The moment you meet Cheleste you feel seen. She has a way of holing space for you, that no matter where you are in your journey, you know you are not alone on your path. ​ A seasoned "traditional" midwife, now a free birth facilitator, butcher, mountain mama, and tallow maker, it is an honor to be her friend. ​ In today's episode she shares her story of personal transition from midwife, through conscious conception, to free birthing her own baby alone with the father of her child in her greenhouse. Even if you are not in the pregnancy world, you don't want to miss our conversation. ​ ​ Cheleste did not plan on free birthing, but was moved and guided as she walked the medicine path of pregnancy. Rather than scans and appointments she chose to work with me healing her trauma, womb and ancestral healing, healing relationships, chiropractic and pelvic floor PT, and a lot of time alone in nature to connect with her own intuition. ​ ​ ​ We dive into some controversial topics such as: The drama triangle within the midwifery practice (collectively projecting victimhood onto women birthing) and moving toward the empowerment triangle (women realize their own power in the birth space). How this world would change if every woman recognized just how powerful she is. ​ Nutritional support during pregnancy and why veganism can't support a healthy pregnancy or postpartum. ​ ​ It is important to name if you can't or choose not to free birth we are not saying you did not do the work well enough or you are doing it wrong. Our medicine walks are not all the same and differing birth experiences might be the catalyst you need to create healing in your life. ​ This episode is an opportunity to ask yourself (pregnant or not) are the choices I am making putting me in aligned action with what I want? It's a space to be curious about what is aligned action to you. It's a space to be curious about why you are attached to the things you think you cannot shift or change. ​ We have a lot of fun in the episode and I can't wait for you to take a listen! ​ Topics and links discussed in today's episode: Weston Price Book: https://www.amazon.com/Nutrition-Physical-Degeneration-Weston-Price/dp/0916764206/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=weston+price+book&qid=1684185678&sprefix=weston+price+%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1 Kate Kavanagh Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/41YNuYrfcrdnSrj3hROnrl?si=933a91b0bab34788 Research: Olsen & Clausen 2023: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000352.pub3/abstract ​ ​ Connect with Cheleste: https://www.instagram.com/tallow_for_the_people/ and https://www.instagram.com/mysticalmatriarch/ ​ Connect with me: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/ www.leshanelson.com