Staying Strong & Sovereign

These times feel like a lot to hold. Maybe it’s the drop in estrogen (hello, menopause), or the hard-won wisdom that comes with this season of life, but anything less than real isn’t cutting it for us lately. When the world feels heavy and upside down, we crave honest talk, deep connection, and a sense of agency.

If you’re feeling the weight of these times and wondering if anything you do can make a difference, you're in the right place. When Catherine and I hit those moments (and we do), we turn to the voices of women who have walked through fire and come out the other side—women like Martha Beck.

Martha’s story of breaking free from deep-rooted conditioning and suppression to reconnect with her passion, power, and purpose is a potent reminder that reinvention and hope are within reach for all of us, even when things seem dark.

You may have grown up with unspoken rules about what it means to be a “good woman” in a world shaped by patriarchy. These systems don’t just influence our outer lives; they seep into our thoughts, cells, and fascia, affecting our sense of worth, health, and our beliefs about what’s possible. They become the issues in our tissues.

Outside of our conscious awareness, this fear-based programming, including perfectionism and the “never enough” mindset, follows us into our careers and relationships. We learn to disconnect from our instincts and work harder, expect less, and power through our needs for authentic expression, connection and rest.

On the outside, you might look “okay,” but inside, you can feel disconnected, exhausted, or even empty. If you’ve ever reached a point of physical collapse, or found yourself questioning everything after achieving a pinnacle of success, you’re in the right place. Breaking free from outdated paradigms is messy and brave—and absolutely worth it.

Lately, Martha’s voice—and the regenerative ideas she shares from The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow—have been a light in the dark. This book upends the myth that history is a straight line toward hierarchy, inequality and burnout. Instead, it shows that, throughout time, humans have experimented, adapted, and—most importantly—chosen new ways to live when the old ones stopped working. If you’re feeling stuck or worn out, maybe it’s not a personal failing. Maybe it’s a sign that something in you is ready for a new story - and you're not alone in that longing.

Martha names this longing “the way of integrity”—wholeness of mind, body, heart, and spirit. Our bodies tell us when we’re out of sync. Exhaustion and restlessness aren’t failures; they’re signals for change.

Change and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective

As you may have experienced, change is not always smooth or linear. Our nervous systems are wired to perceive newness and the unknown as a potential threat, often triggering survival responses like fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown. This is why support, both internal and relational, is so vital during big transitions.

Extinction burst is the last, desperate resistance from old systems before real transformation occurs. So if you’re feeling chaos, overwhelm, or emotional turbulence during this phase, know that this is a natural and expected response. Your body and mind are doing their best to protect you.

This is where taking a purposeful pause becomes essential. Grounding yourself in the safety and awareness of the present moment helps regulate your nervous system and creates space for new possibilities to emerge.

Polyvagal Theory teaches us that when we perceive safety—through breath, sensory awareness, gentle movement, or mindful touch—our vagus nerve helps shift us from survival states into connection, presence, and social engagement.

Practical grounding might look like:

• Noticing your breath and allowing a longer exhale

• Orienting to your environment—naming what you see, hear, or feel.

• Placing a hand on your heart or belly for self-soothing touch.

• Moving gently or taking a walk to discharge excess energy.

• Reaching out for support or co-regulation with a trusted person.

Healing at the nervous system level is about restoring safety, learning to soothe and comfort your body, attuning to its feedback, and protecting your needs and boundaries.

Midlife is a portal to wisdom, creativity, and leadership.

Ready to go deeper?

If you’re looking to bring these conversations to your organization or community, invite Catherine to speak at your next women’s conference or workplace event (learn more).

If you’re seeking personal transformation, explore one-on-one coaching or Equine-Facilitated Leadership Workshops with Lisa (learn more).

Join us to create spaces where everyone can shine and feel valued.

References:

• Graeber, D., & Wengrow, D. (2021). The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity.

• Beck, M. (2021). The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self.

• Wise, A. (2023). Embodied Healing.

• Wise, A. (2021). Self-Attunement Workbook.