Stuck in the burnout trap even after trying all the "right" self-care? You’re not alone. Gretchen Popp pulls back the curtain on what healing from burnout—especially that chronic, nervous system kind—really looks like, and spoiler: it’s not a straight line or a magic overnight fix. She shares real stories from her own years-long journey with fibromyalgia, fatigue, and self-sabotage, getting honest about the messy process of figuring out what actually works and what just piles on more guilt. What shifts things isn’t perfection, but tiny, ridiculously doable habits—like leaving a glass of water by the bed, sitting on the yoga mat for just a minute, or tackling whatever actually has the least resistance. If you’ve been stuck waiting to feel motivated before starting something new (and then beating yourself up for failing), this episode is a permission slip to get real about how habit change, nervous system safety, and even hypnotherapy can help you stay out of that burnout spiral—for good. Consistency doesn’t mean perfect; it just means you keep coming back, one small decision at a time. Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!  Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast. The ideas and techniques shared by our guests on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast are their own unique perspectives and don’t necessarily reflect those of Gretchen Popp or the Sustainable Bodyworker team or community as a whole.

Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE! If you ever catch yourself scrolling online, eyeing another massage therapist’s business, and thinking, “Well, she must have some magic gene I just don’t”? Trust me, you’re not alone—and honestly, that lie is one of the biggest blocks to real sustainability. In this episode, Gretchen Popp brings on Jessica Curtis, who’s as down-to-earth as they come, and unpacks what it’s really like to build something visible without burning out, freak out about cringey old videos, and still struggle with imposter syndrome no matter how successful things look from the outside. There’s so much truth here about showing up imperfectly, letting go of “expert energy,” and leaning into the messy, ongoing process—because actual growth isn’t about polish, it’s about staying curious, setting boundaries, and learning to trust yourself (and your nervy little brain) enough to keep moving forward. If you’re feeling behind, burnt-out, or like you’re missing something everyone else has, this one’s your permission slip to just start where you are and create your own definition of success. If you’d like to explore more of Jessica’s work, click here, or follow her on Instagram! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!  Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast. The ideas and techniques shared by our guests on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast are their own unique perspectives and don’t necessarily reflect those of Gretchen Popp or the Sustainable Bodyworker team or community as a whole.

As we move into November, the energy naturally begins to slow. The days shorten, the air cools, and everything around us invites a deeper inward turn — a time to rest, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.This month’s guided hypnotherapy experience is designed to help you do just that. Together, we’ll ground into the body, create an energetic shield for protection, and open to intuitive guidance — so you can hold space for your clients (and yourself) from a place of clarity and calm, even through the busy holiday season. This shortened track is adapted from a longer, in-depth hypnotherapy session available inside The Sustainable Bodyworker Membership, where you’ll find an entire library of custom hypnotherapy tracks created specifically for massage therapists and bodyworkers. Inside the membership, you’ll also get: 💫 A growing collection of hypnotherapy tracks for confidence, boundaries, pricing, and purpose 💫 Monthly CE classes and on-demand business courses 💫 Group coaching, community support, and strategy sessions for building a sustainable, values-driven practice Hypnotherapy completely changed my life — and it’s now one of the most powerful tools I share with my students to rewire subconscious beliefs, move past self-sabotage, and create businesses that feel as good as they look. If you’re new here, this meditation is a perfect place to start. And if you’re already part of our community, this is your reminder to slow down, listen inward, and let yourself be supported. Timestamps:0:00 – Welcome + November reflections 2:40 – About this month’s intention and track 4:30 – Guided Hypnotherapy: Grounding, Protection & Intuitive Connection 18:30 – Integration + closing Links Mentioned:🪷 Join The Sustainable Bodyworker Membership Here 🎧 Get the Free Guided Hypnotherapy Experience for Bodyworkers Here 💌 Follow along on Instagram & Facebook for updates and new releases!  Tags:Massage therapist podcast, burnout prevention, nervous system regulation, intuitive business, hypnotherapy for bodyworkers, guided meditation, sustainable business for massage therapists, energy protection, mindfulness

Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE! Ever notice how burnout sneaks up on you, not just in your hands or your calendar, but in those moments when you realize you’re putting everyone else first—and forgetting what actually fills you up? Gretchen sits down with Ezralea Robbins, and what stands out isn’t just her decades of practical business wisdom—it’s the radically honest talk about what bodyworkers are really chasing when they dream big, leave jobs, or start teams. It usually boils down to wanting to feel seen and heard, by yourself most of all. Ezralea gets real about hitting her own walls (cue the nervous system red flags), learning to let go of “shoulds,” and unapologetically prioritizing self-care that’s actually nourishing, not just another box to check. If you’ve ever resisted delegating, felt stuck playing every role in your business, or found yourself questioning whether it’s okay to admit you need help, this conversation is your permission slip. It’s not about finding the perfect productivity system—it’s about getting honest with yourself, setting down the guilt, and learning the art of building a business that works with your real life, not against it. Expect practical mindset shifts around capacity, realistic planning, and the kind of self-parenting that lets you serve from a place of true fullness (instead of scraping by). Check out Spa Ninjas to book a connection call with Ezralea and explore more of her work!    Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen! If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Ever notice how some sessions leave you feeling lighter and restored, while others just drain you dry—even when you’re doing all the “right” things? This conversation with Gretchen, Kelsy, and guest Alyse Faith gets brutally honest about the back-and-forth dance of flow states in massage therapy, why getting stuck in overthinking mode is part of the job, and how burnout sneaks in when we’re always giving but rarely letting ourselves receive. Gretchen opens up about her own struggles with burnout and guilt (especially that pressure to “love” this work, even when it’s not lighting you up), and the conversation unpacks what it means to shift back into your joy—without spiritual-bypassing the tough parts. Flow isn’t just for those magical, sparkly sessions. It’s a body-mind reset you can intentionally build into your day, in small ways, whether that’s a literal hand-washing ritual between clients or learning to let yourself receive—support, abundance, even a simple favor. There’s so much permission here to get messy, experiment, and treat your own well-being as non-negotiable, not just nice-to-have. If you’re feeling disconnected or running on fumes, this episode is a reminder that showing yourself more compassion isn’t just self-care, it’s business strategy. Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE! If you’d like to explore more of Alyse’s work, click here, or follow her on TikTok! Also check out her shop The Cozy Coven on Instagramand be sure to stop by whenever you’re in Sleepy Hollow! Books mentioned in today’s episode: A Liberated Mind by Steven Hayes, referred to as “The Awakened Mind” in the episode. Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton-Smith Heal Your Body by Louise Hay The Heroines Journey by Maureen Murdock   Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

How many times have you been told there’s only one “right” way to do your work—or felt that anxiety spike when you consider stepping outside the lines of what you were taught? If you’ve ever worried about getting it “wrong,” especially with something as vulnerable as abdominal massage, you’re going to feel seen in this conversation. Michelle Hansen (who went from burnt-out nurse to fiercely empowered abdominal therapist and educator) is proof that curiosity and nuance can be your superpowers, not something to hide or apologize for. Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE! Gretchen shares her own run-ins with gatekeeping in continuing education—those moments where you’re made to feel small or unsafe trying new things—and digs into why true mastery actually comes from weaving together what you learn, not locking yourself into one rigid method. If you’re looking to break up with dogma, trust your clinical reasoning, and create work that honors your clients’ complexity (and your own nervous system), this episode is like a breath of fresh air. If you’d like to explore more of Michelle’s work, click here, or connect with her on Facebook!  Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen! Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

So many of us know what we should do for our practices—raise our rates, set boundaries, say yes to that new idea—but actually getting our minds and bodies on board? That’s a whole different challenge. In this episode, Gretchen introduces a gentle, real-time hypnotherapy session designed just for massage therapists and bodyworkers who get stuck in old patterns (think: avoidance, self-sabotage, or just plain overwhelm). If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to steer your business with one foot on the brakes, this is for you. Gretchen walks us through a grounding “timeline” meditation to help you see the big picture of where you’ve been and where you’re headed. This isn’t about quick fixes or denial—it’s about letting your nervous system settle, noticing your real wins, and actually opening up to future possibilities, one grounded step at a time.   Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Ever catch yourself looking at another massage therapist’s success and thinking, “Okay, but why not me?” If imposter syndrome or comparison spirals have you stuck, this conversation with Michelle Ratz McGuire is the real talk you need. Gretchen shares her own experience of coaching ambitious, burned-out bodyworkers—including what it’s like to be seen as “the expert” when, behind the scenes, you’re still wrestling with doubts and old patterns. Together, they dig into what actually moves the needle on confidence (hint: it’s rarely taking yet another course), and why the tiniest, gutsy actions—like sitting with hard questions, saying your big dream out loud, or rewriting the limiting stories in your head—matter way more than perfect plans. Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE! Michelle gets honest about building her teaching career from the ground up, the hours spent stuck in fear-brain, and what helped her finally trust that she—and every practitioner listening—already has what it takes to shake things up. If you’re tired of waiting to “feel ready,” or if you catch yourself shrinking back from dream-big moves, you’ll find permission here to get a little messier, show up anyway, and remember that your work has ripple effects far beyond what you can see now.   If you’d like to explore more of Michelle’s work, click here, or connect with her on Instagram!    Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Ever glaze over at the thought of insurance billing, picturing a mountain of paperwork you'll never see a dime for? Same.   That's why this conversation with Adrienne O’Brien hit so hard—she lays out how billing auto insurance isn’t the soul-sucking mess a lot of us think it is, and how it can actually open doors for clients who need our work the most (hello, accessible massage for folks after serious accidents). We both swapped stories about those post-whiplash clients—their pain, but also the tailspin of nervous system chaos nobody warns you about. Adrienne’s honest about being thrown into this specialization by her own life (and, real talk, three car accidents at sixteen), and how she totally didn’t have it all mapped out.   Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   The big takeaway? The “boring” stuff like billing can end up being the most sustainable, purpose-driven thing you do, and it’s absolutely okay to build offerings, systems—or even a whole course—one slow, slightly messy step at a time. If your usual way isn’t working or your brain screams “imposter,” this one’s your permission slip to try what actually makes sense for your clients and your own bandwidth. If you’d like to explore Adrienne’s class, click here, or connect with her on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!    Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

What if you stopped waiting for the “perfect” time, skill level, or outside validation—and just said yes to that little nudge inside, even if you felt wildly underqualified? This episode is for every bodyworker who’s ever wrestled with imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or the story that you’re not “expert” enough to lead, teach, or offer something new. Gretchen sits down with Chantelle Williamson, who built a multifaceted CE business by following her curiosity and responding to what her community actually needed—usually way before she felt fully “ready” herself. Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE! The most grounding insight? Permission to experiment, learn out loud, and lean into the invitations that light you up, even if you’re afraid you’ll mess it up. You’ll walk away with practical encouragement to check in with your own energy (is this aligned, or just another should?) and the reminder that your unique spin—however simple it seems—might be exactly what someone else needs. If you’re craving sustainable growth but scared of stretching beyond what’s familiar, this conversation feels like a deep exhale.   If you’d like to explore more of Chantelle’s classes, click here, or connect with her on Facebook!    Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Ever catch yourself feeling totally depleted after a workday—even when you’re “doing everything right”? Those sessions where every client’s energy feels like it seeps into your bones, or you notice your own armor coming up before you even hit the table with someone. In this episode, Gretchen sits down with Tracy Windmill to get honest about what’s really happening in the room: the constant push-pull of nervous system patterns, both ours and our clients’. Gretchen shares her own experience with burnout (remember the fibromyalgia, the quick snacks between sessions, and the “wait, am I even in my own body right now?” moments), and digs into how sneaky protective patterns—like the good old turtle shell—show up in massage work. Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen! The most useful takeaway? Getting curious about your own state before a session and having rock-solid, realistic tools (hello, 2-minute vagal nerve resets in the car, yoga in weird hotel rooms, and non-negotiable “sharpen the saw” routines). Tracy’s grounded perspective on nervous system attunement and body-mind fitness is pure gold if you’ve ever wondered how the heck to keep doing this job without burning out—or losing yourself in other people’s pain. This conversation won’t sugarcoat the challenges, but it will leave you with fresh permission to put your own needs first, and some genuinely practical ways to make that happen. Explore more of Tracey’s work at The Art of Transformational Touch.  Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.  

Wondering if burnout is just part of the deal, no matter how “healthy” you try to be? Gretchen gets brutally honest about her own crash-and-burn story as a young massage therapist—how she went from hustling for validation at a franchise spa (while ignoring her body’s red flags) to dealing with a full-blown fibromyalgia flare that forced her out of work. She opens up about all the ways burnout is so much deeper than sore wrists or bad posture, especially when you’re stuck in systems that clash with your values or run by beliefs that tell you rest isn’t allowed. The real kicker? Healing didn’t come from a new protocol or strict routine, but from actually listening to her nervous system and questioning the stories she’d absorbed about worth, success, and what “strong” is supposed to look like in our field.   Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE!   If you’re at the edge—tired, in pain, or just sick of pretending everything’s fine—this episode is your permission slip to get curious about what your body’s really trying to say. Gretchen shares nervous system tools, mindset shifts, and the hard-won wisdom that sustainable business (and health) starts by honoring your own needs—not what the industry, or your old stories, demand.   Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

When was the last time you actually admitted out loud how hard this job is? This episode with Corey Rivera goes right to the heart of the “secret crisis” so many massage therapists carry: the isolation, the emotional exhaustion, even the guilt we feel when loving our work just isn’t enough to keep us afloat. Gretchen gets real about the sacrifices she’s made in her own social life and the unspoken pressure to keep clinging to passion—because what happens if we let ourselves admit that’s not enough? Corey shares the behind-the-scenes of Healwell’s viral article on mental health and the hidden toll of our profession, including the stat that hit their team like a tidal wave. They dig into why “being a healer” can feel like a burden, why boundaries are so tough without real community, and what we actually need to stay well—not just at the table but as whole human beings. Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen! For anyone tired of pretending that love for massage should fix everything, this conversation is a breath of fresh air. You’ll walk away feeling less alone, plus better equipped to recognize the price of this work, the value of honest boundaries, and the deep importance of finding your people—no guilt, no perfection required. To more of Corey’s work and the Heal Well community, click here.   Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE!

How many times have you caught yourself powering through pain—whether it’s your wrists, your back, or just that stubborn voice saying “well, this is part of the job”? Natalie Pendergrass gets it. She’s built a career out of living in the gray zones of discomfort and hypermobility (hello, Ehlers-Danlos fam), and in this conversation, we get real about how even the smallest, subtlest shifts can transform how you show up at the table and in your life. I had one of those “oh, wow, I’ve been breathing wrong this whole time” moments right alongside her, realizing that what feels like weakness or instability isn’t a failing—it’s information. And if you’ve been fighting your own body or feeling disconnected, Natalie’s reminders about nervous system safety, honoring the micro-wins, and reclaiming five minutes in the morning for gentle reset might just be the rope that pulls you out of the overwhelm. Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE! The biggest takeaway for me? Breathing isn’t just about oxygen—it’s about giving your body the steady input it needs to feel at home, so you’re not muscling through or zoning out every day. It’s easy to ignore those subtle signals, but the magic is in returning—again and again—to practices that make you feel grounded, supported, and a little less alone in the grind. If you’re quietly struggling or just bone tired from holding it all together, you’ll find something real and restorative here. If this episode resonated with you, click here to connect with Natalie’s work directly!    Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Book your Alignment Call with Gretchen HERE!  It’s easy to think you “should” have it all figured out by now—maybe you’ve tried every trick in the book to calm the chaos, or followed all the business advice only to end up feeling more depleted and out of alignment than ever. Gretchen gets brutally honest in this episode, not just about her own experience running a clinic with massive income but zero joy, but about what really shifted things: walking away from cookie-cutter business strategies and old stories about what success “should” look like. What actually moved the needle for her—and for the real-life bodyworkers whose stories she shares—was learning to build from purpose and nervous system safety first. The game changes when you stop chasing someone else’s idea of success and start allowing your own needs and values to lead the way.   Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE!   You’ll hear what happens when practitioners tap into alignment, get brave about boundaries, and ask for what they’re worth (even when it feels scary). If you’re sick of pouring heart and energy into your work without seeing your own life supported in return, this conversation is the permission slip—and the practical roadmap—to build something that genuinely fits you.     Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Register HERE for the Sustainable Success Blueprint Live Class on August 9th, 2025! Struggling to break free from the feeling that your whole life revolves around hustling for clients and scrambling when one cancels? You’re definitely not the only one. Gretchen cracks open her own story of moving from white-knuckling her massage business out of fear and overwork to actually designing her days around rest, presence, and—shockingly—joy. Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE!   She gets honest about the old patterns that kept her stuck (hello, productivity guilt and survival mode parenting), what it took to rewire her relationship to rest, and why sustainability isn’t just about money but about nervous system safety and honoring your real-life values. If the grind has you questioning why you ever got into this in the first place, this conversation is a reminder that your worth isn’t measured in hours booked or clients squeezed in—and there’s a way to build a business that actually supports your life instead of running it.   Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Get on the waitlist for the Sustainable Success Blueprint HERE! If you’re tired of feeling like you’re checking off all the business advice boxes—networking, raising your rates, squeezing in one more client—yet still wind up totally depleted, then you’re in the right place. This episode goes straight to the heart of why so much “proven” business strategy just doesn’t fit our world as massage therapists. Gretchen talks candidly about her own experience building a business that looked great on paper but left her completely burnt out and disconnected from what actually mattered. What really hits home is the reminder that unless your business is rooted in your own values, nervous system, and the pace your body can sustainably hold, no amount of strategy or hustle will get you where you want to go.   Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE!   If you’ve ever wondered if you’re somehow doing it wrong, this one’s a reality check and a permission slip all at once. Expect practical encouragement to center joy, clarity, and your real capacity—instead of patching over exhaustion with someone else’s formula. When you build from that solid foundation, your business starts to support you right back.   Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Ever feel like your sessions are missing something — not because you’re doing it wrong, but because your clients are stuck in overdrive before they even hit the table? This episode is all about vibroacoustics — and before you tune out thinking you don’t have time to learn a whole new modality, hang tight. We’re talking about sound and vibration in ways that are simple, intuitive, and surprisingly effective at helping your clients drop in faster, receive more deeply, and leave more integrated. Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE! Gretchen and Kelsy unpack what’s actually happening in the brain and fascia when sound meets touch, how humming or a single singing bowl can shift someone’s whole experience, and why this isn’t just a nervous system shortcut for your clients — it can be one for you, too. You’ll walk away with low-lift, high-impact ways to start experimenting (like one bowl at the sacrum, or using your own breath as a tool) and real client feedback that might make you want to dust off that crystal bowl you shoved in a closet three years ago.   Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Ever catch yourself re-reading a text to a client for the millionth time, convinced that one wrong sentence will unleash chaos—or at least a passive-aggressive Google review? This episode is a gentle gut check for every bodyworker who’s ever lost sleep over boundaries, pricing, or just saying what you actually mean (without becoming an emotionless robot). Gretchen sits down with Annette Montgomery for a seriously honest, down-to-earth chat about that old tug-of-war between “wanting to help everyone” and “not wanting to collapse in a heap.” They both share what it’s really like to learn boundaries the messy way—not through perfectly crafted scripts, but by reaching a point where burnout makes niceness physically impossible.   Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE!   Here’s the shift: You’re not broken if enforcing policies or raising your rates gives you hives. It’s your nervous system talking, and there are ways to make hard conversations feel less terrifying—starting with honest scripts, permission to add a little joy (yes, even on your balance sheet), and finding your own “gooey middle” between people-pleasing and rigid business rules. If you’re tired of business advice that skips over why saying no is so loaded for healers, or if you just want to feel less alone in the awkwardness of growth, this one’s for you.   Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.

Feeling overwhelmed by a mountain of unfinished projects or half-baked business ideas? You’re definitely not alone. In this episode of Sustainable Bodyworker, Gretchen Popp dives deep into the all-too-familiar cycle of getting sparked by inspiration, starting lots of projects, and then losing momentum before anything gets finished. This isn’t a flaw in your motivation or a sign of bad time management—it’s actually often a nervous system response, a loop your brain gets caught in seeking the rush of a new idea rather than seeing something through to completion. She shares candidly about her own struggles with accumulating started-but-not-finished projects and how this kept her feeling stagnant and anxious, even though she appeared busy and productive on the surface. The overwhelm stems from having too many “open loops”—unfinished tasks—cluttering up your mental bandwidth, which ultimately slows you down, just like having too many open programs on your computer.   Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE!   To break out of the Start-Stop cycle, Gretchen suggests a few practical strategies: Brain Dump: Get everything out of your head and onto paper, from the tiniest admin task to the most ambitious future dream. This creates clarity and helps you actually see what’s taking up mental space. Step Back: Give yourself some space after making your list. This pause can spark fresh insight and make it easier to distinguish between what’s urgent, what moves the needle, and what’s just mental clutter. Elimination & Prioritization: Cross off anything that doesn’t align with your goals or current capacity. Place the “maybe someday” ideas in a parking lot for later, freeing up focus for what’s important now. Commit to One Thing: Identify the single task or project that’s most aligned with your business goals and energy. Protect this commitment, breaking it down into small, actionable steps so it’s less overwhelming and easier to start. Recognize Resistance: When resistance shows up (perfectionism, fear of being seen, the urge to start something new), remember it’s your nervous system seeking comfort, not a sign you should quit. Acknowledge it, regulate your body (movement, breathwork), and gently guide yourself back to your focus. Create Supportive Systems: Work with your natural rhythms, block time specifically for focused work, and build in accountability that steers you back on course without self-criticism. You don’t have to juggle everything at once. Clear the mental noise, pick your priority, and stay with it—not to force productivity, but to create the conditions where you can actually grow and thrive, sustainably. Affiliate Links:  Swanwick Glasses: Scientifically tested and proven to improve your sleep. InHarmony Meditation Mats: Use code NEURO5 for 5% off! Global Cupping: Use code NEURO for 20% off your first order! Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!   If you’ve got a story, skill, or insight you think would help other bodyworkers, we’d love to hear from you — click here to apply to be a guest on the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast.