organizational Psychologist), I shared my observations about stress and people's bodies, and my hesitation about the certification.
She rose from the face cradle, looked directly at me, and with unwavering conviction said, "GET IT NOW. Things are only going to get worse, and people need this!" I purchased the program the moment I returned home. I discovered invaluable tools to support myself and others. As a Certified Meditation Instructor, I knew how challenging meditation could be for those in emotional distress or deep overwhelm. I used to suggest watching a favorite stand-up clip just to help them reach a state receptive to meditation. Deep breaths are good, but I always knew there had to be more one could do to regain footing in the face of intense stress or heartbreak. That single conversation transformed me into a Nervous System Fitness Trainer, dedicated to guiding others toward inner peace through movement.
On Saturday, October 11, 2025, I'm hosting Sacred Rage, an event specifically designed for individuals to explore powerful ways to release stress and trapped emotions.
The Undeniable Power of Nervous System Fitness
Prioritizing your nervous system health is not a luxury; it is a fundamental investment in your overall well-being and quality of life. The evidence is clear:
Your Nervous System is Your Master Conductor: It orchestrates every single bodily function, from your heartbeat and digestion to your thoughts, emotions, and physical responses to the world. A dysregulated system means every aspect of your being is operating out of tune.
Physical Manifestations are Real: Chronic nervous system dysregulation (being perpetually stuck in "fight or flight") leads to systemic inflammation, elevated stress hormones like cortisol, weakened immune function, persistent muscle tension, digestive disorders, chronic fatigue, and pervasive sleep problems. Your body is literally bracing for impact, even when no threat exists.
Mental and Emotional Resilience: A well-regulated nervous system is the bedrock of emotional stability, improving mood, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhancing cognitive clarity, and fostering better decision-making. Conversely, dysregulation contributes significantly to overwhelm, irritability, and difficulty managing feelings.
Cultivating Neuroplasticity: Engaging in practices that support nervous system fitness, such as mindful movement and somatic release, actively promotes neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells) and strengthens neural pathways. This enhances learning, memory, and overall brain health, building a more adaptable and resilient brain.
Enhanced Recovery and True Resilience: A "fit" nervous system allows you to respond effectively to life's inevitable stressors, but critically, it enables you to recover quickly and fully afterward. Instead of remaining in a state of high alert, you can return to a state of calm, centered balance, ready to face what comes next.
This is why Sacred Rage is so vital. It's an opportunity to not only release the past but to cultivate a future where you are empowered, regulated, and truly at peace. Moreover, when you attend, you're also contributing to a greater good: Soul Trine will contribute 15% of all proceeds to DATHOUSE, INC., a local charitable organization dedicated to strengthening our Indianapolis community by addressing basic needs, employment, housing, and social connection. Your journey toward inner harmony helps build a stronger community.