In this final episode of Season 3, Katie talks with Amber about her experience with coaching at Oak Mountain Coaching. They discuss navigating birth trauma, motherhood, and mental health, and how coaching offers tools and support beyond traditional therapy.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why coaching can be more actionable and connection-focused than therapy
• Understanding the freeze response and reducing self-blame
• Practical tools like butterfly tapping and bilateral stimulation
• The benefits of virtual coaching and ongoing support

Connect with Amber:

• Instagram: @fierce.not.fragile
• Podcast: Wild and Fierce Podcast

If you’ve been considering coaching, lean into that nudge...investing in yourself is worth it!

Don't forget to subscribe and stay tuned for Season 4 dropping in early 2026!

Thanks for being here!

-Katie O @katieostresscoaching

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of childhood trauma—what it is, how it manifests in adulthood, and the ways it can shape our beliefs, behaviors, and relationships. Katie shares personal experiences and professional insights, exploring the spectrum of trauma, from overt events to the absence of emotional safety and connection. The episode also covers common adult adaptations, the importance of self-compassion, and how coaching can support healing and growth.

Key Topics Covered:

• Defining childhood trauma: not just big events, but also the absence of safety, attunement, and connection.
• Personal stories of growing up with emotional neglect and the impact on self-worth and relationships.
• The spectrum of trauma: from abuse and chaos to neglect, perfectionism, and parentification.
• How trauma is a state of overwhelm without support, not just a single event.
• Common adult patterns: people-pleasing, hypervigilance, fear of conflict, over-responsibility, and difficulty setting boundaries.
• The process of internalizing adult messages and forming limiting beliefs in childhood.
• The role of the nervous system and body in carrying trauma responses into adulthood.
• The importance of repair, self-compassion, and learning new ways to create safety and connection as adults.
• How coaching and somatic techniques can help process and heal from childhood trauma.

Notable Quotes:

• "Trauma is not an event. It's how alone we felt in that event."
• "Our adaptations are brilliant and beautiful, and now as adults we get to learn how to befriend ourselves."
• "Childhood trauma does not have to be a life sentence."

Resources & Contact:

• Instagram: @KatieOStressCoaching
• Email: info@oakmountainmh.com
• If this episode brings up strong feelings or memories, please reach out for support.

If you resonated with this episode or have questions, connect with Katie for a chat about support or coaching. Stay tuned for more episodes diving deeper into specific patterns and healing strategies.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Katie sits down with physical therapist Lisa Becker-Schmall, whose work centers on women’s health, pelvic floor conditions, and chronic illness. Together, they unpack the mind-body connection, how physical and emotional pain overlap, and how providers can recognize when it’s time to collaborate or refer clients for additional support.

• Lisa’s work in pelvic health, hypermobility, dysautonomia, and women’s health across life stages
• Why replicating pain in an evaluation helps guide treatment
• When pain isn’t physical—and how emotional, relational, or trauma-related factors can show up as physical symptoms
• The vulnerability of seeking help for pelvic pain and how to hold space with care
• How PTs and mental health providers can collaborate without crossing scopes
• The importance of asking open, supportive questions when heavier emotional content arises
• Real examples of pain linked to emotional experiences, grief, and unresolved narratives
• How to know whether you need physical care, mental/emotional support, or both
• Why finding providers who “vibe” with you matters—and that it’s okay to seek someone who aligns with your needs

Physical pain is often influenced by emotional and psychological layers—and healing is most effective when providers work collaboratively, stay in their lane, and refer when needed. If something feels “missing” in your care, it’s okay to seek someone who sees the whole picture.

Instagram: @lisa.b.schmall — DMs welcome for connection or inquiries.

Instagram: @katieostresscoaching — and don't forge to subscribe and follow for future episodes!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.