Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers

Ep 163 Why Recurring Joint and Back Pain Isn´t Random with Bonnie Ryckova

Why does chronic pain return even after months of physical therapy and exercise? Today I sit down with chronic joint and back pain specialist Bonnie Ryckova to uncover the missing link in injury recovery.Bonnie shares her powerful journey from childhood trauma and multiple accidents to discovering the "layers of compensation" the body builds over decades. Learn why traditional strengthening exercises often fail when the body is stuck in a fight-or-flight response and how nervous system regulation can finally break the cycle of painful flare-ups. This conversation offers a roadmap to move from "fixing" your body to partnering with it for lasting relief.Key Highlights & Timestamps03:09 The "Dissociation" of Injury: Bonnie describes the psychological impact of her first childhood injury, explaining how a plaster cast led to a feeling of disconnection from her own limb, a common side effect of physical trauma.05:17 The Hidden Impact of Childhood Accidents: A detailed look at how a "minor" accident at age 10 created a "rotational" compensation in Bonnie's pelvis that stayed with her for decades, despite X-rays showing nothing was broken.14:26 Trauma Processing vs. Physical Fixing: Following a car accident in her 30s, Bonnie explains the pivotal moment she realized that physical exercise alone couldn't heal her because the emotional trauma of the impact hadn't been processed.20:05 The "Layers of Compensation": A breakdown of how the body adapts over time. Bonnie explains that the demands we put on our bodies (career changes, travel, stress) add "layers" to old injuries, making standard physical therapy less effective over time.22:34 Nervous System "Fight or Flight" in Fitness: Bonnie discusses the irony of the fitness industry, where high-intensity "hustle" can actually prevent healing by keeping the nervous system in a constant state of threat.31:18 Learning to Listen to "Body Guidance": Bonnie shares her method of lying on the floor and allowing the body to lead the movement (rocking, pelvic tilts) rather than following a rigid exercise protocol.41:09 The "Silent" Rib Cage Breath: A step-by-step tutorial on the specific breathing technique Bonnie uses to expand the thoracic spine, relax the jaw, and signal safety to the brain to stop a pain flare-up.Bonnie's Bio Bonnie is a Chronic Joint and Back Pain Specialist who works with people whose pain keeps returning despite physiotherapy and exercise. Her work focuses on understanding how the body has adapted over time and where load is no longer shared evenly.Her background includes biomechanics, clinical Pilates and postural therapy, alongside lived experience of chronic pain, hypermobility, and injury recovery. This informs a way of working that is structured, body-led, and realistic, prioritising clarity before action.Her work has been featured in Forbes (2024), 30 Day Health Magazine (2025), and The I-Paper (2026). Connect with Bonnie https://bonnieryckova.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnieryckovaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonnieryckovaWho am I?Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com#healingpain #chronicpainsolutions #chronicpainrecovery #chronicpainhelp #chronicpainrelief #chronicpainawareness #emotionalpain #traumarecovery #traumahealing

Ep 162 Healing PCOS & Mold Toxicity & How Your Home Environment Impacts Your Health with Shreya Vohora

Today, I sit down with Shreya Vohora to uncover the invisible link between our homes and our health. Shreya shares her profound dual-recovery journey from PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and chronic mold toxicity, offering a roadmap for anyone struggling with unexplained fatigue, weight gain or hormonal imbalances.Key Moments01:34 The Subtle Signs of PCOS: Shreya discusses her diagnosis journey at age 21, the limitations of standard medical testing and the moment she was told by a doctor that she might never have children.13:52 Endocrine Disruptors: The emotional moment Shreya discovered her "luxury" beauty and cleaning products were actually hormone disruptors, leading to a complete overhaul of her environmental toxins.21:28 Identifying Mold Toxicity Symptoms: A breakdown of the "hidden" symptoms, including joint pain, chronic mucus and a specific type of breathlessness that is often mistaken for being physically unfit.24:33 The Detox Protocol: Shreya explains the technical journey of "unplugging" compromised detox pathways and using specific binders and saunas to remove toxins from the bloodstream.32:53 The "Black Mold" Myth and Species Testing: A critical explanation of why not all mold is visible or black and why you must get a baseline before starting remediation.36:40 Why Bleach Fails at Mold Remediation: A vital warning on why bleach is ineffective for porous surfaces like plasterboard and timber and how it can actually cause microscopic spores to spread further.41:07 The Mind-Body Connection: Shreya reflects on how internalized grief manifested as physical illness and weight gain, acting as a biological "safety shield" to protect her during a period of trauma.47:43 Simplification vs. Biohacking: Shreya explains why we must remove toxins and simplify our environment before we can effectively "optimize" with technology.Shreya's Bio Shreya Vohora is a London-based entrepreneur specialising in how the built environment shapes health and helping people create homes that support energy, focus, sleep, and long-term well-being.Her expertise is grounded in her own recovery from mould toxicity and hormonal imbalance, which sparked her deep dive into environmental health. Today, she translates complex science into simple, practical strategies anyone can use. From spotting hidden toxins that even realtors miss to improving air quality, reducing EMF exposure, and using nature and light to boost mood and vitality, Shreya offers clear, actionable guidance that fits real life.She runs a luxury interior design and construction company, interiors with art and co-founded RightRop an AI-powered platform that helps consumers make safer, more personalised product choices. Everything she does is aligned with her mission to help people create healthier spaces that genuinely work with the body, not against it so they can live their happiest and healthiest life. Her approach is practical, evidence-based, and designed for everyday living.Connect with Shreya https://vibrantlivinglab.substack.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shreyavohora/Who am I?Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com

Ep 161 Healing Isn't What You Think: Why Safety Heals More Than Effort

Why You Can’t "Force" Your Healing: From Survival to Safety Are you trying too hard to heal? In the final part of my healing journey trilogy, I reveal a counterintuitive truth: the harder we push, the harder it is for our bodies to recover. Many of us treat healing like a discipline, controlling our diets, pushing through fatigue and demanding results but your body cannot heal while it is in survival mode.In this episode, we explore:The Nervous System: Why safety is a feeling, not a thought.The Wisdom of Symptoms: Decoding the messages behind eczema, thyroid issues, and adrenal burnout.Depression as "Deep Rest": Re-framing mental health struggles as a biological cry for stillness.The Power of Allowing: Shifting from "doing" to "being" to turn off your body's red alert.If you’ve been your own harshest critic, it’s time to stop pushing and start listening. Learn how to cooperate with your body and provide the safety it needs to finally heal.Key Information 00:18 — The Healing Trilogy: Reflecting on the journey from where I was to where I am now.00:39 — The Myth of "Effort": Why trying harder and being more disciplined can actually prevent healing.01:43 — Survival vs. Safety: Understanding that the body heals only when it no longer feels the need to protect itself.02:30 — The Nervous System: Safety is a feeling in the body, not a scientific concept or a logical thought.03:22 — Rest is Not Lazy: Re-framing rest as a necessary form of self-care and a signal of safety to the brain.04:58 — Listening to Body Wisdom: Shifting from looking for external solutions to listening to internal messages.05:16 — Decoding Symptoms: Eczema, Adrenal Fatigue, Thyroid07:05 — Depression as "Deep Rest": A powerful re-framing of depression as the body's desperate cry for stillness.07:46 — Cooperating with the Body: Learning to treat yourself with the same kindness you offer others.08:35 — A Message for Those Still Healing: Why not being "healed yet" isn't a failure, but a learning process for your body.Who am I?Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com#learningtips #selfawarenessmatters #selfhealing #healingjourney #mindbodyconnection

Ep 160 Healing Isn't What You Think: The Story Your Body Is Responding To

The Stories We Tell Ourselves: How Your Subconscious Shapes Your HealthDiscover how your childhood "life filters" shape your physical health in the second part of this trilogy with myself, Sarah Dawkins. Learn how the subconscious mind stores early experiences as truth, triggering the nervous system and creating physical symptoms as a survival strategy. Explore why your body isn’t "broken," but rather responding perfectly to the stories you believe.Key Takeaways00:15: Introduction: The Healing Trilogy Sarah introduces part two of her series, shifting the focus from identifying "stories" to understanding how they manifest physically and mentally.00:51: The Formation of "Life Filters" A breakdown of how childhood experiences (between the ages of 0 and 7) and the opinions of others are stored in the subconscious as absolute truths.01:42: Seeing the World Through Lenses Sarah introduces the metaphor of "life glasses"—how our subconscious beliefs act as filters that shape our entire perception of reality.02:26: The Body as a Protector A look at the biological side of belief: how the body prepares for "threats" based on what the mind perceives as true, even if that threat is an old memory.03:35: Why We Respond to Meaning, Not Reality An explanation of why triggers make us angry or sad. We aren't responding to the event itself, but to the meaning we’ve assigned to it through our past experiences.04:40 Survival Strategies & Self-Sabotage The subconscious mind’s primary goal is belonging and safety. Sarah discusses how behaviors like perfectionism and "not speaking out" are actually learned safety mechanisms.05:44: Symptoms as Self-Preservation A powerful shift in perspective: physical symptoms are not "faults" but strategies the body uses to stay vigilant and alert.06:25 Softening the Story The takeaway: nothing needs "fixing." Simply becoming conscious of the story allows the nervous system to soften, relax, and breathe.06:51 Closing Thoughts Sarah asks the final, provocative question: "What if your body has been responding perfectly to what it believed was true?"Who am I?Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com#symptoms #lifechanging #lessonslearnedinlife #healingispossible #healingjourney #perfection

Ep 159 Healing Isn't What You Think: What I'd Do Differently If I Was Starting My Healing Today

Beyond Symptom Suppression: Why You Aren’t Broken.Are you searching for a "cure" but still feel broken? Join myself, Sarah Dawkins, in the first of a special three-part trilogy on the Mind Body Medicine for Self-Healers podcast. Drawing on my background as a nurse and my own personal battle with chronic conditions, including psoriasis, PTSD and adrenal burnout, I reflect on the pitfalls of my previous knowledge of the "medical model" of healing.In this episode, we explore:Why looking externally for healing often leads to frustration and self-blame.The difference between symptom suppression and true root-cause healing.How to stop living the "story" of being broken and start listening to your body’s messages.What I would do differently if I had to start my healing journey over today.Stop researching symptoms and start understanding your body. You aren't behind, and you don’t need to be "fixed.Key Information 00:42 – Reflection: Why Sarah is sharing her journey.01:34 – The Nurse’s Perspective: Why Sarah initially focused only on the physical plane (diet, exercise and supplements).01:51 – A list of the health challenges Sarah faced (Psoriasis, PTSD, Candida, Burnout and more).02:20 – The "Broken" Trap: The frustration of researching symptoms and feeling like a failure when external cures don't work.04:06 – The Turning Point: Realizing the mistake of looking externally for answers instead of looking inside.05:54 – The limitation of the "Medical Model": Why diet and rehab are only the beginning.07:12 – Defining True Healing: The difference between symptom suppression (pills/amelioration) and root-cause healing.08:16 – The "Story" of the Symptom: How Sarah realized she was responding to a narrative of being "bad" or "lacking" rather than the physical ailment itself.09:33 – The Core Message: "You are not broken and you don't need to be fixed."Who am I?Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com#notbroken #healingispossible #healingjourney #healingmyself #selfawarenessjourney