Mountain Mantras: Wellness and Life Lessons

We’ve talked over many episodes about the topic of trauma. We’ve explored various modalities to address trauma, from Brainstpotting to EFT to coaching to plant medicine. Today we talk about the brain and how our developmental years impact our relationships and success. I invite trauma-informed developmental psychologist Dr. Carol Scott on the show to discuss her SASS (Self-Aware Success Strategies) methodology with listeners.   We summarize our discussion with 7 mantras that lead to seven essential strategies for success through relationships. Mantra #1: It’s never too late to address the past.   Mantra #2:  Face Your ACEs. It is a good idea for everyone to take the Adverse Childhood Experiences quiz. Here are some resources from Dr. Carol’s website.   Mantra #3: Our nervous systems are at the heart of disruptions in our relationships.   Mantra #4: When trying to decipher behavior that may trigger us, ask: What is the need behind the deed?   Mantra #5: Relationships matter when it comes to success.   Mantra #6: The first seven years of life (2,500 days) are crucial to determining your capacity for relationships now.   Mantra #7: Understand Dr. Carol’s seven essential strategies for success through relationships: 1. The infant strategy: trust 2. The toddler strategy: independence 3. The “first adolescence” strategY; faith 4. The pre-k strategy: negotiation 5. The Kindergarten strategy: vision 6. The first grade strategy: compromise 7. The second grade strategy: acceptance.   Dr. Carol has offered some helpful resources to listeners: -  Become Your Sassy S.E.L.F e-booklet. You can email Dr. Scott and request this booklet.  - The SASS Manifesto on the bottom right side of the page at this link.    More about Dr. Carol Scott Dr. L. Carol Scott is a trauma-informed developmental psychologist, TEDx speaker, coach, and author. Carol brings the SASS—Self-Aware Success Strategies to help you get along better on the adult playgrounds on which you play.   Carol knows that your success today is determined by your first seven years of life. And she also knows that it’s never too late for Development Do-Overs. As her coaching client, you bring your unique goals for success, and she draws out your SASS. Together, you repattern how you operate in the relationships that are at the heart of achievement.   Also a nationally respected thought leader in early care and education (ECE), Carol is former president of the board for Child Care Aware of America, and the ECE System Integration Consultant for Steering Impact, the home of EarlyCare+, a technology innovation to revolutionize access for all parents and caregivers to the ecosystem of ECE services.   What is fun for Dr. Scott?   Pondering and discussing deep questions about life and purpose with like-minded women. Mind-challenging word games (BIG Wordle fan!). Connecting with the natural world as a manifestation of Spirit.   Links   www.lcarolscott.com www.facebook.com/dr.l.carolscott www.instagram.com/dr.l.carol https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-l-carol-scott-7b70429/

On this episode of Mountain Mantras, I interview Amanda Monnier, an Energy Healer and Mindset Coach. Amanda knows that she was put on this earth to support people in waking up and remembering who they are.    Amanda empowers her clients and helps them heal from the inside out, break ancestral patterns, and shift into the fullest embodiment of who they are at a soul level. We discuss what is going on at a planetary level and how we can together create a shift in consciousness for a more connected and sustainable existence.    We summarize topics with 7 mantras that will help you bring your own personal power back fully on line: Mantra #1:  Spiritual awakenings come in all flavors, colors, shapes and feelings. Mantra #2:  Spiritual awakenings are often not fun, but you can remember this: “Better out than in”. See Emily Fletcher and I sing this “mantra” during my interview with her in episode 105. Mantra #3: The “how” of creating an alignment between the heart and soul is to raise your frequency.    Mantra #4: We are on the cusp of the golden age when we will wake up to the essence of who we are (love, joy, ease, flow, etc.). Manta #5: Set an intention to connect with your higher self, then drop into your body. We mention Lumari, her book, and my interview with her about Streams of Consciousness. Mantra #6:  Look for the “full body yes” when making decisions. Mantra #7: Take what resonates and leave the rest. More about Amanda Amanda is an Energy Healer, Certified energetic allergy healing practitioner, Certified Magnetic Mind Coach, Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT 200 and Yin Yoga), Emotion Code Practitioner, certified Transformational Nutrition Coach, and holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She assists her clients in healing old wounds and up-leveling to the highest-soul aligned version of themselves. Amanda is a woman on a mission to create a movement of healed, intuitively-connected humans—people who are truly aligned with their heart & soul, creating a life on their terms, and passionately unleashing their gifts into the world. Amanda is completely committed to her soul work of changing lives. What is fun for  Amanda Monnier? Moving my body! I absolutely love it!   LINKS Website Instagram

Today we dive into a particular plant medicine, mescaline, the active ingredient in San Pedro (Wachuma).   Dr. Isabel Sharkar is a naturopathic doctor and the co-founder of Indigo Integrative Health Clinic in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Isabel, who I call “Izzy” throughout the interview given our personal connection, has been serving the community in health restoration and body optimization for over a decade. She is known as a beauty expert and has some interesting insights for us on purging, healing, beauty, and anti-aging.   Izzy beams through to us from Portugal, where many plant medicines have been decriminalized.    We summarize our discussion with 10 powerful mantras about healing, be that through plant medicine or other techniques Izzy mentions including health food, water, hot/cold therapy, detoxification, meditation, vagal nerve stimulation, and simply being in nature.   Mantra #1: The pandemic has created polarization and separation. We need a way out… see Mantra #2.   Mantra #2:  Be present, breathe, listen, bring in love and remember the ultimate desire for connection.    Mantra #3: True healing happens on all levels:  mind, body, and soul.   We reference the books When the Body Says No (​​https://smile.amazon.com/When-Body-Says-Understanding-Stress-Disease/dp/1630262560/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1644009563&sr=1-) and The Body Keeps the Score (https://smile.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0670785938/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1644009654&sr=1-1) Mantra #4: When the student is ready, the teacher appears (this is true for plant medicine as a master teacher).   Mantra #5: Carrying around years and pounds of emotional baggage is NOT a good look! (Purging and healing can make you look ten years younger!).    Mantra #6: San Pedro is a master teacher (plant); It is considered “grandfather”.   Mantra #7: San Pedro can allow what so many of us need in this day and age: movement, being in nature, and the slowing down of time.   Mantra #8: Mescaline (the active ingredient in San Pedro) has many healing properties (supports immune function, anti-microbial, supportive in healing the gut lining, reduction in alcohol abuse, reduction in suicidal thoughts, activates serotonin and dopamine).   Mantra #9: Integration is key and takes time. See the previous episode with Sam Liebowitz where we talk extensively about integration: https://makeeverythingfun.com/radio/ep116-sam-liebowitz/   Mantra #10: It all starts with intention. More about Dr. Isabel Sharkar Dr. Isabel Sharkar is co-founder of Indigo Integrative Health Clinic in Washington, D.C., a thriving clinic that has been serving the local community in health restoration and body optimization for over a decade. She is known as a beauty expert and has written for magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Byrdie, Pop Sugar, Psychologies Magazine, Huffington Post, Top Sante, Aspire Skin, Net Doctor, Vogue, and many more. She has been featured in Modern Luxury, NBC News, the Exhausted Docu-series, and numerous podcasts. Dr. Isabel stands for the empowerment of female entrepreneurs and inspires them into goddesses. Through Creatress CEO Unleashed, Dr. Isabel births the new female archetype, the Creatress, who through healing herself can heal the world. As Conscious Creatresses, we have a calling to leave the world a better place for all generations to come while embodying fun, joy, and pleasure. Dr. Isabel guides female entrepreneurs into full self-expression through healing the mind-body-soul triad and supporting re-connection to their personal power and Source.   What is fun for Dr. Isabel Sharkar?   Going to Burning Man, traveling, fancy dresses & making costumes, anything artistic.    Links   www.indigohealthclinic.com  @indigohealthclinic  @izzyindigo   Disclaimer: This podcast is for information only, and no part of its contents should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation, or endorsement by the author. You should always ask your physician or healthcare provider for her recommendation before starting any new health-related activity. 

We continue our series on the healing properties of plant medicine with this interview with my friend Dr. Diva Nagula.   Dr. Diva experienced life at full speed as a busy physician running a busy clinic until he was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014.  He hit “rock bottom” not when he was diagnosed or going through chemotherapy, but when he went into remission and lost his identity yet again.  He had moved from doctor to patient (the title of his wonderful book that I highly recommend), and then was faced with a new identity after being cancer-free.  As a Dr. Andrew Weil integrative medicine trained physician, Dr. Diva discusses the importance of balancing the mind, body, and spirit for optimal health. Disclaimer: This podcast is for information only, and no part of its contents should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation, or endorsement by the author. You should always ask your physician or healthcare provider for her recommendation before starting any new health-related activity.   We summarize our discussion with 10 powerful mantras about healing, including the responsible use of plant medicine: Mantra #1: A life lived in fight/flight leads to disease. Mantra #2: Algorithms used in traditional medicine don’t always fit the individual.   Mantra #3: An important aspect of healing happens on the spiritual level. Mantra #4: The ego is there to protect us. But the ego often doesn’t want to let go, because it is attached to an identity.  Plant medicine allows the ego to quiet so that healing can occur via a sense of universal oneness.   Mantra #5: We must feel to heal.  Distractions get in the way.   Mantra #6: Plant medicine creates neuroplasticity so that you can get unstuck.   Mantra #7: San Pedro moves through the chakras, starting from the root chakra, clearing blockages as it moves up to the crown chakra   Mantra #8: Do your homework so that you can feel safe and get the most from your plant medicine experience.   Mantra #9: Perhaps 20% is the plant medicine, the other 80% is about integration. Mantra #10: It’s about changing your life, not about taking plant medicine.   About Dr. Diva Dr. Diva Nagula is a board-certified osteopathic physician and has extensive knowledge and training in Integrative and Functional Medicine.  A Washington, D.C. native, he grew up in Alexandria, Virginia. His interest in medicine developed at an early age when he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and practice medicine. MEDICAL EDUCATION Dr. Nagula graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at EVMS and had a fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine at Emory University. PRACTICE Upon completion of his fellowship, he opened a practice in rural South Georgia. His practice grew in both size and prestige in a short time. Dr. Nagula opened the first AAAHC certified ambulatory surgical center in Georgia, where he performed cutting-edge interventional procedures. He oversaw all aspects of his practice while still managing to see a full case load of patients. He soon expanded into North Florida with a second practice. ADDITIONAL TRAINING WITH ANDREW WEIL Recently, Dr. Nagula completed training, under the renowned Dr. Andrew Weil, in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona. CURRENT HEALTH He owes his successful battle and remission to the tenets of integrative and functional medicine. He is in the best shape and best health of his life and owes it all to his positive lifestyle changes. “I’m still evolving. Through sharing my personal experiences of transformation, I hope to offer a reflection that allows you to develop an awareness of the positive and negative influences in your own life.” – Dr. Diva Nagula     What is fun for Dr. Diva?   Travel, Golf, trying new restaurants/food, wine etc.     Links   Website https://fromdoctortopatient.com/about/   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FromDoctorToPatientBook/   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/diva-nagula-d-o-a0677082/   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fromdoctortopatient/