Beyond The Pelvis

In this episode of Beyond the Pelvis , I welcome Joanne Lee Smith, a qualified nurse, professional coach, and mentor who spent 16 years living with chronic pain before finding her way to recovery. Joanne shares her deeply personal story of living with persistent neck and pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, and other symptoms while continuing to push herself through work, motherhood, and ultra-marathon running. Everything began to change when Joanne discovered the mind-body connection, the Three Principles approach, and the work of Dr. John Sarno. She shares how a simple practice of scribbling her thoughts on paper, which she called her “page of rage,” became an unexpected turning point in her recovery. In our conversation, we explore: How stress, life experiences, and the pressure to keep going can intersect with chronic pain. Why pushing yourself harder and constantly trying to fix your symptoms can become exhausting. How Joanne discovered the connection between her thoughts, feelings, and physical symptoms. What the Three Principles approach taught her about the mind and the experience of pain. How journaling, self-compassion, and experimenting with different approaches supported her recovery. Why healing doesn't have to become another full-time job, and how doing less can sometimes be part of moving forward. Today, Joanne has moved away from many of the coping strategies that once dominated her life, and has found more freedom in how she lives. If you've been living with chronic pelvic pain and feel exhausted from trying to find the next treatment, this conversation gives you a fresh perspective on what is possible. Connect with Joanne: Find Joanne Lee Smith on social media and visit her website at seraphicactive.com Connect with Laura (Show Host): Laura Haraka on Instagram Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle Please note: Joanne's experience is personal, and what helped her may not be right for everyone. Always consult an appropriate healthcare professional about your symptoms and treatment options.

Melissa Melia Dunn shares her personal journey with chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis, exploring the mind-body connection and innovative approaches to healing. Discover how understanding the nervous system, emotional health, and supportive therapies can transform pain management and recovery. Key Topics Melissa's personal experience with pelvic pain and endometriosis The impact of stress, trauma, and emotional health on physical pain The importance of understanding the nervous system and neuroplasticity in healing The role of therapies like pelvic floor physiotherapy, somatic tracking, and pain reprocessing therapy The significance of support, self-trust, and lifestyle changes in managing chronic pain The misconception of pain being purely physical and the mind-body connection The importance of language and communication from healthcare providers The journey of integrating emotional and physical health for holistic healing Connect with Melissa Melia Dunn: https://www.thewholeyoucounselling.com/ Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live/ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle free for 15 days: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

What happens when chronic pain, GI symptoms, and insomnia seem to take over your life, and nothing you try provides lasting relief? Laura sits down with Nora Rodden, founder and CEO of Nirvana, to talk about her own five-year journey with chronic pain after being hit by a car in college. Nora shares how she went from pursuing treatments and procedures for persistent back pain, to experiencing chronic bloating and insomnia, and eventually discovering the mind-body approach that changed how she understood her symptoms. Nora also shares what inspired her to create Nirvana, a personalized digital mind-body recovery program designed to make this work more accessible. If you've ever felt like you're constantly chasing symptoms or wondering why your body still feels unsafe even after you've ruled out structural problems, this conversation is worth a listen. Discover the Nervana App: https://www.trynervana.com/ Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live/

In this episode of Beyond the Pelvis , Laura sits down with chronic symptom recovery coach Helmut Koeckritz , who shares how he recovered from more than 70 symptoms, including pelvic floor pain, OCD, food sensitivities, anxiety, and chronic tension. Together, they explore the mind-body connection, nervous system regulation, symptom fear, and the role of allowance in recovery. Helmut explains the tools that helped him heal, why setbacks don't mean failure, and how learning to feel safe again changed his life. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or losing hope, this conversation offers practical insights and a powerful reminder that recovery is possible Connect with Helmut Koeckritz: https://the-mindful-gardener.com/?shem=rimspwouoe Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live/ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

Struggling to understand your pelvic pain or why it won’t go away? In this episode, Laura Haraka is joined by a panel of pelvic health experts to answer the most common questions about chronic pelvic pain, bladder symptoms, and nervous system healing. You’ll learn why symptoms persist, how flare-ups actually work, and what it really takes to support your body without turning healing into another to-do list. If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck, this will give you clarity, reassurance, and a new way to think about recovery. Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.instagram.com/feel.to.heal.wellness/ Connect with Rachel Gofman: https://www.instagram.com/thepelvicpaincoach/ Connect with Michael Hodge: https://www.instagram.com/transformpelvichealth/ Connect with Callie K Nutrition: https://www.instagram.com/callieknutrition/

Vanessa Blackstone joins Laura Haraka to explore chronic pain, neuroplastic symptoms, and the role of nervous system safety in healing. Vanessa shares her personal story of migraines, pelvic pain, perfectionism, bracing, and learning to reconnect with her body through Pain Reprocessing Therapy. They discuss why symptoms are real, how survival strategies can keep the nervous system on high alert, and why healing requires compassion, consistency, and safety. Vanessa also shares her “dropping in” practice and the reminder: you are not as fragile as you fear you are. Connect with Vanessa Blackstone: http://www.painpsychologycenter.com Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live/ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

Chelsea Angilella, founder of Transcending Pain, shares how she healed after 30 years of chronic symptoms, including pelvic pain, IBS, migraines, and more. We explore the link between stress, emotions, and physical symptoms, the impact of medical trauma, and the shift that changed everything. Chelsea also shares the tools that supported her recovery and how she now helps others find relief through a mind-body approach. Connect with Chelsea: https://transcendingpain.com Connect with Laura: https://www.feeltoheal.live Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

Chelsea Emery, founder of Your Peaceful Pathways, shares her story of recovery from chronic pain through mind-body techniques. Learn how neuroplasticity, expressive writing, and gentle movement can open the door to recovery. Connect with Chelsea: https://yourpeacefulpathways.com Connect with Laura: https://www.feeltoheal.live/ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

In this episode, pelvic pain recovery coach Laura Haraka discusses a real recovery case study from a former client, Yaatin Aggarwal. Learn how stress, fear, and unprocessed emotions can drive chronic pain, and how symptom tracking, somatic practices, and gradual movement helped him heal by applying Laura’s mind-body approach to pain recovery. Perfect for anyone battling pelvic pain, chronic discomfort, or persistent stress-related symptoms. If you're ready to challenge long-held beliefs about pain and discover your own path to freedom, this episode is your wake-up call. Connect with Laura on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feel.to.heal.wellness/ Visit Laura Haraka’s website: ⁠https://www.feeltoheal.live⁠ Contact Yaatin with your follow-up questions: yatinaggarwal10@gmail.com

Julia Carmen, a curandera lineage-holder, joins us to explore healing through both the physical and spiritual realms. We discuss soul listening, energetic boundaries, and quieting mental noise to hear inner guidance. Julia also reflects on our shared need to feel seen and loved, and how reconnecting with your soul can transform healing. Connect with Julia Carmen : ⁠https://www.theschoolwithoutwalls.net Visit Laura Haraka’s website: ⁠https://www.feeltoheal.live⁠ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: ⁠https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

Most chronic pain is not a structural problem hiding in your body's tissues. It's your brain's neuroplastic response. I'm joined by Jim Prusak, a seasoned physical therapist turned pain science expert, who reveals how transforming your emotional and mental habits can break the pain cycle for good. This episode explains how pain can be a symptom your brain produces, and how your mind holds the power to heal it. Connect with Jim Prussack: http://www.thepainpt.com Visit Laura Haraka’s website: https://www.feeltoheal.live Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

In this episode of Beyond the Pelvis, Laura interviews guest expert Vidhi Shastri to explore what it actually takes to heal from chronic pain. Together, they unpack how physical symptoms reflect emotional patterns, mental beliefs, and energetic health, and why treating the body alone misses the deeper signals driving pain, tension, and long-term healing. Connect with Vidhi Shastri: http://www.retrainphysicaltherapy.net Visit Laura Haraka’s website: ⁠https://www.feeltoheal.live/⁠ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: ⁠ https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle⁠

Pain recovery coach Laura Haraka is joined by guest expert Kristy Kuecken, a somatic practitioner and addiction counselor. Together, they explore what it means to be in the middle of healing, how permission softens the nervous system, and why compassion, movement, and curiosity matter just as much as tracking progress. Connect with Kristy: https://mindbodemotion.wixsite.com/mindbodemotion Visit Laura Haraka’s website: ⁠https://www.feeltoheal.live/⁠ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: ⁠ https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle⁠

Pain recovery coach Laura Haraka is joined by guest expert Dr. Nir Brosh, a physician specializing in neuroplastic pain. They explore how chronic symptoms develop through nervous system dysregulation, why pain can persist despite normal tests, and how brain–body approaches support lasting healing. Get in touch with Dr Brosh: http://drbrosh.com Visit Laura Haraka’s website: https://www.feeltoheal.live/ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

Evelyn Hecht, pelvic physical therapist, chronic pain specialist, and Pelvic Sense founder. With 25+ years in pelvic health, she breaks down how pain neuroscience, central sensitization, and nervous system regulation transform recovery for urinary urgency, painful sex, interstitial cystitis, endometriosis pain, and PGAD. Learn why “threat vs safety” signals matter, how to rewire with education, calming practices, and gentle movement, and what timelines to expect. Connect with Evelyn Hecht: http://www.pelvicsense.com Use Promo Code BEYONDTHEPELVIS25 to access PelvicSense Silver for 3 months at a 25% discount Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

Functional nutritionist Alyssa Chavez joins chronic pain coach Laura Haraka. Alyssa shares her story of going from painful periods and infertility to conceiving naturally at 36. Alyssa shares her "whole-person approach": nutrition, gut health, blood sugar balance, and nervous system regulation. You’ll learn why “fighting your body” backfires, and simple ways to calm your system so healing can take root. Connect with Alyssa Chavez: http://www.alignedtorise.com Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

Adam Coloretti spent six years living with pelvic and back pain that began after gym injuries. He discovered TMS and the mind–body connection in year five and became pain-free. In this episode, Adam shares the tools that helped his recovery: building an evidence list, journaling without filters, allowing anger, and practising self-compassion. We talk fear, setbacks, and why recovery isn’t about perfection. Adam is now a chronic pain practitioner in Melbourne, helping others heal. Connect with Adam Coloretti: https://conqueringchronicpain.com/ Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live/ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

Pelvic pain recovery coach Laura Haraka welcomes former Seattle spine surgeon Dr David Hanscom to reframe chronic pain as a mind–body, fight-or-flight issue, not just structure. He shares his DOC (Direct Your Own Care) Journey tools: education, expressive writing, active meditation, sleep, and vagus-nerve stimulation. He also explains how cultivating safety and connection supports lasting healing. Connect with David Hanscom, MD: https://backincontrol.com Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live Discover the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

In this episode, pelvic pain recovery coach Laura Haraka chats with Dr. Rita Gupta, a board-certified physician, to explore how the mind-body connection can transform chronic pain. Together, they discuss practical ways to retrain the brain, reduce discomfort, and reclaim a sense of ease and freedom. Connect with Dr. Gupta: https://bodyandmindapproach.com Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle

In this episode, pelvic pain recovery coach Laura Haraka interviews former client Rachel Lock , who shares her inspiring journey from living in constant fear of pelvic pain flares to finding freedom and trust in her body. Rachel opens up about her lifelong experience with anxiety, how it intertwined with her physical symptoms, and the pivotal moment she began to heal through mind-body work. She and Laura discuss the role of nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, and self-compassion in recovery, offering hope and insight to anyone navigating chronic pelvic pain. Connect with Laura Haraka: https://www.feeltoheal.live/ Join the Pelvic Healing Circle: https://www.feeltoheal.live/the-pelvic-healing-circle