Click HERE to join us in our Sustainable Bodyworker Bingo Challenge for 2026!  So many of us set big resolutions and think, “this year, I’ll finally stick with self-care”... only to get steamrolled by old patterns, client demands, or that sneaky voice insisting five seconds of breathwork doesn’t “count.” We get it—and we’ve done more than our share of Monday-morning resets, chasing motivation until burnout finally called our bluffs. The real shift? Ditching the all-or-nothing mindset and actually embracing what nervous-system regulation looks like: tiny, doable actions that build self-trust, not shame. This episode isn’t about overhauling your life or getting “perfect.” Instead, Gretchen and Kelsy put real talk behind January’s Sustainable Self-Care Bingo challenge—micro habits that can fit into the messiest seasons, even if you’re running on fumes. These aren’t silver bullets, but think of them as proof that the smallest boundaries, the shortest moments of presence, and the quietest acts of kindness toward yourself are enough to start rewiring your brain and your workday. It’s not about smashing the overwhelm in January—it’s about making space for the kind of change you might actually keep.   Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen 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! We are so grateful for your support of the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast and would love to hear how we can better support you! Click here to give us your feedback on the show.  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. Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!

Who am I to raise my prices, teach a class, or even call myself an expert? If those thoughts have ever circled your mind louder than clients on a Friday night waitlist, you’re not alone—Gretchen lays it all bare in this episode. She shares the very real, not-so-glamorous side of growing beyond what you ever thought possible (and what happens when a “You’ll never make any money doing that” moment from your past tries to call the shots years later). Instead of hustling for confidence or waiting for the imposter feelings to disappear, Gretchen offers simple, nervous-system friendly shifts: name what’s happening, zoom out beyond your inner critic, and take one tiny action—because real confidence is built, not inherited. Whether imposter syndrome has you procrastinating, scrolling, or losing sleep, you’ll hear reminders that you are not broken and you don’t need to “think positive” your way out of growth. Sometimes, the fact that your brain is screaming may just mean you’re on the very edge of something meaningful.   Click HERE to sign up for our Sustainable Bodyworker Bingo Challenge for 2026!  Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen 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! We are so grateful for your support of the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast and would love to hear how we can better support you! Click here to give us your feedback on the show.  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. Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!

If you’re still wondering why your hands and shoulders ache after every deep tissue session—no matter how precisely you “fix” your body mechanics—it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. This conversation with Jim Funk and Kelse Filler goes straight to the heart of what so many of us never heard in massage school: the mythical “low table, squat all day” advice isn’t actually the answer for longevity. Jim Funk breaks down how he had to unlearn years of pain and “muscling through” (sound familiar?), and take a totally different approach with his forearm fusion work—one that actually leaves you with energy at the end of the day. The raw honesty about burnout, sneaky patterns of overgiving, and the constant practice of boundary-setting feels like a relief. If you need permission to work smarter, not harder—and to stop sacrificing your body for your clients—this one will hit home. To attend Jim’s Forearm Fusion course, click HERE, or come see what CE classes are being held at The Academy of Massage Therapy & Bodywork HERE.  Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen 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! We are so grateful for your support of the Sustainable Bodyworker Podcast and would love to hear how we can better support you! Click here to give us your feedback on the show.  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. Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!

Get your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen HERE! Are things in your treatment room feeling a little… off? A low-key unsettled vibe you can’t quite name, but your nervous system absolutely picks up on? Turns out, the space itself is doing way more of the heavy lifting than most of us realize. Gretchen Popp gets honest about how she barely used to think about her massage room beyond the basics—until talking with Jamie Smith left her wheels spinning all week about the real impact of design on work, rest, creativity, and client care. The most powerful shift? Recognizing that your environment shapes everything—from how safe clients feel to whether you leave work each day depleted or actually regulated. You’ll walk away seeing your clutter, lighting, linens, and workflow in a totally new light (and maybe give yourself permission to upgrade the table or toss that ancient salt lamp). Forget perfection—start with what drains or nourishes you most. Regulation and calm don’t just happen; you can build them right into your space, one intentional choice at a time.   Click HERE to work with Jamie on revamping your treatment space!    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. Click HERE for your FREE Mindset Shift hypnotherapy session with Gretchen!

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 practiceHypnotherapy 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.   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 get tired of gratitude being framed as some forced holiday ritual or another “should” on your self-care to-do list? Yeah, Gretchen gets it — real gratitude often gets lost under the pressure to perform. In this Thanksgiving week episode, Gretchen breaks down exactly why gratitude isn’t just a sugary sentiment or an Instagram affirmation, but actual nourishment for a nervous system (and business) that’s stretched thin. She gets honest about her own history with gratitude feeling contrived, and shares grounded, science-backed practices that actually shift your baseline from survival mode to a place where your work feels like a privilege, not an obligation. If you’re someone who finds gratitude tough when everything feels heavy — or worries that you’re “doing it wrong” — you’ll find real relief here. Tiny, regular practices aren’t just fluff; they literally retrain your brain, replenish your emotional reserves, and help you start seeing the small wins when life gets hard. This one’s full of practical shifts you can use right away, from a simple morning practice to a soothing visualization you’ll actually want to return to, especially when you need some grounding before a client or after a long day. Gratitude, reimagined — no performance required.   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.

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.